All Episodes

Checking in: The state of rural health // Craig "Wiggy" Wiggins, Lean on a Gate, Talk to a Mate

Deer sector looks for momentum // Evan Potter, Chair, NZ Deer Farmer Association

Wilding Pines are adapting faster than we thought // Dr Thomas Carlin, Invasion Ecologist, Bioeconomy Science Institute

Westgold Named NZ’s Best Butter // Alex Turnbull, CEO, Westland Milk Products

Strong meat prices — So why are co-op shares falling? // Tony Leggett, Rural Commentator

Could Trump Put NZ lamb in the crosshairs? // Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment

14th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 14th May 2026

Council reform: What happens to regional New Zealand? // Kate Taylor, Central Hawke’s Bay district councillor and rural journalist

What the Aussie budget means for farmers // Libby Price, Australian Rural Correspondent

Wrapping this week's Waikato Pasture Summit event // Robbie Ferris, Pasture Summit Chairperson and Director, GM of Piriaka Farms

Entrants to Fieldays 2026 Innovation Awards revealed // Steve Chappell, Programme Manager, New Zealand National Fieldays Society

Farmers Panel: Butter, bureaucracy and BBQ smoke // Tim Gorton & Craig Hickman

Managing at scale: NZ’s top dairy manager // Lauren McConnachie, NZDIA Farm Manager of The Year Winner

Labour’s rural policy reset and council reform // Jo Luxton, Labour Spokesperson for Agriculture, Biosecurity, Customs

13th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 13th May 2026

El Niño locks in: Dry east risk builds // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather

Practical innovation driving smarter farming // Tony Dodunski, 2026 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award Recipient

Ensuring 'drama-free' calving: Ecolab highlights essentials for new season success // Murray Hart, Business Development Manager, Animal Health, Ecolab

Win for EPA as glyphosate court challenge dropped // Dr Shaun Presow, Acting Manager of Hazardous Substances Applications, Environmental Protection Authority

Honouring the families who built rural New Zealand // Edward Fitzgerald, Chair of the New Zealand Century Farms & Station Awards

Rural NZ faces major council shake-up // Mark Patterson, Minister for Rural Communities

12th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Pāmu pushes native credits into the mainstream // Robyn Haugh, Chief Executive, True Nature

Dairy markets hold firm after latest GDT // Cristina Alvarado, NZX, Head of Dairy Insights

Backing farmers for biodiversity gains // Colin Hurst, Federated Farmers Vice President and Freshwater Spokesperson

FULL SHOW - 12th May 2026

New Zealand catching up to international standards in nature credit markets // Geoff Ross, Carbonfields & Lake Hawea Station

Climate Risk Assessment flags agriculture as major risk by 2050 // Jo Hendy, Chief Executive, Climate Change Commission

Can nature markets deliver for farmers? // Andrew Hoggard, Associate Minister for the Environment

Fishing bill backlash: Has Shane Jones gone too far? // Matt Watson, Host, ITM Fishing Show

NZ’s Share Farmers of the Year: Inside the success story // Scott & Stacey Mackereth, Share Farmer of the Year, 2026 NZDIA

Coalition still favoured — But cracks and tensions growing // Richard Harman, Political Commentator

11th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 11th May 2026

Otago's new Feds President on water, rates and redrawing the map // Anna Gillespie, President, Federated Farmers Otago

Rural GP funding: Bringing more care closer to home // Matt Doocey, Minister for Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health

8th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Finalists gather for NZ Dairy Industry Awards // Maegan Legg, Chair, NZ Dairy Industry Awards

Crop tool opens diversification options for CHB growers // Libby Tosswill, Economic Growth Manager, Central Hawkes Bay District Council

$3 billion urea plant planned for Southland // Allan Blood, Executive Director, Victorian Hydrogen

Honouring a career growing rural education // Kerry Allen, 2026 Bledisloe Medalist

Kaimanawa Horses: From wild herds to new homes // Kelly Wilson, Founding Board Member, Kaimanawa Legacy Foundation

Record dairy prices: Why elite genetics are booming // Luke Gilbert, Dairy Genetics Specialist, Carrfields

Imported Butter: Why Isn’t NZ Butter on NZ Tables? // Mark Simpson, General Manager of Sales, Dairyworks

