Conversations with interesting people doing inspiring things in agriculture My name is Tommy Heffernan a veterinary consultant interested in all things agriculture. 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”.ast weblog
Episodes
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
This week I catch up with an inspiring young man. Nick Cotter a young limerick farmer is taking the agricultural world by storm. A young business and law student he already has achieved so much in a young career.
With a huge diversity in his own farm and enterprises. He has set up businesses when at the age of thirteen as well as more recently a farm to fork organic lamb business. His insights into farming and our challenges are clear and clever.
He is not focused on problems but always on finding a better way of doing things. A young inventor this is certainly someone to watch over the coming years
We discuss
His young business career and farming
What motivates him and where the future opportunities are
Responding to challenges with solutions
Some of the many lessons he has learned along the way
To follow Nick on Twitter @NickCotterJr or check out the cotter crate on https://www.thecottercrate.com/
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
This week I chat with a rising star in agriculture. Claire Whittle is a young farm vet with a very positive attitude and passion for farming.
I have followed Claire for a while her honesty and humility are very endearing. We discuss her life as a farm vet but also her growing passion for this concept of regenerative agriculture. It is also so encouraging to see someone, not from an agricultural background who now is deeply invested and passionate about farming.
We discuss
Her journey to becoming a vet
The day job and the importance of communication
Standing up for agriculture
A new interest in Regenerative agriculture and the opportunity for vets to get involved in this space
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
This week I catch up with veterinary consultant Martin Kavanagh.
With a deep understanding of farm systems and working with farms all over the world. Martin is someone who has been kind to me with his time and knowledge over the past number of years.
Someone with vast experience, he also employs a deep level of thinking on all matters of farm and herd performance. Have a listen to what he looks for when assessing the drivers of performance on farms.
To follow Martin check out www.cowsolutions.ie or @cowsolutions on twitter
We discuss
His own path into veterinary and early career
Understanding why now it's all about farm systems and herd performance
The importance of people signals
Martin also reflects on many of his own experiences and lessons along the way
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
This week I take a look beyond the farm gate with Barbara Bray MBE. Barbara is a nutritionist and food, safety consultant. She is also a Nuffield scholar and is passionate about food and a fairer society.
Check out her ted talk on "Diet, diversity and the future of food"
We discuss
Her path into agriculture and food production
How personal experiences shaped her attitude towards diet and the science of human nutrition
How socioeconomic issues are such a big factor in food choices
Her role as a director in the Oxford farming conference
What would a fairer food future and society look like
To follow Barbara on twitter @bapbray
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
In episode 4, I talk with international expert Professor Frank Mitloehner from Dept of animal science at UC Davis.
Frank is an air quality specialist and is someone I’ve followed for a long time. He debunks a lot of myths around livestock and their role in climate change. The science is clear that ruminants do play a role in climate change. Frank, however, has a clear understanding of the difference between cows and cars.
We discuss
His early career path and journey into agricultural research
Frank talks about the different greenhouse gases and their role in global warming.
We also chat about some of the critical differences in biogenic methane and how it is cyclical through the carbon cycle.
He also gives us some insights into the opportunities for agriculture to become climate neutral with the right research and approach.
We also discuss his passion for teaching, and his timely message always to stay curious.
Thanks to Frank for his time, I would strongly recommend you follow his research on his blog on clear.ucdavis.edu and follow him on twitter @GHGguru
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
In episode 5 I talk with international food systems expert and food futurist Jack Bobo.
I suggest people watch his ted talk on "Why we fear the food we eat".
We discuss
His own background and path into working in agriculture
He gives us insights into the challenges ahead within our food systems but also potentially the many opportunities
He also gives a very balanced perspective on what we have achieved, this idea that its good and getting better.
He leaves me with the idea that the next 30 years are the most important there will ever be in agriculture!
Follow Jack on twitter @Jack_A_Bobo or www.futurityfood.com
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
In episode 6, I speak with one of the most energetic and enthusiastic vets in the world, founder of cowsignals Joep Drissen. His passion for cows and his work is palpable.
He talks about a cow centered approach to managing dairy farms. Look, think, and act approach.
The cows are giving us signals; we must see what they are telling us. We then need to build systems around the cows' needs.
We discuss
His early career path and thinking about cost versus care
We discuss how and the why behind cowsignals and talk about what the cow is trying to tell us.
What impact housing has on cows and the power of longevity within the herd for cow, farmer and the planet
Joeps attitude and energy are simply infectious enjoy!
Follow the cowsignals story on twitter @cowsignals and Facebook. To check out training with cowsignals click the link here
https://www.cowsignals.com/en/online_courses/ for those looking to sign up, the cowsignals team have given a discount code also 150428TH
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
In episode 7 I speak with Professor Tommy Boland. He is based in UCD agricultural science department where he is a professor of ruminant nutrition and sheep production.
Tommy has been a leader in research in sheep production systems. I have always admired him for his scientific approach, mixed with a very practical approach and outlook.
He also shares some of his lessons from his own career and experiences.
We discuss
His early career path and growing up on a family farm
We discuss sheep production systems and 5 top tips for sheep nutrition
Tommy gives an insight into the research ongoing in the smart sward project
He also bestows some of his wisdom and lessons learned in his career
You can follow Tommy on twitter @pallastb and the research on mixed-species swards @SMARTSWARD1
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
In episode 3, I'm joined by my good friend and executive coach, Geoff Dooley. Geoff and I have a long history of working together on projects. He also unknowingly has been a mentor and has always really challenged my thinking from our time working together in Xlvets to even having a go at an online business together. Few people I have met have the depth of thought and clarity to see things from different angles, then Geoff.
We discuss
We discuss his early career and the lessons he has learned along the way.
We address agriculture and the challenges of the current system
He gives his insights into leadership and affecting change
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
Thursday Sep 17, 2020
This week I talk with farm animal veterinarian and herd health specialist Catherine McAloon. Catherine is a member of the herd health team in UCD vet school and a European speciailist in bovine health management.
I have got so much from Catherine as an advisor over the last decade.
We discuss
- Her love of cows and farming
- We talk about summer scour syndrome and its potential causes
- We also talk about mycoplamsa and coughing cows syndrome
- We touch on some of the big animal health challenges ahead
To follow Catherine on twitter @Cartyvet