The Quorum Sense Podcast
by Quorum Sense
A series of conversations with farmers and those working in the rural sector. We’re exploring the variety of experiences, perspectives and ideas coming from the creation of resilient, regenerative and enjoyable farming systems in New Zealand. The setup and first years of this podcast were supported by MPI’s Productive & Sustainable Land Use - Extension Services fund. Since July 2023, the Quorum Sense Podcast has been produced independently by the podcast team.For more information, visit the Quorum Sense Podcast webpage (https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/podcasts).
Episodes
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Getting off your ass with John King
In this episode Jono sits down with educator and author John King. You may have read some of John's articles in various publications or his books. John is passionate about helping farmers help themselves through dialogue. John has found that getting farmers together in a room or out in a paddock...
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Farming, family and motherhood with Ruby Frew
In this episode of the Quorum Sense podcast, Jono interviews his wife Ruby Frew! Ruby is a farmer and a mother among many other things. However, family and farming are what matters most for Ruby. In this short and sweet conversation, Ruby shares her journey from an early interest in sheep and…
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Tapping into the retail market with Logan Wait
In this episode, Jono sits down for a pre-sunrise yarn with Logan Wait. Logan's family have been dairy farming in the Waikato for a century and a half, but this conversation is not so much focused on the family dairy farm... Instead, Logan shares a brand new concept: Earth First Food. Earth First...
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A celebration of soil and connection: Conversations at Underground
In this episode, Jono takes the podcast kit to North Canterbury to check out Underground Festival. This was a great opportunity to capture some of the conversations happening while people mingled between presentations at this wonderful celebration of soil. There were some stand-out themes like...
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People, economics and environment with Otto Dogterom
In this episode Jono jumps in the tractor cab with dairy farmer and president of Federated Farmers' North Otago Provincial Executive, Otto Dogterom. Otto has been dairy farming for over 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share from how he got started, to navigating family farming ups and...
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Banging on about soil health with Matthew Evans
We decided to sneak one more podcast in for 2024!! In this episode Jono sits down with food fanatic and farmer Matthew Evans from Fat Pig Farm in Southern Tasmania. Matthew started his career as a chef and food critic, and through a love for food - and noticing a link between good food flavour…
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Optimising life with Rachel and Greg Hart
In this episode Jono sits down with Rachel and Greg Hart from Mangarara Station in central Hawke's bay. Greg and Rachel are passionate about nature, community and farming, and this is very easy to pick up in this wonderful conversation. It's a conversation that covers the farm's journey from…
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Helping people transition in agriculture with Darren Doherty
With this release, we celebrate episode 50 of the Quorum Sense podcast!! Jono sits down with Darren Doherty from over the ditch in Australia. Darren is a farmer and an educator, well known for his vast knowledge of farm systems function, design and management. In this conversation we hear how…
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Shifting the global agricultural paradigm with Allen Williams
In this special episode of the Quorum Sense podcast going abroad, Jono sits down to chew the fat with 6th generation family farmer Allen Williams. Allen was a university professor with 24 years in academia under his belt when he decided that he needed to go back to his roots on the farm. Since…
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Beyond the basics of pasture management with Jim Elizondo
In this special episode - which is part 1 in the mini series of the Quorum Sense podcast going abroad - Jono sits down with Jim Elizondo to discuss grazing management and nutrition. Jim has vast experience trialing different types of grazing management over his long career as a cattleman and...
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Organic Kiwifruit and a "get stuck in" attitude with Levi Belcher
In this episode Jono speaks with keen 24-year-old kiwifruit orchard manager Levi Belcher about how he got started in the industry, and why he was attracted to soil health and regenerative practices. Levi talks about how having a "get stuck in" attitude has made a big difference in his career. If...
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From rural banking to organic dairy farming with Willie White
In this discussion, Jono sits down with dairy farmer and Quorum Sense board member Willie White to hear about his journey into organic regen dairy farming. From humble beginnings on the family farm as a child - and watching his parents convert a part of the farm to dairy - Willie has always had a...
