Sustaining The Herd

Andrew Wedel & Brock Vetick
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

  1. Working With Producers, For Producers: Nebraska On-Farm Research Network

    6D AGO

    Working With Producers, For Producers: Nebraska On-Farm Research Network

    What do you get when you pair scientific research with real-world farmer know-how? You get the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network! Join Andrew and Brock as they sit down with Adam Leise, who serves as Director of the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network. Adam shares how he and his team work with agricultural producers across Nebraska to address real research questions that come up in the field. He talks about how farmers bring questions to local extension educators, they talk to Adam to design an experiment, and then a study is conducted right in a farmer's own field. At the end of the day, Adam helps producers to be more sustainable in all ways through research. Tune in for the full insight-packed conversation!

    41 min
  2. Considerations for Evaluating Agricultural Technologies, Products, and Innovations

    FEB 11

    Considerations for Evaluating Agricultural Technologies, Products, and Innovations

    How much does it cost? What does it do? Will I be satisfied with this investment decision? You might find yourself asking questions like these when evaluating a new technology, product, or innovation to potentially adopt on your farm. Join Andrew and Brock as they discuss some common considerations to address when evaluating technologies. A primary consideration? Whether a technology or innovation is new to you or new to the industry - because they come with different levels of risk. Even more, it's important to have the right team in place to make an informed decision you can live with no matter the outcome. Whether you're thinking about adopting anaerobic digestion or a new crop input, there's something for you in this episode. Tune in to Episode 45 of Sustaining The Herd for the full insight-filled conversation!

    41 min
  3. Dairy Management with Dr. Gordie Jones

    JAN 28

    Dairy Management with Dr. Gordie Jones

    Crepuscular: appearing or active in twilight.  How can dairy producers benefit by understanding the crepuscular behavior of cows?  Ask Dr. Gordie Jones.  From veterinarian in private practice to dairy farmer to acclaimed international dairy consultant, Gordie has seen a lot throughout his 50 year career in the dairy industry—from his earliest days solving milk quality issues related to hand milking to the design of facilities capable of milking thousands of cows per hour.  Gordie and Andrew talk about his role in the evolution of the cow comfort movement, which is now part of every dairy producer’s vernacular.  Listen in and Gordie wears his dairy farmer and veterinarian hats and talks about some of the most basic things that can be done to increase milk production and overall herd health.

    46 min
  4. Roller Compacted Concrete in Beef Cattle Feedlots

    JAN 14

    Roller Compacted Concrete in Beef Cattle Feedlots

    Season 3 is just getting started, and we're already on a roll...roller compacted concrete, that is! Join Andrew and Brock as they sit down with a guest who's back by popular demand (and because he has a lot of great knowledge to share). Zach Settje, Chief Operating Officer of Settje Agri-Services and Engineering, joins The Herd to share all about roller compacted concrete, also known as RCC. Zach walks us through the basics of RCC, talks about design considerations, shares about the construction process, and finally looks ahead at how RCC is paving the way for opportunities in beef cattle production. Grab your hard hat and hi-vis vest as you tune in for a great conversation in Episode 43 of Sustaining The Herd!

    38 min
  5. Sustaining The Herd: Season 2 Year in Review

    11/26/2025

    Sustaining The Herd: Season 2 Year in Review

    Episode 42 looks back at Season 2 of Sustaining The Herd. Join Andrew and Brock as they give an episode-by-episode recap of the season's highlights. Want to learn more about an episode or new to Sustaining the Herd? Jump to the episodes that interest you the most. Settje Agri-Services and Engineering would like to say thank you to our guests and listeners for being part of "The Herd" in Season 2. We look forward to Season 3, which will debut on January 14th. Have any suggestions or feedback? Drop us a line at podcast@settje.com! Season Index: E19: Hispanic Labor in Agriculture with Katie Dotterer E20: Part 1: Cattle Feeding with John Schroeder E21: Part 2: Cattle Feeding with John Schroeder E22: Industry Update: State of Biogas Industry and Manure Management on Roller Compacted Concrete in Feedyards E23: Over the Road Trucking Powered by Renewable Natural Gas, with Cummins, Inc. with David King and Tom Quimby E24: Myths of Manure Liquid-Solid Separation E25: The "Pondcast": Talking Innovation and Industry Involvement with Dr. Kevin Pond of WTAMU E26: Sustainable Crop Production and Global Ag Trade with Andy Fabin E27: LIVE From Biogas Americas in Denver, Colorado E28: Self-Driving Feed Trucks and Precision Cattle Feeding with Jacob Hansen E29: Settling the Debate on Settleables: What's Filling My Digester? E30: Unlocking the Transportation Market for Renewable Natural Gas with Charles Love of Trillium E31: Verifying Sustainability with Doug Stanton E32: Agricultural Security is National Security: How the FBI Protects the Ag Industry From Threats with Eugene Kowel E33: Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture with Dan Kurdys E34: How Consumer Tastes are Driving Pesticide Usage, GMOs, and the Future of U.S. Fruit Production with Win Cowgill E35: Nutrient Management - The Achilles Heel of Feedlot Digestion Projects                E36: Part 2: Nutrient Management Opportunities and Solutions for Feedlot Anaerobic Digestion Projects E37: Rounding Up The Herd E38: Cattle Feeding Update: Data, Developments, and Daring to Look Ahead with Dr. Jessica Sperber E39: Innovations in Animal Agriculture - Past to Present, Accomplishments, and Opportunities E40: Dairy Manure Management: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead with Mark Stoermann E41: Manure as a Resource - a Change of Perspectives with Dr. Amy Schmidt

    38 min
  6. Manure as a Resource—a Change of Perspectives

    11/12/2025

    Manure as a Resource—a Change of Perspectives

    Manure is a resource. It is also potentially a pollutant and certainly not a “waste”. Brock and Andrew visit with Dr. Amy Schmidt (a.k.a. The Manure Lady), Professor of Animal Manure Management in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to talk about manure management from a university researcher and extension engineer’s perspective. Amy shares insights on livestock sustainability, how she works with producers, and what types of research she's doing to improve manure management. Pull on your boots, grab a shovel, and get ready to dig in with this episode!

    43 min
  7. Dairy Manure Management: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

    10/29/2025

    Dairy Manure Management: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead

    How has manure management evolved over the years? Sit down with Andrew and Brock to answer this question and many more as they're joined by Mark Stoermann of Newtrient to discuss all things related to dairy manure management and anaerobic digestion. Founded in 2015, Newtrient’s mission is to reduce the environmental footprint of U.S. dairy and make it economically viable to do so. Mark shares about the various ways he and his team serve the dairy industry in the pursuit of this mission. Even more, this is a special episode, because it was recorded on-location in St. Louis at the American Biogas Council's Business of Biogas conference! Tune in to hear it all in the full episode.

    43 min
  8. Innovations in Animal Agriculture—Past to Present, Accomplishments, and Opportunities

    10/15/2025

    Innovations in Animal Agriculture—Past to Present, Accomplishments, and Opportunities

    Livestock production doesn't look the same as it did 75 years ago - why might that be? Innovation! Join Andrew and Brock as they take a glance back at the past, assess the present, and look ahead to the future of animal agriculture and agriculture in general. There are many aspects of livestock production that have come a long way over the years but could still benefit from further development. You won't want to miss this conversation that walks through opportunities to make an impact in nutrient management, resource efficiency, water usage, labor challenges, and many other areas. Sit down, tune in, and get ready to think big with Episode 39 of Sustaining The Herd!

    42 min
See All (46)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Wedel & Brock Vetick
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sustaining The Herd
  • Show Website
    Sustaining The Herd