The Business of Agriculture Podcast

Wow I love this podcast. Damian is incredibly knowledgeable and delivers with accuracy, passion, and even a good sense of humor, which I enjoy. His analysis is deeply thought-provoking and spot on. Damian my only critique is sometimes you speak a bit too fast, but other than that, I love listening to you. This is an amazing podcast for anyone wanting to look below the surface and gain an acute awareness of issues affecting the industry

The podcast on Ag consolidation misses a very big point. Ag chem is consolidating because their value proposition is shrinking. I worked for one of the Big Four for 16 years and consolidation is happening in large part because there is a serious lack of innovation in chemistry, look at how many blockbuster chemistries have been launched in the last 10 years, yes chemistries but not blockbusters. We had reach back and use 1950 technology to solve a problem….. 2,4-D. Add to the equation added regulatory costs and you can see the motivation for consolidation. What the podcast lacked is perspective. College grads have SO MANY more opportunities, precision ag, drones, sprayer technology, biologicals. Retailers have MANY more reps calling on them, not chem reps, innovation reps. Sectors that didn’t exist or were infant in 1995. Big ag chem bring market access, the challenge before them is do they have the skill set to sell biosrimulants, biologicals, etc. I think they can sell integration software (Bayer) jury is still out on complex crop physiology products.

Damian has knowledgeable guests on, but frankly - he interrupts his own guests so much it’s hard to listen to. Let the guest share at least their entire thought before adding in commentary, please.

The most recent episode was a disaster. They had an opportunity to educate someone like myself but they destroyed their credibility with right-wing political dog whistles.