AgCulture Podcast

In this episode of the AgCulture Podcast, I share my conversation with Kimmi Devaney, communications strategist and journalist, on the Progressive Dairy Podcast. We talk about what it really takes to build and grow a dairy operation with limited capital, how to manage assets wisely, and how data, robotics, and artificial intelligence are shaping smarter day-to-day decisions. Leadership in agriculture, practical technology adoption, and long-term thinking are central to the discussion. Listen now on all major platforms!

Hear from dairy producers and industry leaders like Paul by tuning into the Progressive Dairy Podcast on your favorite podcast platform or on the Progressive Dairy website (www.agproud.com/podcasts).

Meet Kimmi Devaney:
Kimmi Devaney is a communications strategist and journalist with more than a decade of experience supporting agricultural organizations through media relations, crisis communications, and storytelling. As host of the Progressive Dairy Podcast, she highlights producer perspectives and industry innovation. Her work focuses on building trust between farmers and consumers through clear communication.

What you will learn:
(00:00) Introduction
(03:31) Starting lean
(06:09) Equipment strategy
(12:04) Using data
(15:10) Solar planning
(28:05) Artificial intelligence
(46:43) 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, Ariel Wiegard from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever discusses how conservation and agriculture can work together to strengthen rural landscapes. Drawing on her experience in government relations, she explains how policy, habitat, and farm profitability can align through collaboration. Ariel explores trust building with farmers, practical conservation strategies, and the future of working lands. Learn valuable insight for producers, agribusiness professionals, and landowners focused on long-term sustainability. Listen now on all major podcast platforms! 

Meet the guest:
Ariel Wiegard serves as Vice President of Government Affairs at Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, where she leads national policy and advocacy efforts supporting habitat conservation on working lands. With a background in agricultural policy, sustainability, and environmental law, she brings extensive experience working with farmers, landowners, and industry partners.

What you will learn:
(00:00) Introduction
(03:26) Conservation mission
(07:05) Policy challenges
(08:16) Working lands value
(12:36) Farmer trust
(16:26) Precision conservation
(26:26) 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 Recap & New Year episode of the AgCulture Podcast, I reflect on 2025 and the major shifts shaping U.S. and global agriculture. Drawing from my work in dairy, agribusiness, and innovation, I share insights on labor challenges, policy changes, farm data, and the growing importance of trust in technology. I also discuss lessons from rural communities and leadership trends that stood out this year. Listen now on all major platforms to hear what these changes could mean for agriculture in 2026 and beyond!

Meet the guest: ⁠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.

What you will learn:
(00:00) Introduction
(02:08) Labor challenges
(03:16) Policy priorities
(04:48) Trade uncertainty
(06:15) Farm data
(07:07) Trust issues
(21:25) 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, Gregg Doud, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Milk Producers Federation, explains how global agricultural trade negotiations actually work behind closed doors. Drawing on his experience as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Gregg breaks down trade leverage, non tariff barriers, and why communication matters more than tariffs alone. He also shares why agriculture and dairy exports are central to US economic and food security. Listen now on all major platforms to hear this insider perspective on global trade!

Meet the guest: Gregg Doud is President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Milk Producers Federation, where he leads efforts to strengthen US dairy competitiveness and global trade. He previously served as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative and held senior roles in Congress and agricultural economics.

What you will learn:
(00:00) Introduction
(06:13) Trade scale explained
(13:18) China negotiations
(16:01) Trade preparation
(20:32) Regulatory barriers
(29:13) Trade misconceptions
(45:22) 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 re-run episode of the AgCulture Podcast, we bring back our conversation with Jay Waldvogel, a global cooperative leader with decades of experience in U.S., European, and New Zealand dairy systems, who explains how cooperatives formed, why some succeed, and why others lose their way. He breaks down risk management, value creation, governance challenges, and the future pressures shaping modern ag co-ops. Learn how cooperative strategy impacts long-term sustainability in today’s agri industry. Listen now on all major platforms.

Meet the guest:
Jay Waldvogel brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in agricultural cooperatives, offering unparalleled insights into the evolution and future of the dairy industry and cooperatives globally. With decades of work across continents, Jay's perspective illuminates the challenges and opportunities facing today's agricultural sector.

What you will learn:
(00:00) Introduction
(05:01) Cooperative foundations
(08:25) Global market forces
(12:00) Governance challenges
(14:54) Co-op failures
(20:02) Future co-op shifts
(36:00) 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.