Shows
The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 17 - Tending Iowa’s Land with Connie MutelIn many countries modern agriculture produces a variety of foods, feeds, fuels, and other industrial products. And does so very efficiently. Indeed, the bioeconomy has been seen as the future of farming. But there are always challenges and problems associated with industrialization. This week’s guest is Connie Mutel. She has recently edited a volume entitled “Tending Iowa’s Land”, in which she and colleagues discuss various challenges for the agricultural systems in Iowa, including soil erosion, degradation, and loss; water quality and flooding; biodiversity, and climate change. It is inspiring how so many experts discuss positive ways forward to agriculture...
2025-11-1934 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 16 - Markets & the Modern Cattle Producer with Curtis JensenThis week we had the opportunity to speak with Curtis Jensen, who is an Iowa cattle farmer and owner of Curtis Cattle Co., where he focuses on raising high-quality beef and caring for the land his operation depends on. With years of hands-on experience in the cattle industry, Curtis was able to provide us with insights on the genetics he introduces into his herd, and how the markets are affecting his operation. Tune in to listen to a modern cattle farmer.If you have any questions or podcast suggestions, leave them below. More information about C...
2025-11-1844 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 15 - Beyond the bushel with Reece CannadyBeyond the bushel This week, we welcomed Reece Cannady to the podcast. Reece Cannady serves as the regional director for South Asia for the U.S. Grains & Bioproducts Council, a non-profit organization that promotes the use of U.S. barley, corn, sorghum, and related products. Our conversation explored how trade connects U.S. farmers to international markets, what cultural dynamics shape grain demand across South Asia, and why understanding where our food comes from matters. For more information about Reece, visit his webpage.More about the work and the impacts of the U.S...
2025-11-1246 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 14 - Searching for the soul of rural AmericaIf you wonder about where your food comes from, you should also ask who are the people who produce this food? Intertwined throughout the history of food and agriculture are the stories of people, but they are most often behind the scenes. Jim Patrico is a photojournalist who has spent his career documenting these stories. Join us for a conversation about his journeys through rural America, and beyond, as we learn about the human element of food.More about Jim and his amazing work can be found at his webpage. Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia...
2025-10-2446 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 13 - Digging deeper - soils and sustainability with Dr. Lee BurrasIn this week's episode, we sit down with Dr. C. Lee Burras, an Agronomy professor at Iowa State University, to talk about the fascinating role that soils and agriculture play in shaping our world. Dr. Burras shares stories from his experiences studying agriculture across the globe and explains how they connect to people, communities, and food systems. We also discuss the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, and the impact that donors have on children and agricultural practices in Uganda. To find more information about the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, see the program webpage. More ab...
2025-10-2442 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 12 - Soils, cereals, and science, oh my! Dr. Amber AndersonWhy should you care about where your food comes from? - Our theme for the year. - Soils are a big part of the answer. They play a critical role in food production. Today we welcome back Dr. Amber Anderson from Iowa State University to discuss soils. She is a faculty member in the Department of Agronomy, is part of the Sustainable Agriculture Program, and Global Resource Systems.More about Dr. Anderson can be found at her ISU faculty webpage. https://www.susag.iastate.edu/people/amber-anderson-0Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Musi...
2025-09-2341 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 11 - Double the fun! Introducing my new co-host Claire!This week, we are trying something new! I'm excited to introduce our guest host, Claire Beitz. Claire will be joining us for the next few episodes as we dive into some fascinating agricultural topics you may not hear about every day. The goal of these episodes is to bridge the gap and help those outside agriculture better understand the people, practices, and innovations that keep our world fed. Together, we will be talking with guests from a wide range of backgrounds, from custom harvesters to experts in international agriculture. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover, let...
2025-09-1743 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 10 - Corn Processing with Kent RauschCan we sustainably produce fuel, feed, and food from our cereal grains? Absolutely!Grains can be efficiently processed into a variety of products. Our guest for this episode is Professor Kent Rausch from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has worked extensively in grain processing, with particular focus on corn wet milling and dry grind ethanol processing. He also coordinates the University of Illinois Corn Processing Workshops, which are key industry training programs for processing companies. More about Kent can be found at his university faculty page.Additionally, his scientific publi...
