The Business of Agriculture Podcast

What happens if Robert F. Kennedy, the self-described "extreme environmentalist" who rails against "factory farms," is in charge of the Department of Agriculture? The trust fund heir turned environmental lawyer turned politician led the first lawsuits against Monsanto, and he's on the record as saying we can end diabetes with organic food. Those are just a few of the alarm bells Damian Mason and his guest, Dr. Josh Miller cite in this discussion about misguided political movements and their impact on the Business of Agriculture. If you don't think this could happen, know this: Robert F. Kennedy released video on October 14th standing in front of the USDA building in Washington, DC stating, "When @DonaldJTrump gets me inside the USDA, we're going to give farmers an off-ramp from the current system that destroys soil, makes people sick, and harms family farms." This is part of RFK Junior's "Make America Healthy Again" campaign coinciding with the Trump campaign. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Will we get a new Farm Bill and if so, what will it look like? Damian Mason asks those questions and plenty more of his guest, Roger Cryan, Chief Economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Dr. Cryan and Damian provide a brief history of farm legislation (it dates back to the 1930's) as well as a look ahead at what a future farm bill might include. Based on current administrative sentiment, anything involving "climate smart Agriculture" is in, as are nutrition programs, and permanent programs such as crop insurance. What's not going to be a part of future farm legislation? Listen and find out! The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

The International Longshoremen's Association announced that they had reached an agreement to end their strike on the evening of October 3rd. This episode of The Business of Agriculture was already recorded and set for release on October 7. Given the tenuous state of affairs between the ports, shippers, and the union — along with the fact the agreement is temporary — I believe this topic and my take on it is still relevant and timely. Please give it a listen, especially paying attention to the historical comparison. We've been here before in the late 1970s and early '80s. Strikes, job loss fears, inflation, commodity glut, low Ag prices, global conflict, trade spats... The similarities are eery. Team those issues with an increasingly aggressive China whose economy is rapidly slowing along with political turmoil on the home front and things look a little dicey. Troubles on the trade front aren't going away as protectionist policies are likely to ramp up. Watch or listen to this and be prepared! The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Explore the rise of corn ethanol in the United States in this insightful episode of The Business of Agriculture. Prior to the Renewable Fuels Standard of 2004, corn ethanol was a niche market. Fast forward to today, and nearly 40% of U.S. corn production is dedicated to ethanol. Join host Damian Mason as he interviews Geoff Cooper, CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, to discuss the impact of this booming industry. Discover how American agriculture has evolved, with 12% more corn acres planted since 2004 and a significant increase in bushels produced per acre. How sustainable is this trend? What does the future hold for ethanol over the next 20 years? Tune in to gain valuable insights into the economic and environmental implications of corn ethanol. Don't miss out—subscribe to The Business of Agriculture today! The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

The Business of Agriculture is all about producing food, fuel, and fiber. We're damn good at it. What we're not so good at is promoting our products. In a marketplace that's oversupplied on just about every Agricultural commodity, differentiation, promotion, branding, and marketing are more important than ever. Maureen Ballatori, CEO of Agency 29 — an Agriculture focused advertising firm — agrees and sometimes disagrees with Damian Mason's 5 reasons Agricultural promotion flops. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Are livestock producers unfairly targeted by climate activists for their environmental impact? Do consumers face unjust guilt trips over their meat, milk, and egg choices? In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, we dive into the debate surrounding livestock and greenhouse gas emissions. Join host Damian Mason and UC-Davis animal scientist Frank Mitloehner as they separate fact from fiction. Discover why the claim that "cow farts" are a major climate issue might be more propaganda than reality. Frank Mitloehner reveals the true impact of livestock on greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting that livestock are responsible for only 11% of global emissions and just 4% in the U.S. Will political actions against livestock production, similar to those seen in Europe, become a trend? Frank's insights suggest otherwise. Plus, learn why livestock will continue to play a crucial role in human nutrition, with 98% of U.S. refrigerators stocked with animal-based products. Tune in for a factual and engaging discussion on the real numbers and future of livestock production. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Two areas of increasing concern for production Agriculture: Water utilization and labor availability. Farmblox is a farm automation company connecting equipment and in-field sensors to a producer's phone. Imagine a future with less time spent monitoring or guessing, and more time adjusting, based on real time information. Sustainability, labor saving, and improved yields through technology using artificial intelligence on farms….that's the future according to Farmblox CEO, Nathan Rosenberg. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

