Farmer Answers Farming Questions - Tech Support - WIRED
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Date: 2025-05-31
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Comments and reviews: 20
crazydaddy4934
IMHO the subsidy question was not really well answered. It keeps the food prices low / It keeps farmers in business are certainly outcomes of the subsidy, but not really the core I feel.
A cynic might say Farmers just have a strong lobby and elect presidents, so of course they get subsidies - and while there's truth in that, I dare hope it's not the only reason.
Food prices could also be kept low by directly subsidizing basic necessities / groceries at the import level and farmers could get new jobs in new and emerging markets (I hate that term: -). Ultimately it boils down to We don't want to depend on foreign countries / trade for food, as it's literally what keeps us alive. As it's not financially viable to farm in a high income / labour cost area like the US the options are: giant tariffs on food (--> high food price & lower taxes) or subsidies for local food (--> low food price & higher taxes.
My 2 cents - could be wrong; someone actually in the field please enlighten me if so: -)
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IMHO the subsidy question was not really well answered. It keeps the food prices low / It keeps farmers in business are certainly outcomes of the subsidy, but not really the core I feel.
A cynic might say Farmers just have a strong lobby and elect presidents, so of course they get subsidies - and while there's truth in that, I dare hope it's not the only reason.
Food prices could also be kept low by directly subsidizing basic necessities / groceries at the import level and farmers could get new jobs in new and emerging markets (I hate that term: -). Ultimately it boils down to We don't want to depend on foreign countries / trade for food, as it's literally what keeps us alive. As it's not financially viable to farm in a high income / labour cost area like the US the options are: giant tariffs on food (--> high food price & lower taxes) or subsidies for local food (--> low food price & higher taxes.
My 2 cents - could be wrong; someone actually in the field please enlighten me if so: -)
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hosersupreme
I feel like this video is really important. Firstly, he's clearly a well educated, intelligent, and well spoken human being. There's a stigma that farmers are all have little education or intelligence, but this video illustrates how inappropriate that stereotype is. Secondly, his business acumen is really shines through - if you want to be a successful farmer, it's not just growing crops and selling them at your local farmer's market, it's an enterprise-level endeavor that requires a lot more business management, finance, market, and science knowledge than most would expect. Thirdly, that science part is no joke - even with the aid of high-tech GPS, sensor, and analysis devices, you still need to understand the underlying science and data in order to use this technology and apply the results appropriately. Thank you for putting this all together
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I feel like this video is really important. Firstly, he's clearly a well educated, intelligent, and well spoken human being. There's a stigma that farmers are all have little education or intelligence, but this video illustrates how inappropriate that stereotype is. Secondly, his business acumen is really shines through - if you want to be a successful farmer, it's not just growing crops and selling them at your local farmer's market, it's an enterprise-level endeavor that requires a lot more business management, finance, market, and science knowledge than most would expect. Thirdly, that science part is no joke - even with the aid of high-tech GPS, sensor, and analysis devices, you still need to understand the underlying science and data in order to use this technology and apply the results appropriately. Thank you for putting this all together
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couldarstrolm6969
23: 08 Some of the farmers around where I live are horrible for the environment, especially for the water ways around their farm. There are several large farms here that will scrape their fields and let the muck/waste go into nearby stream contaminating them with a lot of harmful things that local water treatment can't treat (not a big city. They been called out for it for many years but ignore it because there's too big of a, You don't mess with farmers mentality around here
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23: 08 Some of the farmers around where I live are horrible for the environment, especially for the water ways around their farm. There are several large farms here that will scrape their fields and let the muck/waste go into nearby stream contaminating them with a lot of harmful things that local water treatment can't treat (not a big city. They been called out for it for many years but ignore it because there's too big of a, You don't mess with farmers mentality around here
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wired
You know. I always felt that my grandpa was able to put food on his table. He didn't have alot of extras in life. He was able to sell pigs, eggs, milk and had enough to buy the animal feed and equipment needed to run the farm. He repaired everything himself he was a mechanic, a welder, an electrician he could buy clothes for himself and grandma. Did he make money IMO the man made subsistence living. He didn't want but he sure didn't have a sh! t ton of disposable income.
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You know. I always felt that my grandpa was able to put food on his table. He didn't have alot of extras in life. He was able to sell pigs, eggs, milk and had enough to buy the animal feed and equipment needed to run the farm. He repaired everything himself he was a mechanic, a welder, an electrician he could buy clothes for himself and grandma. Did he make money IMO the man made subsistence living. He didn't want but he sure didn't have a sh! t ton of disposable income.
