CountryWide CONNECT

This episode features Oliver Mander, CEO, NZ Shareholders Association discussing the sudden resignation of Synlait CEO Richard Wyeth, governance instability inside the company and what it means for suppliers and shareholders. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-wide.co.nz/connect/ on how to watch...

This episode features Will Foley, Mayor, Central Hawkes Bay discussing meetings with ministers and politicians in Wellington as growers investigate whether they can take over the McCain processing plant to keep Hawke’s Bay’s vegetable industry alive. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://countr...

This episode features Mark Ready, NZDIA Dairy Trainee of the Year 2026 recipient discussing building equity at 23, buying his first line of cows and the future opportunities still available in dairy farming. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-wide.co.nz/connect/ on how to watch / listen. See omn...

Faster access to agrichemicals under proposed law change Wool market hits new highs as supply tightens Fieldays sells out with less than a month to go Rural News is in partnership with Farmlands as part of CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp - our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.   Faster access to agr...

This episode features Thomas Slee, NZ Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalist discussing preparation, competition pressure and the future of young leadership in agriculture. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-wide.co.nz/connect/ on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

CountryWide Connect – Show Summary Friday 15 May 2026 12.48pm – Friday Sport We wrap the week with Graeme “Sportsfreak” Beasley and Gash previewing the sporting weekend, including the All Whites World Cup squad discussion, Auckland FC’s A-League semi-final, the Wellington Phoenix in the Women’s A-League Final, NRL Magic Round fallout and Super Rugby talking poin...

Tom Sanson from Gold Creek Simmentals is focused on expanding the role of Simmental genetics in commercial beef systems, with the introduction of black Simmentals and the recent acquisition of the historic Rissington Simmental herd marking a significant step forward for the stud. In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Tom about how the business has evolved, the thinking behind adding blac...

This episode features Craig "Wiggy" Wiggins, Lean on a Gate, Talk to a Mate discussing rural health, wellbeing, stress and resilience across rural New Zealand. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-wide.co.nz/connect/ on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode features Evan Potter, Chair, NZ Deer Farmer Association discussing the Deer Industry Conference and confidence, markets and where the sector heads next. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-wide.co.nz/connect/ on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

This episode features Dr Thomas Carlin, Invasion Ecologist, Bioeconomy Science Institute discussing new research showing wilding pines may be adapting faster than previously understood, including evidence some NZ pine populations are already evolving and why current control assumptions may need rethinking. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show liv...

This episode features Alex Turnbull, CEO, Westland Milk Products discussing Westgold butter being named New Zealand’s best supermarket butter in Consumer NZ’s blind taste test and why grass-fed dairy provenance is becoming increasingly valuable globally. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://co...

This episode features Tony Leggett, Rural Commentator discussing why meat co-op share prices are falling despite strong livestock pricing and improving processor profitability, and what that says about the future of farmer ownership structures.   This podcast is solely for information purposes. It's not financial or other professional advice. No party, including BNZ, is liable for direct or i...

This episode features Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment discussing concerns that President Trump’s administration could target New Zealand lamb exports with new tariffs under fresh US trade investigations, raising wider questions around trade volatility and the future of global agricultural access. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perr...

Synlait CEO resigns after twelve months in role Revised fuel plan gives sheep and beef farmers greater certainty Westgold butter tops Consumer NZ blind taste test Rural News is in partnership with Farmlands as part of CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp - our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.   Synlait...

We kick off at 11:05 with Trade Minister Todd McClay as concerns grow that President Trump’s administration could target New Zealand lamb exports with new tariffs under fresh US trade investigations, raising wider questions around trade volatility and the future of global agricultural access. At 11:18, NZ Deer Farmers Association Chair Evan Potter wraps the Deer Industry Conference and discu...

This episode features Kate Taylor, Central Hawke’s Bay district councillor and rural journalist discussing local government reform, council restructuring and whether regional councils in their current form have a future. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See o...

This episode features Libby Price, Australian Rural Correspondent discussing the Australian Budget and what it means for farmers, inflation, trade and the wider rural economy. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode features Robbie Ferris, Pasture Summit Chairperson and Director, GM of Piriaka Farms discussing this week’s Waikato Pasture Summit, discussing pasture profitability, progression pathways and practical farm performance. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / li...

This episode features Steve Chappell, Programme Manager, New Zealand National Fieldays Society discussing the 2026 Fieldays Innovation Awards, where AI, automation and practical farm technology dominate this year’s innovation trends. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch /...

This episode features Tim Gorton & Craig Hickman discussing imported American butter, local government reform, agtech overload and the increasingly strategic issue of BBQ smoking charcoal. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

This episode features Lauren McConnachie, NZDIA Farm Manager of The Year Winner discussing leadership, sustainability and managing one of New Zealand’s larger dairy operations. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati...

This episode features Jo Luxton, Labour Spokesperson for Agriculture, Biosecurity, Customs discussing Labour’s agricultural policy direction, rural priorities and local government reform. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

US lamb tariff investigation expected to target NZ and Australia Beef tariff changes could benefit Kiwi exporters Hawke's Bay growers eye takeover of McCain factory Rural News is in partnership with Farmlands as part of CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp - our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.   US lam...

CountryWide Connect – Show Summary (Working backwards from 1pm to 11am) We finish at 12:48 with the North/South Farmer Panel featuring Tim Gorton and Craig Hickman debating imported American butter, local government reform, agtech overload and the increasingly strategic issue of BBQ smoking charcoal. At 12:33, Annabel Davies, Nature Investment Officer at Pāmu, discusses the state farming org...

This episode features Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather discussing the latest outlook for farmers around the country and what conditions are shaping up like across the regions. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.