In this episode, we dive into the world of pulses—edible seeds from the legume family, including lentils, dry beans, and chickpeas (also known as Garbanzo beans). Discover why pulses are becoming a crucial part of the food industry, driven by rising consumer demand for plant-based protein, increasing protein needs in developing economies, longer shelf life, and impressive drought resistance. Join Lionel Kambeitz from Above Foods as he talks with Damian about his Canadian company's expansion into U.S. pulse production and processing. With the growing interest in pulse farming and consumption, this episode highlights a promising trend in the business of agriculture. Tune in to learn how pulses are shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and plant-based diets! The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

You've probably heard about Regenerative Agriculture, now there's Regenified Certified. This innovative certification designates products produced using advanced regenerative farming practices. In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, host Damian Mason is joined by Heidi Diestel from Diestel Ranch, a pioneering California-based turkey producer. Heidi Diestel discusses how her family's vertically integrated farming operation is leading the charge with Regenified Certified poultry. Tune in to learn about the benefits of regenerative agriculture for premium-priced poultry, the impact on sustainability, and what the future holds for food production. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

The subject of solar development on farm ground generates a lot of impassioned opinions. But do you know the all the facts? Listen to Damian's discussion with Illinois farmer John Carroll, who has eight on-farm solar developments powering livestock and farm facilities. He is also exploring community solar projects, where a municipality leases farm land for solar power development. John explains the three types of solar — on-farm, community, and commercial — as well as the business side of solar from a farm and landowner perspective. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Imagine a future with more environmental regulation, a fusion of regenerative and conventional farming practices, tastier food that's still affordable, fewer farmland acres — especially of corn and soy — with more acres of oddball crops like sorghum. These are just a few of Damian Mason's BIG thoughts on the future of farming, food prices, and what'll be growing on America's farms. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

41.9% of Americans are obese. Most of these people are not on obesity drugs. Yet. But that day is coming according to Damian Mason, and when it does Agriculture is going to — for the first time ever — face a marketplace of declining per-person caloric consumption. Todd Thurman joins Damian in this forward - looking discussion. What will the impact of obesity drugs, big Pharma, insurance companies, and possibly even government be on Agriculture? Listen to this! The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

The United States' Agricultural projected 2024 trade imbalance isn't due to a lack of sales. In fact, American Ag is on track to sell more corn, soy, pork, and other farm products than ever before. The imbalance — meaning we're buying more dollars worth of Agricultural goods than we're selling — is due to deglobalizaion, a strong dollar, and consumers' appetite for pricey imported food items. Roland Fumasi with Rabobank's RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness joins Damian for numbers and perspective on trade as it affects American farming, and our marketplace. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

Bee populations are declining, as you've likely heard. Is the decline a problem for Agriculture? Yes, says Itai Kanot, co-founder of BeeHero. With 75% of food crops requiring pollination, humanity needs bees. We need both wild honeybees — and perhaps more importantly — the kind kept by professional beekeepers. Professional beekeepers are hired by farmers to pollinate specialty crops. Bee keepers are struggling with Bee Colony Collapse, which is not an actual disease, but a phenomenon due to humans, monoculture, insecticide usage, and global movement of products harmful to bees. Mr. Kanot believes technology, along with addressing those four issues, can address Agriculture's bee problem. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved. Not available for AI.

