The Business of Agriculture Podcast

Friend of show, Rob Saik, joins me to discuss his latest initiative. Rob is the founder of Agri-Trend, a company he sold to Trimble, and is the new C.E.O of DOT - a Canadian based autonomous machinery manufacturer. We discuss autonomous machinery's application and future in farming. When and why will we see this new technology? What are the benefits (and downside) of autonomous farm implements? And why time and technology march on in the Business of Agriculture.

We in Agriculture are constantly reminded of the need to "tell our story." While I agree with the need for communicating with our non-Ag brethren, oftentimes the story we tell doesn't stick. Why? Because it's about us. And while suburban North Americans might like some behind the scenes peaks into our lives and how we earn our living while producing their food, the message that sells must be All About Them. In this episode I lay out the realities of communicating to our consumers and provide three messages that resonate with Main Street.

At new years time each year I sit down and get reflective about business and the year that was. What things did I accomplish, what did I not accomplish, and how can I improve upon those things for the new year. In this episode I give you an outline for goal setting that'll help you achieve a life and business by choice. More importantly, I discuss the "ah has" one finds when critically looking back at the year that was. If you're looking to eliminate distractions and boost productivity, give this a listen!

Like it or not, the Business of Agriculture is controlled, in large part, by the federal government. This has been the case for at least a century and became more pronounced with the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933. Since then the Farm Bill has been a package of ever-expanding legislation, adjusted and released about every 5 years. John Newton, Chief Economist with American Farm Bureau Federation joins me to discuss this Farm Bill. Listen to discover what's new in the bill, what changes were made and why, and what's it mean for you and the Business of Ag.

Montie Soules, CEO of the American Shorthorn Association, has been a cattle guy his entire career. Although, he was raised on a Michigan turkey farm, he's all about the beef. Montie joins me to discuss the history of beef, genetics, cattle breeds, why breeds won't matter as much in a decade, what the beef industry does right (and wrong!), and where the industry is headed. Be sure to stay tuned til the end for a valuable lesson for everyone in the biz of Ag about increasing profits through promotion.

Tim Hammerich is a friend of the show who joined me way back in Episode 8. He returns to discuss career opportunities, career mistakes, and the reality of Ag mergers and consolidations as it relates to employees. Hint: where one door closes, another often opens! Turns out there are plenty of openings for people who know the industry of Food and Ag - especially if they're willing to adapt and MOVE. That's right, the Ag economy isn't presenting a challenge for employers seeking talent, it's candidates unwillingness to move that's causing problems. Listen and you'll learn how to be the prospect employers want. Hint number 2: when you say "I'll go wherever God takes me," that can't be limited to Oklahoma!

The Business of Agriculture is capital intensive, cyclical, seasonal, and generally reliant on outside cash for expansion. For decades we've relied on Ag lenders to finance our industry, but is that all changing? Austin Maness, Chief Operating Officer of Harvest Returns is my guest. His company connects Ag entities in need of capital with outside investors seeking diversification. Agriculture has always had outside money (think of farm land owned by heirs who've never seen it!) but this is different. Through the concept of crowd funding, Harvest Returns brings outside capital to Ag for as little as a $5,000 initial investment. Stay tuned to the end for our discussion on Qualified Opportunity Zone legislation — a potential boom for rural economic development.

Last week I delivered a session to a packed room of Ag women in Nebraska. The subject: How to better speak and communicate about the Business of Agriculture. It was so well received I wanted to share some of the program with you. Why do you need to be an effective communicator? Because we in Ag are completely outnumbered and much of what we do is misunderstood. Because everyone of us is a spokesperson for our company, our farms, and our industry. Because more than ever Ag's consumers want to hear the story of their food. Let's help ourselves and our industry by effectively telling a story that resonates with our customers while positively portraying the Business of Agriculture.

