Farmers Weekly Podcast

(00:00:00) Full Show | September 4 (00:01:29) Councils target truckers to fund road repairs (00:04:49) Sheep markets turn from old to new (00:11:37) More than a competition: the bond behind dog trialling (00:17:12) Amalgamation angst in Otago This week, Farmers Weekly’s Neal Wallace examines road rates hitting farmers and foresters, AgriHQ’s Fiona Quarrie tracks the changing sheep market, NZ dog trial team manager Pat Coogan reflects on a Trans-Tasman victory, and Federated Farmers Otago president Anna Gillespie weighs up council amalgamation options.

NZ dog trial team manager Pat Coogan reflects on the hard-fought test series win in Queensland earlier this week. Pat says the NZ team held its nerve to win in trying conditions.

With council budgets under pressure, some regions have opted to target rates at landowners that rely on heavy traffic. Senior reporter Neal Wallace reports that dairy farmers and foresters face big rates hikes.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie discusses the transition from old season lambs to new, young stock as ewes with lambs at foot enter the saleyards.

Federated Farmers Otago president Anna Gillespie analyses the different proposals put forward by councils in the region, with Feds favouring an urban-rural split rather than the coastal-inland divide put forward by Dunedin and Queenstown.

This week, Farmers Weekly senior reporter Richard Rennie examines the growing workforce challenge in ageing regions, while AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner explains why strong store cattle prices aren’t quite meeting expectations. Featured guest, Agritech NZ's chief executive Brendan O’Connell, offers a different take on the tech brain drain, and Federated Farmers arable chair Chris Dillon looks at how relaxed drone rules could unlock greater farm adoption.

Agritech NZ chief executive Brendan O’Connell says reports that our tech sector is at risk of a brain drain need to be viewed with caution. He says the fact our best and brightest head offshore should be seen as a positive.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie outlines a new report that looks at demographic change in our regions, and finds that while populations are growing in some places, the age of them is rising, bringing workforce and productivity challenges.

Senior analyst Suz Bremner says store cattle prices are high and even up on last year’s results at this time of year, but expectations are higher and some are feeling a little disappointed on returns. Buyers are very cautious about the El Niño risk and that’s impacting the longer term cattle market.

Federated Farmers arable chair Chris Dillon says the Government’s plan to ease drone regulations could encourage more farmers to invest in the technology. He says costly and complex certification requirements have been a major barrier, making farmers reluctant to adopt drones despite their potential on-farm benefits.

In this week's episode, senior reporter Neal Wallace and AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington examine red meat and lamb markets as prices face seasonal pressure, while Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard outlines the government’s $109m battle plan to tackle wilding pines.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard outlines the plan being developed to combat wilding pines. With $109 million in the war chest for the fight, Hoggard says he’s keen to have a plan that uses resources efficiently, and draws on the capability of every stakeholder.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace takes a look at the red meat markets, with data from Beef + Lamb NZ and global trends all pointing to a slight drop in farmgate returns.

Could lamb prices be heading for their usual pre-Christmas slide? AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington unpacks the market signals farmers should watch as spring progresses.

This week we examine the issues shaping rural New Zealand. Neal Wallace revisits the solar farm debate and looks at moves to bring food and fibre into secondary schools, AgriHQ’s Sara Hilhorst wraps up a massive Feilding-Marton hogget fair, AgFirst’s James Allen explains how small farm management changes can deliver big gains for dairy farmers, and Federated Farmers’ Sandra Faulkner examines the progress of local government reform.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace follows up on his story on solar farms, with advocates saying the better alternative to them is for every farmer to implement their own system. And, moves to introduce a food and fibre curriculum to secondary schools is being celebrated, though teachers are waiting on the details on how it will be taught.

AgriHQ analyst Sara Hilhorst wraps up the Feilding-Marton hogget fair, held in Feilding this week. It was a massive yarding and despite the size, vendors left happy.

AgFirst’s James Allen outlines how some small changes to farm management can realise big gains in profit on Waikato and Bay of Plenty dairy farms. He says being smarter with fertiliser and focusing on feed quality can really help the bottom line.

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty vice-president Sandra Faulkner takes a look at how the government’s local government reforms are tracking, with many regions submitting a Head Start plan that outlines how they propose to structure councils in the future.

