Farmers Weekly Podcast

In this week’s podcast: senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie unpack forestry’s impact on rural communities, while AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington outlines strong store lamb demand and margins. Federated Farmers Otago president Luke Kane also joins to discuss his recent environmental award win.

Senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie join the show to discuss the new Farmers Weekly special report, The Rural Cost of Forestry Conversion, which looks at the growth of exotic forestry in the high country. They’ve talked to concerned farmers, forestry companies and academics who have studied the impact forestry has had on several communities.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington gives an update on the store lamb market. She says strong store lamb demand, driven by rain and tight supply, should deliver good margins when lambs go to processing.

Federated Farmers Otago president Luke Kane joins the show to discuss his recent win in the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards. He and wife Nicole continue a fine tradition for Feds members in the south, with the Kane's being the seventh winner in the past 20 years.

(00:00:00) Full Show | April 10 (00:01:33) Young cattle demand drives market surge (00:07:35) Hurrell looks back as Fonterra eyes future growth (00:23:35) Dog law investigation underway In this week's episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast, AgriHQ analyst Suz Bremner discusses the strong demand for young cattle is driving record prices and buyer confidence. Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell reflects on th...

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell joins the show to reflect on the co-op’s interim result, the Lactalis sale, and on his term at the top. Hurrell has signaled he will step down soon and says the co-op is primed for its next phase.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says the South Island calf sales are following a similar trend to the weaner sales in the north, with record prices being paid.

Colin Hannah of Federated Farmers in Northland says the investigation into our current laws around dog ownership need input from the farming community. Feral and unmanaged dogs pose a risk to people and livestock, and Colin says any law changes need to take account of how working dogs are managed.

This week’s podcast covers Silver Fern Farms’ return to profit and growing calls for an inquiry into vegetable processing closures and food resilience, featuring senior reporter Neal Wallace and Green Party ag spokesperson Steve Abel.

Green Party agriculture spokesperson Steve Abel discusses his call for an inquiry into McCain and Heinz Wattie’s closures, highlighting concerns over food resilience and local production.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace discusses Silver Fern Farms’ annual result, which reveals a turn to profitability after a loss last year.

(00:00:00) Full Show | March 27 (00:02:09) Aussie farmers up against global forces (00:07:10) Uncertain future for vegetable and grain growers (00:15:40) Foreign investors back in the game (00:25:31) Feds submits to Health and Safety Amendment Bill This week on Farmers Weekly Podcast, we unpack the mounting global and local pressures shaping agriculture. AgriHQ’s Alex Coddington breaks down turmoi...

Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Will Foley says he’s deeply disappointed by recent moves from McCain and Heinz-Wattie’s to scale back or halt vegetable processing in New Zealand. With around 9,000 hectares of production in the region, Foley believes it may be time for a broader conversation about how the country’s food industry is structured.

Word on the street is that international investors have their eye on New Zealand’s primary sectors, says Hayden Dillon, managing partner – agribusiness at Findex.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington discusses the current state of Australia’s red meat sector, as the industry reels from signing what has been described as one of the worst FTAs in history with the European Union.

Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson David Birkett says while they support the overall direction of the new H&S regulations, there are some aspects specific to farming that need to be addressed.

(00:00:00) Full Show | March 20 (00:01:42) Middle East conflict drives rising costs for NZ farmers (00:07:55) HortNZ outlines election priorities for sector growth (00:21:24) Federated Farmers pushes back on Gore District Plan concerns In this episode, AgriHQ’s Mel Croad explains the impacts of rising fuel and fertiliser costs are adding pressure on farmers as global conflict disrupts supply chain...

Horticulture NZ chief executive Kate Scott chats about the election manifesto the industry group has just released, which includes the key issues it hopes the next government will address.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad discusses the influence that the war in the Middle East is having behind the farmgate and in our export markets.

Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick is standing firm despite being labelled a scaremonger for his opposition to the new Gore District Plan.

This week: AgriHQ insight as feeder calves fetch top dollar amid record beef prices, investment advisor Mark Butterworth weighs farmer options for the Fonterra payout, and Federated Farmers’ dairy council outlines key priorities. AgriHQ Insight | Feeder calves fetch strong prices as beef market surges 1: 38 – Feeder calf sales are underway nationwide. AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie explains why reco...

What will farmers do with the Fonterra payout? Craigs Investment Partners adviser Mark Butterworth shares what he’s hearing from farming families weighing debt, reinvestment and new investments.

Feeder calf sales are underway nationwide. AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie explains why record beef prices are lifting demand and prices for young cattle.

Feds dairy section chair Karl Dean joins the show to reflect on last week’s meeting of the dairy council. New opportunities in dairy-beef, engaging with the animal welfare regulatory update, and further opportunities for sharefarmers were all identified as key issues.

This special bonus episode of the Farmers Weekly NZ podcast explores the significance of the Rural Woman of the Year Award and the vital role women play in farming communities. Farmers Weekly NZ publishers and award sponsors Dean and Cushla Williamson join Bryan in the studio to talk about the importance of recognising the often-unsung heroes of rural life: women who quietly support and uplift oth...