Ag in Conversation

Food prices, protein trends, and the methane vaccine debate This episode covers three big farming and food topics that are all showing up in the same week: UK subsidy reform, the rise in high-protein consumer demand, and the controversy around methane-reduction technology for cattle. Myfi and Emily connect the dots between policy, public health trends, and the realities of producing food in a uniq...

141 | Emily and Myfanwy cover a packed farm news update, from record red meat export returns and PAMU’s profit surge to the political noise around freshwater rules. The main deep dive looks at why diesel and fertiliser costs are climbing together, how Middle East supply disruptions are rippling through global markets, and what farmers can do to reduce input pressure. Big thanks to our partners Cin...

EP 140 | El Nino, not all sunshine and warm winds 🌧️ Weather. 🥛 Milk price. 🌲 Carbon farming. 🗳️ An election looming. There’s plenty to talk about in NZ agriculture this week. We start down south, where farmers in Southland and on the West Coast are battling relentless wet conditions — and take a moment to acknowledge the very real pressure that puts on people, stock and farming systems. Then we...

139 | The episode covers wilding pines, the new mandatory farm plastics recycling scheme, drone spraying rule changes, and what the major farming organisations are asking of politicians ahead of the election. They close with a practical resource for rural governance and trustee vacancies across New Zealand. https://www.rrgnz.org.nz/job-board Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist...

EP 138 | 🎙️ So… What Did We Miss? We’re back! After a few weeks buried in calving, we’ve finally emerged to discover that global agriculture certainly didn’t take a break while we did. This week, we’re catching up on some of the biggest ag stories from around the world. 🌾 Europe has been cooked by heat and drought — while farmers face the ugly combination of falling output prices and rising input...

Ep 137 | Join us in this episode, Myfi and Emily reflect on their experiences with the Agri-Women's Development Trust Escalator Program, discussing its impact on leadership, confidence, and community. They share personal stories, lessons learned, and the importance of supporting women in agriculture and governance. Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast....

136 | Emily and Myfi catch up with first repeat guest Deanne Parks for a wide-ranging conversation about rural women’s mental health, her Inside Out workshops, and how life has changed over the past two years. Deanne also shares a deeply personal update about her son’s severe spinal injury, and the tools, support, and mindset that helped her family through it. In this episode, we hear how advocacy...

135 | Emily sat down with Kate Cullwick, one half of Foxtrot Home, about how a side hustle between sisters became a thriving homewares business rooted in rural New Zealand. Kate shares the early decisions that shaped the brand, from choosing an online model and visual products for Instagram to prioritising natural fibres, sustainability, and giving back. We also dig into the process of how Kate an...

00X | show notes Kerry Johnson on AWDT, quiet leadership, and the future of rural women in agriculture This episode looks at Keri Johnston's journey from farming near Geraldine to governance, engineering, and co-chairing AWDT. It is a practical and thoughtful conversation about leadership, imposter syndrome, women’s development in rural communities, and how environmental stewardship and productive...

EP 133 |  How Rural Communities Stay Strong When Everything Is Changing : Kathryn Wright The advice people give rural communities about mental health is often built for the wrong world. Kathryn reveals why New Zealand’s rural struggles are different, why young men are not always facing the stressors you expect, and why land-use change can feel less like economics and more like grief. If you l...

132 | In this episode, we’re joined by Lindy Nelson, a sheep and beef farmer, former emergency nurse, governance leader, and the driving force behind major change in New Zealand agriculture. Lindy shares the story behind founding the Agri Women’s Development Trust, why she believed women needed stronger pathways into leadership and decision-making, and how that work has influenced rural communitie...

131 | Get a comprehensive look at the latest trends and innovations shaping modern farming, from autonomous machinery to farm data management. Whether you're a farmer, industry professional, or just curious about the future of agriculture, this episode offers valuable insights. Main Topics: The impact of autonomous farm machinery and robotic technology Innovations in farm data collection and utili...

