Tracy Brunet on the Realities of Modern Ranching: From Land to Legacy to Tech

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.

_______________________________________________ 🎙️  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.

• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@farmmarketer3270
• Listen on Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/impact-farming/id1409740089
• Listen on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/0UwMzcGCuFKkvlzJgOmhRl?si=00dacd734e1840c3

_______________________________________________ 🎯 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

_______________________________________________ Show Notes:

🔗 Resources and Further Reading

Farm Succession Planning

• Passing Down The Family Farm with Clint Fischer | Episode 240 Tracy discusses the intricacies of farm transition planning with Clint Fischer, emphasizing the importance of early and strategic planning. Watch the episode ​
• TOP 10 Farm Transition Planning Mistakes with Tracy Brunet An insightful episode where Tracy outlines common pitfalls in farm succession planning and offers practical advice to avoid them. Watch the episode​

Precision Agriculture

• Benefits and Evolution of Precision Agriculture An overview by USDA ARS on how precision agriculture tools enhance farming efficiency and sustainability. Read the article ​
• Precision Agriculture in the Digital Era A report detailing recent trends in the adoption of precision technologies on U.S. farm