Farmers Weekly Podcast

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford talks us through their latest rural confidence survey, which saw a big improvement. Wayne says a reduced regulatory burden, good farmgate returns and lower interest rates are the cause.

February 15 marks National Lamb Day, so this week Bryan talks with Ag Proud co-ordinator Jon Pemberton about what’s in store for the big day, and why celebrating the first shipment of meat from NZ is a big deal. Senior reporter Neal Wallace talks us through the beef with banks – NZ First has drafted a Members’ Bill that would stop large emitters being debanked. And, AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremn...

Tomorrow is National Lamb Day, so this week Bryan talks with Ag Proud co-ordinator Jon Pemberton about what’s in store for the big day, and why celebrating the first shipment of meat from NZ is a big deal.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace talks us through the beef with banks – NZ First has drafted a Members’ Bill that would stop large emitters being debanked.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner joins the show to discuss the week that was down at the saleyards.

Federated Farmers Local Government spokesperson Sandra Faulker joins the show to outline their seven point plan to reform local government. It includes redirecting funds from central to local government and a clear directive on what money should be spent on.

This week Bryan talks with senior AgriHQ analyst Mel Croad about what the year has in store for red meat markets. The year has started off positively with farmgate returns for lamb and beef both well above last year. But as always the weather, geopolitics and a pending trade war are all things to keep an eye on. Also in the studio, Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says the gover...

This week Bryan talks with senior AgriHQ analyst Mel Croad about what the year has in store for red meat markets. The year has started off positively with farmgate returns for lamb and beef both well above last year. But as always the weather, geopolitics and a pending trade war are all things to keep an eye on.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says the government’s latest emissions reduction target signs us up for another 10 years of tree planting, with sheep and beef country still at risk as we endeavor to balance the carbon budget.

This week Bryan talks with Professor Jon Hickford of Lincoln University about the government’s science reforms. Jon says he’s optimistic about the plan and hopes it will lead to less bureaucracy, better tech adoption on-farm, and improvements to the commercialisation pipeline. Federated Farmers vice-president Colin Hurst tells the podcast that the QEII Trust, which will run out of money this year,...

This week Bryan talks with Professor Jon Hickford of Lincoln University about the government’s science reforms. Jon says he’s optimistic about the plan and hopes it will lead to less bureaucracy, better tech adoption on-farm, and improvements to the commercialisation pipeline.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie gives an update on the Zespri kiwifruit shipment that was lost after mice were discovered in the hold. He also outlines what landowners should know about new maps being released for high-value soils, and Pāmu’s study on how climate change will affect its farms is useful information for all farmers.

Federated Farmers vice-president Colin Hurst tells the podcast that the QEII Trust, which will run out of money this year, needs to be properly funded. He says farmers have taken to the scheme, which sees land with high conservation or biodiversity attributes protected.

This week Bryan talks with Liz Shackleton from Animal and Plant Health NZ. She discusses the review of our approval system for pesticides, herbicides and other tools farmers need to face the diseases and pests that are becoming more prevalent here.  Wayne Langford of Federated Farmers joins the podcast to talk about the year ahead. Wayne is looking to help grow membership and consolidate the Feds...

This week Bryan talks with Liz Shackleton from Animal and Plant Health NZ. She discusses the review of our approval system for pesticides, herbicides and other tools farmers need to face the diseases and pests that are becoming more prevalent here. 

Senior reporter Richard Rennie outlines some of the stories he’s been working on this week, including a lack of funding for the QEII National Trust. We also get an update on the liquidation of Whanganui’s Waimarie Meats.

Wayne Langford of Federated Farmers joins the podcast to talk about the year ahead. Wayne is looking to help grow membership and consolidate the Feds mandate to advocate on the behalf of the rural sector.

This week Bryan talks with AgResearch scientist Dr Alec Mackay about his new study into pasture productivity. Mackay says not only is productivity falling, but gains that were forecast to be made because of the warming climate aren’t evident. He says volatility appears to trump warmth when it comes to pasture growth. Sandra Faulkner of Federated Farmers joins the podcast to talk about the upcoming...

This week Bryan talks with AgResearch scientist Dr Alec Mackay about his new study into pasture productivity.  Mackay says not only is productivity falling, but gains that were forecast to be made because of the warming climate aren’t evident. He says volatility appears to trump warmth when it comes to pasture growth.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie outlines some of the stories he’s been working on this week, including farmer concern that their properties are becoming fire risks due to environmental regulations. Australia is going to tag all of its sheep so they can be traced if there’s a disease outbreak. Will it happen here? And, after a decade of boom times, the honey industry is facing a reckoning.

Sandra Faulkner of Federated Farmers joins the podcast to talk about the upcoming local government elections. She’s urging farmers to put their hand up for councils because representation is the key to getting good outcomes for rural communities.

To kick off 2025, Bryan gets into a deep discussion with senior reporter Richard Rennie on the state of New Zealand’s science system. It is undergoing a review and some scientists worry recent job losses and funding cuts might be the new normal. Toby Williams of Federated Farmers is back on the show to respond to allegations of animal mistreatment made by activist group PETA. The group released fo...

To kick off 2025, Bryan gets into a deep discussion with senior reporter Richard Rennie on the state of New Zealand’s science system. It is undergoing a review and some scientists worry recent job losses and funding cuts might be the new normal.

Toby Williams of Federated Farmers is back on the show to respond to allegations of animal mistreatment made by activist group PETA. The group released footage of shearing that shows some worrying behaviour.

For the final episode of 2024 Bryan chats with senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie about the big news stories of the year. Both reporters travelled overseas during the year to find out more about farming practices and customer and consumer preferences. Back home there was plenty of big news in the food and fibre sector. They discuss meat industry woes, dairy’s resurgence and some of t...