From The Soil Up Podcast

Chef Ben Bayly on building a New Zealand food identity, storytelling, provenance, and why our farmers and producers deserve better recognition. What does it actually take to put New Zealand on the map as a world-class food destination? In this episode, we sit down with chef and food advocate Ben Bayly of Ahi Restaurant, recently awarded a Michelin Star, to unpack why storytelling, not just quality...

Your health and the health of the land beneath your feet are inseparable. In this episode, Conan sits down with Stacey Curcio of Cultivating Wellness to explore the deep connection between soil health, regenerative agriculture, and human wellness and why it's time to break down the silos between agriculture and nutrition. Stacey shares how farming practices directly shape nutrient density and biod...

Are wearables worth the investment on your farm? David March breaks down the real ROI of wearable technology in agriculture covering infrastructure needs, animal health monitoring, virtual fencing, and how to know if the data is actually worth paying for. In this episode, David shares insights from his Kellogg research project on wearable tech adoption in dairy farming, including practical guidanc...

What happens when farmers ignore pain, injuries, and their own well-being for years on end? In this episode, Conan sits down with farming physio and sheep and beef farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan to discuss farmer health, physical resilience, injury prevention, strength training, nutrition, and mental well-being. Drawing on her experience working with farmers and living the farming lifestyle herself, Sto...

How can adaptive grazing management improve farm profitability, soil health, and pasture performance? In this episode , I sit down with New Zealand dairy farmers Brooke Lye and Russ Heald to explore the principles and practical application of adaptive grazing management. We dive into how grazing decisions influence soil health, pasture performance, animal wellbeing, and ultimately farm profitabili...

In this episode, Conan interviews Graham Pile from Fertigation Systems to explore the benefits, myths, and practicalities of fertigation in New Zealand agriculture. They discuss how fertigation can improve nutrient management, reduce costs, and increase crop yields across dairy, cropping, and pastoral systems.   https://fertigation.co.nz/

In this episode, Conan sits down with Teal Simmons, founder of Agrisol, to unpack one of regenerative agriculture's most overlooked truths: you can't build a thriving farm system if the economics don't stack up. As Teal puts it "You can't be green if you're in the red." Teal brings a grounded, systems-based lens to the regenerative transition, walking through his Roots Framework and the practical...

What's the real cost of modern farming and who's paying for it? Phyllis Tichinin of True Health Limited joins the podcast to connect the dots between declining soil health and the chronic disease epidemic facing humans and livestock alike. From the collapse of soil microbiology under synthetic fertilizers, to the hidden nutritional power of grass-fed animal fats, Phyllis offers a compelling case f...

Pasture diversity is gaining traction in New Zealand farming circles  but what does the science actually say? In this episode, Conan sits down with Danny Donaghy and Eru Tait-Jamieson from Massey University to unpack the research behind diverse pasture systems. From species selection and functional traits to grazing management, soil health, and carbon sequestration, this conversation cuts through...

In this episode, Conan interviews Joel Crump from Tow & Fert to explore the benefits of foliar feeding, the technology behind Tow & Fert machines, and how farmers can optimize fertilizer use for better soil health and productivity. https://www.towandfert.co.nz/

In this episode, Lynn Hoover from Ocean Blue Agronomics shares insights on the role of ocean minerals in sustainable farming, soil health, and livestock productivity. Discover how natural mineral sources can unlock soil biological functions, improve crop yields, and enhance farm profitability.   https://www.oceanblueagronomics.com/about-us  

In this special episode, Conan shares his panel from the 2026 Underground Festival, joined by two farming families who've put their money where their values are. Kenneth and Rachel Short are organic dairy farmers from Taranaki, and Mark and Laura Koopmans run a sheep and beef operation out of Kaikoura. From the drivers behind their decisions to the honesty conversations around financials, the chal...

