In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Steve Sweet brings his decades of experience in dairy management and agribusiness to explore the evolving relationship between dealers, manufacturers, and dairy farmers. He shares practical insights on navigating automation, tech integration, and staffing challenges across dealer networks. Learn how changing farm sizes, technology demands, and market expectations are reshaping agribusiness strategy. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Steve Sweet holds a B.S. in Dairy Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Dairy Management degree from Michigan State University. With over 20 years of industry experience, his work spans dairy nutrition, farm management, and robotic milking systems across North America.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:04) Dealer network evolution

(05:10) Data in dairy tech

(06:27) Staffing and education shifts

(08:21) Manufacturer-dealer tensions

(12:57) Global market contrasts

(32:01) 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, Will Lydgate, owner of Lydgate Farms, shares how Hawaii’s unique climate creates the perfect conditions for growing world-class cacao. He explains the challenges of scaling specialty agriculture, why post-harvest processing is key to flavor, and how eco-tourism sustains his vertically integrated chocolate business. Learn how premium value and regenerative farming intersect. Listen now on all major platforms! 

Meet the guest:

Will Lydgate, owner of Lydgate Farms in Kaua’i, Hawaii, leads a vertically integrated cacao operation producing award-winning chocolate, vanilla, and honey. With roots in a fifth-generation agricultural family, Will holds a background in music and entrepreneurship. Today, he focuses on post-harvest excellence, eco-tourism, and sustainable farming methods in tropical agriculture.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:39) Post-harvest chocolate process

(08:13) Hawaiian cacao economics

(13:32) Challenges of farm labor

(16:45) Specialty crop positioning

(21:23) Eco-tourism as revenue

(35:30) 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, Dr. Michael Boland talks about how cooperative governance needs to adapt in today’s fast-changing agriculture world. He breaks down why old-school board structures don’t always work for today’s co-ops, what to do about shifting farm leadership across generations, and how to match governance with the growing complexity of the business. Learn how to strengthen decision-making and board performance in your co-op. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

Meet the guest:

Dr. Michael Boland holds a Ph.D. and is the Koller Professor of Agribusiness Management at the University of Minnesota. With a deep background in cooperative governance, his research focuses on food and agricultural supply chain institutions and board leadership. He has educated over 100 cooperative boards globally.

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(06:24) Cooperative board dynamics

(09:03) Governance structure challenges

(12:18) Succession planning issues

(15:41) Member eligibility debate

(20:26) Board education strategies

(35:17) 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, futurist Nikolas Badminton breaks down how foresight, AI, and robotics are reshaping agriculture. He talks about managing complex data, the changing role of farmers, and what it takes to build a more resilient, sustainable food system. It’s a sharp, forward-looking conversation you won’t want to miss. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Nikolas Badminton is a globally recognized futurist and Chief Futurist with 30+ years of experience mentoring executives and government leaders across 400+ organizations including NASA, Microsoft, and JP Morgan. With a strong background in foresight and strategy, he helps industries envision resilient futures.

Connect with the guest on social media:

Website

LinkedIn

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(03:09) Future farm strategies

(08:21) Talent transformation

(10:19) Robotics in livestock

(17:06) Data-driven decisions

(20:18) AI integration

(24:18) 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 two-part episode of the AgCulture Podcast, we continue the conversation with Allan Savory, founder of the Savory Institute. He explains why so many global land management policies miss the mark—and how holistic management could change that. Savory breaks down the institutional blind spots, ecological misconceptions, and poor management decisions driving desertification. He makes the case for rethinking how we design policies and make decisions if we want to restore ecosystems. Listen now on all major platforms!

What will you learn: 

Meet the guest:

Clifford Allan Redin Savory is the president and co-founder of the Savory Institute and the originator of Holistic Management. Born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe/Zambia), Allan's work focuses on reversing land degradation through livestock-centered restoration strategies. His ecological insights stem from decades of field observation and policy leadership.Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

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 two-part episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Allan Savory—founder of the Savory Institute—shares how properly managed livestock can actually help reverse desertification and bring damaged grasslands back to life. He breaks down what’s wrong with conventional land policies and why grazing should be planned with nature in mind. You’ll pick up fresh insights on restoring biodiversity, building stronger ecosystems, and rethinking the future of farming. Listen now on all major platforms!

