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 stood out this year. Listen now on all major platforms to hear what these changes could mean for agriculture in 2026 and beyond!

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

(02:08) Labor challenges

(03:16) Policy priorities

(04:48) Trade uncertainty

(06:15) Farm data

(07:07) Trust issues

(21:25) 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.

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 communication matters more than tariffs alone. He also shares why agriculture and dairy exports are central to US economic and food security. Listen now on all major platforms to hear this insider perspective on global trade!

Meet the guest: Gregg Doud is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Milk Producers Federation, where he leads efforts to strengthen US dairy competitiveness and global trade. He previously served as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative and held senior roles in Congress and agricultural economics.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(06:13) Trade scale explained

(13:18) China negotiations

(16:01) Trade preparation

(20:32) Regulatory barriers

(29:13) Trade misconceptions

(45:22) 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 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 shaping modern ag co-ops. Learn how cooperative strategy impacts long-term sustainability in today’s agri industry. Listen now on all major platforms.

Meet the guest:

Jay Waldvogel brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in agricultural cooperatives, offering unparalleled insights into the evolution and future of the dairy industry and cooperatives globally. With decades of work across continents, Jay's perspective illuminates the challenges and opportunities facing today's agricultural sector.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:01) Cooperative foundations

(08:25) Global market forces

(12:00) Governance challenges

(14:54) Co-op failures

(20:02) Future co-op shifts

(36:00) 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, 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 confident data-driven decisions. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest: Dr. Jeffrey Bewley, Dairy Analytics and Innovation Scientist with Holstein Association USA, has dedicated his career to precision dairy technologies, genetic improvement, data analytics, and practical on-farm problem solving. With expertise spanning monitoring systems, animal health economics, facility design, and dairy records, he blends science with real-world application to support modern agricultural innovation.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:30) Tech adoption

(07:29) Phenotype basics

(10:52) Data validation

(14:21) Farm innovation

(20:26) AI expansion

(29:28) 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, 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 social media helps bridge the gap between consumers and farmers. Listen now on all major platforms! 

Meet the guest:

Dr. Michelle Schack, known as the DairyDoc, is a dairy veterinarian, speaker, and co-founder of DairyKind. A graduate of the University of California, Davis, she focuses on enhancing animal and human well-being through better communication, training, and connection within agriculture. She uses her online platforms to educate consumers and build trust between farmers and the public.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:41) Human welfare impact

(07:26) Farm culture change

(14:11) Employee training systems

(21:59) Importance of documentation

(27:19) Digital advocacy in agriculture

(41:09) 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, 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 future. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Dr. Anastasia Volkova, Ph.D., is the CEO and Co-Founder of Regrow Ag, a company pioneering data-driven tools to support global agricultural resilience. With a background in aerospace engineering and extensive work in AI and sustainability, she has been recognized by BBC, TIME, and UBS as a global visionary.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:02) Agricultural connection

(08:08) Founding Regrow Ag

(10:20) Funding and MRV systems

(14:24) Global adoption shift

(17:36) Defining resilience

(32:25) 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.

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 communication and collaboration are reshaping agriculture’s future. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Evan Harrison is the Chief Executive Officer of Kiss the Ground, a nonprofit leading the regenerative agriculture movement through education, storytelling, and strategic partnerships. Since joining in 2022, he has amplified awareness of soil health and supported farmers through grants and media engagement.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: 

LinkedIn

Kiss the Ground

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:57) Regenerative storytelling

(06:44) Consumer awareness

(12:12) Farmer inclusion

(18:38) Measuring impact

(24:09) Brand collaboration

(36:10) 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 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 platforms! 

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

(01:10) Chile dairy overview

(08:59) Agricultural diversity

(11:03) Automation trends

(13:32) AI in dairy

(14:20) Global innovation

(15:12) 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 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 the industry become more sustainable, more efficient, and better equipped to handle labor challenges!

Discover Aidan Connolly's book The Future of Agriculture – now available in 4 languages! 📚 Get your copy

Meet the guest: ⁠Aidan Connolly is President of AgriTech Capital, a global agri-tech executive, investor, author, and academic with decades of leadership in innovation, artificial intelligence, and agribusiness strategy. His career spans executive roles at Alltech, McKinsey & Company, and IFAMA, with expertise in digital transformation, supply chains, and global agricultural development. Discover Aidan Connolly's book The Future of Agriculture, now available in 4 languages! 📚 Get your copy

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:12) Career journey

(05:03) Passion for innovation

(10:06) Role of AI

(14:01) Data quality issues

(15:29) Future workforce

(35:23) 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, 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 aquaculture ventures are reshaping modern farming. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest: Brandon Panebianco is the Technical Manager at Living Water Aquaculture in Townsville, Australia. With over a decade of experience across multiple aquaculture species, including barramundi, tropical rock lobsters, and crayfish, Brandon focuses on optimizing hatchery performance and sustainable production systems. His leadership is helping redefine how aquaculture integrates with modern agribusiness.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:13) Red Claw production

(05:11) Species management

(07:50) Market development

(12:39) Hatchery innovation

(22:08) Sustainability practices

(26:24) 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.