2025-09-1747 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 9 - The Women of Regenerative Agriculture with Stephanie AndersonCan we feed a growing planet? Absolutely!Can we do this while improving soil and water quality? Absolutely!Regenerative agriculture is one way to accomplish this.Our guest for this episode is Professor Stephanie Anderson. She is a teacher and writer at Florida Atlantic University, where she teaches creative nonfiction and writes extensively about food and agriculture systems, especially regenerative agriculture. She is originally from a ranch in South Dakota, and has deep agricultural ties.Her latest book, From the Ground Up: The Women Revolutionizing Regenerative Agriculture, relays the stories of many...
2025-08-0157 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 8 - Medieval Farmers in Germany with Dr. Robert Dees “When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.” This quote has been attributed to Daniel Webster, who was a lawyer and served as U.S. Secretary of State in the 1800s. This quote shows a keen understanding of history, and the important role that farmers have played in societies. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Robert Dees, who is an historian of farmers, especially in medieval Germany. His recent book can be found at the Commons Press website: Commons Press – The Power of Peasants – Economics & politics of farming in med...
2025-07-221h 07
The Dairy Podcast ShowDr. Kurt Rosentrater: DDGS in Dairy Diets | Ep. 153In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater from Iowa State University explores the evolving role of distillers' grains in dairy cattle nutrition. He shares insights on biofuel byproducts, ingredient optimization, and the economics behind high-protein corn co-products. Learn how the ethanol industry and dairy nutrition intersect in powerful ways. Listen now on all major platforms!"We're right now sitting about 33 to 35 million tons per year, and we're not landfilling it, and we're not burning, we're using it."Meet the guest: Dr. Kurt Rosentrater earned his...
2025-07-2234 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 7 - Yeast and Alcohol with Professor Graeme Walker Why is yeast the most popular microorganism? Because it’s a fun guy! In this episode we talk with Dr. Graeme Walker from Abertay University in Scotland. He is a professor of zymology – in other words, he studies yeasts and fermentation. His focus over the years has been fermentation for alcoholic beverages, distilled spirits, and biofuels – many of which (but not all) use cereal grain as a substrate. His recent work has been investigating non-cereal substrates for fermentation. Graeme’s contact information can be found at his faculty webpage at Abertay University. If you would like to...
2025-07-1843 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 6 - Drowning in Dirt!Drowning in Dirt!Do you know about the Dust Bowl in the USA? It occurred during the 1930s through much of the central US, and devastated the lives of many rural people and communities. Why did this happen? Wind erosion, coupled with agricultural practices. This phenomenon was predicted by Joseph Hutton, who was the first soil scientist in South Dakota. He was an fierce advocate for changing the way crops were grown. More about his legacy can be found at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, located on the campus of South Dakota State University.Ou...
2025-07-0310 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 5 - Ag Communication and CAST with Kaylee KleitschToday’s guest is Kaylee Kleitsch. She is Programs and Engagement Manager at CAST (The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology), effective June 2025. Kaylee joined CAST in early 2024 as a part-time Communications Assistant while completing her master’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University. Over the past year and a half, she has played a vital role in communications and student programming, and now she steps into a leadership position focused on engagement and outreach.In her new role, Kaylee will lead student initiatives, coordinate CAST’s volunteer network, and manage membership services and retention strategi...
2025-07-0152 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 4 - SciComm with Dr. Paige Jarreau Today’s guest is Dr. Paige Brown Jarreau. She is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. She’s been pursuing science communication full-time since 2011, when she moved across the country to enroll in a mass communication Ph.D. program. She completed her Ph.D. at the LSU Manship School in 2015, focusing in science communication (SciComm). Her research focuses on the intersection of science communication and new media. While pursuing a doctorate degree in biomedical engineering in 2011, she had an epiphany: she realized that she loved writing andcommunicating about research just as much (or more) than working a...
