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 regenerative farming and supply chain reinvention. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Lisa Portas is a director, former farm operator, and a 2025 Nuffield Scholar based in New Zealand’s Wairarapa region. With over a decade of leadership in agribusiness diversification, she focuses on value chains, wool innovation, and export development. Her current research explores how strong wool producers can regain profitability through direct supply chains, farm-level practices, and global accreditation strategies.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:48) Strong wool economics

(07:00) Infrastructure decline

(10:12) Wool market innovation

(14:09) Government policy shifts

(18:20) Merino vs. strong wool

(24:04) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

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 management strategies and how to future-proof your dairy business. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Eric McNeilly has nearly five decades of experience in the dairy industry, including managing herds of over 200,000 cows and consulting across 22 countries. With deep expertise in labor efficiency, dairy systems, and genetics, he now serves as International Premier Account Manager at Alta Genetics.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:11) Managing large herds

(14:11) Cross-cultural leadership

(15:31) Farm restructuring systems

(24:15) Genomics in breeding

(28:23) Technology in dairy

(37:01) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

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 adoption. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Louisa Burwood-Taylor is the Managing Editor at AgFunder and a pioneer in agrifood tech journalism. With nearly two decades of experience, he was the founding editor of Agri Investor and now leads AgFunder News and its widely cited industry reports. Louisa is known for shaping how investors, entrepreneurs, and farmers understand agricultural innovation and investment.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:03) Venture capital slowdown

(09:03) Startup exit barriers

(14:20) Alternative capital models

(18:24) Deep tech in agriculture

(22:18) AI’s real role

(36:03) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

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 the challenges of farming in Hawaii. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Annie Ridgely is a regenerative macadamia nut farmer based in Hawaiʻi, where she manages an 80-acre farm while homeschooling her four children. A former commercial fisherwoman turned agripreneur, Annie is also the founder of Shine Naturally®, a skincare brand using her farm’s cold-pressed macadamia nut oil. She recently served as president of the Hawaiʻi Macadamia Nut Association and remains active in advocacy.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:02) Starting a nut orchard

(06:09) Processing macadamia nuts

(10:36) Vertical farm integration

(20:21) Value-added farm products

(41:25) Hawaii labeling policies

(50:02) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

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 land inheritance. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Tom Cosentino is a management consultant and first-generation beef farmer based in South Australia. With a background in law and commerce, he supports Australia’s food and fibre sectors through research, consulting, and advocacy. As the principal at Margo Consulting, Tom brings a business-first lens to farm development and project management.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:00) Drought resilience planning

(10:15) Starting without land

(14:30) Enterprise stacking models

(18:45) Financial strategy tips

(27:20) First-gen farm barriers

(48:00) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

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 worldwide. Listen now on all major platforms! 

Meet the guests:

Stu Ferguson transitioned from mechanical engineering into apiculture over two decades ago, becoming a key innovator in New Zealand's manuka honey industry. As co-founder of Hunter Riley Limited, he focuses on improving hive management, sustainability, and product integrity. His unique blend of technical knowledge and agricultural vision is helping reshape global perceptions of manuka honey.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:30) Manuka honey properties

(07:00) Land use strategies

(10:50) Global market challenges

(13:20) Industry consolidation

(22:00) Quality control systems

(34:10) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

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 aspects of dairy research. Don’t miss his expert advice on applying this research to your own farm. Tune in now on all major platforms!

Meet the guests:

Dr. Barry Bradford is the Clint Meadows Endowed Chair in Dairy Management at Michigan State University. His expertise focuses on metabolic physiology, dairy nutrition, and the impact of additives on the health and productivity of dairy cattle. With years of research experience, Dr. Bradford applies scientific findings to real-world farming challenges, aiming to improve the profitability and sustainability of dairy operations.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:14) Evaluating feed additives

(09:22) Understanding ROI in dairy

(13:05) Pitfalls in study design

(17:30) Dairy farm research challenges

(22:00) Bias in research data

(29:45) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

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, variability, and production. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guests:

Tim Kelly, Ruminant Technical Sales Manager at AB Vista, brings years of industry experience to the conversation, drawing from leadership roles across dairy and feed sectors. 

Dr. Craig Wyatt, Regional Technical Service Manager at AB Vista, shares technical insights from nearly two decades in poultry and feed innovation.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:17) Measuring dairy complexity

(05:48) Statistical decision making

(19:31) Poultry industry insights

(22:12) Benchmarking feed data

(29:19) Feed ingredient variability

(48:00) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

In this special re-run episode of the AgCulture Podcast, we revisit the conversation with Gabe Brown, a pioneer in regenerative agriculture, who shares his journey from starting Brown's Ranch to becoming a global advocate. Gabe discusses his book Dirt to Soil, his involvement in impactful documentaries, and regenerative farming principles. Tune in to explore innovative agricultural practices and gain insights into creating sustainable and profitable farming systems. Listen now on your favorite platform!

Meet the guest:

Gabe Brown is a pioneer in the soil health movement, co-founder of Brown's Ranch, and author of "Dirt to Soil." He transformed his 6,000-acre ranch using regenerative practices, increasing biodiversity and profitability. Gabe is a partner at Regenified, a founder of Understanding Ag, and an instructor at the Soil Health Academy.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

02:04) The book: Dirt to Soil

(09:20) Transition from Farmer to Consultant

(15:00) Global Perspectives on Agriculture

(18:33) Principles of Regenerative Agriculture

(23:15) Economic and Environmental Benefits

(47:31) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, I talk about what I learned while hosting a group of Nuffield Scholars in Western Michigan. We get into how local microclimates shape crop choices, how community values show up in the way farms run, and why sharing ideas across countries really matters in agriculture. I also touch on why it's so important to get young people involved in fairs and ag events. Tune in on your favorite podcast platform!

Meet the guest:

Paul Windemuller is an agripreneur, 2024 Nuffield Scholar, and host of the ‘AgCulture Podcast’. With over a decade of experience in dairy and agribusiness, he’s the founder of Open Sky Agribusiness and Dream Winds Dairy, where he drives innovation through automation and technology. Paul holds a degree in Agricultural Business from Michigan State University and dairy expertise from Lincoln University.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:03) Microclimate impact

(03:59) Crop and livestock diversity

(04:29) Community-driven accountability

(06:20) Shared values in farming

(07:35) Benefits of hosting tours

(12:25) Closing thoughts

Discover the world of agriculture with the "Ag Culture Podcast".  This podcast will be a gateway for those passionate about agriculture to explore its global perspectives and innovative practices.

Join Paul as he shares his experiences in the agricultural industry, his travels and encounters with important figures around the world.

Available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.agculturepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and keep an eye out for future episodes, bringing insights and stories from the vibrant world of agriculture.