The global Agriculture drone market is predicted to grow by 31.5% annually over the next four years. That's good for Ag innovation but bad for American national security. Why? Because the dominant global manufacturer of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's) for Agriculture, is directly linked to the Chinese Communist Party. That company — DJI — currently controls about 3/4 of the Ag drone market, including here in North America. Besides spraying product on our fields, there is compelling evidence the company is gathering data and providing it to the Chinese government. Arthur Erickson, CEO of Texas-based Ag drone maker Hylio, joins Damian for this important discussion. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Historically, investment in Africa has been extractive, as in, spend money to build mines or infrastructure to extract resources from the continent. Jeff Bordes with Acres Club says his company is changing that by deploying capital investment into Africa to build farms to nourish the local population. Developing farms in other countries is nothing new (see Brazil for example), but why Africa and why the nation of Zambia in particular? Damian asks all those questions and more with the guys from Acres Club. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Recycled freight containers turned into backyard hydroponic farms for suburbanites? Space farming to combat the perils of Earth-bound climate crisis? These are just two of the multitude of Agriculture-themed business ventures being pitched by their founders, investors and public relations consultants. The problem with these ventures: They seek to solve a problem that isn't really a problem, while the real problems Agriculture faces are left unaddressed. Damian Mason shares his thoughts on what Agricultural problems investment and innovation should tackle versus the ideas we should lose. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

The U.S. is staring down its largest Agricultural trade deficit in history. One factor in that is the amount of off-shore produce and specialty crop imports from nations with significantly lower labor costs. Jamie Clover Adams, Executive Director of Michigan Asparagus joins Damian Mason to explain why American farmers are losing out to other countries. The benefit of low prices is good for the consumer. The downside: potential loss of an industry and loss of food security. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

The demographics are actually quite staggering — we are getting old, fast. Which means our customer's dietary choices and demands are changing. Is Agriculture changing with its customers? What about the food inflation situation, with grocery prices up 25% since 2020? Todd Thurman, of Swine Insights International joins Damian to discuss economics, demographics, and opportunities shaping up amid an older customer base facing persistent food inflation. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

For six decades, American Agriculture ran a trade surplus — meaning, we sold more dollars worth of Ag products to other countries than we bought. That's changed. American Ag has run a trade deficit (bought more than we sold) four of the last six years. A record trade imbalance of $32 Billion is projected for 2024. Why is American Agriculture at a trade imbalance? Hint: Low corn and soybean prices combined with Americans' love of coffee, sugar, tequila, and avocados is part of the problem. John Newton, Chief Economist for the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry talks trade with Damian Mason! The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Farming is a business. Complete with a lot of moving parts, huge capital investment, and low margins. Adding in the trend toward farm consolidation, those larger farms that remain are left feeling a bit isolated. What's a forward-looking farmer to do? Join a professional peer group where you get business advice, information, and feedback from other farming operations similar to yours. Chris Barron with Ag View Solutions explains how his Ag peer groups function to benefit farmers. Chris is joined by farmer, ag business owner, and peer group member Brad Downing. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Agriculture has been consolidating for almost a century. There were 6.8 million American farms in 1935, today, less than 2 million. About 160,000 of those two million American farms do the bulk of the heavy lifting, production wise, with more than 90% of farm revenue. Consolidation has been the norm in not only production Agriculture but also on the business side. From farm machinery, to genetics, chemistry, and retail, there are fewer players today than in past decades. As we head into a declining Ag income cycle, consolidations will increase, based on historical precedent. But what are the limitations of consolidation? Landus CEO Matt Carstens joins Damian Mason for a lively Business of Agriculture episode! The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Big companies have gotten bigger in Agriculture, generally by acquiring, or merging with, other companies. Consolidation in the Business of Agriculture has been going on for decades and it's likely to continue. The question is: Who benefits from consolidation in the Agriculture industry? Damian Mason asks Corteva's Jim Davis that question, amid many other frank inquiries in this very interesting discussion. This is the first release in a two part series digging into consolidation in Agriculture. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

For years Agriculture has prioritized production, transport-ability, appearance, and efficiency in the food we make. But what about nutrients? Did nutrient content of food get relegated to the back seat? Somewhat, and that's changing, as consumers demand tastier, more nutritious food. University of Florida professor, farmer, and podcast host Kevin Folta joins Damian Mason on the Business of Agriculture for an intelligent discussion about the nutrient content of food. From McDonald's to Wal-Mart, trends and preferences are evolving. The future of food and nutrition will be impacted by policy, healthcare, and consumer demand. Navigating the change is Ag's next challenge. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

