The Business of Agriculture Podcast

Agriculture prides itself on resilience, innovation, and hard work. But is the industry as willing to accept feedback as it is to overcome adversity?
In this episode of the Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason is joined by Zach Johnson, better known as the Millennial Farmer, for a candid discussion about feedback, accountability, and the blind spots that can limit both individual farms and the broader agriculture industry.
As one of farming's most recognizable voices, Zach has spent years navigating public opinion, consumer questions, and criticism from more than a million YouTube followers. He shares what he has learned about staying authentic, separating emotion from decision-making, and using feedback as a tool for growth rather than a threat.
Damian and Zach explore why agriculture sometimes struggles to acknowledge weaknesses, how the industry's strong sense of identity can create resistance to outside perspectives, and why listening to consumers may be one of the most important business skills for agriculture's future. They also tackle difficult conversations surrounding soil health, GMOs, farmer mental health, public perception, and the difference between defending agriculture and improving it.
This episode offers valuable insights for farmers, agribusiness professionals, agricultural leaders, and anyone interested in the future of food production. If you care about strengthening agriculture while remaining open to new ideas, this conversation is worth your time.
The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:
Ag View Solutions
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Life Scientific
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Autonomous tractors and robotic farm machinery were supposed to transform American agriculture. So why has adoption been so slow? In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason speaks with Chad Fiechter, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, about the economic realities slowing the rollout of autonomous farm equipment. Chad explains findings from his recent research comparing autonomous machinery with conventional human-operated equipment. The discussion explores labor savings, machinery costs, operational efficiency, technology limitations, and the financial hurdles that continue to prevent widespread adoption on American farms. While the promise of labor-reducing innovation remains attractive, the economics and practical challenges are proving more difficult than many anticipated. This episode delivers a realistic look at the future of autonomous agriculture and whether robotic farm equipment can eventually become financially viable for mainstream producers.
The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:
Ag View Solutions
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Life Scientific
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Is American Agriculture too dependent on corn and soybean production? Probably. But what is the reasonable alternative? Business of Agriculture host Damian Mason asks Illinois farmer / businessman Marc Severson and StoneX's Ryan Moe: Is meaningful US crop diversification actually feasible? The conversation digs into the real-world economics, government policy, and market forces that keep American farmers locked into the corn-soybean rotation — and whether that's necessarily a bad thing. From ethanol mandates and crop insurance to global competition and infrastructure challenges, Marc and Ryan break down why large-scale crop diversification is harder than it sounds, and what smaller, strategic diversification moves might actually work for today's farm operations.
In this episode: 
Why reducing US corn and soybean production could simply shift market share to foreign competitors - How ethanol policy creates artificial demand that shapes the entire US crop mix
The real infrastructure and economic barriers to transitioning to alternative crops like flax or specialty crops
Why small-scale diversification — adding a specialty crop or livestock enterprise — may be the most realistic path forward
The role of government subsidies and farm policy in either enabling or blocking crop diversification
Whether you're a row crop farmer, ag entrepreneur, or ag industry professional, this episode delivers a frank, data-driven look at the future of American crop production.
The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:
Ag View Solutions
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Life Scientific
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

Crop input costs are reaching record levels in 2026, putting added pressure on farm profitability and financial viability. In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason is joined by Brian Adams of Life Scientific to discuss how producers can evaluate seed, fungicides, crop protection products, and off-patent alternatives to reduce spending without compromising agronomic performance.
The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:
Ag View Solutions
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Life Scientific
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

U.S. meat consumption is at a record high despite rising grocery prices, especially for beef. Meanwhile, plant-based meat alternatives continue losing consumer interest and market share. Why are consumers still choosing real meat? Is the demand driven by protein preferences, nutrition trends, the MAHA movement, or changing perceptions about processed foods?
In this episode of The Business of Agriculture, Damian Mason speaks with Brian Earnest, Animal Protein Analyst at CoBank, about the economic, nutritional, and cultural forces driving continued demand for animal protein. They discuss beef prices, consumer purchasing behavior, protein demand trends, the decline of fake meat products, and what the future holds for livestock and meat industries.
 
The Business of Agriculture with Damian Mason is brought to you by:
Ag View Solutions
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Life Scientific
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.