Ep | 130 Birds, Burps & Wolves This week on Ag in Conversation , we're unpacking New Zealand's first bird flu cases and what they mean for farmers and consumers, diving into Europe's changing stance on methane emissions, exploring fascinating new research on wolves and livestock, and looking at what the NZ–Switzerland trade talks could mean for agriculture. Plenty of insight, a few laughs, and...

EP129 | The only constant is change - methane, desert farming and capital This week we cover a wide-ranging mix of farming, policy, and industry updates, with a strong focus on what’s changing across agriculture in New Zealand and beyond. We wrap up with a chat about the REDA internship through Zentra - have a look!! https://www.zenterawool.com/careers/2027-zentera-reda-internship Big thanks to ou...

EP | 128 The Pig, The Pitch & The Power of Wool Christchurch has been missing the All Blacks live games for years, but Christchurch’s new stadium is changing not only that but also changing the game — not just for sport, but for engineering, climate-smart design, and turf innovation. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the stadium’s remarkable indoor grass system, exploring how perfect...

EP | 127 How New Zealand’s Indigenous Values Lead the World in Rights of Nature This week on the podcast, we’re covering everything from sleep-deprived parenting and freezing winter mornings to big industry headlines and a surprisingly fascinating deep dive into why nature might need legal rights of its own. We kick things off with the latest from the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards, celebra...

126 |  Emily and Myfi explore current geopolitical trade issues, innovative sports nutrition strategies, potential conservation land forms in New Zealand, is the primary sector still the backbone of the NZ economy? If your a women in farming - please take a look at this survey - https://lincoln.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ki2yj3KW6pfLgy Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assi...

Ep | 125 Trigger warning for fans of Babe! Join us as we delve into the latest updates from Field Days, explore animal welfare issues in meat production, and discuss rural community initiatives. This episode offers insights into agricultural innovations, animal welfare debates, and rural support efforts, all vital for understanding the current landscape of rural New Zealand. Big thanks to our part...

24 | We dive deep into the massive shifts transforming Aotearoa’s primary industries—from the cutting-edge science rewriting the rules of Kiwi wine production to a historic win for global farming advocacy on television. In This Episode: The Main Discussion | The Wine Industry’s Evolution: We break down why global drinking habits are forcing winemakers to adapt. From the "climate-alcohol paradox" t...

EP 123 | Rugby chat with a side order of budget! This week on Ag in Conversation, we kick things off with a chat about rugby, the Crusaders, and the excitement surrounding Christchurch's new stadium before turning our attention to the issues shaping rural New Zealand. We unpack what the 2026 Budget means for farmers, explore the latest dairy payout forecasts, and discuss why many arable growers ar...

122 |  This episode covers New Zealand's wilding pine control funding, insights from recent agricultural conferences, and the impact of global trends on beef and lamb markets. It offers valuable perspectives on environmental management, market dynamics, and technological innovations in agriculture. Wilding pine infestation and government funding Highlights from recent agricultural conferences...

EP 121 | This episode covers recent news in New Zealand, including a taste test of supermarket butter, the glyphosate legal challenge, the winding down of the Agri-Women's Development Trust, and an in-depth discussion on local government amalgamation and efficiency. The hosts share insights on science-based decisions, community impact, and the future of local governance. Big thanks to our partners...

120 | Join us as we reconnect, diving into the latest innovations in sustainable farming, cutting-edge agricultural tech, and reflections on global travel experiences. We share insights into how New Zealand’s farming industry is advancing with new environmental measurement tools, explore the impact of recent free trade agreements, and compare food and shopping experiences from the US, UK, and beyo...

119 & 032 | This week we kick of our Rural Women's Mental Health Series, we’re shining a spotlight on an important and often overlooked topic - rural women’s mental health. We delve into the unique challenges rural women face and explore how mental wellness plays a crucial role in their everyday lives. From the struggles of moving to the country and adjusting to life away from familiar surroun...

118 & 77 | Coaching the next big thing in Ag? Myfi and Emily discuss their recent experiences, including a community event and the weather's impact on farming. They delve into significant developments in agri-tech, highlighting a New Zealand startup achieving unicorn status. The discussion also covers the acquisition of Nexon Group by PGG Wrightson and the importance of local solutions for far...