The Livestack Podcast

The LiveStack Podcast / Episode 15: Data awareness in Dairy and at the Farm Level

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Livestock podcast, where we will discuss Data awareness in Dairy and at the Farm Level.
Joining this Episode with Daniel is Dr Liliana Fadul. Dr Fadul is an animal scientist currently working as a Data analyst for Lactanet, Montreal, Canada. Liliana completed her Ph.D. at Université Laval (Quebec, Canada). There, she recognized the potential use of data science techniques to help identify problems and offer solutions in the Animal Science field. Learning and exploring these applied techniques, particularly in dairy farms, became her true passion.
Liliana was part of the Dairy Brain project team, led by Dr Victor Cabrera (Department of Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison), where she started exploring data governance in the dairy farm industry and encountered that there is a need to raise awareness among farmers and create an environment that enhances sharing ensuring data governance and transparency. At Lactanet Liliana uses different types of data to develop tools using advanced analytics (i.e., artificial intelligence) that can help the holistic management of dairy farms.
Daniel Foy, Co-Founder & CEO at AgriGates, and Dr. Liliana Fadul from Lactanet, have collaborated for over five years on various projects, starting at the Dairy Brain at UW Madison and continuing with podcasts and group sessions on data ownership, infrastructure, and quality on dairy farms. Their shared goal is to raise awareness and bring value to producers and their farm-level data in North America.
Don't miss out on this discussion! You can now tune in or subscribe to the LiveStack podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The LiveStack Podcast / Episode 14: ICAR and Data Standards in Food Animal Agriculture.

Welcome to Episode 14 of the LiveStack podcast, where we discuss the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) and Data Standards in Food Animal Agriculture.
Joining Daniel in this episode by Marie-Agnes Mourot de Lathyle, who has taken up the role of ICAR Executive Director in the last five months. She has almost 15 years as CFO/COO for a membership global organization of market, social, opinion, data analytics professionals and researchers that was founded in 1947.
This global trade association enabled Marie-Agnès to hone her competencies further whilst working for the general interests of an entire industry. Before this, Marie-Agnès worked for reputed global companies, representing innovative market leaders characterized by strong corporate cultures privileging customer excellence and 360° solutions delivery.
She specializes in understanding people and inspiring growth and has a high level of expertise in Transformational Change Leadership, Strategy and its implementation, short-mid-long term, insights and analytics mindset, and Tech-Driven Automation.
Her biggest passion is helping businesses transform and grow in profitable and purposeful ways by creating more inclusive and diverse environments, where personal choice and professional competence are the only barriers to success.
Find more out about ICAR here – https://www.icar.org/
Don’t miss out on this discussion! 

The LiveStack Podcast / Episode 13: Food Animal AgriTech in the Keystone State.

Welcome to Episode 13 of the LiveStack podcast, where we dive deep into the world of "Food Animal AgriTech in the Keystone State."
In this engaging conversation, we are thrilled to have Dr. Melissa Cantor, Assistant Professor of Precision Dairy Science at Pennsylvania State University, as our guest. Agriculture in Pennsylvania holds a significant place, contributing substantially to tax receipts. The state boasts a rich diversity of farms, and remarkably, 90% of their income is generated within a mere 20 miles of the farm. This presents a promising opportunity for Pennsylvania's producers in the digital age and in achieving sustainability.
However, as we navigate the digital landscape, we must comprehend the distinct types and styles of farms while also delving into the intricacies of data aggregation, data quality, and its application for informed decision support. Beyond the farm, data ownership and data security have become paramount concerns In the interconnected world and farms today.
To learn more about Dr. Cantor's groundbreaking work in this field, visit her profile here: https://animalscience.psu.edu/directory/mmc7081
Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion! Tune in now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to gain valuable insights into the exciting realm of Food Animal AgriTech in Pennsylvania.