California voters passed Proposition 12, requiring all eggs sold or grown in California to be from cage free hens by 2022. The law also dictates space requirements for veal and pork grown or sold in California. Humane Society of the United States was the major pusher of this legislation. Interestingly, HSUS's cohort and occasional rival in animal rights wackiness — PETA— disapproves of the measure, stating it doesn't go far enough! In this episode I tell you what this legislation means for the business of agriculture ("cage free" is the way of the future). Why we must stop using price as our argument against regulation (consumers don't care). And how Ag can fight better and take a lesson from Boy Scouts of America (there's no appeasing whackos, so stop trying!).

Darren Padget is an Oregon farmer, a friend, and the secretary / treasurer of U.S. Wheat Associates. He's also an Oregon Wheat commissioner. We sat down to discuss wheat production, his operation, and the world of wheat. Who's eating wheat? Is the gluten-free craze impacting business? What's the difference between hard red and soft white wheat? And, most importantly, does sending a 6 foot 10 inch wheat farmer to Asia increase trade or scare the customer? You'll learn a few things and you'll enjoy the discussion, recorded in Moro, OR.

Casey Seymour from the Moving Iron podcast is my guest. The Nebraska equipment guy gives his take on the Ag economy and Ag issues through the eyes of a machinery salesperson. We discuss: what's moving, what's not, and why, and the dollars and cents of machinery purchases. We talk about the global marketplace, selling farm implements in Ukraine, and the future of the Business of Agriculture. Stay tuned 'til the end to hear Mr. Seymour disagree with me on my prediction of two years ago about the likely proliferation of autonomous tractors.

Too many Ag people do the hard work of running their Ag enterprise and accumulating assets, then avoid the easy work of estate planning. We often hear the horror stories in the industry of family Agribusinesses gone awry. Much of this can be alleviated through proactive legal consultation. My guest is Dan Gordon of Gordon and Associates - a law firm specializing in Agricultural estate planning. Dan provides guidance you're likely looking for on how to keep the farm, preserve relationships, and run your business while taking care of the generation in front of you. Most of us are guilty of putting off necessary legal preparations. Dan will tell you all the reasons not to. You can trust him. I do. He's my estate attorney!

Delaney Howell from Ag News Daily joins me to discuss a myriad of issues and news items in the world of Agriculture. Among them: Trump's visit to Iowa to announce higher blend rates of E-15 — good for political posturing, not necessarily gonna move the corn market. African swine fever's impact on soybeans (hint, dead pigs don't eat soybeans). The reality of USDA's pledge to agriculture. The silliness of Non - GMO vodka. And closing thoughts anyone in Ag can use. Join the talk and join the fun.

My guest is Alan Bishop, a rural Wisconsin kid who, after graduating from the Ag school at the University of Wisconsin, ended up in Fresno. His job: To sell this new miracle chemical called Roundup. Alan and I met following my presentation to the Western Plant Health Association in Monterey, CA. We discuss the craziness of environmental compliance in California and repercussions for all of Ag after the recent $289M Roundup verdict. Alan teaches us about cotton, specialty crops, the uniqueness of western Agriculture, and then we contemplate a future without glyphosate.

The media has been all abuzz over tariffs and trade negotiations, especially as it pertains to Agriculture. Well, good for us, seems the media only pays attention to Agriculture when they can paint a doom and gloom scenario. But are we in a doom and gloom scenario? What is the real impact of tariffs and trade wars on the Business of Agriculture? Dennis Haugen, North Dakota farmer and agribusinessman is my guest. We discuss the revised NAFTA, global markets, and separate the reality from the hyperbole. You'll like the discussion, we cover everything from EU protectionism to the Soviet Grain Embargo!

Doug Hubner is a third generation seedsman, farmer, and brand manager for Hubner Seed. In 2002 the company started by his father and grandfather reinvented itself by focusing on the eastern states. The strategy worked. In 2007 Monsanto (now Bayer) bought Hubner Seeds. But Doug and his father retain the farm and processing company. And Doug stayed on as brand lead for the new venture. He and I talk about his multiple roles as a farmer, corporate employee, and owner/operator of a seed processing business. In this episode you'll learn about seed corn production. You'll also get some solid take aways to improve your business.

