Ag Future: Innovation in Agri-Food - podcast cover

Ag Future: Innovation in Agri-Food

Ag Future focuses on the challenges and opportunities that exist within the agricultural sector. Join us as farmers, entrepreneurs and other agri-food industry leaders, both on and off the farm, discuss some of the most significant issues facing our planet and how they are working together for a better tomorrow.
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Episodes

#096: Breeding success at Darby Dan Farm - John Phillips

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.

May 04, 201924 min

#094: Beefing up profits through verification programs - Kathryn Britton

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?

Mar 27, 201917 min

#093: Better barriers: Virtual opportunities in livestock management - Frank Wooten

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.

Mar 12, 201915 min

#092: Trust and transparency in the food chain - Crystal Mackay

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.

Mar 05, 201917 min

#091: Growing demand: Producing fruits and vegetables in today's market - Dr. David Magana

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.

Feb 25, 201915 min

#090: The -omics of pet health - Dr. Karl Dawson

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.

Feb 18, 201912 min

#088: Viral trends in shrimp farming - Jorge Cordova

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.

Jan 21, 201916 min

#087: Breaking the cycle: Nutrition for better egg shell quality - Dr. Raj Kasula

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.

Jan 14, 201916 min

#086: Digital detox: Mycotoxin management meets modern technology - Nick Adams

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.

Jan 07, 201918 min

#085: Gut instinct: Personal wellness and the gut microbiome - Dr. Amy Coleman

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.

Dec 28, 201821 min

#084: Amazon, Alibaba and millennials: The future of retail - David Donnan

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.

Dec 18, 201819 min

#082: Healthy as a horse: Probiotics and equine performance - Dr. William Bernard

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.

Dec 03, 201821 min

#080: Growing forward with new digital tools - John Power

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.

Nov 19, 201813 min

#079: Startup: Ag-tech and the entrepreneurial spirit - Patrick Walsh

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 entrepreneurial spirit.

Nov 12, 201813 min

#078: First-rate fillets: Opportunities in aquaculture - Dr. Philip Lyons

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.

Oct 29, 201819 min

#076: The global rise of CRISPR - Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou

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 research gives rise to the next frontier in global agriculture.

Oct 15, 201825 min

#075: Select-a-bull: Inside Ireland’s cattle-breeding database - Martin Ryan

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.

Oct 08, 20188 min

#074: Quiet revolution: How robotics change the dairy dynamic - Jack Rodenberg

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 management landscape.

Oct 01, 201810 min

#073: Entocycle: Creating a buzz with alternative protein - Kieran Whitaker

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?

Sep 21, 201816 min

#072: Less is more with organic trace minerals - Dr. Richard Murphy and Dr. Roger Scaletti

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 minerals impacts the animals, environment and the producer's bottom line.

Sep 16, 201825 min

#071: Mega trends and new opportunities in pet food - Debbie Phillips-Donaldson

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 soon find your pet's food.

Sep 07, 201812 min

#070: Poultry performance and antibiotics - Dr. Kayla Price

As the poultry industry strives to limit the use of antibiotics, what can producers do to ensure their flock maintains optimum health and performance? Dr. Kayla Price discusses the issue and shares her insight on disease prevention and treatment in a consumer market that's increasingly anti-antibiotic.

Aug 31, 201816 min

#068: Solid success: Supporting piglet health at weaning - Ernie Hansen

Pigs never overcome a bad start, and face an increased risk of health challenges and reduced weight. The smooth transition to solid foods at weaning has always been a priority, but today's high-producing sows, coupled with known stressors, underscore the importance of proper feeding and management at this critical stage. In this podcast, Swine expert Ernie Hansen discusses how producers can support the long-term health and performance of their pigs.

Aug 17, 20188 min

#067: Age and grace: Caring for senior horses - Amanda Adams

Like humans, horses are living longer, healthier lives. As their nutrition and care needs change with age, how can we best support senior horses? In this podcast, Dr. Amanda Adams, an associate professor at the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky, explains how to support the health and immunity of our aging equine friends.

Aug 10, 201815 min

#066: The abscess obsession - T.G. Nagaraja

Liver abscesses pose a significant health threat in feedlot cattle, affecting their productivity and profitability. Why is this such a prevalent issue, and what can producers do to combat it? As the industry works to decrease the use of antibiotics, are alternative measures effective? Dr. T.G. Nagaraja's work focuses on digestive problems in beef cattle, and he joins us to discuss addressing liver abscesses now and in the future.

Aug 03, 201817 min
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