From The Soil Up Podcast

In this episode of From the Soil Up Podcast, I speak with Hamish Gow and three of the students involved in the Ag Innovation Challenge about their ideas to solve issues currently facing the agricultural industry.
The Challenge is put together by Lincoln University and Ballance Agri Nutrients with support from the Ministry for Primary Industries' Future Ready Farms programme, and is open to first-year students enrolled in the university’s undergraduate Primary Industry Systems course.
This is a fantastic opportunity to foster the next generation of Ag entrepreneurs so I'm excited to share their ideas and plans for the future.

In this episode of the From the Soil Up Podcast, Conan chats to Emily House about her expertise on plant nutrition, soil health, and their direct impact on livestock performance. Discover how mineral balance, pasture diversity, and soil testing can optimize farm productivity and animal health.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-house-59980149/

In this episode, Tony Evans from Camperdown Compost shares insights on regenerative farming, composting, and systems thinking for soil health and farm productivity. Learn how to integrate compost, manage wet conditions, and optimize nutrient cycling for sustainable agriculture.
https://camperdowncompost.com.au/

In this episode of the From the Soil Up podcast, Conan speaks with Paul Daly from EMNZ about the critical role of soil biology in agriculture. They discuss the importance of microbial diversity, the evolution of EM technology, and the challenges faced in promoting biological solutions in farming. Paul shares insights on how EM can enhance soil health, improve nutrient access for plants, and its applications in waste management and effluent treatment.
https://www.emnz.com/

In this episode of the From the Soil Up podcast, Conan Moynihan is joined by Kane Brisco, author of The Tools for the Top Paddock and founder of Farm Fit, to unpack the mental pressures of modern dairy farming.
They explore why today’s challenges are more mental than physical, how stepping back creates clarity under pressure, and why simple tools like writing things down can transform decision-making. Kane also shares his personal journey through hardship, highlighting the power of vulnerability, resilience, and community in farming.
 
https://www.facebook.com/FarmFitNZ/
https://farmfitnzshop.com/
https://www.instagram.com/farmfit_nz/?hl=en
A grounded, honest conversation about mental fitness and performance in agriculture.

This episode marks a new chapter for the podcast.
 
The Force of Nature Podcast is now From the Soil Up Podcast.
 
In this solo episode, Conan shares why the name has changed not because the message has shifted, but because the conversation has expanded. What began as a focus on soil health and farming systems has grown into something broader: conversations about the entire food system, from soil and production to human health, business, leadership, and long-term performance.
 
The values remain the same. The lens is wider. The conversations are deeper.
Because real performance doesn’t come from chasing the latest idea . It comes from doing the fundamentals properly. And that starts in the soil.

Summary
In this episode, Conan Moynihan interviews Dylan Graves, a passionate permie, about biochar and its applications in farming. They discuss what biochar is, how it is made, and its numerous benefits for soil health, water retention, and nutrient cycling. Dylan shares his personal journey into permaculture and the importance of raising awareness about biochar among farmers. The conversation also touches on the barriers to adoption, the potential for scaling the biochar industry in New Zealand, and the future of biochar in agriculture.
https://biochar.net.nz/
https://passionatepermies.wordpress.com/
 

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan speaks with former owner at Ranch Management Consultants and Ranching for Profit, Dave Pratt about the critical issues surrounding succession planning in farming. They discuss the importance of communication, understanding expectations, and the need for a paradigm shift in how ranchers view their businesses. Dave shares his journey from a struggling rancher to a successful educator, emphasizing the need to work on the business rather than just in it. The conversation also touches on the role of nature in agriculture, the significance of fun in farming, and the distinction between economics and finance in making sound business decisions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about building resilient, profitable, and future-ready farming businesses.