(00:00:00) Full Show | August 7 (00:02:19) Solar farms and tallow: Two rural trends to watch (00:09:33) Lamb markets signal a slight correction (00:18:43) How local government reform could weaken biosecurity (00:30:27) Regulations strangling pest management This week we examine the issues shaping rural New Zealand. Hawke’s Bay Council’s Sophie Siers discusses biosecurity reform, AgriHQ’s Mel Croad explains the lamb market outlook, Neal Wallace looks at solar farm expansion and rising demand for tallow, and Federated Farmers' Brent Mountford outlines why pest control regulations are becoming a growing concern for volunteers.

A new report warns that proposed structural changes to local government could undermine New Zealand's biosecurity programmes. Commissioned by the country's 16 regional and unitary councils, it examines the risks of reducing or pausing these programmes. Hawke's Bay Regional Council chair Sophie Siers joins the show to unpack the findings and their implications.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace has been looking at the spate of solar farms being built or planned, and finds some people are worried they will displace good, productive land. He’s also been investigating the rise in popularity of tallow, which is being used in everything from skincare products to cooking to fuel.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says farmgate returns for lamb have been held high by a procurement battle, but there’s been a bit softening in key export markets and we should expect prices to ease a little in the coming months. 

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president Brent Mountford says regulations are putting volunteers off doing pest management, as the cost of certification for managing pest management tools like Feratox become prohibitive.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 31 (00:02:10) What climate policies are parties pitching? (00:07:58) Ewe market steady as lambs enter mix (00:13:56) Indian appetite for strong wool grows (00:21:47) How to farm smarter through El Niño (00:31:29) Feds take issue with ACT hunting policy This week on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, senior reporter Neal Wallace examines the political parties' climate policies and what they could mean for farmers, before looking at how declining global livestock numbers are supporting New Zealand's red meat outlook. AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie reviews the ewe market, Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson discusses opportunities for strong wool in India, Ravensdown's Mike White shares El Niño advice, and Federated Farmers responds to ACT's proposed game animal policy.

Ravensdown chief scientist Mike White joins the show to talk through some of the key things farmers should be thinking about as El Niño progresses. 

Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson visited India recently to attend its massive textile fair, and says buyers there are hungry for our strong wool. He says there’s an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with businesses there and raise farmgate returns further.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace takes a look at the policy offerings for climate change mitigation, and finds parties across the political spectrum have disparate views, is it business as usual or increased regulation? Global livestock numbers are on the decline, and Neal says this bodes well for our red meat exports in the medium term.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie wraps up the in-lamb ewe market and then speculates on how the ewes with lambs at foot market will play out as the season progresses.

ACT’s plan to transfer responsibility for managing game animals on conservation land to the Game Animal Council needs a major rethink, according to Federated Farmers. Richard Dawkins, pest management spokesperson, says allowing the Game Animal Council to set game population targets is extremely concerning.

In this week's Farmers Weekly Podcast, senior reporter Neal Wallace discusses the latest progress on RMA reform and China's changing economy. AgriHQ's Alex Coddington explains how dairy beef is reshaping livestock markets, Melissa Clark-Reynolds explores AI's impact on farming, and Federated Farmers' Mark Hooper welcomes the latest RMA changes.

Agri-futurist and former Beef + Lamb NZ independent director Melissa Clark-Reynolds knows more than most about the impact of AI now, and its potential to disrupt our future. She tells Bryan how AI will affect our careers, our day to day work, and farming’s future.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace has gauged the response to the Select Committee’s report on the government’s RMA legislation. Most industry bodies are supportive of the report’s suggestions and look forward to the Bill progressing. China’s stalling economy has some economists questioning whether its growth charge is over, though Neal has found some believe the economic transformation taking place will kickstart a new growth phase soon.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington says the growing move to integrate dairy beef into farming businesses is having a big impact on the livestock markets, and while our appetite for more beef genetics will be welcomed in export markets right now, we need to take care not to fuel a boom and bust scenario.

This week the Government announced that the agreements councils reach with local iwi would be scrapped, with new rules being drafted for future agreements. Federated Farmers RMA spokesperson Mark Hooper has welcomed the move, and is also optimistic about the RMA reform, following the release of the Select Committee report on the proposed legislation.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 17 (00:01:51) Zespri to ask growers to back Chinese SunGold again (00:11:54) Ups and downs at Temuka’s in-lamb ewe fair (00:19:03) What El Niño could mean for NZ farmers this spring (00:34:28) River maintenance falls short In this week's Farmers Weekly Podcast, weather expert Phil Duncan explains what a possible El Niño could mean for New Zealand farmers this spring. Senior reporter Richard Rennie also discusses Zespri's possible second grower vote on Chinese SunGold production, livestock emissions research and urease inhibitors, while AgriHQ's Suz Bremner reviews the Temuka in-lamb ewe fair and Federated Farmers Robert Hickson examines river maintenance failures in Wairarapa.

