Farmers Weekly Podcast

Northland and Taranaki have teamed up to share information and expertise as they work to discover new crop and land-use options. Both regions have existing initiatives dedicated to exploring high-value, optimal land use alternatives and the development of value-add products and manufacturing opportunities. Bryan talked to the project manager in each region – Greg Hall in Northland and Michelle Bau...

Northland and Taranaki have teamed up to share information and expertise as they work to discover new crop and land-use options. Both regions have existing initiatives, Branching Out in Taranaki and Tuputupu - Grow Northland in Northland, dedicated to exploring high-value, optimal land use alternatives and the development of value-add products and manufacturing opportunities. These initiatives are...

Senior reporter Richard Rennie gives an update on a survey being carried out to uncover the drenching habits on New Zealand farms. With drench resistance a major challenge for farmers, will this data lead to viable solutions? Honey producers in the European Union are launching a campaign against fake honey, which is a growing problem there. Apiculture NZ is supporting the move, saying that this wa...

Federated Farmers Tararua president Thomas Read reckons it’s never too early to start succession planning. Having benefited from his parents’ foresight when they retired he’s started thinking about his own future, despite his kids still being at primary school.

With our regular host Bryan Gibson away on a break, senior Farmers Weekly contributing journalist Richard Rennie talks to Mike Petersen, chair of the Tukituki Water Security Project. The project is one of 149 that has made the government's Fast-Track Project list. Previously known as the Ruataniwha dam project, the Tukituki project takes a slightly different tack, prioritising environmental river...

With our regular host Bryan Gibson away on a break, senior Farmers Weekly contributing journalist Richard Rennie talks to Mike Petersen, chair of the Tukituki Water Security Project in Hawke's Bay, talks about why he sees the project as being crucial for the region's future economic growth, and the potential it holds for unlocking more water not only for irrigation, but for urban expansion in a re...

A Court of Appeal decision against Environment Southland's Land and Water Plan in favour of Fish & Game Southland has the game organisation pitched firmly against farmers who have learnt they may now have to have Resource Consent in order to farm. With our regular host Bryan Gibson away on a break, senior Farmers Weekly contributing journalist Richard Rennie talks to senior reporter Neal Walla...

With our regular host Bryan Gibson away on a break, senior Farmers Weekly contributing journalist Richard Rennie talks to Federated Farmers meat and fibre chair Toby Williams, who offers his thoughts on why the government's decision to loosen foreign investment regulations is a good thing for the primary sector, both at a processing level and at a farm ownership level. With New Zealand well at the...

Bryan is joined by senior reporter Neal Wallace who reflects on his six-week Meeting the Market tour that saw him visit some of our key customers. From China to the United Kingdom, the European Union and Dubai, the message was the same. People love our food and we are a preferred provider, but we need to continually improve our sustainability credentials and be transparent about how that is being...

Bryan is joined by senior reporter Neal Wallace who reflects on his six-week Meeting the Market tour that saw him visit some of our key customers. From China to the United Kingdom, the European Union and Dubai, the message was the same. People love our food and we are a preferred provider, but we need to continually improve our sustainability credentials and be transparent about how that is being...

Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick gives Bryan an update on the situation down south after last week’s big floods. Jason says many farmers are struggling to manage stock after what has been a very grim winter. He says it’s important for farmers to get off farm, talk to people they trust and only worry about the things they can control.

Farm budgets are tight but there are still levers to pull to ensure a profitable season. Bryan chats with Ballance regional sales manager Courtney Nimmo and vet Nikki Smith about how to identify the actions that will prime the farm for success.

Economist Cameron Bagrie says farmers might be disappointed when the dust settles on the banking inquiry. He says farms are inherently more risky and interest rates reflect that risk. But he told Bryan that we’re going to need a complete mindset shift to move our economy forward and achieve our goals of productivity gains and higher export returns. Federated Farmers also joins the studio to discus...

Economist Cameron Bagrie says farmers might be disappointed when the dust settles on the banking inquiry. He says farms are inherently more risky and interest rates reflect that risk. But he told Bryan that we’re going to need a complete mindset shift to move our economy forward and achieve our goals of productivity gains and higher export returns.

Federated Farmers says many of its members have reported their banks aren’t giving them the credit options that would minimise interest payments, with many having to use their overdrafts to fund capital works. Feds banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says this issue is included in their submission to the banking inquiry, along with other questions the organisation has.

Gallagher’s GM for NZ and Chile says technology companies must work together to provide the tools farmers need to improve their systems and provide traceability and sustainability data. Darrell Jones says data in isolation is no good to anyone and interoperability is the name of the game. Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick hit the wall a few years ago as the pressures of farming b...

Gallagher’s GM for NZ and Chile says technology companies must work together to provide the tools farmers need to improve their systems and provide traceability and sustainability data. Darrell Jones says data in isolation is no good to anyone and interoperability is the name of the game.

Reporter Hugh Stringleman joins Bryan to discuss Fonterra’s bumper annual result. It posted a $1.128 billion profit after tax, announced a 55 cent per share dividend and lifted its forecast milk price for the 2024-2025 season by 50 cents to a new midpoint range of $9/kg MS.

Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick hit the wall a few years ago as the pressures of farming built up. He tells Bryan that this Mental Health Awareness Week, he’s urging people to talk more, share the burdens they have and seek help when they need it. Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help: Rural Support Trust: 0800 RURAL HELP Depression Help...

Sheep farmers are doing it tough right now, with farmgate returns dropping back after a few good years and input costs rising. Add to that the march of pine trees across the land, and there’s talk of an existential crisis. Bryan asked AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad to give him the lay of the land and asked her what the sector needed to do to find prosperity again. Federated Farmers is calling on...

Sheep farmers are doing it tough right now, with farmgate returns dropping back after a few good years and input costs rising. Add to that the march of pine trees across the land, and there’s talk of an existential crisis. Bryan asked AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad to give him the lay of the land and asked her what the sector needed to do to find prosperity again.

Reporter Neal Wallace checks in from London, where he’s spent time with the Alliance Group’s UK team. They’ve hired a chef to come up with new recipes for those consumers who don’t want the traditional lamb roast and learns that a football stadium is a key part of the strategy.

Federated Farmers is calling on the government to tell councils to pause work on freshwater reforms. Otago Feds member Luke Kane says with signals pointing to changes in water regulations, it makes sense for regional councils to hit the brakes.

AGMARDT and KPMG have released a report that offers a new way of organising our advocacy networks. Common Ground assesses the positives and negatives of the advocacy groups we have now and sets out a strategy that could improve the collaboration and messaging emanating from the farming world. AGMARDT general manager Lee-Ann Marsh joins Bryan to discuss the report. Federated Farmers turns 125 this...

AGMARDT and KPMG have released a report that offers a new way of organising our advocacy networks. Common Ground assesses the positives and negatives of the advocacy groups we have now and sets out a strategy that could improve the collaboration and messaging emanating from the farming world. AGMARDT general manager Lee-Ann Marsh joins Bryan to discuss the report.