2025-07-0156 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 3 - Ballet and barley with Tanya Trombly Ballet and barley? Today’s guest is Tanya Trombly. She is a professional ballet dancer based in New York City. She dances freelance around the U.S., and is the founder of a fitness and nutrition company in NYC. For the past several years she has been a guest artist in the Iowa State Center’s performance of The Nutcracker, where she also dances in a STEM-focused performance. This version of The Nutcracker is intended to introduce young Iowa students to the confluence of dance, science, and engineering, and is sponsored by Iowa 4H. Join us for a co...
2025-06-2730 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 2 - Milling with Dr. Amrita RayToday’s guest is Dr. Amrita Ray. She is a Milling Specialist at the Northern Crops Institute at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, USA. Her work encompasses milling and fractionation of grains, with a special emphasis on stone milling. We had a fantastic discussion about grains and milling. If you are interested in her work, more information can be found at NCI’s website.Her publications can be found at her Google Scholar profile.And, here is a link to the story we discussed about new research that deletes genes for alpha-gliadins. If you a...
2025-05-1652 min
The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowDr. Kurt Rosentrater: Sustainability & Pet Food | Ep. 100In this episode of The Pet Food Science Podcast Show, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater from Iowa State University takes a closer look at how pet food processing techniques have evolved and the sustainability challenges the industry faces today. He covers everything from the trade-offs between dry and wet food formats to groundbreaking innovations in packaging and lifecycle analysis. Join us as we explore ways to improve sustainability while balancing consumer demands for quality and efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!"Sustainable practices require balancing environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and operational efficiency to meet industry and...
2025-05-0829 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 3, Episode 1 - Ancient to modern durum wheat with Dr. Marina MeflehWelcome to 2025! Food, nutrition, science, education, and communication. All of these are critical to being an effective food scientist, cereal scientist, and food engineer.Today’s guest is Dr. Marina Mefleh. She is a Professor of Food Studies at The American University of Rome. Her work encompasses sustainability and biodiversity of ancient and old wheats and their suitability in the production of bread, as well as development of sustainable plant-based foods using various alternative sources of protein. If you are interested in her work, more information can be found at her department’s website.Her publicat...
2025-01-3141 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 15 - Ram Ramakrishna on PublishingSo what? Who cares? As scientists, a key component of our jobs to publish our results in peer-reviewed journals. But many of us also publish books and use other means of communication for our science.Our guest this week is Dr. Ram Ramakrishna from Bay State Milling, one of the oldest and largest grain milling companies in the USA. We discuss the importance of creativity, communication, and publishing scientific results. More about his research and publications can be found at his Google Scholar website.Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is avail...
2024-12-2730 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 14 - Insects with Dr. Tom PhillipsWhen you think of insects, what comes to mind? Mosquitos? Spiders? What about weevils and other grain storage pests? In the world of cereal grains these can have huge impacts no matter which country you are talking about.Our guest this week is Dr. Tom Phillips from Kansas State University. We discuss storage insects and a variety of other topics. More about his research can be found at his faculty website.Globally we still have much work to do in order to reduce insect damage during storage. Hopefully you find our discussions insightful towards that end.
2024-12-201h 31
The Feed Science Podcast ShowDr. Kurt Rosentrater: DDGs vs. Soybean Meal | Ep. 77In this episode of The Feed Science Podcast Show, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater from Iowa State University talks about the changing role of Distillers' Dried Grains (DDGs) in animal feed and the impact of trends in the ethanol industry. He covers key topics such as protein optimization, feed consistency, and the challenges facing the future workforce. Don’t miss this chance to stay up to date on the latest developments in feed science. Tune in now on all major platforms!"DDGs and soybean meal are two of the largest volume ingredients used in U.S. li...
