The Jacob Shapiro Podcast Land, Debt, and Decline
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Jan 26, 2026 Dr. David Kohl, agricultural economist and educator with decades advising farmers and agribusiness, joins to explore farmland, debt, and rural change. He discusses falling row-crop profits, institutional land buyers, and generational farm transitions. They examine export dependence versus domestic markets, tech and robotics easing labor strains, and the macro risks reshaping rural America.
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Succession Can Be Deeply Emotional
- David Kohl recounted an older producer who cried over family division and succession pain.
- The emotional weight of equal division and protecting the successor makes transitions fraught.
Exports Won't Guarantee Higher Margins
- Export volumes can rise while values fall; global competitors compress margins for US row crops.
- Reorienting to domestic and North American markets may be necessary for competitiveness.
Rescale To Domestic And Regenerative Markets
- Rescale toward domestic markets and regenerative practices to meet emerging consumer demands.
- Align farm production with proactive health and transparency trends to capture premium buyers.