Inside dairy’s top honour: The 2026 Dairy Woman of the Year // Hinehou Timutimu, Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year 2026

Premium push: NZ wool into global carpet supply // John McWhirter, CEO, Wools of NZ

Local Govt reform: Feds push for fewer, stronger councils // Sandra Faulkner, Local Government Spokesperson, Federated Farmers

7th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Canterbury’s future: Reform, regional power and super councils // Deon Swiggs, Chair, Environment Canterbury

How NZ’s farming practices come into import welfare debate // Farmer Panel North V South

From measurement to action: AI changing grazing // Jeremy Bryant, Founder and CTO of Aimer Farming

‘It’s a tricky one’: No stance yet from Opportunity Party on import welfare debate // Daniel Eb, Deputy Leader, The Opportunity Party

‘The rubber needs to hit the road’: Councils have three months to plan reform // Simon Watts, Minister of Local Government, Climate Change, Revenue and Auckland

‘We’re just proud to be here’: Repost hits 1 million posts repurposed // Dansy & Greg Coppell, Co-Founders, Repost

FULL SHOW - 6th May 2026

Haast to Jackson Bay: Who pays to keep the Coast open? // Helen Lash, Mayor, Westland District Council

6th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Fair for Farmers or trade risk? Greens on import standards debate // Steve Abel, Agriculture Spokesperson, Green Party

Dairy Holdings CEO retiring after 25 years // Colin Glass, Outgoing CEO, Dairy Holdings

Have farmers relaxed biosecurity measures? // Campbell Parker, CEO, Dairy NZ

‘Get back out there’: Fish & Game's message to duck shooters this season // Corina Jordan, CEO, Fish and Game

May outlook: is winter weather already here? // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather

Beef + Lamb riding industry high ahead of Out The Gate 2026 // Alan Thomson, CEO, Beef + Lamb NZ

ACT introduces school bus ‘open seat rule’ election policy // Andrew Hoggard, Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety, Associate Minister of Agriculture

Gaps between regulations and on farm practice highlighted in Nuffield research // Jon Pemberton, 2025 Nuffield Scholar & Environment Southland Councillor

Duck shooting opening weekend: Were pressure points managed? // James Meager

5th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 5th May 2026

What we learned — And where to from here // Karen Williams & John Sunkel

Methane progress: What’s coming and when? // Wayne McNee, CEO, Agrizero

On-Farm reality: Emissions change in action // Paul McGill, Head of Innovation and Extension, Pāmu

Unlocking value: Turning green crops into protein // Maury Leyland-Penno, Co-Founder, Leaft Foods

Bigger scale, different pressures: Australia’s approach // Richard Heath, CEO, Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC, Australia

Zespri’s sustainability push: What it means on farm // Carolyn Mortland, Executive Officer Sustainability, Zespri

Methane Solutions: Two approaches, one challenge // George Reeves & Colin South

Agritech NZ: What it does and why it matters // Brendan O'Connell, CEO, Agritech NZ

Dry start, frost risks and winter outlook // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather

Dairy policy, water and growth // John Faulkner, Regional councillor for North Canterbury

Wool, budgets and confidence at the farm gate // North V South Farmers Panel

What the India trade deal means for regions // Grant McCallum

Wool levy debate returns as sector seeks sustainable funding // Ross McIsaac, Sector Manager, Wool Impact

How agritourism’s surge is diversifying farm incomes // Marijke Dunselman, Founder, Agritourism New Zealand

Rising rates and debt raises questions over council spending // Jordan Williams, Executive Director & Co-founder, Taxpayers' Union

How South Waikato’s Pasture Summit is getting farmer’s boots on the ground // Robbie Ferris, Director, Pasture Summit Waikato

Cutting ag research risks long-term farm productivity and growth // Derrick Moot, Professor of Agricultural Sciences, Lincoln University

Why Walt Cavendish has rejoined Federated Farmers two weeks after leaving // Walt Cavendish, Rural Candidate Waikato

Federated Farmer’s climate change conference no-show, and how they’re supporting the arable sector // Colin Hurst, Vice President, Federated Farmers

Update on Australian droughts and impact on beef export // Libby Price, Australian Rural Commentator

FULL SHOW - 4th May 2026

4th May 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Building pathways to farm ownership // Will Burrett

