I used to work for Monsanto. I have a relatively strong understanding of the issues in agriculture that keep the system from changing. Iād like to have a sophisticated discussion here about it.
Discussion
One thing worth understanding is that it isnāt the old fashion concept of āfarm subsidiesā that make the system so unfair- although the new FARM act certain just sends money to land owners for no reason other than they own landā¦
The bigger issue is subsidized crop insurance. If you can show what your average farm yielded when planting the core commodity crops (corn, soy, wheat, cotton, rice) over 5 years you can get insurance subsidized by the government that makes it so basically you CANT lose unless you really fuck up.
The insurance also makes it very risky for farmers to try different crops or different styles of growing because you NEED that average crop yield to stay high. If you miss a year, you may not be able to get subsidized insurance the next year and that makes you vulnerable to loosing.
I could see how the small size of farms would also limit the amount of risk that can be taken to innovate.
If a massive company probably does not even want insurance. Talking that risk seems like a core thing. A massive company could probably also develop a more systemic approach, instead of buying "cures and fixes".
they also donāt allow farmers to own their own seed or else they will be sued. did u work at the chesterfield or creve couer location?
I think itās more complicated than that. Farmers donāt want to keep their corn seed now that they use hybrids and the trade off of having GMOs and well bred soybeans is that you either have to pay for all of the R&D with the first (and last) bag you sell or you can have them agree to not regrow the seeds and space the costs out year after year.
There are drawbacks to this decision but thatās why they did it that way
interesting
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GN
Iām not a farmer and donāt have a strong understanding, but after listening to a recent Mises podcast (The Human Action Podcast) on the subject of healthcare, Iāll chime in anyway. Lol.
There were some parallels, but canāt think of a parallel solution.
Involvement in the market by the government only serves to interfere with market signals and creative destruction; no matter how well-intentioned the intervention is. I think Iāve heard you cover this in past podcasts, and was reminded of another government intervention by a friend that was particularly interesting to those living in Missouri.
We store 1.4 billion pounds of cheese in Missouri caves!! I had no idea. Interesting example of Government intervention and waste.
Insurance is a great idea. Government subsidized insurance sounds cheesy. š
But if youāre trying to run a farm and compete within our current system Iād imagine youāll jump at the opportunity. Just like youād use glyphosate to increase crop yields. How else can you compete in our system. Also reminds me nostr:npub1s05p3ha7en49dv8429tkk07nnfa9pcwczkf5x5qrdraqshxdje9sq6eyhe comments on not being able to change a bad system from within. Not suggesting a solution aside from these discussions and consumer education. Just hoping we can find a way to support our local producers and provide healthier food and topsoil.
Hereās the podcast link on healthcare. Love how this doctor is changing the healthcare system. Also reminds me of the efforts of nostr:npub1q7xqc79rteknhs5s4rsqju2yu8tuguvptu373napkzptsz65yn2qz590jl
I didnāt know about the government cheese caves! Fascinating
Whatās to be done?
I think podcasts & individual outreach are great starts. Iāve got family and friends drinking real milk and ordering meat/produce directly from ranchers/farmers.
Is it possible to starve big Ag by opting into local. It feels like many are starting to wake up, but I worry people will treat it like a fad.
Bitcoin Ranch
nostr:npub12pl4h7pk0svg8ug4mhu7a90hn6nf83eqadd94pccgsafn73s392qpt42wq
Herdshares
PMAs
Local State-level deregulation
Creating more demand at our local grocery stores
I think the first step is move the USDA to Kearney Nebraska- all the lifetime bureaucrats would quit. Then get rid of all federal inspections and lower food regulations and liabilities
