409 - Why Government Grocery Stores, CRP & Biofuel Mandates Hurt Agriculture & Consumers | Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
Release Date: 08/04/2025
434 - How Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Impacts Farm Economics | Damian Mason Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
Government policy significantly impacts U.S. Agriculture—especially the ever-evolving Farm Bill. In this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Jarod Creed of JC Ag Financial and Elite Ag Insurance to break down how the delayed Farm Bill, and President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” are reshaping funding, risk management, and policy priorities for farmers and agribusiness professionals. Discover what these changes mean for crop insurance, commodity markets, conservation programs, and the future of rural America. This is a must-listen for anyone in the Business of Agriculture navigating...
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433 - GLP-1 Drugs and New Dietary Guidelines: What They Mean for Agriculture | Damian Mason Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
GLP-1 weight loss medications are transforming American diets—and agriculture must adapt. Damian Mason and ag consultant Todd Thurman explore how widespread adoption of these appetite-suppressing drugs, soon to be more accessible as pills, could reduce national calorie consumption by up to 25%. The shift away from sugar and alcohol, paired with new federal dietary guidelines favoring whole foods and plant-based proteins, signals a massive disruption in food production and consumer demand. What sectors win? Which ones lose? This episode breaks down the agricultural, economic, and societal...
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432 - Why This 5-Acre Farm Succeeds Where Others Fail | Damian Mason Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
Can a small farm thrive in today’s competitive agricultural economy? Steve Strasheim of Twisted River Farm is proving it can. Starting with just a quarter acre in Montana, Steve has built a diversified, profitable farming operation on 5 acres—focused on direct-to-consumer produce sales. In this episode, he joins Damian Mason to discuss how he built a sustainable farm business without debt, using smart cost controls, continuous expansion, and a strategic crop mix. This episode offers valuable insights for small-scale farmers, agripreneurs, and anyone in agriculture looking for alternative...
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431 - 10 Bold Predictions Shaping U.S. Agriculture’s Future Through 2026 | Damian Mason Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
What lies ahead for American agriculture? In this forward-looking episode, Damian Mason is joined by nine agribusiness professionals from The Business of Ag Success Group to share 10 bold predictions for the industry through 2026 and beyond. Topics include: The future of government subsidies Automation and robotics in specialty crops The next big opportunity for ethanol Consolidation in ag machinery The rise of data centers and impact on farmland values Tyson’s potential exit from beef processing California’s shifting role in global food production If you are a stakeholder...
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430 - How a Backyard Bird Project Became a Leading Quail Supplier Nationwide | Damian Mason
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
From a backyard hobby to a vertically integrated quail operation, now produces 80,000 Pharaoh quail per week and distributes processed birds and quail eggs nationwide. Brittney Miller, whose family started the business over 50 years ago, shares the company's evolution, production scale, and insights into specialty poultry markets. Damian Mason explores the operational efficiencies, niche marketing strategies, and challenges of running one of the largest quail farms in the U.S. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by: NewFields Ag | Redox Bio-Nutrients | ...
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429 - The Food Allergy Surge: What It Means for Farmers, Labels & Lawsuits | Damian Mason Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
Food allergies and intolerances now affect over 80 million Americans—with millions more choosing food avoidance based on lifestyle or dietary trends. What does this surge in selective eating mean for agriculture, food production, and consumer behavior? Dylan McDonnell, CEO of Foodini, joins Damian Mason to explore how ingredient awareness, medical diagnoses, and even lawsuits are reshaping what people eat—and how it's grown. Tune in to understand the future of food, labeling, and consumer expectations in an age of dietary selectivity. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian...
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428 - From Feed to Fuel: How U.S. Agriculture Lost Its Food Focus | Damian Mason Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
Despite the popular narrative, American agriculture is not feeding the world—nor, increasingly, itself. With 40% of U.S. corn diverted to ethanol production and a persistent $50 billion agricultural trade deficit, systemic inefficiencies are being exposed. Damian Mason is joined by Joe Maxwell of to examine the disconnect between production agriculture and food supply, the impact of policy mandates, and the path toward a more food-focused, self-reliant agricultural model. This episode explores reform, opportunity, and the urgent need to reframe the role of U.S. agriculture in domestic and...
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427 - Are Meat Packers Undermining U.S. Cattle Producers? Beef Markets & Imports Explained
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
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 pressure, plant closures, and the role of imports. This is a must-listen for livestock producers, ag economists, and anyone invested in the future of American beef. Key topics covered: Tyson’s plant closure and capacity cutbacks Trump-era beef policy and price messaging The rise in beef imports and its...
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426 - Manure's Missed Value: How Farmers Can Profit From Poop! | Damian Mason Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
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 this episode, Damian Mason speaks with Iowa farmer Kellie Blair and University of Minnesota manure specialist Dr. Nancy Bohl Bormann to discuss why it is time to reevaluate manure’s role in crop fertility strategies. The conversation explores manure’s contribution to nitrogen and phosphorus needs, its...
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425 - Why Sorghum Struggles Despite Its Potential in Ag Markets | Damian Mason Podcast
The Business of Agriculture Podcast
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 speaks with Adam York, CEO of Kansas Sorghum Producers, to explore why sorghum remains undervalued in global markets. They examine challenges in sorghum branding, demand, and perception, and what the industry must do to elevate this under appreciated crop. The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian...
info_outlineGovernment 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 include proposals for government-run grocery stores, the inefficiencies promoted by U.S. farm subsidies, the environmental harm caused by biofuel mandates, and the unintended impacts of the Conservation Reserve Program. A critical conversation on how policy can either support or sabotage the future of agriculture.
The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:
- NewFields Ag | https://newfieldsag.com
- Redox Bio-Nutrients | https://www.redoxgrows.com
- Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary.
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