2024-12-1838 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 13 - Sustainable Development Goals with ISU Honors studentsHow do we save the world? Does it really need saving? What problems do we need to address? What role do food and agriculture play? And, where do we begin?In this episode I have a conversation with one of my classes at Iowa State. This Honors course is focused on answering these questions, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for discussion. As you will see, the situation is different in every country.If you are interested in the SDGs, more information can be found at the UN website. Thank y...
2024-11-071h 01The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 12 - Alternative storage technologies with Graham Thorpe As corn and soybean harvest progresses in the USA (almost all of the wheat crop has already been harvested), we have to consider grain quality and preservation. Drying and aeration is important due to the potential of mold and insect infestation. This episode is part 2 of a mini-series on preservation. Our guest today is Dr. Graham Thorpe. He has worked for many years to improve moisture control of grain in storage. In fact, he even contributed a chapter to my recent book. If you are interested, his chapter on alternative and emerging storage technologies can be foun...
2024-09-251h 05The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 11 - Grain aeration with Ken HellevangCorn and soybean harvest has begun in central Iowa. As harvest progresses, make sure to watch out for farm equipment during your commute each day. In addition to physical safety, it is important to consider grain quality and preservation. Here in the U.S. we control quality by drying and aeration of the grain. Our guest today is Dr. Ken Hellevang. He has worked for many years to improve moisture control of grain in storage. In fact, he even contributed a chapter on grain aeration to my recent book. If you are interested, his chapter on grain aeratio...
2024-09-211h 34The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 10 - Safety with Carol JonesHopefully everyone is staying safe out there! The grain industry can be a dangerous place to work! Whether you are working with grain storage, drying, handling, or processing, there are always things that can go wrong. On this week’s episode, we continue the theme of safety in the grain industry. It is a privilege to have as our guest Dr. Carol Jones from Oklahoma State University. She works to improve safety in the grain industry, and has an extensive background in the grain and agriculture sectors. She has worked for many years to make these safer places to work. I...
2024-07-121h 07The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 9 - Safety with Gretchen MosherHave you ever slipped on the ice? Or twisted your ankle? What about being engulfed in grain? Working in the grain industry can be dangerous, even fatal. Whether we consider what happens on the farm or at the factory, safety is critical. And agriculture is one of the most dangerous professions to work in. Thankfully there are people working to improve the safety of these systems. Today’s guest is Dr. Gretchen Mosher from Iowa State University. She works to improve safety, human interactions, and decision-making processes in the grain and feed industries. In fact, she even contributed a chapter on...
2024-07-031h 01The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 8 - Sustainability with Lara MoodyHave you noticed that the word “sustainability” has been used a lot in recent years? What about “climate smart” or “regenerative agriculture”? What do these actually mean? Actually, the agriculture and food industries have been working on these topics for decades, even though we may not have been using these specific words. These topics are becoming more important to consumers, companies, and even government policy makers. Today’s guest is Lara Moody from IFEEDER, which is an organization that aims to improve the sustainability of livestock feed and feed ingredient manufacturers. Their efforts include a variety of grain-based ingredients. More about Lara and I...
2024-07-021h 01The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 7 - Agriculture in Croatia with Ana Matin and Mateja GruborAre you a fan of Game of Thrones? Did you know that it was filmed in Croatia? When I envision Croatia, I think about agriculture, farming, and landscapes. But I’m a big fan of cereal grains, as many of you know. Join me for a conversation with my friends Dr. Ana Matin and Dr. Mateja Grubor, who are from the University of Zagreb. We discuss research and teaching of agricultural and food systems. And we also sample some of the local pelinkovac (if you haven’t tried this drink, you really should). You can learn about their teach...
2024-05-0950 min
Whole GrainFueling Progress: The Evolution of the Ethanol Industry with Dr. Kurt RosentraterHave questions, feedback, or thoughts on the show? We want to hear from you! Click on this link to send us a text message. Dr. Kurt Rosentrater, an expert in grain handling and processing from Iowa State University, sits down with Jim Lenz for "Fueling Progress: The Evolution of the Ethanol Industry. " This episode of Whole Grain Podcast discusses the ever-changing landscape of the ethanol industry and its determined march toward sustainable practices. Learn how the industry is being reshaped by initiatives such as carbon capture to the creation of eco-friendly aviation fuels. We’l...