The LiveStack Podcast / Episode 12: Food Animal Welfare Audits and AgriTech

Welcome to Episode 12 of the LiveStack podcast, where we will discuss “Food Animal Welfare Audits and AgriTech.” In this episode, we are delighted to be joined by Matt Jones Vice President of Operations for Validus.
In this episode of the LiveStack Podcast, Matt, Jim, and Daniel explore Food Animal welfare audits, and expectations from different parts of the supply chain and consumers, while finally discussing farm-level agritech and data in aiding in improved food animal welfare.
Validus conducts audits for animal welfare, environment, feed mills, food safety, and worker care. Validus is also a certifying body for Safe Quality Foods (SQF) audits and completes audits for milk, meat, eggs, and feed mills. Matt is a certified auditor and instructor for Validus programs and is a certified auditor for the SQF program. He is responsible for working with the Senior Program Manager and Program Managers in the Audit Department to ensure clients’ needs are met, and that the division is meeting their goals. He is also responsible for the training and background of the auditors who conduct audits for Validus throughout the United States. As of March 2016, Validus is now a division of “Where Food Comes From”.
Prior to becoming Vice President of Operations, Jones was the Senior Director of Audits. He started with Validus working on the On-Farm Assessment and Environmental Review (OFAER) Program as a Program Manager. Jones has been with Validus since 2003. Jones is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. Matt and his family live on a small acreage near Lynnville, Iowa.
Read more about Validus here –https://www.validusservices.com/
Don’t miss out on this enriching discussion! You can now tune in on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

The LiveStack Podcast / Episode 11: Precision Livestock Farming and AgriTech at the EAAP 2023 Conference

Welcome to Episode 11 of the LiveStack podcast, where we discuss all things Precision Livestock Farming and AgriTech research from the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) 2023 conference in Lyon France. In this episode, Daniel Foy is delighted to be joined by Dr. Michael Odintsov Vaintrub, COO and Co-founder at Regrowth, Italy, and Adrien Lebreton, PLF project manager at the Institut de l'Élevage France.
In this episode of the LiveStack Podcast, collectively, we discuss the presentation and research at this year’s EAAP conference that is based on AgriTech, what we liked and what stood out to us while contemplating next year’s topics and some of the research we would like to see.
Find more out about the EAAP PLF commission here - https://www.eaap.org/study-commissions/precision-livestock-farming/#:~:text=The%20PLF%20study%20commission%20will%20explore%20pathways%20to,world%20and%20will%20help%20to%20keep%20this%20level.
Don't miss out on this discussion! You can now tune in on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The LiveStack Podcast / Episode 10: Dairy Calves and AgriTech

Welcome to Episode 10 of the LiveStack podcast, where we delve into ‘Dairy Calves and AgriTech.’ In this episode, we are delighted to be joined by Dr. Melissa Cantor, Assistant Professor of Precision Dairy Science at Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Cantor spearheads an extramurally funded research initiative focused on harnessing data from precision technologies to improve decision-making and enhance the lives of dairy animals. Dr. Cantor engages with Pennsylvania dairy producers through the Penn State Extension Dairy Team, underscoring her commitment to fostering an inclusive program. This program zeroes in on vital topics like dairy calf and heifer management alongside effective adoption and utilization of on-farm precision technologies.
Read more about Dr. Cantor’s work here – Melissa Cantor — Directory — Department of Animal Science (psu.edu)
In this episode of the LiveStack Podcast, we traverse the landscape of dairy calf research and AgriTech, delving into new and novel techniques. Our conversation spotlights the myriad possibilities for elevating calf health outcomes.
Don’t miss out on this enriching discussion! You can now tune in on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The LiveStack Podcast /Episode 9: Digital, Data, and Durable Skill in Dairy Science

Join in and listen to Episode 9 of the LiveStack podcast discussing “Digital, Data, and Durable Skills in Dairy Science.
Joining in on this discussion is Dr. Sushil Paudyal, from the Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University. Dr. Paudyal’s research interest focuses on using herd and animal-level data for decision-making in dairy farms. His research utilizes innovative technologies to optimize the production, health, and well-being of dairy cattle. Learn more about him and his research here - Paudyal, Sushil - Animal Science (tamu.edu)
This episode will cover programs and initiatives to improve students and farmers’ access to digital and data skills that improve Precision Livestock Farming. It also highlights the need for durable skills with interdisciplinary teams and problem-solving that require good communication.
Access and Listen to this Episode on Spotify & Apple