What does it really take to produce one of the world's most sought-after natural health products? Conan sits down with Liam Gavin from Gavin's Honey to pull back the curtain on the Manuka honey industry. From the realities of beekeeping to quality certification, export markets, and the growing demand for natural health products. With over 2000 recognised properties, Manuka honey sits at the inters...

In this episode, I share my panel from the 2026 Underground Festival on Ecosystem Payments. I bring together leading voices in New Zealand’s emerging ecosystem markets to unpack what ecosystem payments really mean for farmers and landowners both today and into the future. I'm joined by Sean Weaver (Ekos), Tim Booth (Tamata Hauhā), and Renee Raroa (East Coast Exchange / Toha), this panel dives deep...

In this episode of From the Soil Up Podcast, I speak with Hamish Gow and three of the students involved in the Ag Innovation Challenge about their ideas to solve issues currently facing the agricultural industry. The Challenge is put together by Lincoln University and Ballance Agri Nutrients with support from the Ministry for Primary Industries' Future Ready Farms programme, and is open to first-y...

In this episode of the From the Soil Up Podcast, Conan chats to Emily House about her expertise on plant nutrition, soil health, and their direct impact on livestock performance. Discover how mineral balance, pasture diversity, and soil testing can optimize farm productivity and animal health. https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-house-59980149/

In this episode, Tony Evans from Camperdown Compost shares insights on regenerative farming, composting, and systems thinking for soil health and farm productivity. Learn how to integrate compost, manage wet conditions, and optimize nutrient cycling for sustainable agriculture. https://camperdowncompost.com.au/

In this episode of the From the Soil Up podcast, Conan speaks with Paul Daly from EMNZ about the critical role of soil biology in agriculture. They discuss the importance of microbial diversity, the evolution of EM technology, and the challenges faced in promoting biological solutions in farming. Paul shares insights on how EM can enhance soil health, improve nutrient access for plants, and its ap...

In this episode of the From the Soil Up podcast, Conan Moynihan is joined by Kane Brisco, author of The Tools for the Top Paddock and founder of Farm Fit, to unpack the mental pressures of modern dairy farming. They explore why today’s challenges are more mental than physical, how stepping back creates clarity under pressure, and why simple tools like writing things down can transform decision-mak...

This episode marks a new chapter for the podcast.   The Force of Nature Podcast is now From the Soil Up Podcast.   In this solo episode, Conan shares why the name has changed not because the message has shifted, but because the conversation has expanded. What began as a focus on soil health and farming systems has grown into something broader: conversations about the entire food system, from soil...

Summary In this episode, Conan Moynihan interviews Dylan Graves, a passionate permie, about biochar and its applications in farming. They discuss what biochar is, how it is made, and its numerous benefits for soil health, water retention, and nutrient cycling. Dylan shares his personal journey into permaculture and the importance of raising awareness about biochar among farmers. The conversation a...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan speaks with former owner at Ranch Management Consultants and Ranching for Profit, Dave Pratt about the critical issues surrounding succession planning in farming. They discuss the importance of communication, understanding expectations, and the need for a paradigm shift in how ranchers view their businesses. Dave shares his journey from a strug...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Nic Thompson discusses the evolution of leadership and management practices, emphasizing the importance of self-management, decentralization, and emotional intelligence in organizations. He shares personal experiences that shaped his views on leadership and highlights the need for a purpose-driven approach in business. The conversation explores the T...

In this episode, I’m joined by Thomas James Holmes to unpack the challenges currently facing the arable sector and what they reveal about the wider agricultural system.   We discuss how agriculture often focuses on the positives in good times, while sectors under pressure are overlooked. Thomas shares why flexibility, adaptability, and stronger support systems are critical for navigating economic...

In this episode I sit down with two of the founders from the Underground Festival in New Zealand, Fran Bailey and Chanelle O'Sullivan. UNDERGROUND is a two day festival celebrating soil, food and farming featuring international & local soil legends, talks, workshops, field experiences, local kai and music. In this episode we chat about how they came to create the festival, whose it for and how...