In this episode of the MacVet podcast, Fiona speaks with Andrew Jones, an independent dairy and beef nutrition advisor based in the southwest of England.

During the conversation, Andrew reflects on his dairy farming experiences in the UK and Australia, where tick control could be very challenging! We learn how his passion for genetics evolved, reaching a pinnacle with the champion cow he bred, the world-famous pedigree Holstein, Page-House Shottle Noni.

Andrew is also the co-host and producer of the globally successful podcast, ChewinTheCud. Topics covered on the show range from forage production, fertiliser, feed and nutrition, emerging technologies, people management, and the perpetually difficult topic of bovine TB.

Andrew talks about how his podcast has evolved and how podcasting has helped him create meaningful conversations across the dairy industry, not only in the UK but across the world.

Listeners of this episode can expect to hear lively stories of farming in Somerset and Australia, Andrew's admission of how what was once felt like a chore turned into a passion for working with cows, we discover who his all-time favourite cow is (spoiler alert - she's a Holstein!) and discover his best piece of advice for everyone working in the dairy industry (and beyond).

Links:

ChewinTheCud Podcast: https://www.chewinthecud.com/podcast/

Independent Nutrition Services: https://www.chewinthecud.com/

In this episode of The MacVet Podcast, Fiona is joined by Teresa Wheatley, Executive Director at FitPro, for a thoughtful conversation about key skills that will help you become a great communicator, whether you're working in the fitness industry, veterinary practice, farming or agriculture.

Drawing on more than 35 years in the fitness industry, as well as her experience as an educator, presenter and end-of-life care volunteer, Teresa explores why communication is not simply about what we say, but how we listen, respond, use body language and adapt to the person in front of us. 

Teresa shares practical insights for vets, farmers and fitness professionals on building trust through presence, empathy and “brave communication”. She explains the importance of treating others how they want to be treated, mirroring energy where appropriate, setting clear boundaries and creating a welcoming environment through small but meaningful gestures. The discussion also explores how so-called “soft skills” are better understood as essential connecting skills that can be practised, refined and strengthened over time. 

Teresa also offers valuable tips for having difficult conversations and building exceptional presentation skills, especially how to handle difficult questions during presentations that will leave you feeling in control and projecting a positive, calm presence to your audience.

This episode is bursting with practical tips for improving your communication skills if you want to build stronger connections with the people around you!

If you'd like to know more about FitPro, please visit their website: https://www.fitpro.com/

Julia Wadeson recently established her consultancy business, which aims to 'build better businesses, one calf at a time'. She strives to deliver a professional service, which includes meticulous attention to her branded clothing and appearance.

In this episode, Julia explains that effective consultancy relies on mutual trust, curiosity and understanding the farm's specific challenges before offering solutions. We also discuss how she handles criticism - Julia views this as a valuable opportunity to improve the service she provides.

Julia describes herself as an open book, sharing many personal and professional challenges she's experienced during her career so far.

As ever, we explore the highlights of working with cattle and discuss favourite breed(s). It seems that there are few opportunities to enjoy a brew during her farm visits, which is a shame, as Julia enjoys nothing better than chatting more about helping solve problems over a cuppa and chocolate HobNob!

Links:

https://calftocowconsultancy.com/

Instagram and Facebook @calftocowconsultancy

In this episode of The MacVet Podcast, Fiona speaks with Dr Millie Preece, also known as “Dr Cheese”, about her journey to become an artisan cheesemaker, dairy scientist and entrepreneur.

Millie shares how hands-on experience with a local cheesemaker sparked her fascination with the science and creativity of cheese, leading to research into how cheese affects emotion, a PhD on reduced-fat cheese, and the launch of her Shropshire-based cheese business, The Dairy Door.

The conversation also explores the realities of building a local food brand, supporting young people into agricultural careers, Millie’s role with the Society of Dairy Technology, and future themes for the dairy industry including digital technologies, sustainability, high-protein diets and stronger support for farmers. 

This episode highlights the importance of communication, connection and opportunity across agriculture, dairy technology and young people’s career pathways. 

Links:

The Dairy Door: https://thedairydoor.co.uk/

National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs: https://www.nfyfc.org.uk/

Society of Dairy Technology: https://www.sdt.org/pages/

In this episode, I’m joined by exercise physiologist Marcelle Malan as we discuss current trends in health and fitness alongside how to effectively communicate their relevance and context with clients.

We begin with why behaviour change is rarely just about logic, and why people often need a meaningful or emotional reason to stick with difficult habits.

Marcelle shares her view that different people are motivated by different levers — for some it’s emotion, for others it might be numbers, progress tracking, or competition — and that understanding those drivers is key to creating lasting change.

We then dive into the mechanics of breathing, which Marcelle feels are often missing from mainstream conversations about breathwork. Rather than focusing only on breathing techniques for relaxation or performance, she explains why it matters to understand what breathing is doing mechanically in the body. We discuss the role of the diaphragm not just in respiration, but also in spinal stability and movement, especially when lifting or carrying load.