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Unintended consequences of GE and GMOs with Prof Jack Heinemann
In this special episode of the Quorum Sense podcast, Jono interviews Professor Jack Heinemann from the University of Canterbury on the topic of GE and GMO in New Zealand. Professor Heinemann's experience in this field, along with a long list of credentials, make him one of the leading voices in…
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More than meat with Carrie & Tom Andrews
In this episode Jono catches up with Carrie and Tom Andrews from Wholly Cow Butchery in Cambridge. Carrie and Tom are passionate about supporting their local community and creating opportunities from listening to their customers needs. From caring for the animals, to slaughter, to butchery and…
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The future of the whenua (land) with Zeb Horrell
In this episode we have an in-depth and very personal conversation with Zeb Horrell. Zeb is a third generation sheep and beef farmer from northern Southland, and Zeb's contributions span much wider than the family farm. Zeb shares his experience with enterprises, Future Whenua, Polyculture…
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How organic regen dairy farmers, Charlotte and Russell Heald, are living their dream life
Charlotte and Russell Heald are passionate dairy farmers "living their dream life" in Norsewood, Manawatū. Earlier this year they won the OrganicNZ award for Regenerative Organic Farmer of the Year. Russell and Charlotte share their journey from conventional share milking to dairy farm ownership....
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From IT to regenerative farming with Stephen Newman
In this episode Stephen Newman shares his journey from the IT industry, to dairy farming in his thirties, to later discover regenerative agriculture and the power of farm discussion groups. Stephen had no farming background when he started dairy farming and relied heavily on advice from...
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Blending research and farming with David Musgrave
In this episode of the Quorum Sense podcast, Jono has a fascinating discussion with David Musgrave about pastoral farming and science in New Zealand David is a multi-generational farmer who's family started farming at Waihi Bush Farm in the 1800s, and its where David farmed until recently. As…
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SPECIAL EPISODE: Lets discuss wintering with Deane Parker, Duncan Humm and Jono Frew
In this podcast, recorded especially for our Wintering Innovations Series, Deane Parker, Duncan Humm and Jono Frew discuss their wintering journeys. Deane talks about going from relying on unreliable winter crops to a full bale grazing system on his mid Canterbury dairy farm. Duncan shares his...
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Transforming waste into biochar with Dylan Graves
In this fascinating episode of the Quorum Sense podcast, Jono sits down in the studio with Dylan Graves from Tuatapere for an in depth talk about some of the powerful uses and functions of Biochar. After years of journeying around the world teaching, Dylan felt there was something missing in his...
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Uncovering the magic of Six Inches of Soil with Claire McKenzie
This month, we ride the airwaves to the UK to hear from Claire McKenzie, the producer and filmmaker behind Six Inches of Soil - a grassroots UK documentary which Quorum Sense is bringing to New Zealand next month. Jono has a fascinating conversation with Claire about the film, the young aspiring...
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Windows of opportunity with Nick Tucker
Beef farmer and Quorum Sense Team member Nick Tucker has swapped his urban luxuries for an off-grid cabin on 160 acres amid the backroads of Northland. From the family dairy farm as a young boy, to ruminant nutrition research, being the PR bridge between marketers and farmers, and working for...
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What do we mean by 'Good Farming' with Daniel Eb and Peter Edwards
Farming for Good (NB webpage not live yet) is a research collection that explores our sense of connection with farming in Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s about supporting everyday people and leaders across our communities, farming sector and government, to build trust in our food and farming system.…
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Taking the bull by the horns with Ewan Campbell
National food awards, 10t/ha increases of soil carbon and nitrate levels now undetectable. These are results that’ll open your mind to what Coromandel drystock farmer Ewan Campbell has to say about his discoveries. National food awards, 10t/ha increases of soil carbon and nitrate levels now...