The Biz of Talking Funny to The Business of Agriculture Tim Moffett is a Florida dairy farmer with an interesting side job: He's an Agricultural comedian. Like me, he gets paid to speak at Ag meetings. Join our fun conversation as we take you back stage. You'll see showbiz from our perspective. We discuss material creation, open mic nights, the three shows within every show, gigs gone bad, and the fun part of talking to the Business of Agriculture.

#podcast #DamianMason #BusinessOfAgriculture #AgricultureBusiness

Jim Smith is a Technical Swine Nutritionist with Kent Feeds. He and I met a few years back when his company hired me to speak at a national sales meeting. He's also farmer, an active Ag Tweeter, and a friend of the show. We discuss the need for more animal scientists, why livestock producers can't "save their way to prosperity," and the amazing job Animal Ag is doing at cutting antibiotic usage. We also delve into the topic of Ag's propensity for internal conflict — seems we all have haters! You'll enjoy this discussion.

Monsanto- now part of Bayer - doesn't event exist anymore. But that doesn't mean the March Against Monsanto will die. The protest will live on, the only thing that changes is the target. In this episode you'll hear why the movement against glyphosate and Monsanto persists (hint, it's very profitable for "non profits"). We discuss the Environmental Working Group's clever hit piece designed as news. All the while disguising their real motive and gaining legitimacy through willing accomplices in the media. Why does any of this matter to the Business of Agriculture? Because you're paying for these lawsuits, first off. Secondly, advocacy groups and an Ag-ignorant populace seem hell bent on ridding Ag of the world's most common herbicide.

We in the business of agriculture must do our part to foster tomorrow's leaders and workers. With school back in session this month, I thought it'd be appropriate to bring in an example of just that. A leader and worker for tomorrow's Agriculture, Jordyn Sills is my guest. A senior studying Agribusiness Management at Purdue, Ms. Sills just completed her third Ag internship. She and I discuss what we in Ag do well and where we can improve on mentoring our future. We talk Ag education, the benefits of FFA, and why we need more internships. You'll enjoy the perspective and insights from a Post Millennial's vantage point.

In this episode hear my thoughts on current events in the Business of Agriculture. We revisit the "nuisance" lawsuits against pork producers in North Carolina. Smithfield just lost it's third straight court case - and this one is reportedly gonna cost $94 million to pay off only six neighbors! What do lawsuits against Ag mean for you and what can the Business of Agriculture do to stop them? We also discuss trade issues and why I still believe we'll have better deals in place by October. Notice how much more agreeable Europe became when facing the prospect of losing US markets for cars? Finally, I close out with a lesson I shared at a recent crop field day on why you can't skimp your way to prosperity. Enjoy!

Michelle Miller a.k.a. The Farm Babe is a social media star, speaker, sheep farmer, and AgDaily contributing writer. She joins me to discuss food labeling, farming, the future, and consumer issues. We also talk about the role of communicating Ag to a non-Ag populace and whether or not the word "Agvocate" is proper terminology. This is a fun visit - join us!

Barry Aycock is a farmer, farm owner, cotton gin operator, nursing home owner, and founder of AgXplore. Barry was a farm boy who aspired to become a college professor, but some people just aren't made for a 3 hour work week! So, he worked as a cotton scout and was so good at it, he won a national award. He was recruited to help the country of Bolivia grow cotton on the edge of the jungle, and that's where he started his company. We talk about business, environmentalism, crop chemistry issues, being fined by the EPA, the future of Agriculture, and more. If you enjoy conversations with entrepreneurial types, this episode is for you!

Jim Dudlicek of Progressive Grocer and I continue our conversation about all things grocery. In part two we talk about the future of food. What's happening in the meat and dairy case? Why is the segregation of organic and "natural" food going away? Does laboratory meat have a place on consumer's plates anytime soon? And what's the grocery store of the future gonna look like? Gettin' groceries is hardly the same as it was a decade or two ago. This is a really interesting discussion and Jim's a very knowledgeable resource. Join us!

