The National Land Podcast

How Agricultural CPAs Uncover Hidden Value in Your Operation

In this episode, Mac Christian sits down with Erik Gillam, CPA and Agriculture Practice Leader at Aldrich Advisors, to unpack the complex (and often overlooked) financial and accounting challenges facing modern agricultural operations.

Whether you're running a family farm, overseeing a multi-million-dollar ag enterprise, or advising landowners on succession planning, this episode is packed with actionable insights on tax strategy, cash flow, entity structure, audits, bonus depreciation, and ag-specific accounting tactics.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• When and why mid-to-large ag operations need a CPA who understands production agriculture

• The truth about bonus depreciation in 2025 (and how to leverage ag buildings and equipment)

• How cash-basis tax accounting can kill your loan approval

• Strategies for farm business transitions (multi-generation family farms)

• The hidden value of inventory and how to prove it to banks

• Audit vs. review vs. compilation — and which one your farm may need

• Depreciable assets, soil fertility deductions, and tax Code 180

• Real talk on CPAs, co-ops, and why most farmers outgrow “mom-and-pop” accountants

Guest: Erik Gillam, Aldrich CPA + Advisors
More info: https://aldrichadvisors.com

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New FSA Loan Rules in 2025: Why Your Farm Loan May Get Delayed

In this episode of the National Land Podcast, Mac Christian sits down with Chris Clayton, Ag Policy Editor for Progressive Farmer (DTN), to dig deep into the policy issues shaking up American agriculture. From USDA loan oversight to immigration raids on farms, and the trade standoff with China, this is a must-listen for anyone in land real estate, farming, or ag policy.

TOPICS COVERED:

• USDA & FSA loan policy changes (>$400K scrutiny by DOGE)

• Lack of transparency in farm data sharing (“super database” concerns)

• Foreign land ownership: China, Syngenta, and military proximity issues

• Immigration enforcement & H-2A labor cost crisis

• ICE raids' ripple effects on agriculture, hospitality, and meatpacking

• Farm Bill vs. “Big Beautiful Bill”: what's funded, what’s ignored

• SNAP cuts, commodity payments, and rural broadband gaps

• Screw worm threat and animal disease control gaps

• Trade tensions: China, tariffs, soybeans, pork, and ethanol exports

• How weather and global politics (Ukraine, Israel) impact crop and input markets
  
  

Progressive Farmer:

https://www.dtnpf.com

 

Follow Chris on X (Twitter):

@ChrisClaytonDTN

 

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https://www.nationalland.com

The Screwworm Cattle Crisis: Colin Woodall on this Beef Industry Challenge

In this urgent and insight-packed episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian sits down with Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), to talk about everything from cattle markets and advocacy to an emerging threat few saw coming: the resurgence of the New World screwworm.

Colin outlines NCBA’s deep-rooted history dating back to 1898 and how it remains the largest and most influential cattle producer organization in the U.S., representing over 270,000 cattle producers across all 50 states. The conversation spans major ongoing concerns in the beef industry, including:

• Beef market trends in 2025 and how high demand, limited herd supply, and rising quality have kept prices strong.

• The delays in the Farm Bill and its implications for ranchers and producers, especially the crucial funding for Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine banks.

• How water scarcity, drought conditions, and aquifer depletion are shaping the cattle landscape—and what producers are doing to adapt.

• The rise of niche beef markets like grass-fed, locally sourced, and hormone-free, and how they're driving demand and providing new revenue for producers.

• A deep dive into the New World Screw Worm crisis: what it is, why it’s dangerous, how it re-emerged, and what the cattle industry must do now to stop it.

• The role of NCBA in advocacy, public awareness, technology integration, and emergency response in the face of this new biological threat.

Colin also shares how NCBA is leading national response efforts, from lobbying for sterile fly production to helping producers identify, treat, and report infestations. It’s a critical listen for landowners, cattle producers, ag investors, and anyone concerned with rural land health, agricultural policy, or the food supply chain.

Visit the NCBA Website

New World Screwworm Resources

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Debt, Deficits, and The Big Beautiful Bill: With Economist Scott Baier

In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian sits down with Dr. Scott Baier, Professor of Economics and Associate Dean of Research at Clemson University, to unpack the economic realities behind tariffs, global trade, and the growing U.S. national debt.