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Farmers are our health system with Phyllis Tichinin
Growing up in California, Phyllis Tichinin witnessed the abundance of local fruit orchards and their deep, rich soils begin to be concreted into what is now Silicon Valley. After meeting her Kiwi husband, Phyllis now resides in Hawke’s Bay and is well-known as an eco-nutritionist with a passion…
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Playing the game of farming with Brad Rudd
Infatuated by seeds turning into food as a young boy in his Poppa’s veggie garden, Brad Rudd has always had a desire to grow things. Despite growing up in the outskirts of Auckland. At first a senior shepherd on a ‘conventional’ farm in Hawke’s Bay, Brad then threw his hat over the wall and took…
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Integrating your values into farming Charlie Arnott
Australian farmer, podcaster and all-round regenerative advocate Charlie Arnott talks landscape healing, nutritionally dense food and the complexity and stresses of farm management. Whilst Charlie is grateful for the reference point his science background provided, it wasn’t helping integrate his...
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‘Boots and all’ with Cherryle Prew
Cherryle Prew’s journey progressed from city office worker, to organic horticulture, to BioGro auditing. But her “aha!” moment and passion for soil biology was born at a talk by Elaine Ingham, founder of Soil Food Web worldwide. Boots and all, Cherryle set up NZ’s only Soil Food Web lab 20 years...
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Learning off each other with Peter Legg
It was an interest in body building, personal training and nutrition that sparked Peter Legg’s journey into farming. You’ll now find him on the family’s 45ha dry land arable, winter sheep grazing and dairy support block in Southbridge, Canterbury. Peter talks about ‘right place, right time’...
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The joy in ‘giving it a crack’ with Shane Birchall & Meghan Schutt
Father and daughter duo Shane Birchall and Meghan Schutt have changed their whole dairy and beef system, just south of Rotorua. Shane’s ‘tried it all’ throughout his lifetime on the farm, with nudges from Meghan in recent years steering them to focus on creating self-sufficient and low waste...
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The possibilities of science and farming with Sam Lang
A year into running a mixed farming operation in Canterbury, Sam Lang is committed to merging the best of science with farmer observation, enquiry, experience and innovation. And within his role at Quorum Sense, he’s always pushing for questions to be asked from a farmer’s perspective. Throughout...
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Transformations and expectations with Jake Herron
Jake Herron’s life has completely transformed since we last spoke with him two years ago. And his dream is coming true. Jake and his partner Emma recently shifted from Central Otago to Matakana. From scratch, they’re creating and managing a 300ha ‘gate to plate’ farm. When it comes to taking on...
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Looking outside the square with Adam Rivett
Previously a school principle, Adam Rivett shares how he had to look outside the square to make his 64ha sheep and beef farm in Canterbury economic. Among other farming enterprises, a family-run on-farm butchery was opened five months ago. And in 2022 received the New Zealand Sausage Award for…
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Foundations of a resilient farming system with Hamish Bielski
South Otago farmer Hamish Bielski sheds light on how and why his marriage sits at the heart of their resilient sheep and beef system. Managing expectations has been key in Hamish’s journey so far. He is unattached to doing the same thing year-on-year, authentically sharing what hasn’t worked, and...
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Gaining confidence through knowledge with David Birkett
2022 Arable Farmer of the Year David (Dave) Birkett is a pioneer in New Zealand regenerative arable systems. Rising input costs and the power of soil-building cover crops steered Dave’s transition. Through acquiring and understanding knowledge, he’s gained the confidence to try new things, and...
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Food and health independence with Marran (Maz) Tuckwell
Young farmer Marran (Maz) Tuckwell shares his passion for food independence, natural health and their connection to farming. He talks about closing the loops in our farming systems, frugality as a core value and land area not being the limitation when growing your own food. Also touched on is the...
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Embracing a bit of chaos with Richard Leask and Nick Paulin
Australian wine grower Richard Leaske joins Nick Paulin, national viticulturist for Aotearoa New Zealand Fine Wine Estates. They discuss the shift in customer attention from product to process and the importance of transparent story-telling. Richard and Nick also share about their low-cost easy...
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Seeing the opportunity in consumer demands with Geoff Ross
Lake Hawea Station's Geoff Ross brings his entrepreneurial perspective to the table in this wide-ranging chat about regenerative farming and the opportunities opening up to Kiwi farmers. With consumers demanding closer ties to the food and fibres the buy, and the spotlight on environmental issues...
