From The Soil Up Podcast

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/

In this episode, Conan interviews Graham Pile from Fertigation Systems to explore the benefits, myths, and practicalities of fertigation in New Zealand agriculture. They discuss how fertigation can improve nutrient management, reduce costs, and increase crop yields across dairy, cropping, and pastoral systems.

 

https://fertigation.co.nz/

In this episode, Conan sits down with Teal Simmons, founder of Agrisol, to unpack one of regenerative agriculture's most overlooked truths: you can't build a thriving farm system if the economics don't stack up. As Teal puts it "You can't be green if you're in the red."

Teal brings a grounded, systems-based lens to the regenerative transition, walking through his Roots Framework and the practical steps farmers can take to move toward healthier soils without blowing up their bottom line.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why most farmers make the same costly mistakes when transitioning to regenerative practices

How to manage risk while changing your farming system

The central role of photosynthesis in building soil biology and long-term farm profitability

How to use foliar nutrition, intercropping, and phosphorus management as practical levers for change

How to budget for regenerative inputs — and know when to back off

Whether you're knee-deep in a transition or just starting to ask the hard questions, this episode gives you a framework to think about regenerative farming as a whole-farm economic strategy not just a set of practices.

https://agresol.com.au/