In this special episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Paul Windemuller shares his full presentation from the Milk Business Conference, where he challenges how the dairy industry thinks about data, technology, and artificial intelligence. Drawing on his experience as a dairy farmer and global agtech observer, Paul explains why more data has not automatically led to better decisions—and why that gap is becoming more critical as AI adoption accelerates.

The presentation was delivered at the Milk Business Conference, one of the dairy industry’s leading annual events, which brings together producers, processors, and agribusiness leaders to discuss management, profitability, and the future of milk production. Paul was featured as a speaker for his perspective on practical innovation and agtech adoption. You can also read the conference’s feature article about Paul and his work here.

MEET THE HOST

Paul Windemuller is a dairy farmer, agribusiness thought leader, and host of the AgCulture Podcast. With hands-on experience building and operating modern dairy systems, Paul brings a practical lens to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, simulation modeling, and data-driven decision tools. As a Nuffield Farming Scholar focused on AI in livestock agriculture, he works globally with farmers, cooperatives, and agtech companies to explore how innovation can strengthen farm profitability and resilience.

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction & conference context

(03:40) Data vs decisions

(07:20) Dashboard limitations

(11:30) Digital twins explained

(16:45) Simulation and risk

(21:30) ROI discipline

(26:10) AI limits

(31:40) Preparing for the future

(36:20) Closing thoughts

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. Jehan Ettema, co-founder of SimHerd and animal health economist, explains how digital twins are transforming dairy farm decision-making. He discusses simulation models, data quality, economics, genetics, and the role of AI in farm management. Learn practical insight into evaluating investments, managing risk, and improving farm performance. Listen now on all major platforms and explore smarter decisions for modern agriculture!

Meet the guest:

Dr. Jehan Ettema is an animal health economist and co-founder of SimHerd, a decision support platform developed in collaboration with Aarhus University and global dairy partners. His work focuses on simulation modeling, farm economics, genetics, and data-driven decision making for dairy systems worldwide. 

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:17) Digital twin explained

(05:57) Farm decision tools

(07:29) Central data systems

(10:01) Global adaptation

(14:03) Model limitations

(31:31) 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 share my conversation with Kimmi Devaney, communications strategist and journalist, on the Progressive Dairy Podcast. We talk about what it really takes to build and grow a dairy operation with limited capital, how to manage assets wisely, and how data, robotics, and artificial intelligence are shaping smarter day-to-day decisions. Leadership in agriculture, practical technology adoption, and long-term thinking are central to the discussion. Listen now on all major platforms!

Hear from dairy producers and industry leaders like Paul by tuning into the Progressive Dairy Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or on the Progressive Dairy website (www.agproud.com/podcasts).

Meet Kimmi Devaney:

Kimmi Devaney is a communications strategist and journalist with more than a decade of experience supporting agricultural organizations through media relations, crisis communications, and storytelling. As host of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, she highlights producer perspectives and industry innovation. Her work focuses on building trust between farmers and consumers through clear communication.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:31) Starting lean

(06:09) Equipment strategy

(12:04) Using data

(15:10) Solar planning

(28:05) Artificial intelligence

(46:43) 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, 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 strategies, and the future of working lands. Learn valuable insight for producers, agribusiness professionals, and landowners focused on long-term sustainability. Listen now on all major podcast platforms! 

Meet the guest:

Ariel Wiegard serves as Vice President of Government Affairs at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, where she leads national policy and advocacy efforts supporting habitat conservation on working lands. With a background in agricultural policy, sustainability, and environmental law, she brings extensive experience working with farmers, landowners, and industry partners.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:26) Conservation mission

(07:05) Policy challenges

(08:16) Working lands value

(12:36) Farmer trust

(16:26) Precision conservation

(26:26) 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 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.