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In off the deep end with Michael Reilly
From Sydney suburbia to Hawkes Bay farm owner, Michael Reilly shares a journey into regenerative agriculture driven by a desire to live on the land and to produce great food. Initially learning traditional production systems, his disappointment with both the physical and financial results soon…
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Regenerative organic dairying with Janette and Carla Perrett
Mother and daughter dairy farming team Janette and Carla Perrett share how the shift to organic production has shaped their farming over the past 16 years. The drive for alternative solutions to support animal health and soil fertility has resulted in a regenerative approach that’s cut costs,...
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Balancing farm and family with Tim & Camilla Rutherford
Tim and Camilla Rutherford explore what it takes to bring regenerative practices to high country Merino production, and how it's benefited business, personal and family life. A wonderful conversation, it covers the introduction of mob grazing, the challenges of high country water supply, and the...
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Jodi Roebuck on maximising impact per hectare
Market gardener and regenerative land use advocate Jodi Roebuck explains how he generates a $250k turnover on one tenth of a hectare, and the huge value gained from improving soil, fine tuning systems and building relationships. He also talks about the resilience and adaptability built into his...
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Breeding for success with the McKerchar family
Canterbury pedigree beef and sheep breeders, the McKerchar family discuss multi-generational farming, succession, and not being afraid to shift direction. It’s clear that being open to different perspectives lies at the heart of family relationships, and their evolving relationship with their…
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Embracing dairy learnings with Deane Parker
Join dairy farmer and filmmaker Deane Parker as he deep-dives into his journey from rafting guide to regenerative farming advocate. Deane's connection to the outdoors and water, along with the hurdles he's faced along the way, have profoundly affected how he views the industry he works in and the...
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Managing complexity on the farm with Jules Matthews
Jules Matthews shares her experiences applying regenerative principles to beef and sheep farming, coaching and a startup market garden venture supplying direct to consumer. The observations and learnings she’s gathered within all this complexity are thought-provoking and inspiring. From…
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Duncan Humm talks diversity with deer
Quorum Sense board member Duncan Humm talks about his fascination with deer, and the part they've played in teaching him the value of observation and diversity. Both are traits that have proven extremely useful as he learns to apply regenerative farming practices to the family farm. From the…
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Regen dairy with Miah & Jenny Smith and Greg & Lenna Low
From initial experiments with regenerative practices to rolling out across larger areas of the farm, the Smiths and Lows share their experiences with building topsoil, reducing fertiliser use and embracing diverse crops and pastures. The benefits they discuss are wide-ranging, from improved...
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Arable panel with Nigel Greenwood, Simon White & Dave Cline
Three arable farmers come together to talk about their experiences with regenerative crop production systems. From changes in tillage regimes to techniques to better support crop establishment, nutrition and health, it's a fascinating conversation between farmers who are 'walking the talk'. From...
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Celebrating pastoral farming with Siobhan Griffin
Pastoral farmer and grazing coach Siobhan Griffin was initially drawn to regenerative farming practices by a desire to produce better tasting meat and cheese. She has a deep passion for holistic grazing, plant and animal diversity, and increasing the soil carbon sponge. Siobhan talks about the...
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Building resilience with Nick Gill & Mike Saunders
Greystone Wine's Nick Gill and Mike Saunders continue to challenge traditional approaches to viticulture as they bring regenerative systems into their wine growing business. The integration of sheep into the vineyard, adopting natural fermentation processes and minimising machinery passes are…
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About this show
A series of conversations with farmers and those working in the rural sector. We’re exploring the variety of experiences, perspectives and ideas coming from the creation of resilient, regenerative and enjoyable farming systems in New Zealand. The setup and first years of this podcast were supported by MPI’s Productive & Sustainable Land Use - Extension Services fund. Since July 2023, the Quorum Sense Podcast has been produced independently by the podcast team.For more information, visit the Quorum Sense Podcast webpage (https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/podcasts).
Hosted by
Quorum Sense