Ag Future: Innovation in Agri-Food

What does it take to raise a champion Thoroughbred? As the owner and operator of Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, John Philips applies lessons of the past to passionately advocate for the future of horse racing. He joins us to share his secrets to success and discuss the initiatives disrupting the equine industry.

It's an exciting time in crop management as emerging technologies offer hope for some of the industry's most pervasive challenges. Dr. Richard Lally provides a breakdown of the scientific discoveries reshaping crop production.

Are beef verification programs really worth the time and effort for producers? As consumers become more interested in the story behind the steak, verified beef is bringing premium prices. What questions should producers ask before adopting a program, and could it open doors to other markets?

Will the next big innovation in ag-tech revolutionize one of the oldest fixtures in farming? Imagine if you could use your smartphone to track and control the movement of your herd. What would it mean for the management of soil, nutrition and labor costs? Vence, a startup based in sunny San Diego with roots in New Zealand, says it's breaking down financial barriers by putting up virtual fences.

Can public trust be measured? What happens when suppliers along the food chain fall short of consumer expectations? Crystal Mackay, president of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, shares why producers should consider transparency a business risk that must be managed, and explains the technology that can help achieve it.

Locally-sourced produce with year-round availability. Convenience, but with less packaging. Reasonable prices, despite increased labor costs. Today's consumers want it all, and as the population increases, are producers ready to grow with them? Dr. David Magaña of Rabobank's RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness Group on supporting growing demand for fruits and vegetables today and tomorrow.

At the Alltech Center for Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition, scientist are making breakthroughs that can be taken from the barnyard to the backyard. Dr. Karl Dawson joins us from the forefront of the latest scientific research that could help our pets live longer, healthier lives.

Blockchain, sustainability and the Chinese market. Today's beef producers face new opportunities and challenges. Deborah Wilson, senior vice president of BIXSco Inc., talks industry transformation and tracking beef from farm to table.

Steamed, sauteed, fried or butterflied - shrimp is popular the world over. How will the latest innovations help producers address challenges with health and sustainability? Jorge Cordova manages shrimp farms in Ecuador, and he joins us to discuss the past, present and future of this mighty aquaculture sector doing its part to feed the rising billions.

Older birds lay bigger eggs, which often means weaker egg shells. Can producers minimize this natural phenomenon and get more eggs to market? Dr. Raj Kasula has worked in poultry science for decades, recently spearheading a modern version of layer nutrition software. He joins us with his take on today's poultry challenges and tomorrow's solutions.

Some farming challenges are as age-old as farming itself, including mitigating mycotoxins and the threat they impose. Nick Adams and his team of mycotoxin experts analyze feed samples in a state-of-the-art lab in order to support farmers in the field. He joins us to discuss how far modern technology has come in helping producers protect feed and food safety, and just how far could it go.

As a child, doctors said her health would hold her back. She went on to become the first female commander of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Clinic. Dr. Amy Coleman, author of "Discovering Your Own Doctor Within," on her journey to wellness and helping others improve their mind and body through gut health.

A fundamental shift in consumer behavior is underway. How is agriculture responding to the new demands of the next generation? David Donnan is a senior partner with A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm that closely studies current and future retail trends. He shares the new driving forces behind purchase decisions and explains how farmers stand poised to benefit.

Horses encounter unique challenges that can impact health and overall performance. As equestrians take a closer look at gut health, what benefits do probiotics offer? Renowned equine veterinarian Dr. William Bernard works in the heart of horse country. He joins us to discuss the delicate bacteria balance and explains why all probiotics are not created equal.

The aquaculture industry continues to experience rapid growth - and growing pains. At the Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre, researchers are quickly addressing today's challenges and developing tomorrow's solutions. Joining us for an in-depth look is Ruben Groot, an aquafeed nutritionist and part of the research and development team at Alltech Coppens.

How important to the future of farming are advanced technologies such as automation and artificial intelligence? Can technology help fill the void created by labor shortages? Joining us with a bird's eye view of this new era in agriculture is John Power, who advises stakeholders as they navigate the global agri-food chain.

As farmers increasingly go digital, ag-tech is now among the fastest-growing sectors in technology. For startups eager to stake their claim, a clear path to market remains a challenge. That's where Dogpatch Labs and The Pearse Lyons Accelerator come in. Patrick Walsh, founder of Dogpatch Labs, Ireland's leading startup hub, discusses the innovation ecosystem and shares what he's learned about the...

The world's fastest-growing food-production sector faces several challenges. Can the young aquaculture industry meet the demand for premium products while addressing issues like sustainability, access to quality feed ingredients and the public's perception of farmed fish? Dr. Philip Lyons of the Alltech Coppens Aqua Centre joins us to discuss how innovation is turning the tide.

Just as consumers demanded — and received — antibiotic-free meat, the drumbeat is building for pesticide-free crop production. Is that a realistic goal? What are the trade-offs? John Perry, agronomic services team manager with Simplot Grower Solutions, joins us to discuss the future of crop science.

The global population is growing at a rate that will outpace our food supply. How do we feed the world without exhausting its resources? CRISPR has proven to be a sustainable solution, but will regulations and public perception allow science to unleash this powerful tool? To answer these questions and more, we went straight to the source: Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou, whose groundbreaking CRISPR researc...

What if all the key players in the beef cattle chain, from breeders to market, could consult one comprehensive database for information on every animal? What if farmers could search for stock bulls, weight records and ancestry? The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation is making it possible. Martin Ryan serves on the board of ICBF and gives us an inside look at this game-changing system.

Often characterized as averse to innovation, agriculture was actually one of the first major industries to adopt technology to boost productivity, particularly in dairy production. So where is technology driving dairy today? Jack Rodenburg works closely with farmers to design the very barns built to accommodate robotic milking. He joins us to discuss how modern technology is changing the dairy man...

Can we feed the world without harming the earth? The agriculture industry is always working to reduce its environmental impact, including seeking sustainable sources of protein for livestock. In this podcast, we hear from Kieran Whitaker, CEO and founder of Entocycle, a startup using insects to turn organic waste into animal feed. Is this alternative protein source an idea with legs?

Twenty years' worth of research demonstrates that organic trace minerals are far superior to inorganic sources. So why do nutritionists continue to incorporate inorganic minerals into the feed? Are the perceived cost savings only short-term? What about the overall productivity of the herd? Dr. Richard Murphy and Dr. Roger Scaletti discuss how a mineral management program that uses organic trace mi...

The pet food market is growing faster than any other consumer goods industry. What nutrition trends are emerging, and what global opportunities are being created? As editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry Magazine, Debbie Phillips-Donaldson is at the forefront of this booming market. She shares her insight with us, including how the industry is being reshaped, and the surprising ingredients you might...