Farmers Weekly Podcast

Senior reporter Neal Wallace, who is on a Meeting the Market tour, checks in from Brussels, where he’s been meeting up with European Union officials to hear how they’re dealing with the challenges of war in Ukraine and the US trade war. He also talks about regenerative farming in Stockton, Illinois and the Anuga food Fair in Cologne, Germany.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie is in the South Island and the big news is the yearling cattle sales, which are going great guns as buyers vie for stock.

Federated Farmers police spokesperson Karl Dean says while he’s behind the tougher stance on boy racers, he’s keen to see farmer interests protected, with issues like animal welfare on farm thefts included.

With two feature guests this week, this episode discusses into issues in New Zealand's food and fibre sector, including the proposed Dawn Meat deal by Alliance Group, the celebration of 100 years of Rural Women New Zealand, and the ongoing connectivity challenges faced by rural communities.  Feature | Alliance’s Next Move: Insights from Farmer Meetings 1:39 – Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne joins...

Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne joins Bryan to discuss how farmers are reacting to the proposed investment by Dawn Meats. He’s been fronting a series of farmer meetings and says there have been some insightful questions asked.

Rural Women NZ chief executive Sandra Matthews tells Bryan how the 100-year celebrations are going for the organisation. She says it’s a year of both looking back with pride, while ensuring they’re primed to take on the years ahead.

Federated Farmers telecommunications spokesperson Mark Hooper reveals the findings of the latest rural connectivity survey, which shows internet access hasn’t improved in rural areas, and some are reporting that it is getting worse.

In this episode: News Wrap | The rise and challenges of Rockit Apples 1:25 – Senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses some emerging issues at Rockit Apples. North Island growers are voicing concern about the company’s ability to process the growing crop, while in the South Island, a big new planting funded by the NZ Super Fund is under way. Market Insights | Tight margins, big red meat markets 7:2...

Outgoing Environment Canterbury councillor Vicky Southworth explains why she brought a notice of motion to declare a nitrate emergency to the council’s final meeting of the term. She says reports on groundwater quality are worsening and the incoming council needs to prioritise the issue.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses some emerging issues at Rockit Apples. North Island growers are voicing concern about the company’s ability to process the growing crop, while in the South Island, a big new planting funded by the NZ Super Fund is underway.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad wraps up the global red meat markets, which are all looking strong. Lamb and mutton prices are still at record highs and the new season is looking good for most.

Vice president Colin Hurst isn’t a fan of the nitrate emergency declaration, saying it once again vilifies farmers who are already working to improve the state of freshwater in Canterbury.

In this episode: Market Insights | Lamb season ends on a high 1:25 – AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner joins Bryan to wrap up the season, as the last of the lambs hit the market. Farmgate returns are still sky-high and are looking good as new season lambs start to emerge. Some dry weather, particularly in eastern parts of the North Island, appear to be the only challenge at the moment. Feature | E...

ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley outlines how the changing global economic and political landscape is influencing our food and fibre sector. Exchange rates, trade wars and the continued focus on accounting for climate change are all exerting pressure. But, with farmgate returns strong, now’s the time to ensure farm businesses have the resilience to withstand future shocks.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner joins Bryan to wrap up the season, as the last of the lambs hit the market. Farmgate returns are still sky-high and are looking good as new season lambs start to emerge. Some dry weather, particularly in eastern parts of the North Island, appear to be the only challenge at the moment.

Southland president Jason Herrick says farmers are annoyed at being charged for winter grazing monitoring, despite not actually being found at fault. He questions whether the approach by Environment Southland is an effective way to move the dial on improving practices.

In this episode: News Wrap | Bullish outlook for the red meat sector 2:19 – Senior reporter Neal Wallace has been following trends in the red meat sector both at the farmgate and market level. He looks at Beef + Lamb forecasts for the upcoming season and finds a very bullish outlook for the red meat sector. He also unpacks prospects for a new exporting season, and what it means for farm incomes. M...

Dr Hamish Gow, professor of agribusiness at Lincoln University, talks to Richard about Fonterra’s multi-billion dollar exit from its brands business, and what that means for “value add” and returns to shareholders. He pulls apart what true “value add” really is, and how it does not always mean a product must have a brand name on it to achieve it.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace has been following trends in the red meat sector both at the farmgate and market level. He looks at Beef + Lamb forecasts for the upcoming season and finds a very bullish outlook for the red meat sector. He also unpacks prospects for a new exporting season, and what it means for farm incomes.

Winter’s cold grip may remain across much of the country in early September, but spring store cattle prices are running hot. AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie provides a run down on some of the notable prices being fetched through North Island saleyards. With prices passing the $5.50/kg mark, Fiona muses on the possibility sales with a “$6” could become a reality this spring.

Richard Dawkins, Federated Farmers national chair for meat and wool, outlines why there is a need for an integrated pest management strategy in New Zealand. He says NZ’s growing pest burden has an increasingly high cost of control being imposed upon farmers and talks about how Feds would like to see greater co-ordination across all government departments and NGOs to better manage pest numbers and...

In this episode:  News Wrap | Growers face a variety of issues 1: 29 – Senior reporter Richard Rennie outlines major concerns with our plant variety pipeline, saying growers face long waits and large bills when trying to import new plant variety types. He says Biosecurity NZ is aware of the issue and is reviewing regulations. Market Insights | Aus processors struggling to maintain margins 7: 42 –...

Bryan catches up with Woolworths NZ sustainability manager Catherine Langabeer about a regenerative management project run with partners Leaderbrand and Plant & Food Research. Growers found using cover crops and adding compost improved yields and soil health.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie outlines major concerns with our plant variety pipeline, saying growers face long waits and large bills when trying to import new plant variety types. He says Biosecurity NZ is aware of the issue and is reviewing regulations.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington provides an update on the Australian market, where processors are struggling to maintain margins after paying top dollar for lambs. The Aussies are pumping out the beef, though and with the cattle population at high levels that will continue for a couple of years.