The Country

Matua Shane, the Prince of the Provinces, is excited about his 122-page report on NZ’s Minerals Royalty Regime Review where the take-home message is don’t be too greedy. We also discuss the economy, the Opportunity Party, Winston and the Greens, and the $9 million spent on traditional Māori massages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief executive of Rabobank comments on the bank’s latest August Agribusiness Monthly Report (titled “Good prices, but plenty to watch”), where the commodity outlook is strong but the cost of farm inputs is escalating.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with our third and final 2026 Zanda McDonald Award finalist and find out what she’s been up to since the awards in March, including a European OE, enduring the heatwave and observing British farming struggling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Australian correspondent talks bird flu, “slave” labour and a runaway coal train. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Watt talks with Kate Fransen, Senior Project Manager at DairyNZ, about plantain research and some of the exciting results emerging from farmlet trials. They discuss how incorporating plantain into pasture can have positive impacts on farm performance and productivity. To find out more about plantain and the Plantain Potency Programme, visit www.dairynz.co.nz . See omnystudio.com/listener...

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Matt Bolger, Craig Hickman, Duncan Humm, Craig Wiggins, and Riley Kennedy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister ponders meat and massages, a recovering economy, and whether peace in the Middle East is a pipedream or in the pipeline. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra’s managing director of co-operative affairs comments on last night’s “steady as she goes” GDT Auction. In light of the dramatically increased volumes being offered, it was pleasing to see prices supported (Index +0.1%). The improved Chinese demand underlined full cream levels especially. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s farmer panel features the finest from Mid Canterbury - as we go dairy and deer farming with two social media darlings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to Nelson for the Fencing Contractors Association Conference to talk health checks, a fencing open day, mental health and Jim Hopkins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BusinessDesk rural correspondent on the upcoming reporting season and strong results expected from rural servicing companies. Plus, why the rural economy is outperforming many urban centres. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Phil Duncan, Bruce Cotterill, Damien O'Connor, and Sir David Carter.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Jim Ward, David Seymour, and Farmer Tom Martin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former manager of New Zealand’s biggest farm, Molesworth Station, is disappointed his bid to run the 182,000 ha property has been trumped by Ngāi Tahu. Plus, he has a great story about why Molesworth has not farmed sheep since the 1940s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Deputy PM and Act Party leader comments on getting “little s***s” out of our classrooms, Winston’s baby farming policy, and the Opportunity Party's tax plan. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our UK farming correspondent updates on the drought, wildfires, poor returns for arable farmers, a digital celebration of British farming, and Andy Burnham’s good start at No. 10 Downing Street. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Andrew Hoggard and Grant McCallum, Stefan Vogel, Jacqueline Rowarth, Jane Smith, and Shane Jones.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Sam Hain, Matt Long, Stu Duncan, Stu Loe, Rachel Shearer, and Chris Brandolino. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a region where plenty of productive farmland has disappeared into pine trees, two farming couples -Sam and Gemma Hain and Matt and Kate Long - are doing something uncommon – turning a carbon forestry block back into a working pastoral farm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s second farmer panel comments on virtual fencing, carbon farming, the weather and footy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The GM of PGG Wrightson Wool is disappointed but not surprised by the recent sharp fall in the Strong Wool Indicator.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.