Future of Agriculture Where is Agriculture Headed in 2026 and Beyond? Insights From Seven Ag Podcasts
Jan 2, 2026
Damian Mason, an agriculture commentator, discusses the struggling farm economy caused by global oversupply and questions future demand. Erwin Westers, a regenerative systems farmer from the Netherlands, shares innovative techniques like mulching and cover-cropping to enhance soil health. Elliott Grant, an AI expert, reveals realistic applications of artificial intelligence in agriculture, focusing on supply chain integration and human augmentation. Together, they explore the future of farming, highlighting both challenges and groundbreaking approaches.
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Oversupply Is The Core Farm Problem
- Damian Mason argues global oversupply, not input costs, is the core farm-economy problem today.
- He predicts acreage adjustments, targeted government backstops, or yield/quality trade-offs to rebalance markets.
Chinese Tractors Could Reshape Equipment Markets
- Lachlan Monsbourgh warns Chinese agricultural machinery could rapidly disrupt Western brands on price.
- He expects Chinese share to exceed 50% by 2050 if Western OEMs can't match pricing points.
Systems Thought Changes Agronomy Practices
- Erwin Westers describes systems-based mulching and surface-decomposition techniques that reduce weeds and boost soil structure.
- Tim Hammerich frames this as part of a broader shift to systems thinking and resilience-focused agronomy.