From The Soil Up Podcast

Summary

In this episode, Conan Moynihan interviews Dylan Graves, a passionate permie, about biochar and its applications in farming. They discuss what biochar is, how it is made, and its numerous benefits for soil health, water retention, and nutrient cycling. Dylan shares his personal journey into permaculture and the importance of raising awareness about biochar among farmers. The conversation also touches on the barriers to adop...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan speaks with former owner at Ranch Management Consultants and Ranching for Profit, Dave Pratt about the critical issues surrounding succession planning in farming. They discuss the importance of communication, understanding expectations, and the need for a paradigm shift in how ranchers view their businesses. Dave shares his journey from a struggling rancher to a successful educa...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Nic Thompson discusses the evolution of leadership and management practices, emphasizing the importance of self-management, decentralization, and emotional intelligence in organizations. He shares personal experiences that shaped his views on leadership and highlights the need for a purpose-driven approach in business. The conversation explores the Teal management framework, the signi...

In this episode, I’m joined by Thomas James Holmes to unpack the challenges currently facing the arable sector and what they reveal about the wider agricultural system.

We discuss how agriculture often focuses on the positives in good tim...

In this episode I sit down with two of the founders from the Underground Festival in New Zealand, Fran Bailey and Chanelle O'Sullivan. UNDERGROUND is a two day festival celebrating soil, food and farming featuring international & local soil legends, talks, workshops, field experiences, local kai and music. In this episode we chat about how they came to create the festival, whose it for and how to get the most out of attending i...

In this episode, Professor Jack Heinemann breaks down the often-overlooked risks of genome editing in agriculture. As New Zealand considers deregulation, he explains how genetic tool, while promising, can unintentionally disrupt vital ecosystem services, compromise farm productivity, and create long-term environmental consequences, even without intent to cause harm.

This conversation highlights why thoughtful regulation and a clea...

Conan sits down with dairy farmer and Kellogg Scholar Daniel Judd to unpack his report “The Soil’s Gap.” Together they explore why New Zealand’s agricultural science has focused on fertiliser over soil biology, what that means for productivity and resilience, and how mindset, not just management shapes the future of farming. From fertiliser efficiency and lost nutrients to bridging the divide between conventional and regenerative s...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan Moynihan speaks with Shaun Balemi from AgVance Nutrition and the MyCow App about the intricacies of cow nutrition and its impact on dairy farming. They discuss common mistakes in cow feeding, the importance of consistency, and how data technology can enhance decision-making on farms. Shaun emphasizes the role of nu...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Dr. Lucy Williamson discusses the intricate connections between gut health and soil health. With a background in veterinary medicine and nutrition, she emphasizes the importance of the gut microbiome in overall health and its relationship with food systems. The conversation explores the role of farmers, the significance of education in nutrition, and the need for community engagement ...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan chats with Angela Clifford of Eat New Zealand and the Food Farm, to discuss the current state of food systems in New Zealand. They explore the importance of investing in local food systems, the challenges of food security, and the need for a cultural shift towards supporting small farms and local producers. Angela emphasizes the vulnerabilities in New Zealand's grain market and ...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan interviews Louise Gibson, managing director of The Sharefarming Consultants. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in share milking and contract milking, the need for specialized consulting in this area, and the current state of legislation affecting these practices. Louise shares insights from a recent survey on the experiences of contract milkers, highlighting i...

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan Moynihan interviews Olivier de Schaetzen, a coach focused on regenerative agriculture in Estonia and Finland. Olivier shares his journey from architecture to agriculture, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and nutrient cycling. He discusses the challenges farmers face, the regulatory pressures from the industry, an...

In this episode of The Force of Nature Podcast, Conan sits down with Daniel Eb, the founder of Dirt Road Comms, Nuffield New Zealand Scholar, writer for Farmers Weekly, and a passionate advocate for reshaping the way we think about food and farming.

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