From The Soil Up Podcast

Ep 60 - Storm Baynes-Ryan:The Hidden Cost of Ignoring Farmer Health

What happens when farmers ignore pain, injuries, and their own well-being for years on end?
In this episode, Conan sits down with farming physio and sheep and beef farmer Storm Baynes-Ryan to discuss farmer health, physical resilience, injury prevention, strength training, nutrition, and mental well-being.
Drawing on her experience working with farmers and living the farming lifestyle herself, Storm explains why so many farmers push through pain, the long-term consequences of untreated injuries, and how simple habits can dramatically improve performance, energy, and longevity.
From osteoarthritis and inflammation to burnout and muscle loss, this conversation highlights why looking after your body is one of the best investments you can make for your farm, family, and future.
In this episode, you'll learn:
✅ Why farmers often ignore pain and the hidden costs of doing so ✅ How injuries and inflammation impact long-term health and performance ✅ The importance of strength training for farmers of all ages ✅ Why muscle mass is critical for healthy aging and longevity ✅ Practical nutrition strategies, including the role of protein in recovery and resilience ✅ How to recognize the signs of burnout and protect your mental health ✅ Why your body should be treated as essential farm infrastructure
Key Takeaways:
Ignoring injuries today can create major health challenges later in life.
Strength training isn't just for athletes—it's essential for farmers.
Nutrition is the foundation of energy, recovery, and resilience.
Farmer wellness directly impacts farm performance and business success.
Connect with Storm:
https://www.instagram.com/stormlbr_thatfarmingphysio_/
https://thatfarmingphysio.com/

Ep 59 - Russ Heald & Brooke Lye: Adaptive Grazing for Resilient Dairy Farms

How can adaptive grazing management improve farm profitability, soil health, and pasture performance?
In this episode , I sit down with New Zealand dairy farmers Brooke Lye and Russ Heald to explore the principles and practical application of adaptive grazing management.
We dive into how grazing decisions influence soil health, pasture performance, animal wellbeing, and ultimately farm profitability. Brooke and Russ share their journey of implementing adaptive and regenerative farming practices, including the role of pasture diversity, deferred grazing, regrassing strategies, and understanding plant recovery and rest periods.
Throughout the conversation, we discuss how healthy soils drive productive farming systems, why fibre is critical for dairy cow health and milk production, and how farmers can use simple indicators within their pastures to make better grazing decisions. We also explore the importance of adaptability, resilience, and long-term thinking when managing modern farming businesses.
Whether you're a dairy farmer, livestock producer, farm consultant, or simply interested in regenerative agriculture, this episode is packed with practical insights that can help you improve both ecological and financial outcomes on your farm.
In this episode, we cover:
• Adaptive grazing management principles
• Soil health and biological function
• Deferred grazing and pasture recovery
• Maintaining pasture diversity
• Regrassing and crop management strategies
• Animal nutrition and the importance of fibre
• Measuring success in adaptive farming systems
• Profitability versus production thinking
• Building resilient farm systems for the future
https://www.instagram.com/healdfarm/
https://www.instagram.com/brookelye66/

Ep 58 - Graeme Pile: The Science and Strategy Behind Fertigation in NZ Agriculture

In this episode, Conan interviews Graham Pile from Fertigation Systems to explore the benefits, myths, and practicalities of fertigation in New Zealand agriculture. They discuss how fertigation can improve nutrient management, reduce costs, and increase crop yields across dairy, cropping, and pastoral systems.
 
https://fertigation.co.nz/

Ep 57 - Teale Simmons: The Science of a Profitable Regen Transition

In this episode, Conan sits down with Teal Simmons, founder of Agrisol, to unpack one of regenerative agriculture's most overlooked truths: you can't build a thriving farm system if the economics don't stack up. As Teal puts it "You can't be green if you're in the red."
Teal brings a grounded, systems-based lens to the regenerative transition, walking through his Roots Framework and the practical steps farmers can take to move toward healthier soils without blowing up their bottom line.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why most farmers make the same costly mistakes when transitioning to regenerative practices
How to manage risk while changing your farming system
The central role of photosynthesis in building soil biology and long-term farm profitability
How to use foliar nutrition, intercropping, and phosphorus management as practical levers for change
How to budget for regenerative inputs — and know when to back off
Whether you're knee-deep in a transition or just starting to ask the hard questions, this episode gives you a framework to think about regenerative farming as a whole-farm economic strategy not just a set of practices.
https://agresol.com.au/

Ep 56 - Phyllis Tichinin: Why Farmers Are the Real Health Professionals

What's the real cost of modern farming and who's paying for it?
Phyllis Tichinin of True Health Limited joins the podcast to connect the dots between declining soil health and the chronic disease epidemic facing humans and livestock alike. From the collapse of soil microbiology under synthetic fertilizers, to the hidden nutritional power of grass-fed animal fats, Phyllis offers a compelling case for why regenerative agriculture isn't just good for the land, it's essential for human health.
They explore nutrient density, the consequences of routine antibiotic use, and practical on-farm strategies for rebuilding soil biology and producing food that truly nourishes.
If you've ever wondered why farming practices matter beyond the farm gate, this episode is for you.
 
http://www.truehealth.co.nz/

Ep 55 - The Science of Pasture Diversity: Insights from Danny Donaghy & Eru Tait-Jamieson

Pasture diversity is gaining traction in New Zealand farming circles  but what does the science actually say? In this episode, Conan sits down with Danny Donaghy and Eru Tait-Jamieson from Massey University to unpack the research behind diverse pasture systems. From species selection and functional traits to grazing management, soil health, and carbon sequestration, this conversation cuts through the hype and gets practical.
https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/colleges-schools-and-institutes/college-of-sciences/our-research/themes-and-research-strengths/whenua-haumanu/#Researchsites

Ep 54 - Joel Crump: Rethinking Fertiliser Systems on Farm with Tow & Fert

In this episode, Conan interviews Joel Crump from Tow & Fert to explore the benefits of foliar feeding, the technology behind Tow & Fert machines, and how farmers can optimize fertilizer use for better soil health and productivity.https://www.towandfert.co.nz/

Ep 53 - Lynn Hoover on Ocean Minerals: A Smarter Way to Build Fertility and Profit

In this episode, Lynn Hoover from Ocean Blue Agronomics shares insights on the role of ocean minerals in sustainable farming, soil health, and livestock productivity. Discover how natural mineral sources can unlock soil biological functions, improve crop yields, and enhance farm profitability.
 
https://www.oceanblueagronomics.com/about-us