Farm Remuneration Report // Louise Gibson

Managing Foot and Mouth Disease // Andrew Hoggard

Full Show - 30th April 2026

On-Farm Reality: Emissions Change in Action // Paul McGill

Unlocking Value: Turning Green Crops into Protein // Maury Leyland-Penno

30th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Bigger Scale, Different Pressures: Australia’s Approach // Richard Heath

Methane Solutions: Two Approaches, One Challenge // George Reeves & Colin South

Zespri’s Sustainability Push: What It Means on Farm // Carolyn Mortland

Agritech NZ: What It Does and Why It Matters // Brendan O'Connell

Economics of Climate Change // Cameron Bagrie

Progress Across New Zealand’s Methane Tools and Technologies // Naomi Parker, Executive Director - Ag Emissions Centre

29th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Full Show - 29th April 2026

Dairy awards highlight next generation talent // Enda Hawe

India deal could open premium honey market for NZ // Karin Kos, CEO of Apiculture NZ

Fuel outlook: What farmers should budget for winter // Chris Gourley, Fern Energy CEO

Rural wellbeing roadshow heads through Canterbury // Mike Green, Rural Support Trust

28th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Full Show - 28th April 2026

Warriors, rugby and weekend winners // Dave Worsley, Sports Commentator

Strong farms need strong advisers // Jo Finer, CEO, Institute of Rural Professionals

Christchurch’s big night as Te Kaha opens // Sam MacDonald, Christchurch City Council

From feds to politics in Southland // Jason Herrick, Southland NZ First Candidate

More weather pressure, bigger farm support response // Vanessa Winning, Director, On Farm Support Unit, MPI

24th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 24th April 2026

Deer farming looking for stronger margins // Matt Carroll, BakerAg Manawatu

Rural broadband still a national test // Craig Young, CEO, TUANZ

Deer velvet breakthrough as sector eyes better returns // Rhys Griffiths, CEO, Deer Industry NZ

When weather hits, are councils moving fast enough? // Blair "Blocka" Drysdale & Mark Warren, North V South Farmers Panel

High country farmers gain more flexibility under lease reforms // Mike Butterick, Minister of Land Information and Associate Minister of Agriculture

Could coffee become Northland’s next big crop? // Peter Shepherd, Chairman, New Zealand Coffee Producers Association

Southland weighs $3 billion fertiliser mega project // Rob Scott, Southland Mayor

Rural schools say funding only part of the answer // Andrew King, President, NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association

Arable sector under pressure as costs rise and land shifts to dairy // Hamish Marr, Arable & Dairy Farmer, Methven

Labour backs India deal as questions remain // Damien O'Connor, Labour Party spokesperson for Trade, Defence, Land Information and Regional Development

Transition cows: Small changes, big gains // Simon Butler, Nutrition Extension Specialist, Seales Winslow

23rd April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 23rd April 2026

From the Farm Gate: What farmers are facing right now // Dan Billing - B+LNZ Farmer Council Chair & Matt Holden - Hawkes Bay Farmer

More diversity, more resilience in NZ pastures // Danny Donaghy - Professor of Dairy Production Systems and joint Deputy Head of School/Director of Strategy, Massey University

NZ farming nears major turning point, says MPI // Jarred Mair - Chief Insights Officer, MPI

New pathways emerging for young farmers to get in // Sarah How - Co-Founder, Landify

JK on mental fitness: Looking after rural New Zealand // Sir John Kirwan - New Zealand Mental Health Advocate & Former All Black

Smart tech or hype? What farmers should adopt now // Mark Mortimer - Technology and Data Analysis Manager, Centre Plus Merino Group

Kiwi app tackles grazing and drench decisions in real time // Ryan Luckman - DAGI

B+LNZ pushes practical innovation to lift farm performance // Dan Brier - GM Farming Excellence B+LNZ

22nd April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 22nd April 2026

Cold snap coming? Winter weather risks ahead // Tony Trewinnard - Blue Skies Weather

In the rat curve, you want to be well ahead of the anus // Richard Reynolds - West Coast Dairy Farmer

Bryce McKenzie challenges ACT to back farmers on climate and costs // Bryce McKenzie - Founder, Groundswell

CPI numbers put interest rate outlook back in focus // Mike Jones - Chief Economist, BNZ

Zespri eyes India opportunity after another strong year // Jason Te Brake - CEO, Zespri

