Kiwi scientists make breakthrough in methane-reducing pasture, Fonterra to close Waikato canning facility, and farmers positioned for Indonesian dairy boom. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Kiwi scientists make breakthrough in methane-reducing pasture AgResearch scientists have recorded an 11 percent reduction in methane emissions from sheep fed g...
Apr 30, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 79
Legal hurdle slows Fonterra’s multi-billion dollar sell-off, record US beef prices flow through to farmers, and Taupō Hospital accreditation boosts rural healthcare training. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Legal hurdle slows Fonterra’s multi-billion dollar sell-off Fonterra's plan to divest its consumer products businesses has hit a legal roadbl...
Apr 29, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 78
Trade Minister welcomes Saudi delegation to boost export opportunities, dairy conversion interest surges in Canterbury, and new app tackles parasites on sheep farms. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Trade Minister welcomes Saudi delegation to boost export opportunities Trade Minister Todd McClay has welcomed Saudi Arabia's Minister of Environment,...
Apr 28, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 77
Drought relief payments start today, Southland farmers remain reserved despite strengthening local economy, and social media influences rising cottage cheese demand. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Drought relief payments start today Drought assistance payments begin today for farmers, as the effects of the long, dry summer continue to impact far...
Apr 27, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 76
PM secures trade gains for farmers in UK visit, rural lifeline closes as funding uncertainty bites, and historic Oamaru farm recreated in Minecraft to grow ag education. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! PM secures trade gains for farmers in UK visit Ag exporters stand to benefit from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's three-day visit to the United...
Apr 24, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Alliance Group tracking back to profit amid capital search, farmers encouraged to plan ahead for winter grazing rules, and former Cantabrian makes world shearing history. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Alliance Group tracking back to profit amid capital search Alliance Group is on track to return to profitability this financial year while contin...
Apr 23, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 73
Upgraded trade deal opens doors for Kiwi exporters, drought relief payments roll out to struggling farmers, and strong finish predicted for dairy season despite seasonal dry-off. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Upgraded trade deal opens doors for Kiwi exporters An upgraded free trade agreement between New Zealand, Australia and ten Southeast Asia...
Apr 22, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 72
Prime Minister’s UK trip aims to boost export opportunities, back-to back tractor fatalities in Clutha and Taupo, and world-class shearers go for merino record in South Africa. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Prime Minister’s UK trip aims to boost export opportunities Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in the United Kingdom this week where he wi...
Apr 21, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 71
Agriculture sector driving national economic recovery, sheep and beef sector wants assurance on farm plan practicality, and national shearing team gears up for Northern tour. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Agriculture sector driving national economic recovery Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has credited the agriculture sector with pulling the c...
Apr 17, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 70
Dairy prices climb despite Trump tariff concerns, the Government cuts back freshwater farm plan requirements, and more than 60 jobs could go at Mount Maunganui fertiliser plant. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Dairy prices climb despite Trump tariff concerns The latest Global Dairy Trade auction has delivered welcome news for dairy farmers with p...
Apr 16, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 69
Farmers on track to meet 2030 methane targets, apple exports lead the charge in growing Vietnamese market, and new awards celebrate Kiwi native forest restoration efforts. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Farmers on track to meet 2030 methane target Latest figures show New Zealand farmers are successfully driving down methane emissions without the...
Apr 15, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Global Dairy Trade auction expected to reveal early impacts of US trade war, Associate Health Minister hits the road to hear rural health concerns, and critical foot and mouth vote opens this week. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Global Dairy Trade auction expected to reveal early impacts of US trade war This week's Global Dairy Trade auction wil...
Apr 14, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Wood and hemp sectors follow wool’s lead in government procurement push, Kiwi startup tackles methane with wearable cow solution, and Southland deer farmer’s triple win at environmental awards. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Wood and hemp sectors follow wool’s lead in government procurement push Local building material producers are calling on t...
Apr 13, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 66
Farmers get certainty with new DairyNZ levy structure, new report highlights forestry conversion concerns, and wool prices slip in latest South Island auction. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Farmers get certainty with new DairyNZ levy structure DairyNZ will increase its levy rate to 4.5 cents per kilogram of milksolids from June next year, the f...
Apr 10, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 65
Government backs wool industry with new procurement rules, new study shows volcano threat could cut off 5000 farms, and golden jubilee conference set for Queenstown next month. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Government backs wool industry with new procurement rules Government agencies will be required to use woollen fibre products in the constru...
