Farmers Weekly Podcast

Wool Impact chief executive Andy Caughey has just returned from the International Wool Textile organisation conference in Adelaide. He tells Bryan how New Zealand’s strong wool story is being well received by international brands and buyers and also touches on some of the new innovations being discovered to create more value for farmers.

Federated Farmers chief executive Terry Copeland gives a run-down on the latest Rabobank/Federated Farmers farm salary report , which shows that, since the 2022 survey, the average salary for a farm worker has increased by $7480 to $71,411.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie has the latest on the bird flu strain that’s now i nfecting dairy herds in the United States . Researchers here warn that while we’re an isolated nation, migratory birds still pose a threat to our industry too.

In Focus this week: Senior reporter Neal Wallace has been looking at the sheep sector and reporting on how farmers, processors, marketers and lawmakers are facing the challenges. AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner also joins the conversation. Not many people know more about what’s going on around the sale yards than Suz and as a sheep and beef farmer herself she’s got a first-hand perspective on ho...

Senior reporter Neal Wallace has been looking at the sheep sector and reporting on how farmers, processors, marketers and lawmakers are facing the challenges. AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner also joins the conversation. Not many people know more about what’s going on around the sale yards than Suz and as a sheep and beef farmer herself she’s got a first-hand perspective on how things are faring...

Federated Farmers sharefarmer chair Sam Ebbett has some advice on how to avoid contract disputes over pasture covers.

In Focus this week... • SealesWinslow general manager Grant Jackson says New Zealand’s high-performance dairy cattle need the right fuel to perform and he’s got some ideas on how to raise the octane. While pasture will remain the prime ingredient, there are ways to supercharge the nutritional mix. • Federated Farmers says  recent changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa Scheme have farmers wor...

SealesWinslow general manager Grant Jackson says New Zealand’s high-performance dairy cattle need the right fuel to perform and he’s got some ideas on how to raise the octane. While pasture will remain the prime ingredient, there are ways to supercharge the nutritional mix.

Federated Farmers says recent changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa Scheme have farmers worried about recruiting and retaining vital farm labour. Employment spokesperson Richard McIntyre says he’s seeking an urgent meeting with the government to discuss the issue.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie takes a look at science funding – cuts to the public service have senior scientists worried about the future of agricultural research and development. He also discusses issues at the Environmental Protection Authority, which is taking longer and longer to approve vital innovations.

In Focus this week: • At last month’s Beef + Lamb New Zealand annual meeting just 12% of eligible farmers bothered to vote on the six remits put forward. That lack of engagement is one of the big challenges chair Kate Acland and her leadership team face in the year ahead. This week Bryan speaks with her about how she plans to get levy-payers back in the game and also about some of the other big is...

At last month’s Beef + Lamb New Zealand annual meeting just 12% of eligible farmers bothered to vote on the six remits put forward. T hat lack of engagement is one of the big challenges chair Kate Acland and her leadership team face in the year ahead. This week Bryan speaks with her about how she plans to get levy-payers back in the game and also about some of the other big issues, including metha...

The government is taking tentative steps towards fulfilling Federated Farmers’ wish of a full investigation into rural banking . The Primary Production Select committee has initiated a briefing on the issue and Feds dairy chair Richard McIntyre hopes that will lead to a full enquiry.

Methane is all over the news right now with the government setting up an independent panel to review agricultural methane targets. Meanwhile, the Climate Change Commission has just released its latest advice to the government , which is pretty clear on how much methane should be reduced in our food production industry. Senior reporter Richard Rennie tries to make sense of this.

This week Bryan looks at some new research that highlights an opportunity for red meat exporters to tailor their products and marketing to the wellness sector. AgResearch senior scientist Carolina Realini says More than 90% percent of survey participants across the two countries indicated interest in purchasing red meat to improve their wellness status, while about 85% indicated their willingness...

This week Bryan looks at some new research that highlights an opportunity for red meat exporters to tailor their products and marketing to the wellness sector. AgResearch senior scientist Carolina Realini says More than 90% percent of survey participants across the two countries indicated interest in purchasing red meat to improve their wellness status, while about 85% indicated their willingness...

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams is giving up on sending his wool to auction and will contract it instead. He tells Bryan why he’s made this decision .

Senior reporter Richard Rennie is back from four weeks in Australia, where he visited four states to see how the farming sector there was dealing with the issues of greenhouse gas emissions and evolving genetic technologies. He talks to Bryan about his experience and what he learned.

This week we’re looking at herd fertility . CRV’s national sales and marketing manager Julia Baynes tells Bryan why improving six-week in calf performance is the key to a more profitable and sustainable farm business. Later in the show Sandra Faulkner of Federated Farmers discusses her concern at the massive rates rises being proposed by councils around the country. Feds are watching the situation...

In this episode we look at herd fertility . CRV’s national sales and marketing manager Julia Baynes tells Bryan why improving six-week in calf performance is the key to a more profitable and sustainable farm business.

Federated Farmers are going to be watching council plans closely on behalf of members, says national board member Sandra Faulkner. She’s calling on councils to focus on core services and increase their use of uniform annual general charges to help spread the rating burden fairly across the community.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace gives an update on the drought conditions affecting many regions and then reflects on his interview with Murray Taggart , who is stepping down as chair of Alliance after more than a decade.

Fonterra’s plan to reduce its Scope 3 emissions – those from its farmers – is an ambitious one. The co-op is targeting a 30% reduction in emissions efficiency by 2030. Director of sustainability Charlotte Rutherford joins Bryan to outline the plan and the reasons behind it. She says access to capital, customer demands and avoiding exposure to legal action are the key drivers. Then Federated Farmer...

Fonterra’s plan to reduce its Scope 3 emissions – those from its farmers – is an ambitious one. The co-op is targeting a 30% reduction in emissions efficiency by 2030. Director of sustainability Charlotte Rutherford joins Bryan to outline the plan and the reasons behind it. She says access to capital, customer demands and avoiding exposure to legal action are the key drivers.

Federated Farmers has a plan to resolve contract disputes in the arable sector. Arable chair David Burkett tells Bryan why there’s a need for it and how it will work.