The last twenty years have been very good ones — financially speaking — for American Agriculture. The last three years 2021, '22, and '23 are the highest farm income years ever in both nominal and inflation adjusted, real dollars. Now, in 2024, we face a revenue downturn. While commodity prices are OK, input prices remain elevated. This scenario is setting up a financial breakeven for producers. What does this mean for all of us and what can crafty operators do to remain financially viable? John Maman with Nutrien Financial, and Nutrien Chief Economist Jason Newton share data along with financial recommendations in this episode of The Business of Agriculture. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

In production Agriculture we tend to over manage for some pathogens — corn root worm for instance — while under managing for others such as Fusarium. Mike Tweedy with PatternAg cites his company's recent finding in a certain geography where Fusarium — a disease for which we generally under manage — caused an average of 30 lost bushels. As commodity prices squeeze farm profit margins, managing against disease loss is critical. What if you can do so proactively? Mike and Damian discuss predictive agronomics, bio-fertility, nutrient uptake, and the ineffectiveness of most crop scouting (hint: It's more an autopsy than a doctor visit!). The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Money was pouring into Agricultural startups a few years ago. What's the investment climate look like now? Damian Mason is joined by Business Transaction Attorney Max Bremer on this episode of The Business of Agriculture. They discuss money flow into Ag, the pace of mergers and acquisitions, and how legislation is pushing some consolidation. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Most people don't hold investment money in the Ag commodity space. That may be changing as investing in things like corn is made easier via ETFs — exchange traded funds. Jake Hanley with Teucrium explains the oftentimes complex commodities trading industry and how his company is simplifying — or as Damian Mason says "democratizing" — commodity investing. Whether you're looking to diversify into alternative investments or not, you should listen to this information-packed episode of The Business of Agriculture. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Fruits and vegetables have been bred over the past half century for the primary objective of transportability and shelf life. The tradeoff: taste and nutrient density. As marketplaces mature and consumers are afforded increasing food options in the produce section, might a play toward taste, nutrition, and reduced food waste be a winner? Nathan Pumplin, CEO of Norfolk Healthy Produce thinks so. He explains his company's proprietary purple tomato (you read that right, it's purple!) and its myriad benefits — reduced food waste, novelty appeal, flavor, and above all, nutrient density. Another fun discussion with Damian Mason about food, production, and the business side of Agriculture. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Most of the fertilizer applied to fields, doesn't actually get absorbed by the plant. That's an economic as well as environmental liability for Agriculture. Technological advances in adjuvants, fertilizer amendments and biologicals aim to change farming. In this episode of The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason, Clark Bell, CEO of NanoYield talks to Damian Mason about technology that maximizes efficacy of products we already use in Ag — fertilizer and herbicide — while allowing a reduction in applied rates. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Frank Tiegs started farming in the Columbia basin region of Washington in 1975. Then he bought an apple packing facility. From there, the operation has expanded mightily to involve 140,000 acres of farming and 15 food processing facilities. Upon Frank's recent passing, his son Keith re-joined the business as president. In this episode of the Business of Agriculture Podcast, Keith talks to Damian Mason about the potato biz, specialty crop production, food processing, the business side of Oregon Potato Company, and all that goes into managing the operation. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Indiana appears poised to become the twenty-fifth state to restrict — or outright ban — ownership of Agricultural real estate by foreign entities. Many people — from both within and outside of Ag — have been calling for such legislation. Currenly, twenty four states have similar laws on the books. Generally, the legislation is directed at entities from "adversarial" nations such as China. Why did it take this long for the alarm to sound? Why has our federal government not addressed this national security concern? In this episode of The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason, Indiana farmer and state representative Kendell Culp joins Damian Mason to discuss the details of legislation he introduced to the state house. If you're concerned about American sovereignty as the pace of foreign infiltration quickens, listen to this. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

A full three quarters of farmworkers in the U.S. are migrants and many are here illegally. Add in food service, meat processing, and the ancillary industries that feed the food business and you're talking about a LOT of foreign-born workers who work to put food on America's table. Is the migrant crisis we're witnessing on our nation's southern border a crisis for Ag? Or is it a net benefit? The upside to having several million people walking into our country: Possible new pool of workers (unless they're economically un-incentivized!), new customers, and possible economic contributors (in the longer term). The downside: Criminality and a drain on resources. American Agriculture has — for a very long time — imported foreign-born workers to harvest the produce, milk the cows, and cut the meat. Is it what's happening now different? More importantly, is the current situation a crisis or a benefit for Ag? Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

