In this compelling episode of the Bites and Bytes Podcast, host Kristin Demoranville sits down with Tracy Brunet, cattle rancher, Canadian Ag media powerhouse, and host of The Impact Farming Show. Broadcasting from her family farm in Southeastern Manitoba, Tracy opens up about the realities of modern agriculture, including land pressures, succession planning, tech adoption, and how family farms are quietly being squeezed out.
Together, Kristin and Tracy examine how smart farming and digital innovation are reshaping the industry, for better or worse. They also unpack the rising threat of agroterrorism and cyber-physical attacks, as well as what happens when farm automation goes wrong. This isn’t your typical farm chat; it's real talk about the challenges and resilience of today’s producers.
Whether you're in ag, food, or tech, this conversation is packed with insights on business, legacy, and safeguarding our food system. Tracy’s passion for farming is contagious, and her straight-shooting perspective on the future of agriculture will leave you thinking long after the episode ends.
🎧 This is a sister episode to Tracy’s show, The Impact Farming Show—you can also watch our whole conversation on their YouTube channel: Watch here.
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🎙️ Guest Information: Tracy Brunet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-brunet-53a204b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracymbrunet/
Farm Marketer: https://www.farmmarketer.com/
🎙️ The Impact Farming Show:
The Impact Farming Show is a podcast produced by Farm Marketer, created specifically for Canadian farmers who want to thrive in the business of farming. Hosted by Tracy Brunet, a cattle rancher and the CEO of Farm Marketer, the show features conversations with leading farm advisors and industry experts. Each episode offers practical advice on topics like succession planning, financial management, mental health, and the latest in ag innovation. Designed for busy farmers on the move, the show aims to provide insights that help them build successful, resilient farms and pass them on to the next generation.
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🎯 Episode Key Highlights
(00:14:05) – Land Developers, Pressure, and Displacement of Family Farms
(00:19:17) – Succession Planning & Inheritance Struggles in Ag
(00:24:48) – What Happens When Cyber Risk Hits the Ranch
(00:35:55) – Real Incidents: Cyber Attacks on Dairy & Meat Industries
(00:42:59) – The Risk of Connected Equipment & Smart Tech on the Farm
(00:47:34) – Agroterrorism & Espionage: The Physical-Digital Crossover
(00:55:12) – When Cyber Attacks Lead to Loss of Life on Farms
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Show Notes:
🔗 Resources and Further Reading
Farm Succession Planning
Precision Agriculture
Cybersecurity in Agriculture
Agroterrorism and Food Security
JBS Ransomware Attack (2021)
BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy)
Lab-Grown Meat and Food Technology
Solar Flare & GPS Disruption in Precision Ag
Cutting Horses
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💡 Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2025 Stakeholders Summit
If you enjoyed our episode on agroterrorism and cyber threats to farms, featuring the Animal Agriculture Alliance, here’s another opportunity to explore critical conversations about our food system. And if you haven’t listened yet, check it out here:
🎙 Episode Link: Agroterrorism & Cyber Threats – How Farms Are Under Attack
📢 Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The 2025 Stakeholders Summit, happening April 30 – May 2 in Arlington, VA, will bring together industry leaders from farms, food processing, retail, and more to discuss sustainability and the future of animal agriculture. This year’s theme, “Food for Thought: Dishing on Sustainability,” focuses on collaboration and innovation to shape the future of food production.
Reserve your seat at the table—register by April 25!
🔗 Learn more and register: 2025 Stakeholders Summit
🔗 About the Animal Agriculture Alliance: AnimalAgAlliance.org
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🎤 Bites and Bytes Podcast Info:
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🛡️ About AnzenSage & AnzenOT
AnzenSage is a women-owned cybersecurity advisory firm specializing in security resilience for the food, agriculture, zoo, and aquarium industries. AnzenSage offers practical, strategic guidance to help organizations anticipate risks and build resilience. Their services include:
Learn more about their offerings at anzensage.com.
AnzenOT
Industrial Cyber Risk — Simple. Smart. Swift.
AnzenOT is the SaaS risk management platform built to bring clarity and control to Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity. Designed for critical infrastructure sectors, AnzenOT translates technical risk into clear, actionable insight for decision-makers.
Key features include:
Explore the platform at anzenot.com
For demo requests or inquiries, email [email protected] or [email protected]