Aginspire

#Aginspire episode 20 : A conversation about the environment, farming and the future with Dr. James Moran

Introduction

I've been lucky over the last number of years to have some great conversations. These have often inspired me around areas of animal health and beyond. So, I said, why not start having more of them and sharing some of these inspiring stories of people in agriculture.

I also want to challenge my thinking and who knows, even occasionally, the status quo.

So I'm giving #Aginspire conversations a go for a few months.

The aim is simple "To have conversations with interesting people doing inspiring things in agriculture."

 

This week I catch up with Dr. James Moran about the environment, farming, and the future. With so much polarisation around this debate, it was nice to have a conversation around conversation and biodiversity.

James is a lecturer in Ecology and biology at Galway Mayo Institute of technology. My first interaction with James was when he questioned (In a very fair way) advocating peat as bedding for cows in wintertime. It stuck in my mind as he didn't approach this in a negative way, but helping me understand the wider impacts of having a narrow focus.

For me, he has a balanced and fair perspective while discussing difficult questions.

My struggle in the current debate is with a huge need to adopt more  environmental practices and policies, is we must ask the question who will pay for this? With farmers, processors, governments, and consumers all having to play their parts in a more sustainable farming system over the next decade.

Most importantly we need to bridge the gap and have those with opposing views working together. Less polarisation and more proactive approaches.

When it comes to climate change we are all in this together. Blaming and shaming have no place when we want to implement effective changes that help ourselves and wider society.

It's time now in my opinion for a more reasonable conversation between environmentalists and farmers.

We discuss

His early career

Why farming must adapt

Understanding biodiversity

How our policies might shape our food future

Giving some opinions on dairy calf at foot systems

I've been asked my opinion on this topic on a few occasions. recently.

Here are some of my thoughts.  

#Aginspire episode 19 : Passion and innovation with the beef farmer Sean Roddy

Introduction

I've been lucky over the last number of years to have some great conversations. These have often inspired me around areas of animal health and beyond. So, I said, why not start having more of them and sharing some of these inspiring stories of people in agriculture.

I also want to challenge my thinking and who knows, even occasionally, the status quo.

So I'm giving #Aginspire conversations a go for a few months.

The aim is simple "To have conversations with interesting people doing inspiring things in agriculture."

 

This week I get to talk about all things beef with the brilliant Sean Roddy. He is currently managing a large suckler farm in Co Kildare. I have followed Sean for a while and he is at the cutting edge of innovation/efficiency in his work and thinking. In his own words, learning every day how he can do things better.

With the suckler cow system under pressure, it was nice to see someone with such a passion for the industry. Sean talks about his career path and various roles before taking up his current position.

You get the feel for someone who is obsessed with getting the best from himself and his work. We talk about Stabiliser cattle and the advantages of the breed. With a big interest in sustainability and the future of beef, he is one to watch.

We discuss:

His own journey

Life and work experiences

The Stabiliser beef system

His views on the beef farm of the future (challenges and opportunities)

The need to attract more people into agriculture and farming careers

 

Sean is worth a follow for his farming updates on Instagram with his partner Alice. Check out his stories on Instagram  @thebeeffarmer on Twitter @thebeefarmer

#Aginspire episode 18 : Life experiences and understanding agriculture with Aisling Meehan

Introduction

I've been lucky over the last number of years to have some great conversations. These have often inspired me around areas of animal health and beyond. So, I said, why not start having more of them and sharing some of these inspiring stories of people in agriculture.

I also want to challenge my thinking and who knows, even occasionally, the status quo.

So I'm giving #Aginspire conversations a go for a few months.

The aim is simple "To have conversations with interesting people doing inspiring things in agriculture."

 

This week I catch up with the inspiring Agrisolicitor Aisling Meehan. A busy mum of three, farmer and businesswoman, she is passionate about Irish Agriculture.

Someone who is a leading authority in farming law in Ireland. A Nuffield scholar who has tackled adversity and triumphed on every occasion. She has had a successful career and gives some of the lessons she has learned along the way. Her passion for agriculture has led her to set up a farmer-driven campaign called "Understanding Ag" https://agriculturalsolicitors.ie/understand-agriculture/

Click on the link above to find out how you can get involved.

As I speak to Aisling I'm blown away by her wisdom and honesty.

What a genuinely inspiring and impressive person.

We discuss

Her early career path

Family life

Dealing with the loss of a best friend and mother

The Understanding Ag campaign

Lots of other wisdom along the way

Milk quality this winter webinar recording

Link to this mornings webinar on milk quality this winter

Focusing on 6 key areas

Hygiene

People

Antibiotics

Immunity

Data

The bacteria

 

Thanks again to the sponsors Smaxtec Ltd 

#Aginspire episode 17 : All things flock health with vet Fiona Lovatt

Introduction

I've been lucky over the last number of years to have some great conversations. These have often inspired me around areas of animal health and beyond. So, I said, why not start having more of them and sharing some of these inspiring stories of people in agriculture.

