The Business of Agriculture Podcast

The Biden administration kicked off the new year by doubling down on its spending to change the meat processing industry. Their proposal calls for $1 billion to be dedicated to expanding independent meat processing. Expanding local and regional meat processing away from the oligopolistic packers is a fine concept, especially for us who rely on small, independent butchering facilities in rural America. But…the stated purpose of the legislation is to lower meat prices for consumers and that math simply doesn't add up. Todd Thurman joins me to discuss the economics of meat. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

Running south of Portland, Oregon, the Willamette Valley runs about 120 miles and the farmers there produce some 300-plus crops. One major crop is grass seed. If you've bought a bag of grass seed at your nursery or home improvement store, there's a very good chance it came from Oregon. While speaking to the Oregon Seed League conference, I ran across Brenda, Macey, and Shelly — three women with family roots in Oregon Ag who are now running their own diversified Ag operations. Each of them used their base in grass seed production to expand their Ag operations into tree nuts, a trucking company, and even an international Ag export company. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

Like most things in production Ag, there's a whole lot going on before the burger hits your plate. How has beef production changed, what cattle genetics are sought after, where has beef steered its ship wrong in the past, will we see vertically integrated beef the way the pork and poultry industry have gone, what's in the future for American beef? I sit down with Kim Ford of Cross Diamond Cattle Company - a major producer of Red Angus genetics, and Randall Adolph of Freedom Hills Ranch of Illinois to discuss all this and more. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

Jon Kinzebaw and his company, Kinze Manufacturing, lay claim to being the inventor of the grain cart — in an Iowa welding shop — 51 years ago. Today, Kinze Manufacturing is a global short-line Ag implement company whose 650 employees make and sell grain carts, planters, and tillage equipment. Jon's daughter, Susie, company president, joins me for a wide ranging discussion about business and Agriculture. Just a few topics covered: the evolution of farm equipment, how the supply chain squeeze is impacting machinery sales, international growth, consolidation, the innovative and decision making advantages of being an independent company, and why using what you make makes you more intuitive. Enjoy! Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

In general, the corn belt has had a good and prosperous last couple of years. But what lies ahead for grain farms in 2022? Of note, cost of production is spiking! Chris Barron and Shay Foulk of Ag View Solutions predict a $166 increased price of production per acre of corn and $64 increase per acre of soybeans. Chris and Shay join me to discuss issues, financials, and decisions facing farming operations at this time. Their company advises successful farms throughout the U.S. and Canada on financial and management decisions. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

Americans consume approximately 10 pounds of fresh apples per person per year, not to mention applesauce, apple juice, and all the other places apples go. But do you know how apples are produced, treated, and sold? Washington apple producer, Dave Robison and Wilbur Ellis horticultural specialist Nate Squires join me for an informative discussion about America's favorite fruit. Move over Granny Smith, the Super B apple is about to replace you! Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

We've been hearing about supply chain squeezes for months now, but what will be the impact at the farm level on availability and pricing? Jim Sprowl, Regional Sales Manager for Ceres Co-Op explains the Ag input market from his perspective. He also shares outlook and a few predictions. In a nutshell: Product availability issues vary by the day and by the product line, unlike toilet paper - hoarding isn't the culprit, prices will be higher, adaptability is key to producing crops next year, and ultimately there's not likely to be a yield drag. That and more in this relevant and timely episode of The Business of Agriculture. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

In production Agriculture, you generally play the role of price taker. As commodity production specialization has evolved with modern Agriculture, this puts farmers in a situation to be a victim. At least, that's how Jason Mauck sees it. Jason is an entrepreneurial farmer with a lot going on. He farms with his family operation, bought and expanded a local meat company, and is now endeavoring on a mixed use Ag production / retail / tourism concept. Mr. Mauck shares his ideas on creating one's own Ag economy through diversification. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

Regenerative Agriculture is getting a lot of buzz these days. What is regenerative farming? What are the benefits and detriments? Do you need certified to begin regenerative practices? And what will we see in way of government and / or corporate standards around adoption of regenerative farming practices? Christie Apple — "CropScout Christie" — joins me to discuss the reality and future of regenerative Ag's adoption. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

Last week the federal government unveiled a round of "green" initiatives for Agriculture. Some of the proposals were new, some were recycled old programs, and some touched more heavily on the issue of carbon. This cycle of green talk coincides with the COP26 climate summit in Scotland where countries like the U.S. are making bold pledges about climate change commitments. So, how will this impact Ag at the farm level? Justin Lewton of Lewton Farms in Bennett, Colorado joins me to discuss. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com