AgCulture Podcast

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Ariel Wiegard from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever discusses how conservation and agriculture can work together to strengthen rural landscapes. Drawing on her experience in government relations, she explains how policy, habitat, and farm profitability can align through collaboration. Ariel explores trust building with farmers, practical conservation st...

In this special Recap & New Year episode of the AgCulture Podcast, I reflect on 2025 and the major shifts shaping U.S. and global agriculture. Drawing from my work in dairy, agribusiness, and innovation, I share insights on labor challenges, policy changes, farm data, and the growing importance of trust in technology. I also discuss lessons from rural communities and leadership trends that sto...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Gregg Doud, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Milk Producers Federation, explains how global agricultural trade negotiations actually work behind closed doors. Drawing on his experience as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Gregg breaks down trade leverage, non tariff barriers, and why...

In this special re-run episode of the AgCulture Podcast, we bring back our conversation with Jay Waldvogel, a global cooperative leader with decades of experience in U.S., European, and New Zealand dairy systems, who explains how cooperatives formed, why some succeed, and why others lose their way. He breaks down risk management, value creation, governance challenges, and the future pressures shap...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Bewley from Holstein Association USA explains how technology, data analytics, and genetics are reshaping dairy operations. He shares insights from decades of research on precision monitoring, phenotypes, AI tools, and real-world testing through the Smart Holstein Lab. Learn how producers can prepare for the next wave of innovation and make conf...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Dr. Michelle Schack, a dairy veterinarian and co-founder of DairyKind, explains how human well-being directly impacts animal welfare on dairy farms. She discusses employee training, farm culture, and the crucial role of communication in sustainable agriculture. Dr. Schack also shares her journey from Silicon Valley to dairy veterinary medicine and how soci...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Dr. Anastasia Volkova, CEO and Co-Founder of Regrow Ag, shares her vision for building agricultural resilience through technology and regenerative practices. She discusses the evolution of MRV systems, the role of AI in scaling sustainable farming, and how collaboration across supply chains drives change. Explore how resilience is redefining agriculture’s...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Evan Harrison, CEO of Kiss the Ground, explores how storytelling and regenerative agriculture intersect to drive consumer awareness and sustainable change. He shares insights on building momentum for soil health, measuring real impact through media engagement, and creating partnerships with leading brands to fund farmer-led innovation. Discover how communi...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, I share key takeaways from my recent trip to Chile for the International Dairy Federation’s World Dairy Summit. From automation in dairy farms to the rise of hazelnut and wine industries, I discuss what makes Chile an emerging player in global agriculture. Learn how technology and innovation are shaping its dairy and crop sectors. Listen now on all major p...

In this special re-run episode of the AgCulture Podcast, we revisit our conversation with Aidan Connolly, President of AgriTech Capital. Aidan explores how AI and advanced technologies are reshaping agriculture, sharing his insights on innovations such as robotics, precision farming, and data-driven tools that are changing the way farms operate. Tune in to learn how these advancements are helping...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Brandon Panebianco, Technical Manager at Living Water Aquaculture in North Queensland, shares how his team is redefining Red Claw crayfish production through innovation, sustainability, and research partnerships. He discusses challenges in hatchery management, improving survival rates, and building a scalable aquaculture model. Learn how emerging aquacultu...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Daniel Carson, founder of Mīti and Alps2Ocean Foods, shares how New Zealand’s beef industry can transform dairy byproducts into sustainable, high-value protein. He explains the science behind turning non-replacement calves into nutrient-dense food while reducing carbon emissions and supporting farmers. Learn how innovation, data, and collaboration are resh...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Ali Cox, founder of Noble West, explains how branding and marketing are reshaping the agriculture industry. She shares insights on bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, rethinking commodity marketing, and how social media trends are changing food demand. Learn practical lessons from real brand success stories and discover what strategies farmers...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, I share stories and takeaways from a recent trip through the Pacific Northwest and beyond, visiting some of the country’s most distinctive farming regions. From the rolling wheat fields of Washington’s Palouse to Idaho’s onion valleys and the vast apple orchards of Washington, I look at the history, infrastructure, and water systems that helped these indus...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, fifth-generation dairy farmer Bryan Leuthold from Tillamook, Oregon, opens up about the realities of farming in one of the most unique dairy regions in the U.S. He shares how his family farm has evolved, the benefits and challenges of cooperative farming with Tillamook Creamery, and the environmental stewardship practices shaping the future of the valley....

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Justin Wells, US Country Manager at Halter, explains how virtual fencing and smart collars are reshaping beef cattle management in the United States. He shares Halter’s US rollout strategy, team-building approach, and the tech behind real-time containment and automated shifts. Learn how producers are capturing ROI through tighter grazing, labor savings, an...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Claire Taylor, founder of Agvocacy Consulting and Nuffield Farming Scholar, shares how immersive global experiences can reshape agricultural leadership and resilience. She discusses the origins and mission of Unstoppable World, a new initiative combining mental health, leadership, and global learning. Explore how farmers can rethink influence, connection,...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Lisa Portas, a 2025 Nuffield Scholar and agribusiness director from New Zealand, explores the shifting economics of strong wool. She unpacks why synthetic fibers disrupted the market, what makes value-added wool promising again, and how infrastructure and accreditation could transform the sector. Discover how global travel is shaping her thinking on regene...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Eric McNeilly, International Premier Account Manager at Alta Genetics, shares insights from his 49-year career in the global dairy industry. From managing herds of over 20,000 cows to restructuring troubled farms across six continents, Eric explains the systems, cultural dynamics, and technologies driving efficient dairy operations. Learn practical managem...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast Show, Louisa Burwood-Taylor, Managing Editor at AgFunder, discusses the evolving landscape of agrifood tech investment and the role of venture capital in agriculture. He unpacks trends shaping funding, startup challenges, and how AI and robotics are reshaping the future of farm operations. Explore the critical gaps between agtech innovation and farmer adopt...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Annie Ridgely, macadamia nut farmer and founder of Shine Naturally®, shares how she transformed a struggling farm into a vertically integrated business. From cold-pressing macadamia oil for cosmetics to advocating for Hawaii-grown labeling laws, Annie offers a unique lens on agricultural entrepreneurship. Tune in to learn from her innovative approach and t...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, management consultant and first-generation beef farmer Tom Cosentino shares his journey from urban accounting to rural South Australian agriculture. He offers insight into drought resilience, enterprise stacking, and smart financial structuring for new entrants in farming. Discover practical business models for getting started in agriculture, even without...

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Stu Ferguson, co-founder of Hunter Riley Limited in New Zealand, breaks down the evolution of the manuka honey industry, from its early chaos to today’s global competition. He shares how engineering, land management, and branding are transforming beekeeping into a modern agribusiness. Learn what’s next for the sector and what lessons apply to agripreneurs...

In the second episode of our two-part series on the AgCulture Podcast, Dr. Barry Bradford from Michigan State University shares valuable insights on how dairy farmers can evaluate feed additives and trial-based research on their farms. Dr. Bradford highlights the importance of making informed decisions when adopting new technologies, including how to assess return on investment and the practical a...

In the first episode of our special two-part series on the AgCulture Podcast, you'll hear from Tim Kelly and Dr. Craig Wyatt from AB Vista. Tim explores how data and statistical tools can improve decision-making in dairy operations, while Craig shares key insights from the poultry industry and how they apply across livestock systems. Both sessions challenge the way we think about efficiency, varia...