I also want to challenge my thinking and who knows, even occasionally, the status quo.

So I'm giving #Aginspire conversations a go for a few months.

The aim is simple "To have conversations with interesting people doing inspiring things in agriculture."

This week I catch up with sheep veterinary consultant Fiona Lovatt. A global expert in sheep medicine and the flock based approach.

Someone who is very passionate about the vet's role in helping sheep farms and performance. She also is a clinical associate professor at the University of Nottingham.

She is also involved in the RUMA task force looking at the reduction of antibiotics across the UK agriculture. Someone who is a key opinion leader in all things flock medicine.

A great communicator and someone who continues to champion best practice on our sheep farms.

We discuss

Her early career

The value of metrics in our flocks

Why? the flock approach works

A look towards the future of sheep farming.

 

#Aginspire episode 16 : Farming, production and future outlooks with Dr. Karina Pierce

Introduction

I've been lucky over the last number of years to have some great conversations. These have often inspired me around areas of animal health and beyond. So, I said, why not start having more of them and sharing some of these inspiring stories of people in agriculture.

I also want to challenge my thinking and who knows, even occasionally, the status quo.

So I'm giving #Aginspire conversations a go for a few months.

The aim is simple "To have conversations with interesting people doing inspiring things in agriculture."

This week I catch up with the inspiring Dr. Karina Pierce a well-known figure and key opinion leader in Irish Agriculture.

A Wicklow native and former Professor in dairy production at UCD. She has now moved to pastures new as a senior development advisor (dairy) with Enterprise Ireland.

Somebody with huge energy, passion, and knowledge it is always a pleasure to chat with Karina.

We discuss

Her route into studying agriculture

The new challenges for students around COVID

Look back at some of the lessons learned in her own career

We talk about her Nuffield research and much more

 

To follow Karina on twitter @PierceKarina

#Aginspire episode 15 : Research and parasites with Dr. Philip Skuce

This week I speak with research scientist Dr. Philip Skuce from the Moredun research center in Scotland. He gained a PhD in parasitology from Queens where he began his career in research.

We chat about his own career and fascination with parasites. We dig into some of our challenges in dealing with parasites in the future.  He also talks about the importance of research in the ever-changing landscape of livestock production.

We discuss 

His early career

The complexities of parasites

Why research is so important  and the complexity of developing vaccines against parasites

The scientists that have inspired him like William Campbell  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia61RY5Ppuc

To follow Philip on twitter @philip_skuce  and also to find out more about the work he is doing https://www.moredun.org.uk/

#Aginspire episode 14 : Coaching and life lessons with Dr Des Rice

This week I catch up with Dr. Des Rice, someone who I have been hugely influenced by myself. A veterinary surgeon who spent his early career working in nutrition and diagnostics, he has spent the last 15 years as an executive coach. In 2004 he received an OBE, and in 2017, he received an Alumni Award from UCD for his role in agriculture. Des is very humble when it comes to recognition and his message his own story is about triumph in the face of personal adversity.

He is a remarkable person who, through his work, has made a considerable difference to the people he has worked with.

His interest in the development of people and coaching has seen him transform businesses and people. Now retired, he is concentrating on his charity work with www.lifeskilz.co.uk  and the ambitious goal of training 500 mentors in the next five years, to go into schools and sporting clubs to teach children how to stay calm and master their emotions.

Des is a person whose spirit, passion, and enthusiasm are infectious, and through his work, continues to make a difference.

We discuss:

His early career and journey

The lessons he has learned along the way through good and bad experiences

The power of goal setting and listening

Managing our reptilian brain

He fondly also remembers his wife, Anne, who sadly passed away last year.

 

After talking to Des I was reminded of the quote

Be the change you want to see in the world

#Aginspire episode 13 : Listening and adapting to change with John Kelly

This week I catch up with Wicklow Dairy farmer John Kelly. John is a well-known farmer with strong opinions and is at the cutting edge of best practices on his farm.

A former sheep farmer he is now exploring how his dairy business is going to evolve within the farm gate. John is keeping a close eye on external challenges also, none more so than the environmental story.

John is also a busy dad, husband, and fitness enthusiast. I have always found him to have his finger on the pulse and is worth listening to his well thought out views and opinions.

We discuss

His early career and journey into agriculture

Looking at his farming business and the future

His opinions on better listening and the value of communication

He sums up his life lessons

To follow Johns story connect with him on Twitter @jOhn_k