In the last episode Todd Thurman joined Damian to cover a topic most in Agriculture have never considered: Are we permanently over supplied with Agricultural commodities? Pointing out the reasons demand won't outpace - or even keep up with - our productive capacity, Thurman and Mason painted a picture of long term surpluses that keep prices below break even. In this episode Todd and Damian ask "what if we're wrong and we're not Agriculturally oversupplied?" The pair look at 8 factors that might decrease global Ag production or increase demand. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

We in Agriculture love production! For example, we're producing about 50% more corn, soy, and pork than we did just a quarter century ago here in the U.S. The playbook for decades has been: find more global markets to peddle our commodities so we can keep doing what we like doing, which is producing stuff. Here's the problem — and the commodity price outlook is reflecting this — we have too much supply and demand is decelerating. Todd Thurman joins me to discuss some unpleasant realities: Population growth won't support more Ag production. Nor will increased globalization or advancing economies. Quite simply, global food production is way over-supplied and likely will be for a long time. And if we reduce food waste from the current 35% rate, it adds even more to our supply. What does the future of an oversupplied Ag system built on a "feed the world" mentality look like? Potentially "un-pretty" economic outcomes could be around the corner. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

It's setting up to be a challenging year for farm economics. Add to that: it's an election year, Washington DC is as dysfunctional as ever, and we still don't have a Farm Bill — which was supposed to have been passed last year. What's the outlook financially for farms. What about trade policy? Does renewable energy investment favor Ag? Will the U.S. government be ladling out cash to farmers by end of year? Those questions and more are addressed as Damian brings back a friend of the show, Jim Wiesemeyer, Policy Analyst for Pro Farmer and Farm Journal. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Nationally, between 30 and 40% of farmland is rented to an operator from a land owner. But how are rental rates for this hugely valuable asset class determined? Are the rental rates fair? What causes variability in values? Howard Halderman of Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management explains the math and methodology of farm cash rents. The structure, the contractual arrangements, the management, and most importantly the truth about farm cash rents….it's all in this episode! Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Kyle Beaver is a self-admitted Jack-of-all-Trades who, at age 25, turned a Google search into a mushroom business. Six years later he's refining Ten Mile Mushrooms and launched a subsidiary. The business still grows some fungus for consumption but has morphed into a supplier of ready-to-fruit substrate. That means, they sell the stuff that makes mushrooms grow to fungus farmers and hobbyists. Kyle explains the company's evolution and discusses the growth category of mushrooms. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Agricultural trade events can be a lot of fun, but are they always valuable? And who are they valuable to? Brandon Wipf, South Dakota farmer and co-chair of Commodity Classic 2024, joins Damian Mason and XtremeAg's Kelly Garrett to talk trade events. How do these two business-minded farmers get value from trade events? How can you maximize your ROI from trade events as an attendee or exhibitor? Kelly and Brandon join Ag trade show veteran, Damian Mason, for a frank discussion about traits of a successful trade event. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Blake Matthews returned to the Idaho family farming operation twenty years ago. Upon his return, he began experimenting with a new array of products and practices, including bio-nutrients. First, he used bio-nutrients to help his sugar beets bounce back after applying glyphosate. He moved on to potatoes where he has eliminated fungicide and insecticide applications entirely through the use of a biological cocktail. Blake and Darin Moon of Redox Bio-Nutrients discuss plant stress, soil, and future cropping methods that involve a lot less harsh chemistry. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

22 years ago, immediately after graduating from college AND getting married, John Carroll and his new bride flew to Brazil to start farming. John's family, with a farming operation in west central Illinois, had just purchased farm land in a newly developed Ag area of Brazil. Today John and his family are living back in Illinois but he manages the Brazil operation semi-remotely, spending about two and a half months of his year in South America. John talks to Damian about farming in two hemispheres. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