The LiveStack Podcast / Episode 8: ML and AI in Food-Animal Agriculture; What’s Essential to Make it Work

Join in and listen to Episode 8 of the LiveStack podcast discussing “ML and AI in Food-Animal Agriculture; What’s Essential to Make it Work.”
Back joining in on this discussion is Dr. Micheal Odintsov Vaintrub, Veterinarian and COO of Regrowth, an AgriTech start-up based in Italy.
This podcast discusses and explains AI and what it means in food animal agriculture, exploring the Micro (devices at the farm level) to the Macro (government, coops, clusters of farms) of ML & AI applications.
Farmers are conservationists (Husbandry, Land management, data); they aren’t the tech innovators of AgriTech but will use the data from AgriTech for innovation in their needs and domain expertise at the farm level in their business.
While exploring the larger service community and how they support farms with advanced intelligence like AI while understanding data ownership and governance.
Access and Listen to this Episode on Spotify & Apple

The LiveStack Podcast / Episode 7: Food Animal AgriTech in Italy: Small, Smart, and Sustainable

Join in and listen to episode 7 with Dr. Micheal Odintsov Vaintrub, Veterinarian and AgriTech COO, and Daniel Foy from AgriGates as they talk about “ Food Animal AgriTech in Italy: Small, Smart, and Sustainable.”
 
Michael grew up in Israel and moved to Italy in 2011 to study veterinary medicine at the University of Teramo (Abruzzo region), which he completed in 2017. He followed the studies with a Ph.D. focused on sustainable animal husbandry and PLF development. His research work predominantly focused on the integration of PLF technologies in outdoor production systems typical to central Italy. This is a fascinating and complex field that involves the technological challenges of fitting IoT systems in rugged environments and fitting them into traditional production systems. 
 
To follow this passion, Michael funded “Regrowth,” a startup dedicated to the development of PLF systems fit small-scale management of pasture-based systems. Since 2019 the team has been working on modular IoT stations, communication protocols, data management, and integration of external data sources. The process won the team 20 prizes over the years and positioned Regrowth at the forefront of Agri-tech startups in Italy.  
 
Listen to this discussion with Michael and his insight and experience with Data & Food Animal AgriTech in Italy.

The Livestack Podcase / Episode 6: Data & Food Animal Welfare, Part 2

Dr. Laura Boyle is a senior research officer with Teagasc – The Irish National Agriculture and Food Development Authority, with over 25 years of research expertise in farm animal behavior and welfare science.
Laura is an associate member of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioral Medicine (sub-specialty Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law), President of the Health and Welfare Commission of the European Federation of Animal Science and Editor in Chief of the Animal Behavior and Welfare specialty section in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
She is Adjunct Professor with the School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin. As well as informing policy at national level she was an expert with the European Food Safety Authority responsible for drafting the new Scientific Opinion on Pig Welfare published in June 2022. Dr. Boyle has published almost 130 peer-reviewed papers on pig and dairy cow welfare and has over 300 scientific abstracts in national and international conference proceedings.
Her main interests lie in effects of housing and management practices on the welfare of farm animals, in the link between animal health and animal welfare and in the contribution animal welfare can make to the sustainability of animal agriculture. Laura was the recipient of the British Society of Animal Science and Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals award for Innovative Developments in Animal Welfare in 2019. Laura also has education and advisory roles within the Teagasc pig development department at Moorepark, Co. Cork where she works. She holds a Bachelors of Agricultural Science degree and a Masters and PhD on the behavior and welfare of sows from University College Dublin. 
Listen in to this discussion with Dr. Boyle and her insight to Data & Food Animal welfare.