The Pacesetter Pod

Hosted by Joe Mosher

Business Education

Website RSS feed LinkedIn

Episodes

191

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

About the show

As an agribusiness executive, you operate at the intersection of value creation and preservation. You are challenged every day to take risks and grow the business while protecting the organization, people, and customers with superior execution. From highly fragmented supply chains and capital intensive business models to exceptionally narrow margins and hyper-competitive markets, you need an edge to outperform the competition. Welcome to The Pacesetter Pod, where we explore and reveal the perspectives, insights, and approaches to deliver great results and growth in your agribusiness, through better execution.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 28, 202652 min

Ep190: Ag Co-ops and the "Governance Acuity Pickle" | Richard Fagerlin, Build Better Boards

Show Highlights: The "governance acuity pickle" of co-op boards and exec teams. [05:17] Who owns board development in ag co-ops? [09:50] Why co-op directors must "kill your darlings" at times. [14:31] Consider a calendar policy for framing issues as boards. [18:57] What impacts next-gen engagement in ag co-op boards? [22:35] An insightful Thanksgiving table analogy for strong co-op boards. [27:28] Do boards actually own strategy in ag co-ops? [32:46] The need to review critical assumptions driving strategy. [35:50] Discover the best strategic planning venue for co-ops. [41:41] How to improve board financial and strategic acumen. [46:09] Find Richard Fagerlin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardfagerlin/ . Listen to The Build Better Boards Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/03Y81f30DNoLN5crlXLpje . Build Better Boards on the web: https://www.buildbetterboards.com/ If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

October 21, 202637 min

Ep189: The Asset Closure Playbook

Show Highlights: Past Pacesetter deep-dives on the co-op asset challenge. [02:27] How to evaluate a strategic asset in ag co-ops. [04:53] Are "strategic" and "profitable" objectively the same? [10:56] Key elements for selecting co-op assets for closure. [16:31] How co-op members really perceive an asset closure. [24:14] Four best practices for communicating closing assets. [27:28] Why legal guidance is a must in asset closure decisions. [32:49] If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

October 14, 202642 min

Ep188: The Co-op for Co-ops Pooling Talent Management Demand | Kalese Sheldahl, ACES

Show Highlights: Discover ACES, a recruitment co-op for co-ops. [05:15] How peer networks elevate HR practices in ag. [09:16] How does ACES manage trust around urgency with vendors? [12:50] Can co-ops sustain internal culture while using external services? [16:31] Survey and tools for optimizing hiring and performance. [17:33] The cultural DNA of co-ops thriving in consortiums like ACES. [22:53] Evolving ACES services with member needs and next-gen shifts. [26:41] Risks of fading internal resilience due to pooled services. [33:39] Leveraging future-forward member co-ops for new ideas. [36:47] To learn more about ACES, visit https://agtalentcoop.wordpress.com/ . Connect with Kalese Sheldahl on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalese-sheldahl/ . If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

October 7, 202643 min

Ep187: Driving Change, Member Acceptance, and a Mandate to Operate vs. Transform

Show Highlights: Two questions a GM Pacesetter texted Joe about change. [00:23] Why "more" tactics won't effectively communicate change in ag co-ops. [02:20] Recognize information asymmetry in co-op M&A deliberations. [05:04] Tips for translating change logic into proof for members. [10:12] Is a mandate to operate also a mandate to transform? [14:27] How to earn strategic trust and a mandate to transform. [16:26] Pacing change against "trust stock" without losing members. [26:52] The deal clock vs. the trust clock. [35:37] The reality that markets don't wait until change is digested. [38:02] Send Joe your feedback and listener questions. [41:54] If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

September 30, 202646 min

Ep186: Capitalizing on Oversupply Threats | Joe Diglio, Michigan Milk Producers Association

Show Highlights: Overview of MMPA and its evolution in changing dairy. [04:52] Is it true that there are fewer dairy farms and a trend toward scale? [09:25] Grain and dairy supply-chain parallels, and the perishability issue. [14:27] The need for investing in dairy assets for diversification. [21:49] How an oversupply crisis led MMPA to product innovation. [28:13] Learn about milk ultrafiltration and products. [33:22] Why engaging members in innovation must be a priority. [34:05] Safeguarding producer value over short-term relief. [37:02] Discover MMPA's new highlights and future innovations. [43:08] Leveraging byproducts, turning permeate into ethanol. [44:27] Learn more about Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) at https://www.mimilk.com/ . To contact Joe Diglio, connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-diglio-19638171/ . If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

September 23, 202648 min

Ep185: Built for this Moment | Neal Horrom, Mercer-Landmark

Show Highlights: What happens to a growth strategy that fails the member vote? [05:40] Anchoring co-op team emotions post-vote and pivoting. [13:20] Discover Mercer Landmark's newly created leadership roles. [17:17] Creating co-op-wide strategic clarity beyond "business as usual." [19:54] The need for shared P&L accountability in co-ops. [26:31] An example of elevating leaders based on strengths. [30:27] Why Mercer Landmark turned divisions into business units. [34:51] What's the RAVE standard for customer service excellence? [35:15] Learn about the Unified Customer Approach (UCA). [36:32] Building a UCA employee culture through purposeful redundancy. [43:51] To explore Mercer Landmark, visit https://mercerlandmark.com/ . Find Neal Horrom on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-horrom-81519051/ . Get your copy of Raving Fans: A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0688123163?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