Fair for Farmers faces scrutiny over funders and agenda // Rainer Kravets - Co-Executive Director, Animal Policy International

FULL SHOW - 21st April 2026

21st April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

New legume species // Dr Lucy Bell - PhD graduate and researcher, Lincoln University

The drench resistance wake-up call // Ginny Dodunski - Programme Manager, WormWise

Best practices for transitioning livestock onto winter crops // Jason Leslie, Technical Expert – Animal Health & Nutrition, PGG Wrightson

A castle built on sand: NPS for highly productive soils // Phil Journeaux - Agricultural Economist

Reducing the footprint: Insights from the Farm Waste Workshops // Trish Rankin - Taranaki Dairy Farmer

AgriTech Unleashed: Accelerating regional innovation // Brendan O'Connell - CEO, AgriTech NZ

Federated Farmers ducking from debate on GE stance says Future Farmers // Daniel Judd - Future Farmers

Taranaki's frustration with the wetlands rules & what the changes mean // Mark Hooper - Federated Farmers

Farming with Walt: Homegrown advocacy // Walt Cavendish - Farming With Walt

Was 'Fair for Farmers' anti-farming activists using Kiwi farmers as foot soldiers? // Ani O'Brien - Political Commentator

FULL SHOW - 20th April 2026

20th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Big weekend ahead: Warriors test, Super Rugby clashes and Supercars in CHCH // Dave Worsley & Brian (Gash) Ashby - Sports Commentators

Ag sector debates GE and animal welfare trade-offs // Duncan Humm, Deer Farmer & Co-Founder, NZ Farmers Facebook Page

Durum wheat win signals new opportunities for NZ arable sector // Ivan Lawrie - General Manager Business Operations, Foundation for Arable Research (FAR)

Farm Environment Awards finals set after strong regional season // Sarah Harris - General Manager, NZ Farm Environment Trust

DairyNZ sets priorities after strong turnout at SIDE // Tracy Brown - Chair, DairyNZ

Silver Fern Farms profit up, but Gulf disruption tests outlook // Dan Boulton - CEO, Silver Fern Farms

Luxon under pressure as FTA politics and polls tighten // Richard Harman - Political Commentator

17th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 17th April 2026

Rearing at scale // Rebecca Furzeland - Calf Rearer, Canterbury

Govt eases wetland stock rules, shifts to farm plans // Andrew Hoggard - Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety and the Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare, Skills) and for the Environment

Safer Farms pushes practical steps to cut on-farm risk // Lindy Nelson - Chair, Safer Farms

Machinery sales reveal true farm spending confidence // Jaiden Drought - Owner, Farm Trader & President, Tractor & Machinery Association (TAMA)

Wood sector pushes action on energy and trade ahead of election // Mark Ross - CEO, Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association (WPMA)

Abel pushes inquiry as Greens challenge ag direction // Steve Abel - Agriculture Spokesperson, Green Party

Randell targets energy, water in NZ First political move // Taine Randell - NZ First Candidate & Former All Black Captain

Fonterra’s pivot: Capital return signals execution phase // Dr Nic Lees - Senior Lecturer, Department of Agribusiness, Lincoln University

Who is investing in NZ Horticulture? // Andrew Watters - CEO, MyFarm

16th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

FULL SHOW - 16th April 2026

FULL SHOW - 15th April 2026

The innovative family business growing NZ agriculture // Craig Carr, Carrfields

Otago Regional Supreme Winners: 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards // Luke & Nicole Kane, West Otago

NZ-India Free Trade Agreement is sealed and waiting... // Hon. Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture & Trade

Facial eczema research: There maybe more to spores // Bevan Weir, Bioeconomy Science Institute

UK-NZ collaborate on agritech innovation // Jasper van Halder, Agnition

Wool's innovative new approach with Kathmandu // Tom Hooper, Wool Source

The complexities of local government reform // Rob Scott, Southland Mayor

Celebrating the evolution of CountryWide // Tony Leggett, former owner of CountryWide

Social Media to portray real life // George Dodson, Canterbury

Mission critical: Meat & milk desperately needed for those in need // Zellara Holden, Meet the Need

Fuel, fert and pressure: What farmers are facing right now // Dean Rabbage, Southland & Chris Lewis, Te Awamutu