2024-04-2839 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 6 - Soil with Amber AndersonOver the past year, we’ve spent a lot of time talking about grains, their history, their processing, and their use. But, we have not yet spent time talking about grain production. We need to talk about these aspects.So, in today’s episode we will spend time talking about the importance of soil to crop production. Our guest is Dr. Amber Anderson from Iowa State University. She is a faculty member in the Department of Agronomy, is part of the Sustainable Agriculture Program, as well as Global Resource Systems.More about Dr. Anderson can be found...
2024-04-111h 06The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 5 - Breakfast Cereals with Kathryn DolanHow did you start your day? Did you eat breakfast?If so, what did you eat? Do you ever eat breakfast cereal?Personally, I eat cereal any time of day – it is a perfect snack for me!Breakfast cereal has a long and suprising history. Today’s guest is Dr. Kathryn Dolan, who has recently published Breakfast Cereal – A Global History. You can find her book at Reaktion Books. More about her can be found at her faculty webpage at Missouri S&T University.Grab a bowl and listen in!For the l...
2024-03-141h 48The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 4 - Oceans of Grain with Scott Reynolds NelsonDid you know that Russia and the U.S. have been competing to feed the world as far back as the late 1700s?Today's guest is Dr. Scott Reynolds Nelson, who's book Oceans of Grain describes how the flow of wheat has been a maker or breaker of empires since ancient times. More about him can be found on his University of Georgia faculty webpage.If you would like an update on the grain situation in Ukraine and Russia, the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service has published an overview of the 2023/24 wheat harvest.Our mu...
2024-02-291h 21The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 3 - Whole Grains with Marlene BumgarnerWhole grains? Organic foods? Recipes? History?This week we talk with Marlene Bumgarner about all of these topics. She is the author of The New Book of Whole Grains (and several other books as well) in which she weaves a tapestry of deliciousness and practicality. I highly recommend checking out her books and blog. She has had a fascinating journey, one which I think you will enjoy learning about!Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.
2024-02-0854 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 2 - A Conversation with Liz CarlisleHave you ever eaten Pharoah's Bread (I found this in Paris, of all places!)? Or heard of King Tut Wheat? In this episode we talk to Dr. Liz Carlisle about her journey into the world of Kamut - an ancient Egyptian wheat, and her path into deeper understandings of the intersections between humans and agriculture. She is an Associate Professor at the University of California Santa Barbara, where she teaches and conducts research on transitions to more sustainable approaches to agriculture. More information can be found at her faculty webpage as well as her personal webpage.Our music is I...
2024-01-301h 17The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 2, Episode 1 - Student Perspectives on AgricultureWelcome to the first episode of Season 2! Have you ever wondered what students think about the things that they are learning? I decided it was time to hear their thoughts. Join me as we discuss what we have been learning in a graduate course devoted to Agroecosystems Analysis, the current state of farming and grain production, and the future of agriculture. I think you will find our discussions wide-ranging and fascinating. The future is in good hands with these emerging leaders!Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.
2024-01-241h 25The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 20Have you eaten corn recently? Have you filled your car with ethanol this week? How did the simple grass teosinte evolve to become corn, one of the most important cereal grains on the planet? Join me for our last interview of 2023 as we talk to Professor Michael Blake from the University of British Columbia to learn about the origins and spread of maize. We discuss the history, anthropology, and science of corn, all of which he writes about in his book Maize for the Gods. For more information about him and his research, check out his faculty webpage. If you ar...
2023-12-201h 21The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 19How long have humans been storing grain? If you listened to the last episode you may recall that it has been at least 11,000 years. This episode is the second element of a duet which is focused on history. It was an honor to talk with Dr. Ian Kuijt from the University of Notre Dame about his excavation work in Jordan, archaeology, as well as other aspects of history. More about his work can be found at his Academia page and his University of Notre Dame webpage. There you can his published works and his contact information. If diggin...
