CountryWide CONNECT

This episode features Gabe Ross, Event Commentator, The Weekend Mish discussing the inaugural Aotearoa Stone Skimming Championship — the surprisingly serious competition that’s sending winners through to the world championships in Scotland. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-wide.co....

This episode features Dani Darke, Nuffield Scholar discussing whether New Zealand beef has become too attached to the “premium grass-fed” story, and why dairy-beef and lean manufacturing beef may actually be the sector’s strongest strategic opportunity. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https...

Plant variety rights strengthened to protect horticulture exports Diesel up nearly ninety-five percent in two months UK-born agronomist wins Pukekohe Young Grower title 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.   Pl...

This episode features Jamie Taplin, Rural Real Estate Agent, Bayleys discussing Moonlight Peak — the luxury off-grid eco-lodge high above the Wairarapa that combines tourism business, total seclusion and rural lifestyle into one unique property offering. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-...

This episode features Jeremy McPhail, Chair, Environment Southland discussing looming local government reform, the possible abolition of regional councils, and new rules around grazing stock on Southland stop banks during winter. 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 w...

Full Show Summary Working backwards from 1pm today on CountryWide Connect: At 12:45pm we finish the show with 2026 Pukekohe Young Grower of the Year James Blair, discussing the future of horticulture, attracting young people into the industry, and what the next generation of growers looks like in New Zealand. At 12:33pm Stephen Thomson from Surfing for Farmers joins us for an East Coast update, a...

This episode features Simon Butler, Nutrition Extension Specialist, Seales Winslow discussing transition feeding from dry-off through to calving, and why nutrition decisions made now can heavily influence next season’s production outcomes. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-wide.co.nz/conn...

This episode features Joseph Watts, Technical Specialist, PGG Wrightson Agronomy discussing practical winter feed planning and why matching supplements and crops correctly to stock classes, especially younger stock, is becoming increasingly important. CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit https://country-wide.co.n...

This episode features Nikita Van der Heyden, Dairy Farmer, Vansco Farms discussing how real-time monitoring and data-driven systems are reshaping modern 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 omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

This episode features Andy Caughey, CEO, Wool Impact discussing ASB becoming the first bank to formally partner with Wool Impact, and whether strong wool is finally building real commercial momentum again. 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 omnys...

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...