Farmers Weekly Podcast

Federated Farmers Taranaki spokesperson Brendan Attrill gives an update on the drought that’s affecting parts of the North Island. He’s particularly concerned about contract milkers who are paid directly by processors and says there will need to be constructive and ongoing conversations with farm owners to ensure contractors can get through the year.

In this week’s show: Senior reporter Neal Wallace talks us through the The Future of Wool special report. He and Annette Scott spent the last few weeks talking to the major players in the strong wool industry and learned how they plan on returning value to farmers. AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner joins the show to talk about the latest sale yard news. She says drought and access to feed is influ...

Visiting Nuffield scholar Wilco Brouwer de Koning tells Bryan about life as a Dutch dairy farmer and says they’re facing the same regulatory and market-driven challenges we face in New Zealand. Wilko is  researching how a biodiversity credit system might work to reward farmers and says transparency of data is the key to success.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace talks us through the The Future of Wool special report. He and Annette Scott spent the last few weeks talking to the major players in the strong wool industry and learned how they plan on returning value to farmers.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner joins the show to talk about the latest sale yard news. She says drought and access to feed is influencing some buying decisions, but prices are still strong across the country.

Federated Farmers Southland’s Dean Rabbidge tells Bryan that whole-farm forestry conversions are still occurring down south and he wants some answers from the government. The Prime Minister told farmers in Gore last year the practice would end, but Dean says there appears to be a loophole.

In this week’s show: Senior reporter Richard Rennie talks us through the changes to the Public Works Act, which will give more compensation to the owners of land taken by the government for infrastructure projects, but also reduces the avenues available to challenge the decision. AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad joins the show to look at the high lamb prices. She unpacks the reasons for the lift, w...

AgriZero chief executive Wayne McNee talks to Bryan at the Wānaka Show about their new investments in emissions reduction technologies. He also gives his thoughts on the backlash AgriZero faces from some quarters by those questioning the need to invest in greenhouse gas reduction.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie talks us through the changes to the Public Works Act, which will give more compensation to the owners of land taken by the government for infrastructure projects, but also reduces the avenues available to challenge the decision.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad joins the show to look at the high lamb prices. She unpacks the reasons for the lift, whether it's sustainable and has some advice for sheep farmers as the year progresses.

Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick tells Bryan why he’s asking hunters to buy their licences from outside the region this duck shooting season.

In this week’s show: Senior reporter Richard Rennie reports on his recent trip to Tairāwhiti, where he caught up with some of the forestry companies working to ensure the next storm that hits the region doesn’t cause the same damage as Cyclone Gabrielle. Things are looking up for sheep and beef farmers, the B+LNZ midseason update is forecasting a strong return to profitability for the sector. Brya...

Things are looking up for sheep and beef farmers, the B+LNZ midseason update is forecasting a strong return to profitability for the sector. Bryan talks to chair Kate Acland, who shares insights on market dynamics, challenges posed by tariffs, and the impact of input costs on farmers' profitability. They also discuss the future of sheep farming, regulatory concerns, and the importance of farmer co...

Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay joins the show to discuss the positive trends in profitability for sheep and beef farms in New Zealand after years of struggle. He emphasises the importance of reducing regulatory burdens and ensuring market access through trade agreements. McClay also addresses the uncertainties in global trade and their potential impacts on NZ's agricultural exports.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie reports on his recent trip to Tairāwhiti, where he caught up with some of the forestry companies working to ensure the next storm that hits the region doesn’t cause the same damage as Cyclone Gabrielle.

This week, Bryan chats with Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre, who delves into the complexities of rural banking practices in New Zealand, discussing the implications of banks' decisions on local businesses. They explore the balance between environmental responsibility and the need for financial institutions to support local economies. They also debate whether “woke” is a use...

In this week’s show: Senior reporter Neal Wallace reports on a new auction system for strong wool that is modelled on the Global Dairy Trade system. He tells Bryan its backers say it will provide a better way to trade fibre and should lead to more value being created for farmers. The New Zealand Meat Board flies under the radar a little bit but it does one of the most significant jobs in the food...

Senior reporter Neal Wallace reports on a new auction system for strong wool that is modelled on the Global Dairy Trade system. Its backers say it will provide a better way to trade fibre and should lead to more value being created for farmers.

The New Zealand Meat Board flies under the radar a little bit but it does one of the most significant jobs in the food and fibre sector – managing the quotas for red meat exports. Chief executive Nick Beeby joins Bryan to lift the lid on the process.

Federated Farmers vice-president Colin Hurst joins the show to talk about the new funding announced for the QEII Trust, which was facing the prospect of being unable to register new landholdings. The funding boost is great news for farmers and for conservation efforts, says Colin.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner previews the beef weaner fairs and calf sales that are getting under way. She says everything is pointing to a bumper set of sales and there should be great returns for vendors.

In this week’s show: Fonterra’s head of sustainability Charlotte Rutherford joins the show to talk about the new incentives the co-op has added to its Co-operative Difference programme that would see farmers rewarded for reducing their emissions. Two of the three incentives are funded by big Fonterra customers Mars and Nestlè. Senior reporter Richard Rennie is in Brisbane at the evokeAg conference...

Fonterra’s head of sustainability Charlotte Rutherford joins the show to talk about the new incentives the co-op has added to its Co-operative Difference programme that would see farmers rewarded for reducing their emissions. Two of the three incentives are funded by big Fonterra customers Mars and Nestlè.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie is in Brisbane at the evokeAg conference. He tells Bryan that the food industry is being warned that weight loss drugs like Ozempic could substantially reshape eating habits with major consequences.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie updates Bryan on the happenings at the saleyards around the country. Dry weather is having an impact in some regions with stock moving from west to east in the North Island. Ewe fairs continue around NZ and prices have dropped back a bit after a strong start.