2023-12-191h 24The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 18The ways that we do things today have been informed by the ways that humans have done them throughout our history. How long have humans been cultivating, harvesting, storing, and eating grain? Can you believe that the archaeological record shows that humans have been storing and processing cereals for more than 11,000 years? It was an honor to talk about grain archaeology with Dr. Bill Finlayson from Oxford University about the Agricultural Revolution and other related topics. More about his work can be found at his Academia page and his Oxford University webpage. There you can his published works and conta...
2023-12-041h 23The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 17Have you ever driven through the countryside and seen large steel or concrete structures in the distance? Alas, they are probably not castles. Although some people do refer to these the "castles of the prairies". They are likely grain storage elevators. These facilities play a critical role in the cereal grain supply chain, although most people are not aware of their functions. Today's guest is William J. Brown, who is the author of "American Colossus". This is the first book written about the history of grain elevators (at least what I have been able to find), and i...
2023-11-2741 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 16Rashid Suleiman is a Lecturer and Head of the Department of Food Science and Agroprocessing at Sokoine University of Agriculture where he is responsible for leading the department, and teaching food science and biological systems subjects. He serves as a chairperson of Agriculture and Food Standards Division Committee (AFDC) of Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) which oversees over 29 different Agriculture and Food Technical Committees. Dr. Suleiman is a chairperson of National Codex Committee and a member of several academic, professional and scholarly societies.Dr. Suleiman’s research program focuses on food safety, food quality management, new product de...
2023-11-1647 min
North American Ag Spotlight: Agriculture & Farming News and ViewsThe Cereal Grain Café with Iowa State Professor Kurt RosentraterIn this week's North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks with Iowa State Professor Kurt Rosentrater, who has a passion for the past present and future of cereal grains. He expresses his interest in how grain has shaped our modern world, how science as managed to open new doors to the use of grain, and how his students inspire him every day. He also talks about why he started his podcast, The Cereal Grain Cafe and how he'd like to use it to reach consumers at every level. Kurt Rosentrater is a teacher, researcher, scientist, engineer, and a...
2023-10-3154 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 15Today’s guest was Dr. Julia Pezzali. We discussed her work on pet food nutrition as well as a variety of other topics. She is doing some really interesting work on use of cereal grains in pet foods. More information can be found about Dr. Pezzali and her work at her faculty webpage at Iowa State University.You can find her publications at her Research Gate page.I have recently found an interesting paper that discusses cereal grains and coproducts in terms of nutrient content for use in pet foods: “Compositional Analysis of Whole Grains, Processed Grains, Grain Co...
2023-10-2539 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 14Today’s guest was Dr. Thomas Sinclair, and we discussed his book “Bread, Beer, and the Seeds of Change: Agriculture’s Imprint on World History”. It is a fascinating journey through the history of grains, foods, and humans. I highly recommend it. More information can be found about Professor Sinclair and his work at his faculty webpage at North Carolina State University.Information about this book can be found at CABI’s website.CABI has a variety of publications about agriculture, and it has a global reach. They work to help farmers and governments protect livelihoods and the environmen...
2023-10-181h 08The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 13Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) is a key non-timber forest product that occurs largely in forested areas in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, including northern Ghana. Harvesting of non-timber products from trees is being promoted worldwide to enhance local food supplies, rural livelihoods, and to increase environmental sustainability and biodiversity. Shea nuts provide fruits for direct consumption, and are typically sold raw as kernels or are further processed into shea butter for cooking or cosmetics. If you are interested in learning more, here is a short documentary from CNN.US AID has developed a comprehensive roadmap for shea development.An...
2023-10-161h 05The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 12Russia continues to destroy grain export infrastructure in Ukraine. This has global implications to food security. But this is not the first time that grain has been contentious between Russia and Ukraine.Today our guest is Professor Mark Tauger. He is an expert in agricultural history, especially that of famines in Ukraine, the Soviet Union, and Bengal. Join us as we talk about famines. You can find more information about his background at his faculty webpage at West Virginia University, and his publications at his Academia.edu website.If you want more information about the state of world...
