How sheep & beef farmers are banking down for the next rainy day // Ed Harrison, BakerAg

This episode was part of our weekly Livestock segment in partnership with Carrfields. Ed Harrison, farm consultant at BakerAg in the Wairarapa discusses the "sharp rebound" in sheep and beef profitability and what farmers will do to make the most of this genuine recovery after two brutal seasons. Will they prepare in advance for a Super El Nino ahead? "2023-24 was brutal for farmers and 2025-26 was a record. Here's hoping market prices are expected to stay high but we are advising farmers to replenish what was mined through the tough years," says Ed Harrison, BakerAg. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Current Market Conditions 01:00 Review of Past Years' Challenges and Recovery 01:58 Spring and Summer Weather Impacts on Farming 02:53 Record Year Expected for 25-26 Season 03:19 Current and Future Market Price Predictions 05:09 Inflation, Costs, and Revenue Management 06:02 Preparing for Weather Variability and Droughts 07:00 Farmers' Conservative Approach During Good Times 08:24 Investments in Infrastructure and Asset Management 09:21 Logistics and Fertilizer Supply Challenges 10:15 Cash Flow, Tax, and Financial Planning 11:13 Farm Succession and Strategic Planning 11:40 Closing Remarks and Expert Advice Resources Baker Ag - https://bakerag.co.nz/ CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.