Beef industry dynamics are under scrutiny: Cattle prices are dropping, imports are rising, and major packers like Tyson are scaling back operations. Is market consolidation hurting U.S. producers? Damian Mason speaks with Hyrum Egbert to analyze current trends, including packer power, price press...

Livestock manure remains one of the most undervalued tools in American agriculture. Despite its rich nutrient profile, soil health benefits, and potential to reduce fertilizer costs, manure is used on less than 10% of U.S. cropland. Meanwhile, synthetic fertilizer prices continue to climb. In thi...

Sorghum is a drought-tolerant, high-protein, non-GMO grain with impressive versatility—from livestock feed to human consumption and even liquor production. Yet, despite these strengths, U.S. sorghum acres are shrinking, and prices remain below production costs. In this episode, Damian Mason speak...

Global grain markets are oversupplied, trade routes are shifting, and U.S. Agriculture faces increasing challenges from geopolitical tensions and aggressive global competitors. Joe Vaclavik—market analyst and host of Grain Markets and Other Stuff—joins Damian Mason to examine the pressures facing...

Agricultural producers excel at production but often struggle with promotion—especially in direct-to-consumer (DTC) markets. In this episode, business growth strategist Brian Frankel joins Damian Mason to break down the five essential steps in a consumer's buying decision. They explore motivation...

Can seafood by-products help feed the future of agriculture? Damian Mason speaks with Norm Davy, President of Tidal Grow, about SeaPhos—a liquid fertility product made from up-cycled seafood waste. In 2025, Damian trialed the product on his Indiana farm and shares firsthand insights. This episode...

Despite making up 97% of U.S. farms, family operations often struggle with internal dysfunction. Andy “Caygeon” Junkin of Stubborn.farm joins Damian Mason to explain why many family farms face challenges such as poor communication, generational conflict, and lack of clear business structure. They...

Agricultural input costs have surged by over 40% in recent years, squeezing farm profit margins. Damian Mason is joined by Steve Nicholson, Global Strategist at Rabobank, to examine the complex drivers behind high fertilizer, chemical, fuel, and equipment costs. Together, they explore global supp...

A surge of new crop input products has entered the market, but do they deliver measurable value to farmers? In this episode, Damian Mason talks with Randy Barker, CEO of INTENT, about what it truly takes for a crop input product to succeed. From navigating R&D and regulatory hurdles to understand...

Beef prices are at record highs—and they may stay elevated well into the next decade. In this episode, Damian Mason outlines 10 compelling reasons to remain bullish on beef despite the traditional cattle cycle. From the collapse of fake meat alternatives to the rise of the MAHA (Meat At Home Agai...

Agrihoods—residential communities built around working farms—are on the rise across the U.S., blending suburban convenience with rural aesthetics. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Steve Bruere, president of The Peoples Company and developer of Middlebrook, Iowa’s first agrihood. They exp...

In 2024, Canada ranked as the United States' second-largest agricultural export market, just behind Mexico. Despite widespread attention on China, its importance as an ag customer is declining, making North American trade relationships more vital than ever. Damian Mason welcomes Shaun Haney of Re...

What does the next 15 years hold for American production agriculture? In this episode, Damian Mason is joined by Shay Foulk of Ag View Solutions and Ben Gordon of Fractal to analyze emerging trends in U.S. farming. Topics include consolidation in agriculture, the evolving role of government subsi...

In this episode, Missouri dairy producer J.R. Burdick shares his transition from conventional dairy to a direct-to-consumer A2 milk business. Since 2022, he has increased profit margins by selling directly to customers—but the shift comes with added responsibilities in packaging, marketing, and l...

U.S. farms have relied on fertilizer over-application for decades—but that era is ending. Regulatory pressures are mounting in key agricultural states like Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, where political and public concerns over nutrient runoff are prompting new rules for nutrient management plans...

Brazil has emerged as a dominant force in global agriculture, especially in soybean production. Over the past decade, the country has expanded its soybean acreage by 42%, resulting in a 57% increase in production—mainly to meet China's growing demand. This explosive growth has contributed to an o...

“Creating demand” is often cited as the solution to low commodity prices—but where will that demand come from? In this episode, I examine the hard truths behind global agricultural markets. He explores the limits of trade agreements, the decline of biofuel-driven demand, and why Africa and the EU...

Despite alarming headlines, fewer than one in a thousand U.S. farms are in bankruptcy. Damian Mason speaks with Curt Covington of Ag America Lending to examine the facts behind agricultural bankruptcies, the economic pressures farmers face, and the outlook for farm finances. Learn why high input ...

Government intervention is reshaping agriculture—and not for the better. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with economist and author Dr. Richard Sexton, whose book Food Fight challenges misguided food policies and their consequences for farmers, consumers, and global supply chains. Topics incl...

The agricultural landscape is evolving rapidly—and so must you. In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason is joined by Mark Jewell of The Momentum Company to explore the ten essential habits that will determine your relevance and success in tomorrow’s agriculture. With emerging...

China’s rise over the past 25 years reshaped global economics—but what lies ahead for agriculture? Ian Lahiffe, agriculture consultant in China, offers a bold, optimistic forecast. He explains how China may remain economically powerful, less reliant on the West, and more self-sufficient in food a...

In an ever-changing Agricultural marketplace, opportunities arise that didn’t exist just a decade or two ago. The internet, along with a more diversified and demanding consumer, provide viable business options. But these ventures need money to flourish and these businesses might not be a fit for ...

What would a ban on Glyphosate mean for American agriculture and food production? Damian Mason speaks with Michelle Klieger of Stratagerm Consulting, who recently completed a comprehensive study on the economic and labor impacts of eliminating Glyphosate—America’s most widely used herbicide. Mich...

Face it, the word “sustainable” has been so overused as marketing jargon, it’s become meaningless. But what if farmers could accurately measure their sustainability? What if Agriculture could communicate our sustainability to customers with verifiable numbers? Then — the cherry on top — what if w...