We also chat about heart rate variability (HRV) and how it’s often presented as a simple marker of stress or recovery when the reality is much more nuanced. Marcelle explains what HRV is, why it can be useful when tracked over time, and why comparing your numbers to other people is rarely helpful. We also touch on how many health and fitness norms are based on male data, which can create misleading assumptions — especially for women.

Along the way, there’s plenty of humour, coffee chat and practical advice on how to think more critically about the information we absorb online.

Join the conversation with your thoughts, observations and feedback by leaving us a comment!

Links:

www.fitpro.com/blog/authors/marcelle-malan/

www.instagram.com/marcelle.malan_ep/

www.theepgroup.com.au/practitioners/

https://open.spotify.com/episode/74T9m0N6w0v7a94xY4ZYAn

In this episode, Eoin Ryan shares his journey from a rural upbringing in Tipperary to his role as assistant professor at University College Dublin. He discusses the cyclical nature of farming, the challenges of retaining young vets in practice, and his involvement in teaching, clinical work, and research —highlighting the Sound Cow Innovation Programme (SCIP), which aims to improve cow mobility in Irish dairy herds through collaboration with farmers and vets.

Eoin emphasises the importance of communication in veterinary medicine, explaining how empathy and positive language are vital for building trust and engagement with farmers and students.

Enriched with personal anecdotes, practical advice for new graduates, and even a traditional Irish ballad, this conversation reflects the blend of professionalism and warmth that defines Eoin's approach and personality.

Notes from this episode:

Link to the Sound Cow Innovation Programme (SCIP): https://animalhealthireland.ie/programmes/hoof-healthcheck/scip-sound-cow-innovation-programme/

Link to the Irish Veterinary Benevolent Fund: https://www.ivbf.ie/

In this episode, you're invited to step into the world of the Wild Cattle of Chillingham with animal scientist and author Stephen Hall! Stephen discusses the genetic and behavioural characteristics of the Chillingham cattle, a herd that has been in existence since the 1700s and lives with minimal human interference in the stunning county of Northumberland, England.

Enjoy personal stories from Stephen's research journey, the inspiration behind his book, and the value of making scientific knowledge accessible beyond academic journals.. If you’re curious about nature, conservation, and the importance of holistic environmental management, this episode is packed with insights and anecdotes.

If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to follow the podcast, share your thoughts, and let us know what you’d love to hear more of!

Notes:

"Wild Cattle of Chillingham, the Natural History of an Ancient Breed" by Stephen Hall available from 5M Books Limited.

Chillingham Wild Cattle Association: https://chillinghamwildcattle.com/

In this episode, Fiona chats with vet, scientist and entrepreneur Rodrigo Bicalho. Rodrigo shares his journey from growing up on a ranch in Brazil to running a cutting-edge animal health company in Texas.

He talks about why good communication matters so much in his work, the challenges of getting new ideas out to farmers, and how stress affects dairy cows (and what we can do about it).

Rodrigo also introduces his company’s innovative product, FerAppease, which helps keep cows calm during stressful events. Plus, you’ll hear about his love for Colombian coffee and get tips on where to find more info.

Notes:

Website: www.feraah.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rodrigo-bicalho-7a590a10

After extolling the virtues of the cow's physiology, vet and herd manager Nial O'Boyle returns to talk about the cow's role in human progress and civilisation. Sharing stories that focus on the links between humans and cows, throughout the ages, Nial highlights common themes such as kinship, loyalty, betrayal and wealth.

Then to emphasise just how integrated bovine products are in our lives, we share how a day in the life of a typical person might look.

Highlights from this educational and fun-filled episode include: Queen Maeve of Connacht, vulcanisation, whitening of sugar, a false eye, and learning how the cow forms part of the borth of the world.

After hearing this episode, you'll be reminded how we shouldn't take cows for granted and reflect on the many ways we've benefitted from having them in our lives.

If you'd like to hear more from Nial, check out episode 8 in Season 3.

I think of milk in terms of its similarity to crude oil, so you could say my business is like running a milk refinery.

Dairy farmer and entrepreneur Jimmy Dickinsons returns to share more stories about how he built his business, this time expanding more on dairy product technology.

Jimmy talks about his long career marked by innovation and perseverance. He recounts experimenting with freezing techniques to create a viable frozen milk product.

Not all his experiments were successful, and Jimmy points out that progress often requires risk, resilience, and a willingness to learn from setbacks. 

Compared to the resources available to support innovation in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, we talk about the decline of independent dairy product research and innovation in the UK, attributing this to changing political and commercial landscapes.

Reflecting on a poignant piece of advice shared by his father, Jimmy recounts that, no matter how far one climbs, those at the top are just ordinary people, and the journey is often more significant than the destination.