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duncanbradley8932
Something isn't adding up regarding the P&L. You're telling me that in a solid year they are making $72, 000 net income And then he mentioned using that income to purchase feed and fertilizer for the next year. Wouldn't that go into operating expenses and not be reported as net income I'm sure most farmers aren't fabulously wealthy, but how are they surviving as a household on $72k income when some years are a loss
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Something isn't adding up regarding the P&L. You're telling me that in a solid year they are making $72, 000 net income And then he mentioned using that income to purchase feed and fertilizer for the next year. Wouldn't that go into operating expenses and not be reported as net income I'm sure most farmers aren't fabulously wealthy, but how are they surviving as a household on $72k income when some years are a loss
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Mr. Joyless
That GMO answer harkens back to the petro industry scientists washing their hands in leaded gasoline. Just because you are ok eating GMO food doesn't automatically mean it's safe.
Rigorously testing and proving GMO food is safe should be the standard. Which is how it's done for now, at least until the FDA gets completely gutted by 47, and we become test subjects for factory farm GMO research.
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That GMO answer harkens back to the petro industry scientists washing their hands in leaded gasoline. Just because you are ok eating GMO food doesn't automatically mean it's safe.
Rigorously testing and proving GMO food is safe should be the standard. Which is how it's done for now, at least until the FDA gets completely gutted by 47, and we become test subjects for factory farm GMO research.
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gabewinterful
gmos are safe, but the herbicides they put on gmo that was modified to survive herbicides are not. Also many herbicides and pesticides used in the us are banned in other countries, so beware. Im not blaming the farmers, but the big chemical companies that are poisoning us for profit and also the governments that do not support farmers enough to allow them to produce food with less chemicals
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gmos are safe, but the herbicides they put on gmo that was modified to survive herbicides are not. Also many herbicides and pesticides used in the us are banned in other countries, so beware. Im not blaming the farmers, but the big chemical companies that are poisoning us for profit and also the governments that do not support farmers enough to allow them to produce food with less chemicals
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marselinusraja4830
I totally agree with his statement, because every farmer in the world faces many similar problems, and it is also very important to support universities, researchers and students in developing new methods and technologies that make sustainability in agricultural areas more advanced in terms of input and output, which of course is hoped to be more environmentally friendly.
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I totally agree with his statement, because every farmer in the world faces many similar problems, and it is also very important to support universities, researchers and students in developing new methods and technologies that make sustainability in agricultural areas more advanced in terms of input and output, which of course is hoped to be more environmentally friendly.
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billiegoat4240
Its important to note that this is a largescale industrial farmer. Or a chemical farmer. Ive never had to use half this equipment like a sprayer or combine. There are small farms that dont use machinery necessary for chemicals and pesticides because you can and should, farm without them. We need more smallscale farms to lessen our dependance on industrial or factory farms
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Its important to note that this is a largescale industrial farmer. Or a chemical farmer. Ive never had to use half this equipment like a sprayer or combine. There are small farms that dont use machinery necessary for chemicals and pesticides because you can and should, farm without them. We need more smallscale farms to lessen our dependance on industrial or factory farms
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HayderAbdulridha
My dad got his PhD. In agriculture, focusing on soil fertility and talking about nitrogen uptake and soil health around mostly maize (corn) and soybeans because they rotate those crops in Nebraska. I had to help him spell check things when he published his findings because English is not his first language, so I read some of the things and understood about 10% of it.
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My dad got his PhD. In agriculture, focusing on soil fertility and talking about nitrogen uptake and soil health around mostly maize (corn) and soybeans because they rotate those crops in Nebraska. I had to help him spell check things when he published his findings because English is not his first language, so I read some of the things and understood about 10% of it.
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JvmCassandra
Like it or not, East Asia remains the largest customer for agriculture products. The acreage per capital is as low as 0. 4 Acre per person in South Korea, 0. 8 Acre per person in Japan and 1. 4 Acre person in China whereas in United States it is as high as 7. 6 acre of arable land per person. East Asians have to import all their animal feed and non staple food.
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Like it or not, East Asia remains the largest customer for agriculture products. The acreage per capital is as low as 0. 4 Acre per person in South Korea, 0. 8 Acre per person in Japan and 1. 4 Acre person in China whereas in United States it is as high as 7. 6 acre of arable land per person. East Asians have to import all their animal feed and non staple food.
