Ag Future: Innovation in Agri-Food

#075: Select-a-bull: Inside Ireland’s cattle-breeding database - Martin Ryan

What if all the key players in the beef cattle chain, from breeders to market, could consult one comprehensive database for information on every animal? What if farmers could search for stock bulls, weight records and ancestry? The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation is making it possible. Martin Ryan serves on the board of ICBF and gives us an inside look at this game-changing system.

#074: Quiet revolution: How robotics change the dairy dynamic - Jack Rodenberg

Often characterized as averse to innovation, agriculture was actually one of the first major industries to adopt technology to boost productivity, particularly in dairy production. So where is technology driving dairy today? Jack Rodenburg works closely with farmers to design the very barns built to accommodate robotic milking. He joins us to discuss how modern technology is changing the dairy management landscape.

#073: Entocycle: Creating a buzz with alternative protein - Kieran Whitaker

Can we feed the world without harming the earth? The agriculture industry is always working to reduce its environmental impact, including seeking sustainable sources of protein for livestock. In this podcast, we hear from Kieran Whitaker, CEO and founder of Entocycle, a startup using insects to turn organic waste into animal feed. Is this alternative protein source an idea with legs?

#072: Less is more with organic trace minerals - Dr. Richard Murphy and Dr. Roger Scaletti

Twenty years' worth of research demonstrates that organic trace minerals are far superior to inorganic sources. So why do nutritionists continue to incorporate inorganic minerals into the feed? Are the perceived cost savings only short-term? What about the overall productivity of the herd? Dr. Richard Murphy and Dr. Roger Scaletti discuss how a mineral management program that uses organic trace minerals impacts the animals, environment and the producer's bottom line.

#071: Mega trends and new opportunities in pet food - Debbie Phillips-Donaldson

The pet food market is growing faster than any other consumer goods industry. What nutrition trends are emerging, and what global opportunities are being created? As editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry Magazine, Debbie Phillips-Donaldson is at the forefront of this booming market. She shares her insight with us, including how the industry is being reshaped, and the surprising ingredients you might soon find your pet's food.

#070: Poultry performance and antibiotics - Dr. Kayla Price

As the poultry industry strives to limit the use of antibiotics, what can producers do to ensure their flock maintains optimum health and performance? Dr. Kayla Price discusses the issue and shares her insight on disease prevention and treatment in a consumer market that's increasingly anti-antibiotic.

#069: Have you herd? Smartbow uses high-tech ear tag to monitor animal health - Wolfgang Auer

What if farmers could identify health issues earlier and pinpoint the location of a sick animal within seconds? In this podcast, Wolfgang Auer, CEO of Smartbow, explains how his startup is using technology to help farmers monitor health, rumination and heat status and know the exact location of an animal in real time.

#068: Solid success: Supporting piglet health at weaning - Ernie Hansen

Pigs never overcome a bad start, and face an increased risk of health challenges and reduced weight. The smooth transition to solid foods at weaning has always been a priority, but today's high-producing sows, coupled with known stressors, underscore the importance of proper feeding and management at this critical stage. In this podcast, Swine expert Ernie Hansen discusses how producers can support the long-term health and performance of their pigs.

#067: Age and grace: Caring for senior horses - Amanda Adams

Like humans, horses are living longer, healthier lives. As their nutrition and care needs change with age, how can we best support senior horses? In this podcast, Dr. Amanda Adams, an associate professor at the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky, explains how to support the health and immunity of our aging equine friends.

#066: The abscess obsession - T.G. Nagaraja

Liver abscesses pose a significant health threat in feedlot cattle, affecting their productivity and profitability. Why is this such a prevalent issue, and what can producers do to combat it? As the industry works to decrease the use of antibiotics, are alternative measures effective? Dr. T.G. Nagaraja's work focuses on digestive problems in beef cattle, and he joins us to discuss addressing liver abscesses now and in the future.