• (00:00) Introduction
• (05:19) Holistic land management
• (13:06) Policy development issues
• (17:20) Managing complexity
• (24:27) Livestock as a solution
• (30:41) Planning vs rotation
• (40:19) Closing thoughts

Meet the guest:

Clifford Allan Redin Savory is the president and co-founder of the Savory Institute and the originator of Holistic Management. Born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe/Zambia), Allan's work focuses on reversing land degradation through livestock-centered restoration strategies. His ecological insights stem from decades of field observation and policy leadership.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

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, John Gerbitz, founder of Cow Corner LLC, shares his insights on robotic milking systems and how they’re shaping today’s dairy operations. He breaks down what really drives profitability — and it’s not just about cutting labor. From cow flow and bunk management to reproductive performance, John explains what makes these systems work —and what doesn't. He also talks about how design, monitoring, and management style play a huge role in getting results with box robots. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!

Meet the guest:

John Gerbitz, founder of Cow Corner LLC, brings over 40 years of dairy industry experience to his role as a robotic milking management consultant. With a background that spans dairy farming, reproductive consulting, and product management, John holds a unique perspective on optimizing robotic milking systems.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: ⁠LinkedIn

Also, check out Cow Corner Linkedin and their Website

⁠

What you will learn:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:08) Robotic milking basics
• (03:48) Cow flow management
• (07:01) Free flow vs guided flow
• (16:57) Key management pitfalls
• (27:11) Management style impact
• (32:12) 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 episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Dr. Frank Mitloehner from UC Davis clears up common myths about livestock emissions and explains what methane really means for climate change. He walks through the science behind greenhouse gases, breaks down how methane is different from CO₂, and shares how policies—like California’s incentive-based approach—are making a real impact. Find out how farmers can lead the way on climate solutions. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!

Meet the guest:

Dr. Frank Mitloehner is a Professor and Air Quality Specialist in the Department of Animal Science at the University of California, Davis, and Director of the CLEAR Center. He holds an M.S. in Animal Science and Agricultural Engineering from the University of Leipzig and a Ph.D. in Animal Science from Texas Tech University. His research focuses on air emissions from livestock and their environmental and societal impacts.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:06) Methane vs CO₂

(09:00) Methane life cycle

(11:12) Livestock vs transportation

(22:12) Global policy models

(33:26) Feed additives potential

(40:17) Tech in livestock systems

(50:20) 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, Jamie Luce—CEO and Co-Founder of AIR Parametric—breaks down how parametric insurance is changing the game for managing climate risks in livestock and dairy farming. He shares how their data-driven tool, Milkshake™, helps farms get fast support during extreme heat, skipping the usual hassle of filing claims. It's a simpler, smarter way to get coverage, no matter the size of the operation. Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!

Meet the guest:

Jamie Luce is the CEO and Co-Founder of AIR Parametric, bringing over two decades of leadership in commercial insurance. With a career spanning Liberty Mutual, QBE, and Jewelers Mutual, he launched AIR Parametric to build new protections for agricultural businesses against extreme climate events. Luce holds deep expertise in underwriting, insurance strategy, and innovation.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:11) Parametric insurance 

(04:42) Heat index triggers

(07:07) Localized data models

(10:24) Pricing and policy tiers

(17:09) Rise of alt insurance

(22:25) 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, Andrew Nelson, a fifth-generation farmer and software engineer, takes us inside his 7,500-acre farm in Eastern Washington to show how he's using the latest technology to change the way he farms. From AI-powered tools to data-driven practices, Andrew explains how these innovations are improving sustainability and increasing efficiency. Discover how combining traditional farming with modern tech is shaping the future of agriculture. Tune in now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Andrew Nelson is a fifth-generation farmer and a skilled software engineer with a dual degree in Computer Science and Business Administration from the University of Washington. He manages Silver Creek Farms in Eastern Washington, where he blends agriculture with advanced technology to improve farm efficiency, sustainability, and yields. Andrew is also involved in various tech collaborations and research, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in farming.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:32) Farming technology integration

(11:16) AI-driven projects on farm

(17:02) Drone and satellite tech

(21:06) Impact of weather predictions

(25:14) Collaborations with Microsoft

(30:38) 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.