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jaskiratkaur4217
As an agricultural student, like he said, farmers need to be proficient in so many thing is so true. We studied pathology (diseases, entomology(insects, economics, agricultural machinery, agronomy(crops, biotechnology and genetics, microbiolgy, statistics, soil science and so many more. It was like 10 subjects per semester for undergraduate degree. 21: 48
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As an agricultural student, like he said, farmers need to be proficient in so many thing is so true. We studied pathology (diseases, entomology(insects, economics, agricultural machinery, agronomy(crops, biotechnology and genetics, microbiolgy, statistics, soil science and so many more. It was like 10 subjects per semester for undergraduate degree. 21: 48
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x. i. xthesun914
so pretty much success requires generational collaborative efforts so 1st and second generation Americans find it hard even i a third generation American have no prospects working day to day paycheck to paycheck things get more expensive and land a house or a business is impossible for people who have nothing to fall back on no support or connections
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so pretty much success requires generational collaborative efforts so 1st and second generation Americans find it hard even i a third generation American have no prospects working day to day paycheck to paycheck things get more expensive and land a house or a business is impossible for people who have nothing to fall back on no support or connections
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gmrrnracr
He praise Trumps trade war but completely ignores the impacts of global warming that impact his crop yields.
His future bottom line is just as important, as mine and your bottom line and that’s a sustainable habitable planet.
Sadly, he and other adults who deny global warming are selfishly looking out for themselves and not future generations.
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He praise Trumps trade war but completely ignores the impacts of global warming that impact his crop yields.
His future bottom line is just as important, as mine and your bottom line and that’s a sustainable habitable planet.
Sadly, he and other adults who deny global warming are selfishly looking out for themselves and not future generations.
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HipHopLuv123
As a farmer. The seasons can be kind or brutal and there is never a day off or PTO Its a lot. We are independent and old fashion so not much machine mantance required which saves money but it doesn't compare to the amount of labor put in. early mornings and long nights. The lows are very low but the highs are huge and make it all worth it.
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As a farmer. The seasons can be kind or brutal and there is never a day off or PTO Its a lot. We are independent and old fashion so not much machine mantance required which saves money but it doesn't compare to the amount of labor put in. early mornings and long nights. The lows are very low but the highs are huge and make it all worth it.
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graceplant3677
Just lost my grandpa, who was a farmer his whole life, at the beginning of this year. This is the first planting season without him in 50 years. He taught me soo much about farming and its importance. This video just makes me so happy, farmers are so incredibly smart and hardworking, and deserve all the recognition. Great video, Wired. (:
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Just lost my grandpa, who was a farmer his whole life, at the beginning of this year. This is the first planting season without him in 50 years. He taught me soo much about farming and its importance. This video just makes me so happy, farmers are so incredibly smart and hardworking, and deserve all the recognition. Great video, Wired. (:
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gvi341984
The issue for Americans is that they have too many farmers doing the same thing with state laws having strict AI laws regarding modernization. For example corn, why does it need so many farmers One company could easily make the growth efficient especially modernizing it with AI and data. Food can be so cheap without crashing the global economy
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The issue for Americans is that they have too many farmers doing the same thing with state laws having strict AI laws regarding modernization. For example corn, why does it need so many farmers One company could easily make the growth efficient especially modernizing it with AI and data. Food can be so cheap without crashing the global economy
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CallMeGrim25
Also so Trump starts a trade war to give us the upper hand we suffer then boom we made it back and then some. Then The next administration comes in and gets rid of it so we lose even more. Then Trump comes back and repeats the cycle. I hope the next administration also put the USA first and keeps the amazing new trade deals.
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Also so Trump starts a trade war to give us the upper hand we suffer then boom we made it back and then some. Then The next administration comes in and gets rid of it so we lose even more. Then Trump comes back and repeats the cycle. I hope the next administration also put the USA first and keeps the amazing new trade deals.
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mjk9388
As an amateur plant breeder and life long gardener, I was impressed by Matt's knowledge and his ability to convey that knowledge simply and well. He did a really amazing job and I'm glad that Wired did this interview so those not directly involved with farming can learn some of the ins and outs of the profession.
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As an amateur plant breeder and life long gardener, I was impressed by Matt's knowledge and his ability to convey that knowledge simply and well. He did a really amazing job and I'm glad that Wired did this interview so those not directly involved with farming can learn some of the ins and outs of the profession.
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bswd
I'd love to hear his opinion on the bee population decline, and not only the impact that this is having on farms, but also to look at farming itself as a possible contributing factor via the use of pesticides, mono-cropping, and related practices. Also, what farmers are doing to address both the causes & effects.
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I'd love to hear his opinion on the bee population decline, and not only the impact that this is having on farms, but also to look at farming itself as a possible contributing factor via the use of pesticides, mono-cropping, and related practices. Also, what farmers are doing to address both the causes & effects.
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