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In this insightful episode of Coffee in the Barn, we delve into the complexities of market volatility in the animal nutrition industry, with our special guest Louis Li, Marketing Director at Beans Nutrition. Louis and hosts Casey Bradley and Aryeri Bardales discuss the growing challenges and opportunities in the feed ingredient sector, particularly in the amino acid and copper markets, both essential to swine and poultry nutrition. As we approach #porktober24, these topics are especially relevant to pork producers navigating feed price fluctuations.

As global markets become more interconnected, agricultural industries must face a range of unpredictable factors that can significantly affect feed ingredient pricing. Louis walks us through the specifics of these changes, including the volatility in the copper market impacted by drivers such as geopolitical events, technological shifts (e.g. electric vehicles), and the supply-demand balance for copper in industrial applications.

Listeners will gain a unique perspective on the fluctuating nature of essential feed ingredients like lysine and threonine, as well as the importance of logistics in ensuring a steady supply to farmers at competitive prices. Beans Nutrition’s approach to leveraging amino acid distribution as a vehicle to offer other technical products like tri-basic copper chloride showcases their strategy of creating value-added solutions in the feed industry.

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Episode Description:

In this insightful episode of Coffee in the Barn, hosts Morgan and Casey engage in an inspiring conversation with Courtney Duffy, a Sales Support Specialist at Double L, whose journey in the swine industry reflects the qualities of a true leader often operating behind the scenes. Despite the traditional image of leadership, Courtney's pivotal role in shaping both her company’s and her community's future makes her an unsung hero in agriculture.

Courtney discusses her evolution from full-time sales to a part-time role, showcasing her ability to redefine success on her terms without sacrificing her career, family, or leadership contributions. While balancing motherhood and career demands, she has driven initiatives that reflect her quiet leadership, such as creating innovative solutions for both Double L and the swine industry during difficult times.

Her advocacy for family-friendly workplace policies and lactation support for mothers in agriculture is a testament to her leadership. At World Pork Expo, Courtney was instrumental in establishing a dedicated lactation room, offering a much-needed space for mothers to balance their personal and professional lives—just one example of how she leads through action, not title.

Key highlights include:

1. Redefining Leadership in Agri-Business: Courtney proves that leadership isn't always about titles or public recognition. Her ability to influence her company's culture, drive innovation in product offerings, and empathize with customers during challenging times reveals her as a key figure in the industry's ongoing transformation.
2. Innovating Through Adversity: Even as the swine industry faces financial struggles, Courtney and her team at Double L continue to innovate, bringing new products to market while keeping their customers' needs at the forefront.
3. Family-First Leadership: By advocating for policies that support work-life balance, Courtney helps set new standards for how companies in agriculture can retain top talent—particularly women—by embracing family-first values.

Courtney’s story reminds us that leadership can take many forms, and even without the spotlight, she continues to shape the industry and community around her. To learn more about the Double L Group please visit https://www.doublel.com.

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Podcast Description: In this heartfelt episode of Coffee in the Barn, Lori Stevermer shares her inspiring journey in the agricultural sector, offering reflections on leadership, personal growth, and the intricacies of raising pigs and managing pork operations. Lori draws on her extensive experience in the swine industry, discussing the challenges and opportunities she encountered while working with pork production and animal nutrition. She provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of agriculture, the importance of animal welfare, and the role women play in shaping the pork industry's future.

Lori’s passion for the industry shines through as she recounts the lessons learned from working on farms, raising pigs, and ensuring high-quality pork production. She highlights the importance of understanding animal behavior, feed nutrition, and the delicate balance needed to raise healthy animals while managing complex agricultural businesses. Through her anecdotes, Lori emphasizes the need for women to step into leadership roles in agriculture, advocating for diversity and mentorship across genders.

Whether it's navigating the demands of farm life or pushing for innovation in pork production, Lori’s journey is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and the impact of the swine industry on modern agriculture.

Key Takeaways:

1. Overcoming Self-Imposed Barriers: Lori speaks to the internal challenges women often face, including self-doubt and the difficulty of stepping into new leadership roles. She reflects on the importance of mindset, encouraging listeners to evaluate their willingness to pursue growth, even if it comes with sacrifices.
2. The Power of Support Systems: A key theme is the importance of having a supportive environment—both at work and home—to achieve personal and professional goals. Lori emphasizes the value of mentors and colleagues who actively check in and help hold you accountable.
3. Balancing Growth with Personal Priorities: Lori candidly addresses the hard decisions women face when balancing leadership opportunities with family commitments. Through personal examples and those of colleagues, she explores how to assess what is worth sacrificing for career advancement and the importance of maintaining personal values.
4. Continuous Learning and Development: Lori highlights the importance of investing in oneself, not just through formal education but by finding opportunities for personal development in everyday experiences. Whether through mentorship, on-the-job training, or self-study, growth should be a constant goal.
5. Embracing Vulnerability: Finally, Lori encourages embracing vulnerability as part of leadership. By sharing her own experiences of discomfort and failure, she provides a roadmap for navigating similar situations and emerging stronger.

Join us in this thoughtful episode as Lori Stevermer inspires both women and men to take the next step in their leadership journey.

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