The Business of Agriculture Podcast

Sustainability has been a buzzphrase for the past decade but how do you define it? That was a major subject at the recent Vision Conference with sessions devoted to accurately measuring emissions and how to compensate Ag for Earth-friendly practices. Also discussed at the conference: Tech's advance via autonomous machinery (there are 130 robotic orchard sprayers already deployed in the west) and the growing influence of consumers on food production. Ag entrepreneur and friend of show Rob Saik, founder of AgVisorPro, shares highlights from the Vision Conference as we discuss what it means for the Business of Agriculture. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

In January of 2022 the Biden administration announced that one billion dollars of government money would be deployed to make meat less expensive. This, in response to the recent (and rapid!) run-up in protein prices. Details of the plan are still a bit unclear. One major objective of the spending is to expand slaughter capacity among smaller scale meat processors. Will this make meat less expensive for the consumer? Will it help meat producers? Jim Heimerl, a large-scale Ohio pork producer who also dabbles in beef production, joins me to discuss meat realities. Sponsored by LandTrust landtrust.com

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