Apr 09, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 64
Prime Minister warns farm exports at risk in global trade war, Associate Ag Minister dodges questions on ETS forestry conflict, and sheep neglect leads to lifetime animal ban for Manawatū farmer. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Prime Minister warns farm exports at risk in global trade war Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has delivered his stronge...
Apr 08, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Rain delivers short-term reprieve for drought-hit Northland, timber exports dodge US tariffs for now, and four decades of TB control pays off for Molesworth Station. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Rain delivers short-term reprieve for drought-hit Northland Heavy rainfall across Northland has been welcomed by farmers despite causing chaos for com...
Apr 07, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Record farmgate prices boost red meat sector despite milk supply growth, NIWA data shows critical soil moisture deficits for farmers, and US tariffs put pressure on venison exports. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Record farmgate prices boost red meat sector despite milk supply growth Farmers are seeing strong returns across dairy, beef and lamb ...
Apr 06, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 61
US tariffs create uncertainty for meat and dairy exporters, rain warnings issued across drought-hit regions, and second shear wool hold firm in declining North Island market. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! US tariffs create uncertainty for meat and dairy exporters Primary sector exporters are carefully evaluating the impact of newly announced 10...
Apr 03, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Skim milk powder leads 1.1% rise in dairy prices , water infrastructure to boost Northland farming productivity, and Kiwi butchers bring home international honours from Paris. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Skim milk powder leads 1.1% rise in dairy prices Global dairy prices have continued their modest recovery with the Global Dairy Trade Price ...
Apr 02, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 59
Landowners freed from liability for recreational accidents, weather changes ahead as La Niña weakens, and three dairy women vie for prestigious Fonterra award. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Landowners freed from liability for recreational accidents Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has announced plans to free farmers and...
Apr 01, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Silver Fern Farms remains in the red despite late market recovery, Fonterra adds experiences chair to lead Consumer business spin-off, and surfboard giveaway caps successful Surfing for Farmers season. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Silver Fern Farms remains in the red despite late market recovery Silver Fern Farms has posted a $21.8 million aft...
Mar 31, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Red meat exports surge 25% as global demand strengthens, strong wool prices ease as market favours buyers, and Henderson dominates with Golden Shears and NZ Championships double. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Red meat exports surge 25% as global demand strengthens The red meat sector’s February exports soared to $1.1 billion, marking a 25 perce...
Mar 30, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Dairy export bill breaks market barriers, new chair brings farming expertise to OSPRI, and school programme connecting more kids with farming. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Dairy export bill breaks market barriers The dairy sector is set for a significant boost with the Dairy Industry Restructuring (Export Licences Allocation) Amendment Bill pa...
Mar 27, 2025•7 min•Season 2Ep. 55
NIWA warns of little drought relief before winter, cherry exports smash records, and national shearing showdown kicks off in Te Kuiti. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! NIWA warns of little drought relief before winter Niwa forecasters are delivering a stark message to North Island farmers, that the anticipated April rainfall will do little to brea...
Mar 26, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Federated Farmers back RMA reforms, Bird Flu found in UK sheep, and Young Farmer contest crowns Canterbury champion. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Federated Farmers back RMA reforms Federated Farmers have welcomed significant changes to planning and environmental legislation, describing the new laws as a major win for property rights and agricu...
Mar 25, 2025•6 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Synlait bounces back with profitable half-year, farmers set to benefit from RMA property rights focus, and Sharp Blacks ready for world champs in Paris. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Synlait bounces back with profitable half-year Synlait Milk has returned to profitability with a $4.8 million net profit for the six months ending January, marking...
Mar 24, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Southland farmers gain breathing space in water consent battle, Fonterra calls for stronger controls in Gene Technology Bill, and Spring Sheep secures new investors to boost China exports. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Southland farmers gain breathing space in water consent battle Southland farmers have been granted a reprieve from costly resou...
Mar 23, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Fonterra posts strong half-year profit as milk price holds firm, Kiwi scientists lead breakthrough in plant disease detections, and mixed fortunes for wool sales in both islands. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Fonterra posts strong half-year profit as milk price holds firm Fonterra has delivered a positive half-year result with profit after tax ...
Mar 20, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Dairy prices hold steady as tariff threats loom, current account deficit narrows as dairy exports strengthen, and Marlborough vineyards hit by harvest caps and falling prices. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! Dairy prices hold steady as tariff threats loom Global dairy prices have held firm despite the threat of tariffs hanging over the market. Th...
Mar 19, 2025•8 min•Season 2Ep. 49
