The Country

We tell you the inspirational story of one of New Zealand’s leading shearers, who was almost buried alive in 2021. We learn how he fought back to win the NZ Shears title in 2024 and the Tararua Sheep and Beef Business of the Year in 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Shanghai-based correspondent talks about early summer heat, Bakery China, Todd McClay and expanding New Zealand white wine exports to China.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with the senior journalist at BusinessDesk, as we say goodbye to the 2025/2026 dairy season, which he says was anything but dull. And tomorrow we find out Fontarra’s opening forecast milk price for the 26/27 season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Watt talks to Andrew Johns, Fonterra General Manager of Operations for the lower South Island, about how the new UHT plant is tracking in Edendale, and New Zealand Dairy being in high demand around the world.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Stuart Nash, Stephen Guerin, Smiley Barrett, and Todd Clark.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask NZ First’s candidate for the Napier seat why he’s changed camps. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PGG Wrightson’s chief executive celebrates his company’s 175 years in the business of servicing rural New Zealand and agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to a legendary Taranaki cow cocky about a knighthood for Ian Kirkpatrick and an Oscar for himself!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with our US farming correspondent on Memorial Day, as he works late into the evening on his Lexington farm.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Richard Dawkins, Emma Higgins, Andrew Hoggard, Grant McCallum, Phil Ropiha, and Phil Duncan.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of pushing for more funding to tackle wilding pines, Federated Farmers’ pest spokesperson says today’s Government announcement is a breakthrough. The Government has committed an extra $79 million to wilding pine control over the next three years, taking the total commitment to $109 million, targeting some of the country’s worst-affected areas. See omnystudio.com/liste...

After a strong close to the 2025/26 dairy season – marked by rises in the GDT price index in eight of the last ten auctions – Rabobank’s Senior Ag Analyst is forecasting a robust opening milk price of $9.50 to $10.00 per kg/MS for the 2026/27 season. Plus, we look at the excellent prospects for red meat. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s farmer/politician panel ponders how to deal with two million hectares of wilding pines, ties, Stu Nash’s ties with NZ First, and what the Labour Party is up to. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Stihl Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week, and we have another GTA30 battery chainsaw pruner to give away. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask Monday’s resident weatherman if it’s too early for a Fieldays forecast, and we line up another broadly settled week ahead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Simon Quilty, Jason Te Brake, Te-han Chow, and Shane Jones.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Simon Quilty, Chris Hipkins, Chris Brandolino, Stu Loe and Stu Duncan.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man behind Australian-based company Global AgriTrends was a keynote speaker at this week’s Beef + Lamb NZ “Out the Gate” conference in Christchurch. His take-home message was that there’s not enough red meat in the world, and the prospects for beef and lamb are very good for the foreseeable future.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask Labour’s leader for some policy as we’re now less than six months away from the Nov 7 General Election. Plus, does he support Winston over National Super and buying the BNZ? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Friday’s favourite weatherman as we wait with bated breath for the Super El Niño. But in the meantime, what can we expect as the country gets drier? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s farmer panel talks bull and footy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this DairyNZ Update, Michelle Watt talks to Tania Burrows, a Tutor for Dairy Training Ltd, and the NexGen Dairy Farmer Programme. They discuss the career opportunities available in the Dairy Industry, how the programmes on offer are helping youth find a pathway to a career in Dairy Farming. Hear firsthand how these initiatives are shaping the next generation of farmers and supporting the future...

Jamie Mackay talks to Jason Te Brake, Te-han Chow, Hamish Best, Caroline Flood, Peter Newbold, and Chris Russell.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief executive of Zespri discusses a record result and record returns for kiwifruit growers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra’s chief executive for Greater China is at Bakery China, the world’s largest professional bakery and trade exhibition in Shanghai. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.