2023-09-281h 17The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 11Is perennial ground cover the future of agriculture?Since the dawn of the agricultural revolution, humans have been working to increase productivity from the soil. Intensive farming practices in the USA, which include mechanized tillage and fertilizer applications, have resulted in a hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico due to nitrogen and phosphorus runoff from fields. More information about this can be found at NOAA’s website.A group of researchers is working to change this situation. Dr. Raj Raman from Iowa State University is leading a team that is working to improve the susta...
2023-08-041h 25
The Pet Food Science Podcast ShowDr. Kurt Rosentrater: Sustainability in Pet Food | Ep. 08Sustainability is undoubtedly a hot topic in the 21st century and the concern surrounding the theme prompts specialists, consumers, and the pet food industry to question how the pet food industry relates to it. In this episode, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater, an esteemed professor at Iowa State University and a sustainability assessment expert, explores the theme of sustainability in the pet food industry by offering valuable insights on how companies can adopt more sustainable practices while balancing continuous innovation and meeting consumer demands for improved pet nutrition. Among the topics he discusses, Dr. Rosentrater also sheds light on the concept...
2023-08-0355 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 10Grain as a weapon? Have you ever heard of food being weaponized? What does this mean? It has happened repeatedly throughout history and is not new.Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. We should care because Russia and Ukraine produce approximately 25% of global wheat supply and a large share of other grains. Ukraine alone (at least prior to the war) was exporting approximately 15 of the world’s corn and 10% of the world’s wheat. Food prices, insecurity, and starvation have been rising, especially in countries that are dependent upon these two countries as sources of food. Targeting Ukraine has impacted...
2023-07-2015 min
Healthy Living Healthy Planet RadioEP 179 - Food Production, Agriculture and Land use – Food Production: Challenges to Environment & HealthIn today's interview, we explore the world of food production, agriculture, and land use, with a focus on their environmental and health impacts.
Throughout history, wild habitats have given way to agricultural land, which now accounts for half of the world's habitable land. This shift has led to a reduction in wilderness, posing a threat to biodiversity. Agriculture plays a crucial role in feeding our growing population, but it also has significant consequences.
Food production has a profound impact on the environment. It contributes to water use and pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, depletion of natural...
2023-07-0949 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 9Cereal grains are staple foodstuffs around the world. Unfortunately, it is estimated that in 2023 nearly 350 million people will suffer from food shortages. How can we help alleviate hunger and starvation?Our guest this week talks about global food security issues. Olivia Caillouet is a Soil Health Program Manager at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Prior to that she was a recruiter for Winrock International where she coordinated Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer assignments in Africa (this is how I met Olivia, in fact). She has a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, and M.S. in Agricultural and Extension Services and B...
2023-06-1555 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 8Light or dark? Which kind of beer do you prefer? Do you like hoppy IPAs?Me? I like to explore all kinds of flavors. I'm a food scientist after all!Today's episode builds upon our previous conversation with Dr. Noelle Phillips about the history of beer. This episode is Part 2 of our beer sequence. Our guest today is John Forte, who is the President of Betatec Hop Products, which is part of John I. Haas, the world's oldest and largest hops producer. John joins us today to discuss all things hops and hops acids. Not only do they...
2023-05-3153 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 7How many of you like to have a cold beer after working hard on a hot day? How about relaxing with friends in the evening? Pizza is always better with beer too!Beer has been part of human cultures since the dawn of civilization - in fact, some scholars argue that perhaps the Agricultural Revolution began because of a desire for more beer. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Noelle Phillips about the history of beer. She is a Professor of English at Douglas College, and she specializes in beer history...specifically medieval beer history. She recei...
2023-05-1859 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 6You've heard my guests talk about grain. You've heard me talk about grain. How many times can you say the word "grain" in a single podcast??Have you ever wondered about careers in the grain industry? There are many. And they encompass a wide range of interests and skill sets. In this episode, we talk with Amanda Homan, who is an engineer with Green Plains Renewable Energy, which is a company that manufactures biofuels, proteins, and sugars from corn. She graduated from Iowa State University's Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and has had an interesting career path w...