The Business of Agriculture IS the business of food. In North America, food is more than mere sustenance, food is a trend. My guest is Jim Dudlicek with Progressive Grocer. He explains what's hot and what's not in the grocery aisles. He tells us about the consumer's push for fresh, why "center store" is stagnant, and the popularity of plant -based protein. What happens at the grocery store matters to everyone in the business of agriculture!

My guest is Brandon Wipf, South Dakota farmer and member of the American Soybean Association Board of Directors. We discuss the business side of agricultural production. Brandon talks about some of his good habits and shares ideas on how you can improve yourself and your business. We also cover global trade and why he thinks TPP could be a huge economic bonus to American Ag. You'll enjoy this discussion with a sharp young Ag professional who's also a voice for Ag in D.C.

OK, he's not really "my" dairy farmer. He's "a" dairy farmer who rents my farm land. This being dairy month, I thought it'd be a good time for you to hear from him. Johan DeGroot joins me to discuss all things dairy from a 30 year old farmer's perspective. What's the dairy industry doing right? What's different than a decade ago? Where will the dairy spat between Canada and the U.S. end up? And where would an overstretched young operator spend an additional 4 hours each week? It's a good discussion and chance to meet Johan - a newly sworn in U.S citizen!

Ours is a unique industry with many factors that are unfamiliar to most people or businesses. Zoning, livestock operation disputes, estate planning headaches, employment legalities, environmental regulation, are just a few of the issues in Ag. My guest is Amy Cornell, president of Agribusiness Council of Indiana. She's also an attorney specializing in Agriculture, a lobbyist, and farm girl. While there's an attorney on every corner, there's actually a shortage of attorneys with Agricultural expertise. We in the Business of Agriculture, must protect our interests. Who needs an AG Lawyer? Turns out we all do!

The day I recorded this podcast, celebrity chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain completed suicide. According to the Centers For Disease Control, suicides in the United States are up 30%. For the Business of Agriculture, the numbers are even worse. 85 farmers per 100,000 kill themselves annually. Suicide rates for farmers are 6.3 times the national average. This is a mental health crisis. It's also tragically sad. The good news, if there is any, suicide is preventable. My guest is Alicia Cowdrey, M.D. who specializes in psychiatry. We talk about the importance of mental health and what you can do to maintain yours while working in the Business of Agriculture.

At this moment there is plenty of bluster over global trade. Even Canada and the USA - two counties touting the longest uncontested border on Earth - are on the verge of spatting. I talk to Real Ag Radio host, Shaun Haney for a Canadian perspective. We talk trade imbalances (they're not always bad), why Canada and the USA's spat has nothing to do with Agriculture, and why Canadians always bring up the war of 1812.

We hear the word "natural" a lot as it pertains to food and agriculture. But what does it even mean? Like the word "sustainable," ask 100 different people and you'll receive 100 different definitions of "natural." In fact, "natural" is thrown about so commonly these days, the Food and Drug Administration was petitioned to define the word. Until recently, I deemed "natural" to be little more than a marketing phrase. Then, an Ag detractor scolded me for "unnatural" food production methods. The problem with that statement: all food production methods are unnatural. Humans are hunter gatherers by nature. We invented agriculture! Along with lots of other cool stuff that enhance human existence. Join me for the conversation. It's natural!

This week the house voted down the first draft of Farm Bill 2018. What does this mean for people involved in Ag? Why should taxpayers care about the Farm Bill? (hint, because it effects a LOT of non farm stuff!). And what should Ag expect moving forward? My guest is my brother, Eric Mason — 32 year veteran of the Farm Service Agency. We discuss USDA issues, the pending Farm Bill, and it's impact on the business of Agriculture. Please share this episode with your non -Ag friends. It's a great discussion with Farm Bill facts, insights, and a few opinions. And you get to hear from one of my siblings!

