The Business of Agriculture Podcast

In this essential episode, Damian Mason speaks with Shelby Bass and Curt Covington of AgAmerica to analyze the 2026 Agricultural Economy Outlook. Although U.S. net farm income rose $40 billion in 2025, only 52% of farms were profitable—and nearly a quarter of farm income came from government payments. Looking ahead to 2026, rising input costs, elevated interest rates, and policy uncertainty will continue to challenge profitability.
The conversation covers:
Projections for farm income and solvency in 2026

Government subsidies and taxpayer support in U.S. agriculture

Strategic insights on farm consolidation, diversification, and financial risk

Impacts of interest rates, trade, and input inflation on Ag operations

What agribusinesses can do to remain resilient in tough financial climates

If you are involved in agriculture, agribusiness, or rural finance, this is a must-listen forecast to help navigate the coming year.
 
The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:
Harvest Returns
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

A generational collapse in Agriculture is no longer hypothetical—it is a growing reality. With land values surging, profit margins tightening, and federal policy favoring legacy operations, new and aspiring farmers face enormous barriers to entry. In this hard-hitting episode, Damian Mason is joined by Iowa farmer Elliott Henderson and Minnesota farmer Lance Petersen to discuss the policy shifts needed to revitalize rural America and secure the future of farming.
In this episode:
Why current policy favors incumbents over new entrants

How subsidies and crop insurance shape the ag economy

The economics behind farm consolidation

What young and beginning farmers need to succeed

Policy solutions that could prevent a generational implosion

This is a vital conversation for policymakers, ag professionals, and anyone concerned about the sustainability of U.S. Agriculture.
 
The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:
Harvest Returns
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

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 policy uncertainty.
The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:
Harvest Returns
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

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 implications of a thinner America.
The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:
Harvest Returns
Tidal Grow Agriscience
Nano-Yield 
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.

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 models that actually work.
Key topics include:
How to scale a micro-farm profitably

Controlling costs and avoiding debt in agriculture

Selling produce year-round direct to consumers

The importance of networking and community support

Why small farms can succeed with the right business model

Whether you are a farmer, agribusiness professional, or interested in innovative models in agriculture, this episode provides actionable strategies for running a profitable small farm.
The Business of Agriculture Podcast with Damian Mason is Sponsored by:
Harvest Returns | https://www.harvestreturns.com/
Tidal Grow Agriscience | https://www.tidalgrowag.com/
Nano-Yield | https://www.nano-yield.com/
Also, make sure to check out DamianMason.com, XtremeAg's The Cutting The Curve Podcast and The Granary. 
 
This content is protected. ©Damian Mason, all rights reserved.