2023-04-2640 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 5Is your food safe to eat? How do you know? There are many toxins that hide in grain, and they can make you sick even if you don't eat the grains themselves.....they may end up in the milk, meat, or eggs that you eat. In this episode Dr. Kurt Rosentrater talks with Dr. Chris Maragos, who is a research scientist with the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. He develops and tests detection methods for mycotoxins. They discuss mycotoxins in grains and how we can keep our food systems safe from these compounds. For more information about...
2023-03-171h 04The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 4How often do you think about cereal grains? Hopefully every day! They are in your food, in your car, and in so many other places that you might not expect. In this episode Dr. Kurt Rosentrater talks with Dr. Chad Hart, who is a Professor of Economics at Iowa State University. He teaches, researches, and provides extension training on supply, demand, and marketing of grains. Their discussion ranges from Iowa, to Ukraine, to Brazil as they discuss the global impacts of grain and the grain trade. More information about Dr. Hart can be found at his website as well as Iow...
2023-03-071h 05The Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 3Do you like veggie burgers? Have you ever heard of corn burgers? Do you know that this is the year of pulses? In this episode Dr. Kurt Rosentrater talks with Dr. Fatma Boukid, who is a research scientist with ClonBio. She works on developing food products from plant-based proteins and fibers. They discuss plants, product development, science, and the curiosity that drives innovation. Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.
2023-02-2344 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 1In our inaugural episode, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater introduces this new podcast series, the topics that we will aim to cover, and why you may be interested in listening.Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.
2023-02-0313 minThe Cereal Grain CaféSeason 1, Episode 2In our second episode, Dr. Kurt Rosentrater talks with John Caupert. He is the director of the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) in Edwardsville, Illinois. They discuss the exciting grain processing projects that happen at NCERC and how they help the bioeconomy evolve. Further information about John and NCERC can be found at the NCERC homepage.Our music is Inspiring Cinematic Asia by Lexin Music, which is available at Pixabay.
2023-02-0334 minHealthy Living Healthy Planet RadioEpisode 89: Food Production and the Intersection of Environment and EconomicsFeatures Sarah Low of the University of Missouri, Kurt Rosentrater of Iowa State University, and Channing Arndt of the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Sarah Lowe - Sarah educates listeners about mass production, local and regional foods, and the evolution and acceptance of organic foods.
Kurt Rosenstrater explains why the general public has become aware about food sustainability. Kurt also talks about grains and their role in food production.
Channing Arnt discusses the impact of food production on the economy compared to other countries and the innovation of new agriculture technology.
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2021-07-1248 min
Soybean Pest PodcastUnderstanding life cycle assessments with Dr. RosentraterMatt and Erin have a special guest on this podcast to help understand life cycle assessments. Dr. Kurt Rosentrater is an engineer and associate professor at Iowa State. Kurt explained the basics of conducting a life cycle assessment, including assumptions and resulting complications that come with this tool. They focused on a recent example looking at environmental impacts in four major crops. The assessment showed freshwater ecotoxicity impact in soybean increased 3-fold from 2002 to 2012. The authors claimed the insecticides used to control soybean aphid was an important factor. Corn, cotton and wheat did not have a significant increase of impact...
2016-02-1248 minall(S6:E30): Understanding life cycle assessments with Dr. RosentraterMatt and Erin have a special guest on this podcast to help understand life cycle assessments. Dr. Kurt Rosentrater is an engineer and associate professor at Iowa State. Kurt explained the basics of conducting a life cycle assessment, including assumptions and resulting complications that come with this tool. They focused on a recent example looking at environmental impacts in four major crops. Follow along with the figures in the paper here. The assessment showed freshwater ecotoxicity impact in soybean increased 3-fold from 2002 to 2012. The authors claimed the insecticides used to control soybean aphid was an important factor. Corn, cotton and w...
2016-02-1248 min