Sustaining The Herd

Hosted by Andrew Wedel & Brock Vetick

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Latest episode

Nov 2026

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EN-US

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

November 4, 2026Episode 6447 min

Ag Tech from a Bird's Eye View: The Evolution of Crop Spraying

Lives are being saved and productivity increased thanks to drone usage in agriculture—particularly in specialty crops. Andrew and Brock sit down with Mark Ledebuhr of Application Insight, LLC for a candid and grounded conversation about crop spraying and ag tech. Mark and his team help the agriculture industry optimize crop spraying practices while embracing technology, with drone spraying being a prime example. Tune in for the conversation in Episode 64 of Sustaining The Herd!

October 21, 2026Episode 6339 min

Sustainability Pays with Low Carbon Beef and Dairy Products

What is the carbon footprint of a steak or glass of milk? Low Carbon Technologies, a division of Select Sires, is leading the way in measuring, verifying, and monetizing sustainability efforts of beef and dairy producers. Andrew and Brock are joined by Gracie Vosters who is a Sustainability Marketing Specialist with Low Carbon Technologies. Gracie shares how her team works with producers to measure and certify carbon footprint reductions of beef and dairy in comparison to baseline carbon footprint values. She also digs into the significance of a genetics company like Select Sires being invested in these sustainability efforts. Tune in for the full conversation in Episode 63 of Sustaining The Herd!

October 7, 2026Episode 6241 min

Containing the Herd with Virtual Fence

You may have heard of high-tech collars and invisible fences for dogs, but what about cattle? Virtual fence is changing the landscape (quite literally) when it comes to containing cattle and managing grazing. Andrew and Brock are joined by special guest Kaitlyn Dozler-German with the University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture, where she works as the Virtual Fence Grazing Program Manager. Kaitlyn shares how cattle producers are replacing interior cross fences with high-tech collars to control cattle movement and manage rotational grazing efforts. Tune in to hear all about how virtual fence is making operations more sustainable while going beyond the boundary of what is possible in Episode 62 of Sustaining The Herd!

September 23, 2026Episode 6145 min

Crop Nitrogen Stewardship with Sentinel Ag

What if crop producers could do more with less while increasing profit and being better stewards of the environment? That's exactly what Sentinel Ag helps producers accomplish when it comes to nitrogen management. Andrew and Brock are joined in the studio by Jackson Stansell, Founder and CEO of Sentinel Ag. Jackson shares how he and his team utilize satellite imagery to evaluate in-season nitrogen demand of growing crops, ultimately shifting the paradigm from nitrogen management to nitrogen stewardship. Tune in to hear all about how producers are maximizing the return of every dollar spent on nitrogen in Episode 61 of Sustaining The Herd!

September 9, 2026Episode 6042 min

Outcome-Based Manure System Planning

Where do you start when planning a manure system? Join Andrew and Brock as they answer this question and ask many more as they discuss outcome-based manure system planning. While it's important to "begin with the end in mind" and identify objectives for the planning of a manure system, it's just as important to begin with the reason it's needed in the first place - which is the animal operation it serves. Andrew and Brock dig into all of the important details in Episode 60 of Sustaining The Herd. Tune in for the full conversation!

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.