Farmers Weekly Podcast
by AgriHQ
The Farmers Weekly Podcast is a New Zealand-based rural news podcast covering agriculture, farming, agribusiness and food and fibre. Hosted by managing editor Bryan Gibson, it keeps it real each week with news highlights, expert guests, AgriHQ market insights and discussions on the farming advocacy shaping NZ’s primary sector. Follow the Farmers Weekly Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected]
Episodes
-
Full Show | October 30
Senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie join Bryan to discuss their recent trips abroad. Richard visited India and found that our wool is still in high demand. Price consistency was something that Indian textile companies were looking for, as recent volatility was difficult to navigate....
-
News Wrap | NZ wool and meat find opportunities in global markets
Senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie join Bryan to discuss their recent trips abroad. Richard visited India and found that our wool is still in high demand. Price consistency was something that Indian textile companies were looking for, as recent volatility was difficult to navigate....
-
AgriHQ Insight | El Niño fears make cattle buyers more selective
With El Niño on the horizon and lots of cattle on offer, AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie says buyers are being very selective about the cattle they buy. They’re looking for stock that will hold their value should they need to move them on if the dry hits.
-
Feds Focus | Feds voter guide compares parties on farming priorities
Federated Farmers’ Mark Hooper discusses the new voter guide Feds has released, which marks political parties against the farming lobby group’s election manifesto.
-
Full Show | October 23
This week, Elite Wool Industry Training’s Tom Wilson explains how new training is improving animal welfare and sheep handling, AgriHQ’s Alex Coddington looks at strong early lamb sales in Hawke’s Bay and what they signal for the season ahead, and Federated Farmers’ Mark Hooper unpacks Labour’s...
-
Feature | Wool industry steps up animal welfare training
More than 480 wool harvesting workers have completed animal welfare training. Elite Wool Industry Training director Tom Wilson explains how the industry is improving sheep handling.
-
AgriHQ Insight | Hawke’s Bay lamb sales set strong early benchmark
Early lamb sales in Hawke’s Bay have exceeded expectations. AgriHQ’s Alex Coddington looks at the strong prices setting the tone for the season ahead.
-
Feds Focus | Labour’s freshwater policies under the spotlight
Federated Farmers’ Mark Hooper joins the studio to reflect on Labour’s freshwater policies, changing approaches and the importance of constructive engagement with farmers.
-
Full Show | October 16
This week, Beef + Lamb NZ Inc’s Kit Arkwright and Rod Slater reflect on 40 years of promoting red meat. Farmers Weekly’s Neal Wallace explores whether leaving the Paris Accord could threaten NZ’s EU trade deal, and AgriHQ’s Sara Hilhorst explains El Niño’s potential impact on cattle buyers.
-
Feature | Forty years of red meat promotion
Bryan is joined by Beef + Lamb NZ Inc’s current and former bosses – Kit Arkwright and Rod Slater – to talk about the organisation’s work. They cover everything from the Iron Maidens to the protein wars with chicken, pork and alternative meats.
-
News Wrap | Could leaving the Paris Accord put NZ’s EU trade deal at risk?
Senior reporter Neal Wallace is in Europe, and says officials there have told him the European Commission would take a dim view of any move to exit the Paris Accord. They said the climate commitments are baked into the NZ-EU FTA and would be enforced.
-
AgriHQ Insight | Record beef prices meet El Niño caution in weaner market
AgriHQ analyst Sara Hilhorst says this year’s weaner market could be a bit different to previous years, as despite beef prices being at record highs, the impending El Niño is forcing buyers to be more picky about the quality of stock they purchase.
-
Water storage vital for farming’s future
Bryan is joined by Irrigation NZ chief executive Karen Williams and Federated Farmers board member Richard Dawkins to discuss how water security is the key to farming’s future. They say a long-term strategy to build the infrastructure to collect and store water will nurture our communities and...
-
Full Show | October 2
This week, what comes next for growers and farmers on the Heretaunga Plains as wine tastes change and water determines their options? Featured guest, Farmers Weekly reporter Rebecca Greaves, explores the Hawke's Bay’s changing landscape. Farmers Weekly’s Richard Rennie also previews his visit to...
-
Feature | Rethinking farming on the Heretaunga Plains
Reporter Rebecca Greaves joins the show to discuss the special report on the changing landscape in the Bay. With consumer preferences reshaping viticulture, growers and farmers are looking for the next land use to adopt. But it all comes down to one variable – water.
-
News Wrap | India’s textile trade examined
Senior reporter Richard Rennie previews his upcoming visit to India, where he’ll attend its biggest textile and carpet expo. New Zealand’s wool is in demand there, valued for its strength and length.
-
AgriHQ Insight | Store cattle shine in Feilding
AgriHQ Insight | Store cattle shine in FeildingAgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington says store cattle values are holding up despite worries about El Niño. Feilding hosted a big yarding last week with prices pleasing vendors.
