NEW FARMCON PODCAST – This week Kevin and I cover a lot of ground, starting with why the rise of AI may actually make the human edge more valuable, not less. Kevin explains why street smarts, intuition, experience, hospitality, and the ability to “see around corners” could become increasingly important as everyone gains access to the same intelligence tools.
We also dig into what Kevin is watching ahead of Friday’s USDA report, why corn and soybeans may now need proof rather than rumors to keep moving higher, how crop insurance could influence land values and producer behavior, what higher rates and diesel prices mean for agriculture, and why Kevin believes business ownership and real-world responsibility remain some of the best teachers for the next generation.
00:01:00 — Why AI May Make the Human Edge More Valuable
Kevin explains why intelligence itself is becoming commoditized and why street smarts, judgment, intuition, relationships, and real-world experience could become the differentiators.
00:20:30 — Why FARMCON Looks Outside Agriculture for Ideas
From Formula 1 pit crews improving hospital emergency rooms to Liquid Death turning water into a billion-dollar brand, Kevin explains why some of the best ideas for agriculture may come from completely different industries.
00:33:30 — What Corn Needs From Friday’s USDA Report
Kevin lays out the yield range he believes the market can tolerate, why demand remains surprisingly strong above $5 corn, and the bullish cards that are currently supporting prices.
00:43:30 — What the Cash Market Is Really Telling Us
Kevin explains why he will be watching basis and the December-March spread just as closely as futures after the USDA report. A futures rally without stronger cash signals could be more headline-driven than a sign of true physical scarcity.
00:48:00 — Soybeans: Bullish, But Now the Market Needs Proof
Kevin discusses his recent soybean positioning, continued Chinese buying, and why heavily bullish markets become vulnerable when traders need hard confirmation to justify the next leg higher.
00:56:00 — Beans, Wheat and the Acreage Response
Kevin talks through the soybean yield number that could keep the rally alive, the strong domestic crush story, South America’s likely acreage response to 14 beans, and why stronger wheat insurance guarantees could pull more acres into production.
01:01:30 — Is Crop Insurance Changing the Price of Farming?
Kevin and I discuss whether stronger government-backed downside protection eventually gets capitalized into higher rents and land values, and the broader debate over government involvement in production agriculture.
01:11:00 — Rates, Diesel and the Agricultural Economy
Kevin explains why he still leans toward lower rates over time, why he worries about the Fed being late as AI pressures employment, and why producers who did not lock in fuel earlier may now need to operate more hand-to-mouth.
KEVIN’S QUOTES
“I think the street-smart people are gonna have a huge edge moving forward.”
“How are we gonna beat AI? We’re gonna lean into the human side a lot more.”
“The math and science side will take you so far and add your mechanics, but that art side is what takes people from good to great.”
“At this price and this elevation, you need proof now.”
“You don’t wanna get greedy in this environment. I think you gotta price them.”
“Get out and help people. Try to help people.”
“There’s only one way out of this debt debacle, and it’s to grow our way out of it.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS