Sustaining The Herd

Hosted by Andrew Wedel & Brock Vetick

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Sustaining the Herd is a resource for all things related to sustainability in animal agriculture. We hope to deliver value to listeners by interviewing industry leaders as well as producers involved in sustainability projects. Every two weeks, we'll give a practical perspective on new technologies as well as new rules and regulations affecting the adoption of sustainability-related technologies such as anaerobic digestion and the production of renewable energy.

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60 recent

August 26, 2026Episode 5935 min

Connecting Agriculture with Sensors, Software, and Systems

The saying "you can't manage what you don't measure" rings particularly true in agriculture. Andrew and Brock sit down with Steve Tippery of RealmFive to discuss how Steve and his team bring solutions to the ag industry to do just that - measure and track equipment, commodities, and processes across agricultural operations. RealmFive pairs hardware (sensors and tracking devices) with software to help producers and agricultural businesses to be more efficient and improve their bottom line. Tune in for the full insight-packed, connection-filled conversation in Episode 59 of Sustaining The Herd.

August 12, 2026Episode 5844 min

Grain Bin Robots: Doing the Work No Human Should

"Build a robot so I don't ever have to go into a grain bin again." That's what a Nebraska farmer told Chad Johnson several years ago. On this episode of Sustaining The Herd, Brock sits down with Chad Johnson of Grain Weevil. Chad and his team have set out to build robots to keep humans out of grain bins, as well as many other types of confined commodity storage spaces. These robots are capable of moving and leveling grain, break up crusted layers, and will soon be part of a completely autonomous bin management system. Through it all, Chad has kept his focus on people - both those on his team and those he sets out to serve. Tune in for the full human-focused, robot-enabled discussion in Episode 58 of Sustaining The Herd!

July 29, 2026Episode 5738 min

Achieving a High-Performing Anaerobic Digester through Monitoring and Testing

As the saying goes, if you don’t monitor it, you don’t manage it. This is surely the case with anaerobic digesters. Jenny Pronto of BioProcess Analytics is an expert when it comes to AD biology and biochemical processes. From biomethane potential to digestate, Jenny breaks down the anaerobic digestion process, talks about testing and monitoring, and shares some sage advice for developers and operators alike. Tune in for the full insight-packed conversation in Episode 57 of Sustaining The Herd!

July 15, 2026Episode 5636 min

Empowering the Next Generation of Agricultural Producers

What's the outlook for young and aspiring agricultural producers today? This is a loaded question, so Andrew and Brock brought in some high-powered guests to come up with an answer. Back by popular demand, Nick Maaske makes his third appearance on Sustaining The Herd! Nick is joined in the studio by his colleague Caleb Dickes. Nick and Caleb are members of the team at Settje Agri-Services and Engineering, where they focus on livestock facility permitting, compliance, and nutrient management. Caleb also farms and sells crop seed. Join us as we dig into the challenges faced by young producers today, and how opportunity can be found even when the odds are tough. Check out Episode 56 of Sustaining The Herd for the full conversation!

July 1, 2026Episode 5539 min

Sustainable Operations Across Generations

Who will take over the family farm when Grandpa retires? How much land or money will each family member receive? Will everyone still get along and want to see each other on holidays? Andrew and Brock set out to tackle these questions and many more as they sit down in the studio with Jimmy Hagge of Hutchinson & Associates. Jimmy works every day with agricultural producers to build and execute a plan to pass on a legacy when they eventually step away from their operations. Tune in to hear all about estate planning, succession planning, and the "why" behind it all in Episode 55 of Sustaining The Herd.

June 17, 2026Episode 5437 min

The Evolution of Sustainability

What is sustainability in the agriculture industry? Does it have the same meaning today as it did five years ago? Join Andrew and Brock as they work to tackle these questions and more when it comes to what sustainability really means in agriculture. They cover some ground as they talk about the three-legged stool of sustainability, the beef and dairy industries, and technology/automation. Get ready to think big and tune in for this insight-filled episode of Sustaining The Herd!

June 3, 2026Episode 5315 min

Summer Roundup

Spring has been busy and summer is gearing up to be no different. Andrew and Brock have been "on the trail" with business travel and working diligently on projects. Join Brock as he shares what he and Andrew have been up to lately, in addition to taking a look back at recent episodes. Don't worry, guests will be back soon! Tune in for this "summer roundup" edition of Sustaining The Herd!

May 27, 202617 min

Recap of Biogas Americas 2026

Andrew and Brock were on the air last week to share what they were looking forward to at Biogas Americas 2026. Well, they've returned home from a whirlwind week in Detroit and are ready to talk about it all! Join The Herd as Andrew and Brock sit down to recap their conference experience and look ahead through the lens of what they learned. They even share an exciting announcement for the beef cattle and biogas industries. Tune in for all the latest in the world of biogas.

May 20, 2026Episode 5230 min

Preview of Biogas Americas 2026

Do you know where Andrew and Brock will be at the time this episode is published? They'll be in Detroit at the American Biogas Council's flagship conference called Biogas Americas! Join the conversation as Andrew and Brock discuss what they're looking forward to in Detroit. They cover everything from networking to seeking answers to some of the industry's most burning questions. If you're at the conference, look these guys up! If you're not there, tune in next week for a recap of the conference!

May 6, 2026Episode 5134 min

Renewable Natural Gas Markets with S&P Global Energy

You've likely heard of the S&P 500 index. Well, this episode may not be about that, but it comes close! Andrew and Brock are joined by Lassana Fisiru of S&P Global Energy, where Lassana is a Senior Pricing Specialist covering renewable natural gas (RNG) in North America. While we typically talk a lot about anaerobic digestion, this episode addresses the end product of the digestion process: RNG and placing a value on RNG. The conversation weaves through everything from carbon intensity (CI) scoring to the various types of markets in which RNG is sold. Andrew and Brock learned a lot in this conversation, and you're bound to as well. Tune in for the full insight-packed episode!