-
Feds Focus | Sharemilking Act needs updating
Federated Farmers sharefarming chair Sam Ebbett says the new government needs to prioritise an update to the laws around sharefarming. The Act as it stands doesn’t account for contract milking, now the predominant path for young farmers to progress in dairy.
-
Full Show | September 25
Where have half a million lambs gone, and what does their disappearance from the numbers mean for farmers? This week, AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad unpacks the mystery and the consequences for the red meat sector. Plus, Richard Rennie looks at the passing of the Agricultural Compounds and...
-
Feature | The curious case of the missing lambs
AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says updates to our national sheep population figures have wiped out half a million lambs the industry was previously accounting for. She says this has repercussions for farmers, processors and everyone in the red meat supply chain.
-
News Wrap | New rules could open door to better pest controls
Senior reporter Richard Rennie says the passing of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill with broad support is giving industry leaders confidence that the door will reopen to new tools to combat pests and diseases.
-
AgriHQ Insight | Chatham livestock gets moving again
AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says Chatham Island farmers are celebrating the first load of stock sent to the yards at Strotford Lodge, with a temporary larger barge filling the gap while they wait for the new boat to be built in China.
-
Feds Focus | Farm drainage regulations be damned
Federated Farmers Otago vice president Logan Wallace says the laws around managing farm drains need an overhaul, with restrictions and costs leaving the land degraded and unproductive.
-
Full Show | September 18
(00:00:00) Full Show | September 18 (00:01:24) Solar companies seek investment (00:09:00) Cattle hit the road in search of better money (00:16:46) Why everyone should be watching bond yields (00:28:07) Farmer confidence slides despite high returns This week, Farmers Weekly’s Richard Rennie looks…
more -
Feature | Why everyone should be watching bond yields
Economist Cameron Bagrie is here to explain why the 10-year bond yield is something everyone should have their eyes on. He says with inflation on the rise, governments will be quick to cool down financial markets which will lead to higher interest rates and borrowing costs.
-
News Wrap | Solar companies seek investment
Senior reporter Richard Rennie takes a look at the growing solar energy market and notes that big player Lodestone is considering the stock market as a way to raise more capital.
-
AgriHQ Insight | Cattle hit the road in search of better money
AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie rounds up the early cattle sales and says some vendors are heading further afield to find the highest returns. A Pleasant Point seller took 1500 dairy-beef cattle north to Fielding in search of value and was well rewarded.
-
Full Show | September 11
This week, Farmers Weekly’s Neal Wallace finds confidence returning to southern dairy country, AgriHQ’s Mel Croad weighs up easing red meat prices, Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland asks how farmers can turn another strong year into real gains, and Federated Farmers Waikato president Chris…
more -
Feature | BLNZ forecasts another great year for farmers
Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland says forecasts point to another good year for farmers, even as farmgate returns ease slightly and the cost of production remains stubbornly high.
-
News Wrap | Dairy industry roars into life down south
Senior reporter Neal Wallace reports that sales of dairy farms in Southland and Otago are increasing in number, with confidence returning to the regions and banks back in the lending game.
-
AgriHQ Insight | Beef and lamb prices ease into the new season
AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad gives an update on our key markets for beef and sheepmeat, reporting that while prices are easing slightly, we’re still in great shape as the new season begins.
-
Feds Focus | Waikato proposals for local government reform find favour
Federated Farmers Waikato president Chris Woolerton says the plans for local government reform in the region have the backing of Federated Farmers, with sensible boundaries suggested and a clear voice for rural communities.
-
Full Show | September 4
(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...
-
Feature | More than a competition: the bond behind dog trialling
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.
-
News Wrap | Councils target truckers to fund road repairs
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 Insight | Sheep markets turn from old to new
AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie discusses the transition from old season lambs to new, young stock as ewes with lambs at foot enter the saleyards.
-
Feds Focus | Amalgamation angst in Otago
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.
-
Full Show | August 28
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,...
-
Feature | Is New Zealand’s tech brain drain really a bad thing?
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.
-
News Wrap | Ageing regions face a workforce squeeze
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.
-
AgriHQ Insight | Young cattle up against easing market
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.
-
Feds Focus | Relaxed drone rules could drive farm uptake
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...
-
Full Show | August 21
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.
-
Feature | Building a better battle plan for 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.
-
News Wrap | Record red meat prices face a reality check
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.
-
AgriHQ Insight | Is the lamb price boom starting to fade?
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.
-
Full Show | August 14
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...
-
News Wrap | Solar advocates back on-farm installation
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...
-
AgriHQ Insight | A big day at the Feilding yards
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.
About this show
The Farmers Weekly Podcast is a New Zealand-based rural news podcast covering agriculture, farming, agribusiness and food and fibre. Hosted by managing editor Bryan Gibson, it keeps it real each week with news highlights, expert guests, AgriHQ market insights and discussions on the farming advocacy shaping NZ’s primary sector.
Follow the Farmers Weekly Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected]
Hosted by
AgriHQ
Categories