September 16, 202625 min

Ep184: The Co-op Strategic Alliance "Benefit Ceiling" Problem

Show Highlights: What makes strategic alliances popular in agribusiness? [00:25] Understanding the ceiling problem of strategic alliances. [02:05] The agribusiness alliance-to-merger dilemma. [03:12] Five reasons co-ops choose alliances over mergers. [04:47] Explore four common strategic alliance structures in ag. [07:03] Identify three savings-efficiency phases in non-JV alliances. [10:59] How strategic alliances can diminish later merger value. [15:58] Targeted efficiency plays with no gains ceiling risks. [17:12] Goals and metrics boards must set before creating alliances. [19:20] Are strategic alliances dress rehearsals for mergers? [23:04] If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

September 9, 202651 min

Ep183: AI Inaction Risk and Rebuilding the Factory | Alexander Reichert & Patrick Walther, AgVend

Show Highlights: How AI has supercharged ag-tech product development. [05:47] Darwinism risks for companies that fail to adopt AI tools. [09:46] Tips for enabling internal AI-driven change across teams. [12:53] What's "Personal OS" or a context vault for AI? [17:17] Addressing employee fears of AI replacing jobs—and will it? [23:15] How AI boosts existing ag workflows—e.g., Goose Assist. [29:42] Why leveraging AI doesn't equal ceding decision rights. [34:40] The dangers of "vibe coding" with lessons from a failed project. [38:48] Avoiding the trap of overbuilding digital product features. [41:40] The value of constraints James Dyson learned from Soichiro Honda. [44:33] Using AI as a capability enhancer, not an unqualified creator. [47:36] To learn more about AgVend, visit https://www.agvend.com/ . Connect on LinkedIn with our guests from today's episode. Alexander Reichert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderreichert/ Patrick Walther: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-a-walther/ Check out Alexander's past appearance on The Pacesetter Pod. Ep46: Vintage 3 AgTech with Alexander Reichert: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4pncNwe4CuJDDUHMrA6vOx?si=N2PQmWRmRSevXtWkS426qg If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

September 2, 202655 min

Ep182: Co-op Relevancy, Uneven Growth Appetites, & 100 Day Planning | Brett Bruggeman, Land O'Lakes

Show Highlights: Adapting to ag's "new norm and never before" as co-ops. [04:09] Should co-ops shift to shorter 100-day strategic plans? [08:53] Learn key data on farmland transitions and ownership. [09:22] Input cost, innovation pipeline and supply chain considerations. [10:20] Three differentiators that give Land O'Lakes faith in the co-op model. [17:35] Revisit the core purpose of co-ops with four questions. [23:37] Navigating ag co-op member segmentation and growth. [30:06] Discover the best retailer metrics co-ops should adopt. [31:30] Four retailer growth-plan evaluations Land O'Lakes uses. [39:29] Why Land O'Lakes has a value-add focus as a federated co-op. [40:24] Has Land O'Lakes had success with cross-industry hires? [44:05] Land O'Lakes' 3-pillar growth plan and the value of data. [44:40] Brett's observations on our "Asset-Light Co-op" series. [48:48] Explore Land O'Lakes by visiting https://www.landolakesinc.com/ . Connect with Brett Bruggeman on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-bruggeman/ . If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

August 26, 202657 min

Ep181: Co-op Differentiation and De-Commoditization | Mike Corbus, Central Prairie Cooperative

Show Highlights: Three questions to radically self-assess differentiation in co-ops. [02:49] Why does brutal honesty matter to clarify market position? [07:17] The power of fostering intrapreneurship within co-ops. [10:06] Competing with other co-ops vs. specialized businesses. [12:44] A case study of co-op collaboration and benefits realized. [17:07] A startup-like store renovation that built a rural market. [23:43] Traits from varied professional cultures that can improve co-ops. [29:46] Why Mike values decisive leadership learned in the police force. [40:36] How photography decommoditized with lessons for ag services. [42:45] Thriving in digital disruption and customer value shifts. [45:36] Communicate and capture diverse value as ag co-ops. [51:42] Find out more about Central Prairie Cooperative by visiting https://www.cpcoop.us/ . To connect with Mike Corbus, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-corbus-2a3339169/?skipRedirect=true . If you are interested in connecting with Joe, go to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemosher/ , or schedule a call at www.moshercg.com .

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts

Business Of Weather | Weather Intelligence For Improved Decision Making

BusinessTechnology

Domain Details Page

BusinessInvesting

The Bottom Line

Alexander Spencer

BusinessInterviews guests