This is Aus Ag: In Conversation

Welcome to the teaser for This is Aus Ag's first podcast series. Nicole McDonald hosts a conversation with fellow "This Is Aus Ag" team members Tim 'TK' Kingma (pork producer), Tegan Hogan-Smith (cattle grazier), and her friend from Brisbane, Kel Timmons (events coordinator and musician) about all things animal agriculture. All three share a passion for animal welfare and the environment but have different perspectives on the role of animals in our lives. A respectful and interesting conversation gives them the opportunity to challenge assumptions and ask questions which they have not had the chance to ask in the past.

On the 3rd of October, Nicole McDonald, Kel Timmons, Tim 'TK' Kingma, and Tegan Hogan-Smith sat down to talk about all things animal agriculture. The conversation went for around an hour and in the interest of transparency we've decided to release the conversation unedited but split into 6 small episodes. This first episode is an introduction to the host and each of the guests. To try and find some common ground right at the start they chat about what is important to them when trying to live a good life. This episode will give you more context to the conversation you're about to listen to.

In Episode 2 we get down to business. Tegan talks about her motivations to be involved in animal agriculture. Kel starts to raise some of her concerns about intensive pig farming with TK. This gives him a chance to talk about why practices have changed, why some haven't and what this means for the welfare of his pigs. Is there a problem when something that looks like it restricts quality of life actually saves lives and prevents injury? We get an insight into the research, on-farm trials, and industry programs that drive change and best practice in the industry.While having this conversation we make claims to support our perspectives. If you'd like to dive further into topics discussed or you're unsure about some terms we use, you can access some more resources or check out the glossary of terms at our website www.thisisausag.com. You can also leave feedback for us on the website or record a voicememo and email it to us at thisisausag@outlook.com so we can include your voice in future podcast episodes.

In Episode 3, Kel explains the experiences and information that has led her to eat a plant-based diet, including her love of animals, overconsumption of animal products in everyday diets, and environmental concerns. Tegan poses the question what would happen if the whole world stopped eating animal products and discusses the role humans, as apex predators, have to play keeping ecosystems in balance. We discuss live export in Australia and the many factors involved. Untangling the decision to participate or to ban this market is far from straight-forward.While having this conversation we make claims to support our perspectives. If you'd like to dive further into topics discussed or you're unsure about some terms we use, you can access some more resources or check out the glossary of terms at our website www.thisisausag.com. You can also leave feedback for us on the website or record a voicememo and email it to us at thisisausag@outlook.com so we can include your voice in future podcast episodes.

In Episode 4 Tegan and TK discuss what they do to manage their farms to reduce the impact of their animals on the environment and their role in being part of the solution when tackling climate change. TK asks Kel some questions about her concern that there is an overconsumption of animal products in western diets. He also seeks Kel's advice on how to better connect with people from the city that share her concerns.

In Episode 5 Tegan and Kel discuss the vast amount of information available at our fingertips and the challenge with sorting out fact from opinion. While Kel is firm in her choice to consume a plant-based diet she does acknowledge the good things both Tegan and TK are doing to manage animal welfare on their farms. We reflect on the fact that environmental and economic outcomes are not opposed and it actually makes sense financially to be as sustainable as you can in your farming practices.

In the final episode of this podcast series, Kel gets the chance to ask TK some final questions about the kind of lives his pigs lead and whether consumers could try to drive demand for pork produced in different farm conditions. We touch on the use of video footage obtained by animal activists and Tegan and TK both express the need for farmers to be increasingly transparent about their practices as well as engaged with consumers and people who are passionate about animal welfare.Thank you for listening to This is Aus Ag: In Conversation. What sort of conversations do you think we need to be having in the future? Please share your feedback and ideas at www.thisisausag.com/podcast.html or send an email or voice memo to thisisausag@outlook.com