April 26, 2018 a federal jury in North Carolina awarded nearly $51 million to 10 plaintiffs in a "Swine Nuisance" verdict. The award was reduced two weeks later by a federal judge to $3.25 million. Either way, meat production may have just gotten a lot more expensive — there are 25 more cases filed just in North Carolina! What does this mean for the future of meat production and what does it mean for consumers? More importantly, what really went on trial? Was it odor and noise, as the case contends? Or is farming and "Big Ag" under assault by cause groups using the courts to achieve their agenda? And lets not forget the financial angle…. are your neighbors going to use the North Carolina precedent to take money from you?

April 22nd, 2018 marks the 48th installment of Earth Day. In this episode I give you some background on Earth Day. Did you know it was a social movement attempting to capitalize on the anti- Viet Nam war fervor? Earth Day is also credited for creating the EPA - now an $8 billion, 15,000 employee federal juggernaut — oftentimes at odds with Agriculture. (WOTUS anyone?) The business of agriculture has many environmental accomplishments our detractors never mention. But I do! Share this episode with your non Ag friends. We're talking Earth and Agriculture. Earth is our livelihood and our biggest asset. Happy Earth Day!

Join the conversation with fellow Ag speaker and funny man, Mark Mayfield. Usually we cover issues impacting the industry of food and farming but this episode is a bit lighter. Mark and I discuss comedy, why comedian and farmer are job descriptions that get disrespect, humorous material that only works for Ag audiences, the perils of the job as a traveling talker, and more.

Last week was a volatile week in the grain trade but what does all this mean? Matt Bennett of Bennett Consulting joins me to discuss the basics of commodity markets, terminology of the trade, and his thoughts on the global grain business. We discuss how you can profit - or at least limit your risk - as a grain buyer or seller. We close with Matt's advice for limiting emotional mistakes and why he's bullish on the Business of Agriculture.

Ranching & Farming on public land will come to an end in the next 20 years. In this episode I tell you why. I also delve into political reality: this is a bigger issue than just a few thousand ranchers on public land, it's about the culture of Agriculture. Which is very much at odds with the media's portrayal of contemporary America.

The Business of Agriculture is caught in the crosshairs of trade negotiations. As usual. Agricultural crops are often used as bargaining chips. Food is commonly used as a political weapon. So, what is the current picture of trade? Will China really stop buying American soybeans - and what if they do? Should you panic? Jim Wiesemeyer, D.C. policy analyst for ProFarmer and Farm Journal is my guest. We're talking NAFTA, TPP, global Ag markets, and mega changes in the Business of Agriculture.

This week we celebrate Agriculture with our 45th National Ag Day. While it's a day to recognize all that Ag does, we sometimes take the "thank a farmer" movement a little too far. Wouldn't it also be appropriate to thank the paying customer who buys our product? In this episode I share thoughts for the men and women of Agriculture, followed by an Ag Day message for our consumers. Please share this podcast with your non Ag friends. Because this week is all about celebrating North American Ag's bounty. Do so and enjoy!

The business of Ag has seen a rapid amount of consolidation. Seed, chemical, equipment, fertilizer, and possibly even grain handlers are getting fewer in number. And bigger. Will size and scale stifle innovation? Do new companies have greater control over farm customers? Seems it's not a matter of if, but when, will we reach the point of Big 3 Economics - with 3 major players in every category. But does it even matter? A century ago critics screamed Sears was going to control the world! How'd that play out?

Fake news is a new term for an old practice: using misinformation to trigger an emotional reaction, thereby affecting an outcome. I delve into the history of media-perpetuated inaccuracies. Particularly, how it negatively impacts the Business of Agriculture. From Oprah's anti-beef episode to gluten as evil. When it comes to fake news, we lose. Learn how Ag can battle better. Defense versus offense. The peril of playing nice when our opponents don't. And why facts don't matter to a feelings based customer.

