From The Soil Up Podcast

Chef Ben Bayly on building a New Zealand food identity, storytelling, provenance, and why our farmers and producers deserve better recognition.



What does it actually take to put New Zealand on the map as a world-class food destination?

In this episode, we sit down with chef and food advocate Ben Bayly of Ahi Restaurant, recently awarded a Michelin Star, to unpack why storytelling, not just quality, is the missing ingredient in how we market our food.

Ben shares his journey from young chef to Michelin-starred restaurateur, and why he believes New Zealand's culinary identity has been undersold internationally. We dig into the parallels with the wine industry's rise to global prestige, why lamb and dairy are often invisible on the world stage despite exceptional quality, and how direct relationships between chefs, farmers, and producers can change that story.

We also get into some topics you might not expect from a food conversation: wild game and pest species as an underused, biodynamic food resource, the regulatory hurdles stopping farmers from diversifying their income, and what it really takes to build a resilient, values-driven hospitality team.

In this episode:

Why New Zealand lacks a deep culinary "legacy"

The power of provenance: connecting diners back to the farm and the farmer

Wild harvesting, pest management, and sustainable food sourcing

Lessons from the NZ wine industry's global branding success

Farm diversification, agritourism, and new income streams for producers

Building a restaurant culture around confidence, competence, character, and care

Mentoring the next generation of chefs and hospitality talent

Whether you're a farmer, chef, food producer, or just someone who cares about where your dinner comes from, this conversation offers a compelling case for why New Zealand's food story deserves to be told, and told well.

Connect with Ben:

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/benbaylynz/?hl=en⁠

Ahi Restaurant: ⁠https://ahirestaurant.co.nz/⁠

Your health and the health of the land beneath your feet are inseparable. In this episode, Conan sits down with Stacey Curcio of Cultivating Wellness to explore the deep connection between soil health, regenerative agriculture, and human wellness and why it's time to break down the silos between agriculture and nutrition.

Stacey shares how farming practices directly shape nutrient density and biodiversity in our food, why the soil microbiome matters as much for human health as it does for crop health, and how food culture and intergenerational cooking knowledge have been quietly lost and can be reclaimed.

You'll learn why context matters more than rigid nutrition rules, how to build foundational habits for wellbeing, and why nature itself is one of the most powerful (and underused) tools for health.

In this episode:

Why land health and human health can't be separated

Breaking down silos between agriculture, nutrition, and public health

How soil microbiome quality affects food quality

Farming practices, nutrient density, and biodiversity

Food culture, trust, and navigating nutrition information overload

Intergenerational knowledge and the lost art of food preparation

Building foundational habits and collective responsibility for our food system

https://www.cultivatingwellness.com.au/about

Are wearables worth the investment on your farm? David March breaks down the real ROI of wearable technology in agriculture covering infrastructure needs, animal health monitoring, virtual fencing, and how to know if the data is actually worth paying for.

In this episode, David shares insights from his Kellogg research project on wearable tech adoption in dairy farming, including practical guidance for farmers weighing up cost vs. benefit before they invest.

🎧 What you'll learn:

The true ROI of wearable technology in farming

Infrastructure requirements for successful tech adoption

Practical applications and benefits of wearables in agriculture

How behavioural monitoring and virtual fencing are changing farm management

Why diminishing returns matter when stacking ag-tech investments

Key quotes: "Investment in animal health is fundamental." "Value depends on farm-specific information." "Cost reduction in wearables is inevitable."

 

Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Wearable Technology in Farming 01:41 Identifying Problems Before Investing in Technology 04:22 Infrastructure Investment vs. Wearable Technology 06:55 Understanding the Role of Wearables 09:35 The Importance of Data in Farming 12:25 Behavioral Monitoring and Virtual Fencing 14:44 Evaluating the Financial Impact of Wearables 17:21 Choosing the Right Wearable Technology 20:06 Labor Efficiency and Practical Constraints 26:46 Navigating Labor Challenges in Farming 28:48 The Impact of Technology on Staff Efficiency 30:00 Balancing Financial and Non-Financial Benefits 31:15 Understanding Mating and Technology's Role 34:39 Evaluating Wearables in Mating Results 36:59 Improving Mating Results Through Strategic Changes 40:29 Identifying Problems and Solutions in Farming 41:47 The Law of Diminishing Returns in Farming Investments 43:32 The Future of Wearable Technology in Agriculture 49:16 Personal Development and Leadership in Farming.

 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-march-08b16038/

https://ruralleaders.co.nz/report/collars-costs-and-returns-assessing-the-value-of-cow-wearables-in-nz-pasture-systems/

What happens when farmers ignore pain, injuries, and their own well-being for years on end?

In this episode, Conan sits down with farming physio and sheep and beef farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan to discuss farmer health, physical resilience, injury prevention, strength training, nutrition, and mental well-being.

Drawing on her experience working with farmers and living the farming lifestyle herself, Storm explains why so many farmers push through pain, the long-term consequences of untreated injuries, and how simple habits can dramatically improve performance, energy, and longevity.

From osteoarthritis and inflammation to burnout and muscle loss, this conversation highlights why looking after your body is one of the best investments you can make for your farm, family, and future.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ Why farmers often ignore pain and the hidden costs of doing so ✅ How injuries and inflammation impact long-term health and performance ✅ The importance of strength training for farmers of all ages ✅ Why muscle mass is critical for healthy aging and longevity ✅ Practical nutrition strategies, including the role of protein in recovery and resilience ✅ How to recognize the signs of burnout and protect your mental health ✅ Why your body should be treated as essential farm infrastructure

Key Takeaways:

Ignoring injuries today can create major health challenges later in life.

Strength training isn't just for athletes—it's essential for farmers.

Nutrition is the foundation of energy, recovery, and resilience.

Farmer wellness directly impacts farm performance and business success.

Connect with Storm:

https://www.instagram.com/stormlbr_thatfarmingphysio_/

https://thatfarmingphysio.com/

How can adaptive grazing management improve farm profitability, soil health, and pasture performance?

In this episode , I sit down with New Zealand dairy farmers Brooke Lye and Russ Heald to explore the principles and practical application of adaptive grazing management.

We dive into how grazing decisions influence soil health, pasture performance, animal wellbeing, and ultimately farm profitability. Brooke and Russ share their journey of implementing adaptive and regenerative farming practices, including the role of pasture diversity, deferred grazing, regrassing strategies, and understanding plant recovery and rest periods.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss how healthy soils drive productive farming systems, why fibre is critical for dairy cow health and milk production, and how farmers can use simple indicators within their pastures to make better grazing decisions. We also explore the importance of adaptability, resilience, and long-term thinking when managing modern farming businesses.

Whether you're a dairy farmer, livestock producer, farm consultant, or simply interested in regenerative agriculture, this episode is packed with practical insights that can help you improve both ecological and financial outcomes on your farm.

In this episode, we cover:

• Adaptive grazing management principles

• Soil health and biological function

• Deferred grazing and pasture recovery

• Maintaining pasture diversity

• Regrassing and crop management strategies

• Animal nutrition and the importance of fibre

• Measuring success in adaptive farming systems

• Profitability versus production thinking

• Building resilient farm systems for the future

https://www.instagram.com/healdfarm/

https://www.instagram.com/brookelye66/