Farmers Weekly’s weather man Phil Duncan is here to explain what El Nino is, how it might affect global food production, and what farmers and growers in New Zealand need to know heading into spring.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie joins the show to discuss some of the top stories of the week, including Zespri's possible plan for a second grower vote on whether to add Chinese SunGold fruit to its international mix. Richard has also been talking to Massey University researcher Dr Amelia Almeida, who updated Australia’s livestock emissions model and now has New Zealand’s in her sights. Richard also talks about urease inhibitors and whether they are actually doing what they state on the tin.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner reports on the recent Temuka in’lamb ewe fair, which saw record prices for the top lines before buyers became a lot more picky, resulting in a topsy-turvy day for vendors.

Federated Farmers’ Wairarapa president Robert Hickson tells Bryan that recent rain in the region caused unnecessary flooding as a result of poor or non-existent riverbed maintenance. He says the buildup of gravel in key rivers exacerbated the floods and wants to see agreement reached on how to avoid the same situation in future.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 9 (00:01:52) Is America's beef boom starting to slow? (00:09:46) A closer look at Ingka’s new Hawke’s Bay forest (00:20:13) Red light for Green water policy Ingka Investments country manager Kelvin Meredith joins the Farmers Weekly Podcast to discuss the company's newest Hawke's Bay forest and its long-term approach to production forestry and sustainability. AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad explains why America's appetite for beef may be starting to cool, and what that could mean for red meat prices. Plus, Federated Farmers national board member Mark Hooper shares his concerns about the Green Party's freshwater policy and its potential impact on farming and food prices.

Ingka Investments country manager Kelvin Meredith showed Bryan around one of their new forest plantings in Central Hawke’s Bay. He says the company is committed to sustainability, being a good neighbour and producing high quality production timber.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad joins the show to discuss red meat pricing, noting that America’s voracious appetite for beef appears to be diminishing a little. While it won’t see prices fall off a cliff, it is definitely something to keep an eye on.

Federated Farmers’ national board member Mark Hooper says the Green Party’s freshwater policy is scientifically and economically illiterate, and would push up the price of food here in New Zealand. He says while everyone wants improved water quality, that doesn’t have to come at the cost of food affordability.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 3 (00:01:33) Strong wool market reaches new highs (00:06:07) How Massey is helping solve the ag teacher shortage (00:14:47) Federated Farmers welcomes solar consent reforms This week: Strong wool prices have more than doubled over the past year. AgriHQ's Sara Hilhorst explains what's driving the remarkable rally. Feature guest Massey University Professor Paul Kenyon discusses a new programme to help tackle the shortage of agriculture and horticulture teachers, while sharing the latest on the university's enrolment surge. And Federated Farmers' Mark Hooper welcomes National's proposal to make on-farm solar installations a permitted activity without resource consent.

Head of Massey University’s School of Agriculture and Environment Professor Paul Kenyon joins the show to discuss a new micro-credential course programme being offered to secondary teachers that will help them teach agriculture and horticulture at high schools. More and more schools are offering these subjects but there is a shortage of teachers. He also gives an update on the enrolment situation at Massey, which is enjoying a big surge.

AgriHQ analyst Sara Hilhorst says the strong wool season ended with the Fusca coarse fleece indicator more than doubling from last season, after continuing to strengthen throughout the year. The benchmark also made significant gains over the past two months, extending its steady upward trend.

Federated Farmers’ national board member Mark Hooper is applauding the National Party for its plan to make it much easier for farmers to install solar. The party plans to make it a permitted activity not requiring resource consent.

This week: Landfall Strategy Group’s Dr David Skilling discusses how businesses can adapt to ongoing geopolitical instability, higher capital costs and disrupted supply chains. EECA’s Chris McArthur outlines practical advice for farmers considering farm solar, drawing on demonstration farms across New Zealand. Federated Farmers’ West Coast president Simon Cameron argues farmers’ stewardship should be central to discussions on proposed Conservation Act changes and the future of New Zealand’s conservation estate.

Landfall Strategy Group’s senior adviser on geopolitics and economic policy, Dr David Skilling, joins the show to discuss the global geopolitical scene, saying we won’t see a return to normality and must adapt to ongoing conflict, a higher cost of capital and strained supply chains.