In this new format for the LiveStack Podcast, co-hosts Daniel Foy (Co-Founder & CEO of AgriGates) and Dr. Jim Reynolds (Veterinarian and Professor Emeritus in Livestock Welfare) kick off by introducing themselves and laying the foundation for a thoughtful, ongoing discussion on food animal welfare and the transformative role of technology.

Jim shares his personal journey from practicing dairy and beef medicine in California to becoming a board-certified expert in animal welfare, emphasizing that good veterinary care is inseparable from understanding animals’ physical and mental well-being. Daniel reflects on how early work in food tech and livestock wearables sparked his interest in the power of behavioral metrics for deeper insight into welfare and individual animal care.

Together, they explore:

• The evolution of animal welfare as a scientific and ethical discipline
• Definitions of welfare, including the shift from avoiding harm (Five Freedoms) to promoting positive states (Five Domains)
• How sensor systems and AI can improve the consistency and objectivity of welfare assessments on farms
• Why consumer demand and ethical expectations are shaping the future of livestock production
• The challenges of translating human observation into digital systems that are scalable, reliable, and actionable
• Opportunities for producers to adopt tech-enabled welfare systems as a pathway to healthier animals, better sustainability, and greater market trust

The episode sets the tone for future conversations on welfare metrics, behavioral modeling, sensor standardization, and how the agri-tech ecosystem can align with the growing demand for transparency and ethical assurance in food systems.

🔊 Tune in to hear how “happy animals” could be the key to a healthier food system, better farm management, and stronger consumer confidence.

Listeners are encouraged to send questions or topic suggestions to info@agrigates.io for future episodes.

You can also listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.