RaboTalk – Growing our future

In this episode of Growing Our Future , host Katie Rodwell speaks with Maury Leyland Penno, co-founder of Leaft Foods. Maury explains how Leaft Foods extracts the enzyme rubisco from lucerne to produce a highly functional, nutritionally rich plant-based protein—one that also contributes to solving environmental challenges. She shares insights into the science, the market potential, and why diversi...

With 17,000 farm owners set to reach retirement age in the next decade, the future of New Zealand’s food and fibre sector depends on developing the next generation of farmers. In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with Wendy Paul, CEO of Growing Future Farmers to learn how the programme is equipping young people with practical skills, values, and confidence to succeed in...

In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Katie Rodwell speaks with Jodie Goudswaard, DairyNZ's DairyBase Manager and recent Kellogg Rural Leadership scholar. Jodie’s research explored the values, mindsets, and practices of top-performing dairy farmers who are proving that profitability and sustainability can go hand in hand. She shares what she learned from speaking directly with farmers, the r...

In this episode, host Katie Rodwell speaks with Laura Morrison, a sheep and beef farmer from Rangitikei and a passionate agri-sector leader. Earlier in the year Laura joined a cohort of food and fibre representatives on a leadership trip to Singapore, designed to challenge traditional thinking and foster new approaches to collaboration and innovation. She shares her reflections on the trip, what S...

With reports of some countries and companies stepping back from climate commitments, what’s really happening in global sustainability—and how does it affect New Zealand’s farmers and growers? In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate is joined by Marjan van Riel, Rabobank’s Global Lead of Climate and Sustainability, to unpack global sustainability trends, regulatory shif...

With major change and challenge on the horizon, how do we bring young people into the fold and ensure their voices are shaping the future of our food and fibre sector? In this episode, Katie Rodwell speaks with Aimee Blake, co-founder of Girls Who Grow and co-chair of Future Farmers NZ. Aimee shares how a growing network of over 150 young people from across the value chain are coming together to b...

As sustainability continues to shape the future of New Zealand agriculture, how does this compare across the ditch in Australia? In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with Anna Drake, Sustainability Analyst at RaboResearch in Australia, to understand the drivers, challenges, and opportunities influencing Australian farmers' approach to sustainability. While Au...

On-farm efficiency is often hailed as the win-win strategy for delivering both profitability and environmental performance. But where are those gains going to come from next—and how do genetics and herd improvement fit in? In this episode of Growing Our Future, Blake is joined by David Chin, CEO of Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), to explore how far New Zealand dairy farmers have come in i...

When change is needed on-farm, how do we better understand what kind of change we're dealing with—and what it takes to support it effectively? In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate talks to Geoff Kaine, Landcare Research Senior Researcher in economics, about farmer behaviour, decision-making, and the types of change they encounter. They explore why some shifts are easier, how s...

Most farmers and growers have some form of relationship with a bank, but the nature of that relationship can vary significantly. From a simple transactional connection to a deeper partnership, how can farmers maximize the value of their banking relationship? In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with Bruce Weir, Rabobank's General Manager for Country Banking, to discuss...

 In this episode of Growing Our Future, Blake sits down with Robert Siveter, Senior Manager, Sustainability Risk at Rabobank, to discuss the evolving climate risks facing New Zealand farmers. They explore how climate change impacts farming systems, the role of technology in mitigating risks, and the broader economic and market changes farmers need to consider. The conversation also highlights...

In this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Katie Rodwell chats with David Williams, head of on-farm excellence at Synlait, about a pioneering soil health project in New Zealand. The project, a collaboration between Synlait, Danone, AgResearch, and MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, aims to assess the impact of regenerative agriculture on soil health, farm resilience, and en...

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with KPMG’s Director Private Enterprise, Nick Swallow, about his Cambridge University Master’s research into New Zealand farmers' perceptions of low-carbon farming. They discuss the global forces driving emissions reductions, the challenges farmers face, and how to align sustainability goals with on-farm priorities like pr...

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future , Blake Holgate speaks with Neal Wallace, a respected agricultural journalist, about his recent travels through Europe, Asia, the US, UK and Middle East, exploring how global food companies are approaching sustainability and product sourcing. Neal’s trip was funded by Rabobank, Silver Fern Farms, Alliance, Beef+Lamb NZ and the Meat Industry Associat...

In this episode, Blake Holgate is joined by Rabobank’s very own ‘Senior Animal Protein’s Analyst’ Jen Corkran, to discuss the global market forces shaping New Zealand's sheep sector. They explore the external pressures driving sustainability efforts, the need for farmers to adapt to evolving requirements, and the opportunities to leverage New Zealand’s unique production systems for future market s...

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future , host Blake Holgate speaks with John Burke, who, alongside his brother Rick, has spent over 20 years improving the environmental health of their farm. Their hard work was recognised earlier this year when they were awarded the inaugural Cawthorn National Freshwater Champions Award. John Burke's story is a powerful example of how long-term commitmen...

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future , host Blake Holgate looks into Fonterra's 2030 emissions intensity target. He is joined by Malcolm Ellis, a fourth-generation farm owner and Fonterra's strategic advisor, to specifically look at the opportunities for available to farmers for improving on-farm emissions efficiency.

In this episode of Growing Our Future , host Blake Holgate talks with Nicholas Jolly, Senior Trade Policy Advisor for the Environment at Beef and Lamb New Zealand, to unravel how sustainability standards are reshaping international trade. From navigating regulatory landscapes to advocating for sustainable farming practices, this episode offers insights into the challenges and opportunities facing...

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Katie Rodwell speaks with Michael ‘Woody’ Woodward, a forward-thinking farmer from Otorohanga. Woody shares his hands-on experience and insights from participating in a collaborative project between Synlait, Danone, AgResearch and MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, which aims to access the impact of regenerative agri on soil health...

On this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Katie Rodwell is joined by Paul Ensor from Glenaan Station up the Rakaia Gorge in the South Island. The Ensors are fourth generation farmers and are merino wool advocates, passionate about biodiversity and sustainable farm practices. Paul talks to us about his high-country merino sheep and cattle operation, and discusses the focus on sustainab...

On this episode of RaboTalk's Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate is joined by Todd Charteris, CEO of Rabobank New Zealand. Blake and Todd discuss the two sets of climate and sustainability related reports that Rabobank has recently published. The first is a climate-related financial disclosures statement, that all large financial intuitions in New Zealand are now required to submit. Todd discu...

On this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Katie Rodwell is joined by Dr Anneline Padayachee. Dr Anneline is a highly sought after thought leader with a reputation of mixing food and nutrition science with human physiology, consumer behaviour, and anthropology. This episode focuses on how alternative proteins are complementary to animal proteins and how farmers are one of the most impo...

On this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Katie Rodwell is joined by Alex Worker. Alex has an international background in agriculture, food technology innovations and business ventures. Alex and Katie discuss how disruptive climate technology and food technology could reshape the industry and the opportunities and challenges New Zealand faces as it navigates a changing global food lan...

On this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Blake Holgate is joined by Rabobank’s Dutch based global Dairy analyst Richard Scheper. Richard and Blake discuss how global dairy companies are addressing climate change. They dive into emission reduction targets, the challenges and opportunities for farmers, and what the future holds for sustainable dairy practices. At the end of 2023 Fonter...

On this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Katie Rodwell is joined by Damian and Jane Roper. From early in their career, the Ropers have had a passion for the environment they live and work in, and since moving from share-milking to farm ownership, the couple have been slowly transforming their dairy farm into a thriving ecosystem. This episode focuses on their connection to natur...