Farmers Weekly Podcast

Federated Farmers’ Taranaki president Nick Brown talks with Bryan about the big issues on the agenda on the coast, with local government reform at the top of the pile.

In this episode, AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington reflects on the recent Out the Gate conference and strong long-term beef and lamb price forecasts. Jacinta FitzGerald discusses plans to unlock more value from New Zealand’s fibre industry, while Federated Farmers’ Richard Dawkins welcomes new funding for wilding pine control.

Enough fibre to fill 6600 shipping containers is produced by New Zealand every year, much of it exported as unprocessed product with its value-added potential unrealised, CEO of Fashion and Textiles NZ Jacinta FitzGerald outlines a new strategy to change that.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington reflects on the recent Out the Gate conference in Christchurch. She says Australian analyst Simon Quilty’s prediction of sustained high farmgate prices for beef and lamb aligns with AgriHQ’s own modelling.

Federated Farmers’ pest spokesperson Richard Dawkins is celebrating new funding for wilding pine control. The government will invest an additional $79 million over the next three years to tackle wilding pines, taking the total commitment to $109m.

(00:00:00) Full Show | May 22 (00:01:37) Store lamb markets react to winter contracts (00:06:25) Kells wool staying put in Hawke’s Bay (00:12:41) Costar takes on top job in Auckland In this episode, AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie explains how strong winter contracts from processors are lifting store lamb prices, with recent sales in Feilding, Hastings and Temuka all seeing gains. Bryan talks with Ha...

Buyers are backing Hawke’s Bay-based wool broker Kells Wool as the locally owned business stands its ground against bigger industry players. Founder and company director Richard Kells has based the business in Hawke’s Bay for the past 40 years and tells Bryan why he decided to stay put in the bay.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie says that store lamb prices have risen on the back of some lucrative winter contracts being offered by processors. Recent sales in Feilding, Hastings and Temuka have all seen prices rise.

Federated Farmers’ new Auckland region president Rosemarie Costar joins the show to discuss her background in farming and what her priorities are as she takes on the role. With experience in local government to call on, Rosemarie says she has a good understanding of the big issues from both sides of the bargaining table.

(00:00:00) Full Show | May 15 (00:01:47) How regional conditions are shaping livestock sales (00:07:19) China gives us a reminder of its importance (00:29:08) Government given a nudge on freshwater reform In this episode, AgriHQ analyst Suz Bremner explains how varying regional conditions are influencing livestock sales, with farmers balancing feed supplies and stock numbers ahead of winter, affec...

Senior reporter Richard Rennie chats with Beijing resident and businessman David Mahon about our relationship with China, how it may have changed in recent months, and what we need to consider if we’re to continue the valuable partnership.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner, like many farmers across Aotearoa, is preparing for winter. Feed levels and stock numbers are shaping saleyard prices and throughput, with conditions varying by region.

Federated Farmers’ freshwater spokesperson Colin Hurst is giving the government a hurry up, with progress on its freshwater programme still slow six months out from the election.

(00:00:00) Full Show | May 8 (00:01:34) Processing slowdown drives high-value livestock deals (00:15:15) Proposed drone reforms raise safety concerns in rural sector (00:29:24) Feds’ new Southland president tackles local government reform This week on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad discusses slowing processing volumes and the high-value livestock contracts emerging acr...

Managing director of Fenix UAS Andrew Shelley weighs in on proposed changes to the regulations that govern drone use. He says while there’s a case to be made for relaxing them in some instances, he’s concerned that the proposals might remove safeguards that protect farmers and pilots.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad wraps up the latest news in the livestock markets, reporting that processing volumes are dropping off, resulting in some high value contracts being offered. While the war in the Middle East is affecting input prices, supply chains are holding strong.

Federated Farmers’ new Southland president Chris Dillon says council consolidation is high on the agenda as he takes the top job. Dillon says he’s hoping to adopt a more collaborative approach to regulatory change that works better for farmers.

(00:00:00) Full Show | May 1 (00:01:30) Australian beef prices take a hit (00:06:40) A farming legacy: PGG Wrightson marks 175 years (00:16:12) New Waikato Feds president’s game plan This week on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, we cover key developments shaping the rural sector on both sides of the Tasman. AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington joins us to break down falling Australian beef prices, driven by...

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington joins the show to discuss the state of the Australian livestock markets, highlighting a drop in farmgate beef prices after dry weather saw stock surge to the processor.

PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin joins the show to talk about the company’s 175th anniversary, which is being marked on May 1. George Gould launched Christchurch’s first general store in May, 1851, beginning a long legacy of farm supply businesses that all contributed to the PGG Wrightson we know today.

Federated Farmers’ new Waikato president Chris Woolerton discusses how he’ll approach his new role, his life in farming, and previous governance roles.

(00:00:00) Full Show | April 24 (00:01:24) Weaner prices ease back in the north (00:06:13) Should I use this tech? An Aussie farmer’s rules for adoption (00:14:47) Farm staff pay levels off a little In this week’s podcast: AgriHQ’s Fiona Quarrie breaks down softer weaner prices in the north as feed shortages hit demand. NSW farmer Mark Mortimer shares his three rules for adopting on-farm tech, fro...

New South Wales sheep farmer Mark Mortimer told the AgInnovation conferences the three boxes he needs to tick before adopting any new technology on-farm. Mark has been at the forefront of tech adoption and knowledge transfer in Australia, with insights on everything from EID tagging to automated feed system s.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie joins the show for an update on weaner fairs, which have seen young cattle values drop back a little since the beginning of the season.

Federated Farmers’ Karl Dean has the results of the latest Federated Farmers/Rabobank Remuneration Survey, which shows modest gains for farm workers across farming types.