We delve into how U.S.-China trade tensions, tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and the evolution of trade agreements like NAFTA to USMCA are influencing supply chains and U.S. manufacturing. Dr. Baier explains the real impact of tariffs on consumers, businesses, and jobs, and why many economists remain skeptical of their long-term benefits.

The conversation also covers:

• How global supply chain risks are shifting post-COVID

• The legal challenges facing the presidential tariff authority

• The connection between federal deficits, debt, and entitlement programs

• What’s driving the national debt, and what realistic solutions exist to reduce it

• Why Social Security and Medicare are central to the deficit conversation

• Whether offshoring is truly harming American manufacturing jobs

Packed with insights and clear economic breakdowns, this episode is a must-listen for anyone following U.S. economic policy, global trade, or national fiscal health.

Check out Doctor Scott Baier's Research! 

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Market Watch Q2: How Tariffs and Trade Wars Are Shaping U.S. Agriculture in 2025

In this episode, Mac Christian hosts Jackson Takach, Chief Economist and Director of Strategy, Research, & Analytics at Farmer Mac, for a frank discussion on the real economic challenges facing American agriculture. Tackling everything from rising tariffs and interest rates to farmland values and global trade tensions, Jackson breaks down the complexity of today's economic landscape.

You’ll learn about:

• The debut of Farmer Mac’s new Farmland Price Index

• The ripple effects of the “Big Beautiful Bill” on agriculture

• The reality behind the reshoring of manufacturing and trade strategy

• Why economists feel more like weather forecasters today

• What’s stalling the Farm Bill—and whether a name change could help

If you're a farmer, ag lender, policy nerd, or just someone trying to make sense of the macroeconomic mess, this episode delivers insight, data, and some much-needed perspective.

Read the Feed: Farmer Mac's Information Base for Ag Data

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SRA 831(b) Admin Could Be a Financial Lifesaver For Your Business

Today, we are talking about insurance! Exciting and insurance are two words we wouldn’t normally associate with each other, but this is a fascinating topic. We recently encountered SRA 831(b) Admin. Yes, that is the name of the company. A company that is making maximum use of SEO, which of course, we love. SRA 831(b) Admin is owned by fellow Idahoan (Mac lives in Idaho), Van Carlson, and is built around I.R.S. Code 831(b). This tax law establishes micro-captive insurance companies. If none of this makes sense to you, Van Carlson is here today to tell you how his company can help you create your own tax-friendly insurance program to offset risks to your business. There are a lot of moving pieces to this tax code, but that’s why this company exists. This may be a game changer for you and your business.

SRA 831(b) Admin

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Bowhunting, Land Leases, and Managing for Monster Bucks

In this episode of the National Land Podcast, host Mac Christian sits down with Christian Berg, Editor-in-Chief of Bowhunter Magazine, and Aaron Sutton, a land broker with National Land Realty and president of NLR's hunting lease division. Christian shares his journey to becoming one of bowhunting's most influential media voices, while Aaron recounts how he built a career centered around land & hunting.

The conversation dives deep into the challenges and benefits of leasing hunting land, and how managing hunting pressure and property access are key to growing trophy whitetails. They discuss the rising popularity of hunting leases, the impact of skyrocketing land values, and the critical need for clear expectations and contracts between landowners and lessees.

Whether you're a seasoned hunter, landowner, or just want to understand how leasing can provide better access to quality hunting, this episode is a masterclass in the intersection of land and wildlife management.

Bowhunter Magazine
Talk to Aaron Sutton
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Understanding The Carbon Credit Market: With Sky Harvest CEO, Will Clayton

Carbon credits have been a hot topic since the inception of carbon credit markets. This is an often discussed topic that can be difficult to get an understand of. Today, we are talking to National Land Realty agent, Keith Morris.  Keith Morris is a land real estate with a unique specialty background in minerals and devices such as carbon credits.  We are also talking with Will Clayton, CEO of Sky Harvest. Sky Harvest is taking a new approach to carbon credits with shorter-duration carbon credit agreements. In this episode, we discuss the carbon credit market, options available to landowners, how to take advantage of carbon credits, and of course, what sets Sky Harvest apart.

Contact Sky Harvest

Contact Keith Morris

Read Income Opportunities for Land, by Keith Morris

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