AgCulture Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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, Allen Bonthuis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Harvest Solar, talks about the connection between solar energy and agriculture. Allen explains how solar systems can help farms cut operating costs, the challenges of land use, and the financial incentives that are pushing the move toward renewable energy. Find out how solar energy can be a practical solution for farmers looking to build long-term sustainability and lower energy costs. Tune in to hear more on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Allen Bonthuis is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Harvest Solar, based in Michigan. With extensive experience in agriculture, sales, and project management, Allen has a passion for helping farmers integrate solar energy solutions into their operations. His focus lies in enabling agricultural businesses to lower costs, increase efficiency, and embrace renewable energy.

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, Kevin Milligan—co-founder of Milligan's Maple Syrup—talks about what it really takes to produce maple syrup in the U.S. He shares how he grew from 400 to 20,000 taps, the challenges that come with sugaring, and how tech is changing the game in the woods. From smart partnerships to vertical integration and new ways of doing things, Kevin breaks down how the industry is evolving. Catch the episode now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest: Kevin Milligan is the co-founder and President of Milligan’s Maple Syrup and a first-generation sugar maker who recently completed his 10th production season. After leaving a career in accounting, Kevin launched his maple syrup business at his family’s farm in Ohio. Today, Milligan’s operates across three farms with 20,000 taps and distributes in 19 states.

Connect with our guest: 

LinkedIn: Milligan's Maple Syrup

Facebook: @milligansmaple

Instagram: @milligansmaple

Youtube: @Milligansmaple

Tiktok: @milligansmaple

What you will learn:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:08) Maple production basics

(10:07) Scaling maple operations

(14:23) Vertical integration

(16:06) Retail vs. wholesale

(26:00) Market expansion

(27:26) Closing thoughts

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Sophie Gregory, an organic dairy farmer, talks about the future of organic dairy farming. Drawing from her extensive travels across Europe, Asia, and the US, she highlights the challenges and opportunities facing the organic dairy sector. Sophie discusses how organic practices can be adapted to various climates and how the industry can succeed on a global scale. Tune in to hear her perspective on the evolution of organic farming and its potential. Listen now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest: Sophie Gregory is a first-generation organic dairy farmer managing 1,400 acres in Dorset. After transitioning from accountancy to farming, she now focuses on sustainability and organic practices. Sophie is a Nuffield Scholar, researching the future of organic dairy farming and sharing her findings with global farmers. She is passionate about educating the public on agriculture and is an advocate for organic dairy's role in sustainable farming.

Connect with our guest on Social Media:

LinkedIn: Sophie Gregory

Instagram: @farmer_in_training

(00:00) Introduction

(02:00) Global travel experiences

(05:41) Knowledge exchange in dairy

(11:12) Farming contrasts in Indonesia

(21:10) Policy and sustainability

(23:05) Organic farming innovations

(31:05) Final Questions

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, I share my personal experience with the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in dairy cattle. I discuss its impact on my herd, including production losses, animal health challenges, and the toll it took on my mental well-being. I also touch on the struggles many farmers face during such events and highlight the importance of having a supportive network. Tune in for a real look at farming through a crisis. Listen now on all major platforms!

Paul Windemuller is an agripreneur, 2024 Nuffield Scholar, and host of the AgCulture Podcast. He is the founder of Open Sky Agribusiness and Dream Winds Dairy LLC, where he manages a herd of 260 cows utilizing cutting-edge robotics and automation. Paul has a background in Agri-Business Management from Michigan State University and Dairy Husbandry from Lincoln University (NZ).

Connect with the host on Social Media: LinkedIn

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:30) H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle
• (04:10) Impact on milk production
• (06:00) Mental health challenges
• (08:00) Managing sick cows
• (10:10) Long-term effects 
• (12:00) Closing thoughts

In this episode of The AgCulture Podcast, digital strategist and business consultant Scott Klososky talks about the growing cybersecurity threats in today’s farming operations. He explains common weak spots, shares real examples of attacks, and offers practical advice on how ag businesses can protect their systems and data. If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your farm’s digital defenses, this one’s worth a listen. Now streaming on all major platforms.

Click here to learn more.

Meet the guest:

Scott Klososky is a self-taught technologist and renowned digital strategist with over four decades of experience. He’s the founding partner of Future Point of View and the creator of AG Defender, a cybersecurity cooperative for the ag industry. As an author and advisor to Fortune 500 companies, Scott brings a sharp understanding of digital evolution.Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:18) Cybersecurity in agriculture
• (04:04) Identifying toxic data
• (08:08) Common attack methods
• (10:03) Employee vulnerability risks
• (13:26) AI threats in farming
• (24:18) Final Questions
  

In this episode of The AgCulture Podcast, Jason Champoux, VP of Crop Production at Yakima Chief Ranches, gives us an inside look at the hops industry—from breeding and production to its key role in brewing. He talks about Yakima Chief’s unique business model, the collaboration between growers and brewers, and the innovations shaping the future of hop farming. Discover how strategic partnerships help maintain quality and sustainability in this specialized agricultural sector. Tune in now on all major platforms!

Want to learn more? Visit the Yakima Chief Hops and Yakima Chief Ranches websites for details.

Meet the guest:

Jason Champoux grew up on a fourth-generation hop farm in Washington and earned a degree in Agricultural Economics. With over 21 years in the produce and packaging industry, he now serves as VP of Crop Production at Yakima Chief Ranches, leading global procurement and grower partnerships. His expertise lies in optimizing hop production and connecting growers with brewers worldwide.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:25) Jason’s background
• (04:46) Hops production process
• (09:33) Yakima Chief’s business model
• (11:26) Breeding and variety development
• (20:26) Growth of craft brewing
• (31:49) Final Questions

In this special episode of the AgCulture Podcast, I’m wrapping up my recent travels across New Zealand as part of my Nuffield International Scholarship. I share key insights on innovations in dairy, arable farming, and horticulture, along with the economic and regulatory challenges shaping the country’s agricultural landscape. From high-tech apple orchards to AI-powered virtual fencing, this episode takes you inside the changing world of New Zealand agriculture. Tune in now on all major platforms!

What will you learn: 

• Changes in NZ agriculture

• AI in dairy farming

• Challenges in NZ exports

• Tech adoption in farming

• Future of NZ dairy

Meet the host:

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.

Connect with Paul on Social Media: LinkedIn

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:20) Changes in NZ agriculture
• (02:52) AI in dairy farming
• (05:29) Challenges in NZ exports
• (08:45) Tech adoption in farming
• (10:38) Future of NZ dairy
• (15:55) Closing thoughts

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, Craig Piggott, CEO of Halter, talks about how virtual fencing technology is changing the game for pasture-based farming. He shares the story behind Halter, the hurdles of growing an agtech company, and how AI is reshaping livestock management. Find out how virtual herding is making farming more efficient, cutting down on labor, and improving animal welfare—all while helping farms stay profitable. Tune in for an engaging conversation, available now on all major platforms!

Meet the guest:

Craig Piggott, CEO of Halter, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Auckland. After gaining experience at Rocket Lab USA and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, he founded Halter, a company revolutionizing pasture-based farming with virtual fencing and AI-driven livestock management. Under his leadership, Halter has expanded across New Zealand, Australia, and the US, helping farmers improve efficiency and sustainability.

Connect with our guest on Social Media: LinkedIn

• (00:00) Introduction
• (02:30) Virtual fencing impact
• (12:45) AI in livestock management
• (18:20) Improving pasture utilization
• (25:10) Future of farm automation
• (37:45) Challenges in expansion
• (47:20) Final Questions