The Country

Monday’s resident weatherman wraps the week on a Thursday, as he previews the long holiday weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To understand where you’re headed, sometimes you need to look back. This year marks  75 years of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Sheep and Beef Survey  — 75 years of data, insights, and trend-spotting that help farmers make informed decisions on farm. In a special-edition podcast, brought to you by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and powered by The Country , Hamish McKay speaks with...

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Sir Ian Taylor, Paul Joules, and Richard Allen.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PM ponders the lead-up to National Lamb Day (Feb 15) and the National Lamb Day broadcast from Parliament Lawns next Wednesday (Feb 11). We also discuss the upcoming regional farmer Field Days season, and who’s right - Shane Jones or Sir Ian Taylor when it comes to gold mining at Bendigo in Central Otago?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To dig or not to dig? A leading NZ businessman and entrepreneur prepares to take on Matua Shane Jones, the Prince of the Provinces, over gold mining in Bendigo, Central Otago. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Consumers may soon see products containing cocoa-free chocolate appearing on shelves as confectionery manufacturers look to manage increased volatility in the price and supply of cocoa beans, according to newly-released research from Rabobank. But what will it taste like? We ask a  RaboResearch analyst. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the mystery surrounding the latest GDT Auction, Fonterra’s President, Global Ingredients, finally got us the real numbers. And they were worth waiting for – WMP + 5.3%, SMP + 10.6% and Butter + 8.8%. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Mark Hooper, Don Morrison, Mark de Lautour, and Rick Ladd.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesman says while it supports the intent of the Government’s resource management overhaul, a deep dive into the draft legislation has revealed some serious concerns. Most concerning are provisions allowing freshwater rights to be auctioned, tendered, or levied - effectively enabling freshwater to be taxed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High-profile Southland sheep and beef farmer, cannabis grower, and former Alliance Board director. He is also one of the alumni behind the Lincoln University “Backing LU Sport” dinner in Wānaka on Thursday, March 12, on the eve of the Wānaka Show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief executive of Open Country Dairy talks about the Gulf Food Trade Show in the Middle East, why Trump is good for business, and the prospects for tonight’s third GDT for 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The director of sales for Brandt looks at a 10% annual rise in tractor sales here in New Zealand, albeit off a low base, in comparison with the slump in the UK, where registrations fell to their lowest level on record and the lowest since before WWII. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Watt talks to Peter Murphy, General manager of Operations at Fonterra.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Sir David Fagan, Nick Webster, Hunter McGregor, and Steve Wyn-Harris.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Act Party leader and Deputy PM comments on Act's ag policy, Winston’s election campaign in full swing, and whether Waitangi Day will be divisive this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The countdown to the Golden Shears and World Shearing Championships in Masterton (March 4-7) is well and truly on. This weekend in Marton, we not only host the Welsh shearing test, but we also find out who will join Toa Henerson and woolhandler Joel Henare in the NZ team for the World Champs. And there were two world records set in the past fortnight - men’s (3 stand) and women’s (4 st...

As we build towards National Lamb Day on Feb 15, it’s apt we talk to a North Otago dairy, sheep and cropping farmer who’s gone back to opening a farm store right beside where it all began on the Totara Estate in 1882 (144 years ago). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Shanghai-based correspondent talks about the Chinese New Year, shared bikes and eating turtles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer and spokesperson for Fireballs Aotearoa - the network comprises meteor-tracking cameras mounted in schools, institutions, observatories and with the public. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Geoff Ross, Christopher Luxon, Dr Robyn Dynes, Emma Higgins, and Winston Peters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Todd McClay, Emma Higgins, Te Radar, Emma Poole, Tim Dangen, and Hamish McKay.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask the Minister of Agriculture and Trade, who is telling porkies about the India FTA? Him or Winston? And is this more about Winston’s nationalistic dislike of immigration than it is about free trade?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank’s senior ag analyst previews the bank’s NZ Agribusiness Outlook 2026 - titled "Keeping one move ahead". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The voice of the FMG Young Farmer Contest previews the first of seven regional finals, with Aorangi getting underway at the Woodbury Domain tomorrow in South Canterbury. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s farmer panel ponders parenting, pastures and payouts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.