Episode #58 : Natalie Kovaric and Tara Vanderdeusen - Animal Agriculture

In this The Thinking Health Podcast episode, host Chris Irvin is joined by Natalie Kovaric and Tara Vanderdeusen, the Discover Ag docuseries and podcast creators. Natalie Kovaric and Tara Vanderdeusen are experts in agriculture, focusing on animal agriculture. With a combined following of over 210,000 people, these two experts in agriculture are on a mission to educate the public about the often-misunderstood world of animal agriculture.

Natalie Kovaric is a cattle farmer who manages her farm and has extensive knowledge about the cattle farming industry. She shares her experience and insights with her audience, helping to demystify the process of raising cattle and explaining the nutritional, environmental, and practical aspects of cattle farming.

Tara Vanderdeusen is a dairy farmer who runs a dairy farm and deeply understands the dairy industry. She educates people about the various aspects of dairy farming, including the care and management of dairy cows, milk production, and the environmental impact of dairy farming.

Listeners of this podcast episode will gain a wealth of knowledge about animal agriculture thanks to the expert insights and experiences shared by Natalie Kovaric and Tara Vanderdeusen. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the differences between dairy farming and cattle ranching, the pros and cons of grass-finished and grain-finished cattle, the environmental impact of animal agriculture, and the benefits of regenerative agriculture practices. Listeners will learn about the misconceptions surrounding animal agriculture and how Natalie and Tara are working to debunk them. They will also better understand where their food comes from and the importance of reconnecting with the food system. Overall, this podcast episode is an enjoyable and enlightening conversation that will leave listeners with a newfound appreciation for animal agriculture.

Sneak Preview: What to Expect in this Episode

00:00:00 to 00:02:43

Introduction:

00:02:43 to 04:06

What are Natalie and Tara's backgrounds?

What drew them to the world of agriculture and regenerative farming?

04:06 to 06:10

How did you both get involved in agriculture, and what inspired you to share your stories online?

How did you two meet, and what led to the creation of the Discover Ag podcast?

06:10 to 09:25

What are the main differences between dairy farming and cattle ranching?

Is there any integration between these two types of farming?

09:25 to 13:32

What distinguishes small and large dairy farms? Are larger ones always worse for welfare and the environment?

How do misconceptions differ in cattle and dairy? Are large cattle farms also family-owned?

13:32 to 17:50

What are the pros and cons of grass-finished and grain-finished cattle?

How do grass-fed and grain-fed labels affect consumer perception and pricing?

Is there a significant nutritional difference between grass-finished and grain-finished meat?

17:50 to 22:08

Is there a concern regarding chemicals like glyphosate in the corn, soy, or grain fed to cows in the final stages of their lives, and does it impact the nutritional aspect of the meat?

Is feeding corn to cows unhealthy or unnatural?

22:08 to 26:35

Are Natalie and Tara implementing or supporting the idea of feeding cows waste products like orange peels to reduce environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions?

How do feeding byproducts to cattle contribute to reducing the environmental impact and nutrient upcycling?

26:35 to 33:20

What is the true relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and animal agriculture?

Does the 4% animal agriculture greenhouse gas emissions figure account for cattle consuming byproducts and natural grazing sequestration?

33:20 to 42:43

What are Tara and Natalie's thoughts on the need for change within the national food industry, and are there specific areas that need improvement?

What are their thoughts on the local food system, and is it better from an environmental perspective?

How does the dairy industry's structure support local farms more than people realize?

42:43 to 49:06

What are Natalie's thoughts on the cattle side of the local food system?

What are the practicality and challenges of focusing solely on local food systems, especially in areas with less access to local food?

49:06 to 57:21

What are Tara and Natalie's thoughts on regenerative agriculture?

How practical is it to implement regenerative practices on larger operations?

00:57:21 to 01:04:23

Are sustainable practices like rotational grazing and cover crops common in conventional animal agriculture?

Are these practices economically friendly for farmers by reducing the need for external inputs?

Is it true that harmonizing animal agriculture with plant agriculture is key to sustainable long-term success in plant farming?

01:04:23 to 01:14:05

Is having animals living in harmony with plant agriculture necessary for long-term sustainability?