Friend of Show, Rob Saik joins me to deliver his take on Agriculture past, present, and future. What innovations make it possible for 1% fo the populace to feed the other 99%? What agricultural advancements allowed human advancement? We talk about the 5 iterations of Agriculture: Muscle, Machinery, Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Convergence. This episode explores where food production and the business of agriculture are headed.

Dwayne Faber is a Twitter star who earns his living as a dairy farmer in Washington state. We talk about the Ag economy, the future of commodity production, money, and family. We also delve into social media and the finer points of comedy. Two ADHD dairy guys getting funny on this episode of The Business of Agriculture!

You hear me talk a lot about Ag's ability to reap bigger profits by breaking the commodity mindset. Socially conscious branding is an excellent opportunity to do this. If you watched the Super Bowl - or even if you didn't - social consciousness was on display with several commercials. Take for example, Anheuser - Busch, who devoted two spots to the brewer's work at providing clean water to people in need. Why does this matter to you, and Agriculture in general? Because affluent consumers such as ours in North America spend money to feel good about doing global good. And we're not taking advantage of this marketing opportunity. Give this a listen and I'll give you some ideas on how we can!

From government, to cause groups, to well - intentioned foodies, seems everyone is out to control food and agriculture. Jayson Lusk, author of "The Food Police: A Well -Fed Manifesto about the Politics of Your Plate" joins me to talk about the various food forces. Topics: why soda taxes don't make fat people skinny, should there be federal dietary nutritional guidelines (we disagree on this!), the perils of Ag's reliance on the school lunch program, and disruptive trends in food and agriculture. Besides writing books about food, Jayson Lusk is also the head of the Agricultural Economics department at Purdue University. I asked him what Ag schools are doing to combat the anti - Ag forces that weren't as well weaponized a few decades ago. ** We made this a two part podcast. Enjoy!

From government, to cause groups, to well - intentioned foodies, seems everyone is out to control food and agriculture. Jayson Lusk, author of "The Food Police: A Well -Fed Manifesto about the Politics of Your Plate" joins me to talk about the various food forces. Topics: why soda taxes don't make fat people skinny, should there be federal dietary nutritional guidelines (we disagree on this!), the perils of Ag's reliance on the school lunch program, and disruptive trends in food and agriculture. Besides writing books about food, Jayson Lusk is also the head of the Agricultural Economics department at Purdue University. I asked him what Ag schools are doing to combat the anti - Ag forces that weren't as well weaponized a few decades ago. ** We made this a two part podcast. Enjoy!

Chips, fries, hash browns, baked, scalloped, and lets not forget tater tots. In this episode, I talk taters with Matt Hemphill of Potatoes New Brunswick. Yep, that's one of the Maritime Provinces just east of Maine and Canada's third biggest producer of spuds. We eat potatoes but how familiar are we with this amazing tuber? Did you know a lot of potato farmers get 25- 30 tons of spuds per acre? Did you know China is now the number one producer of potatoes. Did you also know Asia is discovering what we did long ago - that French Fries are delicious? Pop a cold beverage and fill a plate with your favorite potato product because we're talkin' taters!

Agriculture is changing. To protect the legacy and lifestyle we love so much, we must address the business side of farming. While farmers are amazing at production, there are other complexities. Issues of size, scale, input management, legalities, managing employees, and keeping a handle on financials, for example. Jim Raftis, with Family Farms Group is my guest. FFG works with member teams — independent family farms. Acting as coach, consultant, and information resource, FFG help farmers strengthen their weaknesses. Loads of takeaways on how to improve your Ag enterprise and keep up the legacy!

We in Agriculture have a tendency to run for the exits screaming "fire!" when faced with a bit of price adversity. In this episode I tell you why the Ag economy slowed down, why it's normal, and why you should still be excited about the future. American Ag ingenuity will continue to create high quality, value added products an increasingly affluent global middle class demands. We're talking trade, money, farm land, regulation, consolidation, and what all this means for you. Super cycles like we experienced from 2005-2013 are the exception, not the norm. Welcome to Ag Normal!