In Agriculture we generally have the perception that farmers as price takers are being short-changed as "middle men" make all the margin. While it's popular to talk about "cutting out the middle man," how realistic is it to actually happen? Ryan Moe and Todd Thurman join Damian to discuss who these middle operators are, what they do, and whether or not they can be eliminated. In an era of quickly deploying technology and rapid information availability, those in the middle have to add value or they'll go extinct. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Ag commodity marketing is too complex, largely misunderstood, and the industry is full of products and services you probably don't even need to profitably market your grain. That truth bomb — along with many more — is courtesy of Joe Vaclavik of Standard Grain. Mr. Vaclavik, a former grain trader turned commodity marketing commentator, says there are only three things a farmer needs to be profitable. Conversely, there are nine things almost no farmer EVER needs to use, including options trading, long range weather prognosticators, and exotic grain marketing contracts. Joe keeps it simple. And blunt. If you're thin-skinned, don't tune into this episode. For the rest of you in Ag, enjoy! Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag Redox Bio-Nutrients redoxgrows.com Truterra truterraag.com

Interest rates appear to be stabilizing, wage and food inflation are still worsening, and predictions for America's Ag sector are a bit dour for 2024. What's going on at the macro-economic level and what does it mean for Agriculture? Compeer's Chief Risk Officer, Bill Moore, joins Damian to discuss inflation, land values, debt, the American consumer, savings accounts, interest rate pressure, price increases, and what impact all these things will have on Agriculture in the year ahead. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag AGvisorPRO getagvisorpro.com Truterra truterraag.com

Cost of production set a record in 2023 as the most expensive crops ever planted. How things turned out for the P&L statement depended on weather, yield, and how well operators navigated the commodity markets. Prices for land, labor, fuel, machinery, and crop inputs aren't subsiding, nor is the interest rate for borrowed money. All this points to a challenging farm business environment for 2024. Put simply: Crop insurance and adherence to business will matter more in '24. Chris Barron with Ag View Solutions discusses farm finances with Damian. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag AGvisorPRO getagvisorpro.com Truterra truterraag.com

Canada is the world's number one exporter of oats — a commodity enjoying an upswing in demand thanks to snack bars and oat milk. Did you know almost every bushel of oats goes straight to human consumption? With horse racing's decline in popularity, human oat consumption is the key to future growth. John Bergen and Riley Anderson, Manitoba farmers, join Damian to discuss oat production, exports, agronomics, and the business of oats. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag AGvisorPRO getagvisorpro.com Truterra truterraag.com

Calvin Koeller's Illinois farm operation is about to lose a couple miles worth of farm land to an electrical grid expansion. This new electric line project was defeated a few years ago but, with support from the Inflation Reduction Act — and some Illinois politics — the Grainbelt Express Electric project is back on track. As currently designed, it's going to cause significant disruption for farmers like the Koellers. Calvin is joined by fellow Illinois farmer John Carroll to discuss infrastructure, eminent domain, and green policy winners and losers in and out of Agriculture. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag AGvisorPRO getagvisorpro.com Truterra truterraag.com

Currently, pork profitability (or lack thereof) has certain observers comparing the industry to the late '90s when pork was in turmoil. It was that era, in fact, that set the stage for today's (mostly) vertically integrated hog production model using contact grower farmers. Adam Krause, a contract grower, joins Glenn Muller, Executive Director of South Dakota Pork Producers Council in an extensive conversation with Damian about all things pork. The topics: Exports, flavorless pigs, grandma's cooking, African Swine Fever, manure's value, contractual production critics, Proposition 12, Mexican growth, and pig rectums. Tune in!! Pattern Ag pattern.ag AGvisorPRO getagvisorpro.com Truterra truterraag.com

If you're in business, at some level, you're in sales. So, how exactly would you rate your sales game? Do you ask the right questions? Is your product knowledge keeping up? Do you understand the needs and problems of the customers you seek to serve? St. John ("Sinjin") Craner, a sales and marketing trainer specializing in Agriculture explains how selling has evolved and why the methods of yesterday won't work in today's Ag. Find St. John Craner at www.ruralsalessuccess.com Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag AGvisorPRO getagvisorpro.com Truterra truterraag.com

The Mississippi River is low and that's causing shipping problems for Agriculture. Mark Milam with Independent Commodity Intelligence Services joins Damian to discuss issues of transportation, supply, and distribution of fertilizer for crop year 2024. Sponsored by: Pattern Ag pattern.ag AGvisorPRO getagvisorpro.com Truterra truterraag.com