Farmers Weekly Podcast

Fieldays is underway at Mystery Creek and senior reporter Richard Rennie is there taking in the sights and sounds. In our feature interview he talks with herd-i chief executive Liz Muller about whether farmers are spending this year and how the company is tracking.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington reveals some worrying data about our sheep population. Numbers are down and processors are struggling to find stock to export.

Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre chats about the petition they’ve launched to try and get the government to make good on its promise to allow farmers to use their KiwiSaver to invest in property. Right now they’re not allowed if they don’t live in the house they buy.

In this episode:  News Wrap | Taiwan hungry for NZ dairy products 1:34 – Senior reporter Richard Rennie wraps up his trip to Taiwan, a fascinating market that’s hungry for NZ dairy products and has a discerning and high-value consumer base . Market Insights | In-lamb ewes hit the saleyards 10:26 – AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie wraps up the early sales for in-lamb ewes. With less breeding stock on t...

Farmers now have a new and simple way to diversify into electricity generation. Farmlands Flex offers the technology, infrastructure and collective buying power for farmers to not only save on energy bills but also build resilience in the grid. Farmlands chief executive Tanya Houghton explains the initiative to Bryan.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie wraps up his trip to Taiwan, a fascinating market that’s hungry for NZ dairy products and has a discerning and high-value consumer base.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie wraps up the early sales for in-lamb ewes. With less breeding stock on the hills there’s fewer buyers but prices are holding for now.

Federated Farmers vice-president Colin Hurst tells Bryan he’s happy with the proposed freshwater reforms that should empower catchments to solve their environmental issues themselves.

In this episode: Market Insights | Winter prep underway to set stock numbers 1:34 – AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner has all the news from the saleyards. With winter almost here, farmers are getting stock numbers set for the colder months, but Suz reckons prices are holding up for vendors. Feature | Farming needs to build long-term resilience 6:59 – The annual KPMG Agribusiness Agenda was launche...

T he annual KPMG Agribusiness Agenda was launched at E Tipu: The NZ Future Food and Fibre Summit in Palmerston North. Bryan sat down with head of consumer/industrial markets agriculture Ian Proudfoot to talk through the agenda. Ian’s calling for our food and fibre sector to form a long-term strategy that gives certainty and confidence to those being buffeted by constant challenges.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner has all the news from the saleyards. With winter almost here, farmers are getting stock numbers set for the colder months, but Suz reckons prices are holding up for vendors.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says the drystock sector is facing a crisis and it will take a big effort to restore confidence to the hill country. He’s calling on the farming sector, government and everyone else with a stake in our economic wellbeing to work together to save our sheep.

In this week’s episode: Market Insights | Store markets are holding strong 1:29 – AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad tells Bryan that store markets are holding strong and a lack of available stock is seeing processors offer hefty contracts. Luckily, export returns are holding up and should balance out the high prices here at home. Feature | What to expect at NZ’s food and fibre summit 8:29 – Food HQ...

Food HQ chief executive Dr Victoria Hatton joins Bryan to preview next week’s E Tipu conference in Palmerston North. The conference will tackle four big themes – Understanding our place in the world, Growing value, investing in growth and growing futures.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad tells Bryan that store markets are holding strong and a lack of available stock is seeing processors offer hefty contracts. Luckily, export returns are holding up and should balance out the high prices here at home.

Federated Farmers adverse event spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says she’s pushing for changes to the proposed emergency management regulations. A discussion document is light on farmer input and Sandra says rural communities are at the heart of many emergency responses.

(00:00:00) Full Show | May 16 (00:01:47) Foresters fume at new rules in Tairāwhiti (00:09:47) Wetland or livestock? Methane study holds the answer (00:19:21) Government methane target must come down (00:28:43) The Final Word In this episode:  News Wrap | Foresters fume at new rules in Tairāwhiti 1:48 – Senior reporter Richard Rennie tells Bryan that foresters are not happy with  new rules being pu...

NIWA scientist Dr Christian Stiegler tells Bryan about a research project that will give us the ability to differentiate methane emitted by livestock from that emitted from wetlands. It could give farmers and policy-makers more insight into where emissions come from and how to manage them better.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie tells Bryan that foresters are not happy with new rules being put forward on the East Coast. They say at best they’ll be hard to achieve and at worst will make forestry impossible.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says he’s urging the government not to stick with its likely 24% reduction target for methane. He says it’s a death sentence for the sheep and beef sector.

In this week's show: News Wrap | Farming powers government’s science advice 1:43 – Senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses the appointment of Dr John Roche as the Prime Minister’s new science advisor . He also reports on how the Australian election may have dashed hopes of the continuation of the live export trade across the Tasman.   Market Insights | Rain a big influence in the saleyards 11:36...

Green Party agriculture and animal welfare spokesperson Steve Abel joins the studio to discuss his new Members’ Bill that would hold imported food to the same animal welfare standards we have here. Steve also outlines the party’s vision for a thriving food and fibre sector.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses the appointment of Dr John Roche as the Prime Minister’s new science advisor. He also reports on how the Australian election may have dashed hopes of the continuation of the live export trade across the Tasman.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie says recent rain in many regions has had a big impact on the livestock markets, with some stock and buyers unable to get to the yards. The rain has also boosted grass growth in some regions and that’s reflected in buying trends.

Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre has reminded the government of its promise to alter KiwiSaver regulations to allow farmers to invest in property off-farm. He says it’s unfair that some New Zealanders can use their fund to get ahead while farmers are unable to do the same thing.