When we talk about assets on farm, we often think of land, livestock, and machinery. But there’s one asset that’s even more important — and that’s you, the farmer. Farming can be risky, physically and financially, and too often we overlook how vulnerable we are when we don’t have the right support in place for ourselves and our families. In this episode, we’re joined by Ash Krishna from FMG to talk about the bigger picture when it comes to protecting farmers' health, lives and livelihoods. He sh...
Jul 07, 2025•43 min
Farm ownership is becoming harder for young Kiwis, and traditional succession is no longer working for many farming families. In this episode, we hear from Sarah How, founder of Landify, about the challenges and opportunities in farm succession and ownership. Sarah explains why succession is getting tougher, explores alternative ownership models, and offers practical advice for both older farmers planning succession and young people looking to get on the land — even without a family farm backgro...
Jun 30, 2025•41 min
Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the most serious animal diseases globally, and while New Zealand has never had an outbreak, the risk is very real. If the disease were to make it to our shores the consequences would be huge for our rural communities and the wider economy. To help us understand the risks, the plans in place, and what farmers need to know, we're joined by Dr. Mary van Andel, the Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry for Primary Industries. Mary leads the national veterinary tea...
Jun 16, 2025•37 min
Gallagher’s Sarah Adams returns to explore the latest in agri-tech, from virtual fencing to smart ear tags and integrated data systems. She shares insights from U.S. farming trends, discusses adoption barriers, and offers practical advice for tech-curious Kiwi farmers keen to boost efficiency and make smarter on-farm decisions. Links Virtual fencing and precision farming | EP 10 - Federated Farmers Podcast | Podcast on Spotify...
Jun 09, 2025•41 min
Farm succession—it’s one of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand’s rural families. How do you pass the farm on to the next generation in a way that’s fair, makes financial sense, and keeps relationships intact? Our guest today is Joe Morgan, an accountant and director at GFA in Te Awamutu, who is back by popular demand. Joe's here to cover the main challenges farmers are facing with farm succession and the role of trusts and other business structures. He’ll also walk us through some strateg...
Jun 02, 2025•35 min
New Zealand’s sheep population has plummeted from over 70 million in the 1980s to just 25 million today—and the decline is accelerating. In this episode, we speak with Toby Williams, national meat and wool chair and a sheep farmer himself, about the alarming state of the red meat sector. What’s driving the loss—land use changes, climate policy, farmer confidence, or economics? What’s at stake for rural communities and the wider industry? And crucially, what can be done to reverse the trend? It’s...
May 26, 2025•38 min
A recent contract milking survey has sparked debate across the dairy industry. In this episode, we speak with survey creator Louise Gibson, and Brendan Attrill, a long-time industry leader and Federated Farmers farm owner representative, to unpack the key findings. We explore why the survey was conducted, what the results reveal, and how both sides of the industry are reacting. Brendan and Louise also share their thoughts on possible reforms, from legal protections to mentoring and better econom...
May 19, 2025•53 min
One of the biggest days in the dairy farming calendar, Moving Day, is fast approaching. It’s a day full of change and challenge as thousands of farmers, workers, and their families head off to start a new chapter on a new farm. It’s a big logistical job, but there’s also the emotional, professional and relationship side to think about too. So, how do you do Moving Day well? How do you prepare, stay organised, and set yourself up for a strong finish to the season, and a strong start to the new se...
May 13, 2025•26 min
Global scrutiny of farming is rising — but how can farmers respond? Journalist and Nuffield Scholar Claire Taylor has travelled the world exploring how agricultural sectors are responding to criticism and shifting public perception. In this episode, she shares lessons from her journey and offers practical advice for New Zealand farmers seeking a stronger voice. Links Primary Industries New Zealand Summit and Awards 2025 Meet Claire Taylor, 2023 Nuffield Farming Scholar www.nuffieldscholar.org/sc...
May 05, 2025•52 min
One of the best ways for farmers to protect special areas of their land is covenanting with the QEII National Trust. But what does that actually mean in practice? What are the benefits and challenges? And what does the future of covenanting look like?" Our guest for this episode is Dan Coup, CEO of the QEII Trust, who explains everything from the history of QEII to the practicalities of covenanting, funding challenges, and what recent government decisions mean for farmers. Links https://qeiinati...
Apr 28, 2025•32 min
Financial adviser Michael Raynes returns to share fresh insights on building and protecting wealth in 2025. We cover savings, investments, debt, succession, and more—plus what today’s economic and global shifts mean for Kiwi farmers. Whether you're starting out or planning your exit, this wide-ranging chat is packed with practical advice. Note: nothing discussed in this podcast should be considered personal financial advice. The recommendations and opinions do not take into account your personal...
Apr 16, 2025•34 min
Is rural crime getting worse? When do most thefts happen? And what can farmers do to make their property a harder target for criminals? Abby France from FMG Insurance joins us to share insights on rural crime trends, practical ways for you to reduce risk, and what to do if you become a victim of rural crime. Whether you manage thousands of hectares or a small lifestyle block, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Links: Rural crime rates on rise, Federated Farmers survey finds...
Mar 30, 2025•28 min
Drought conditions are forcing sharemilkers, contract milkers and farm owners to make tough decisions, like drying off early, which can strain relationships and impact the future of the business. Some contract milkers are facing months of low income ahead. So, how do you get through these kinds of adverse events, protect the relationship and business, stay afloat financially, and keep your eyes set on a better season ahead? Hear practical advice from Brendan Attrill, Federated Farmers sharefarm ...
Mar 17, 2025•39 min
Our guest on this episode is Joe Morgan an accountant in Te Awamutu, Waikato, who does a lot of work with farmers. Joe is a director at GFA but previously had a career in rural banking. He also has a degree in Agri-Commerce majoring in farm management and rural valuation – so he’s a pretty good guy to have in your corner. Over the years, he’s seen it all — avoidable tax headaches, business structures that could have saved farmers a fortune if set up right from the start, and helping farmers set ...
Mar 11, 2025•39 min
A military veteran of 16 years, Tony Groves’ military and security career saw him deployed to Timor-Leste, Iraq and Afghanistan, where he honed his leadership skills in high-pressure environments. He now fronts Halo Training, a business that offers leadership and personal development training to help people, including farmers, build resilience. On this episode, Tony shares his thoughts on the similarities between stresses faced by farmers and professional soldiers, and how farmers can apply what...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 10 min
If you've seen an ad for a contract milking or sharemilking position that could tick the boxes, what comes next? What are the critical steps to take to ensure it’s the right job for you, that it'll pay what you need and keep you moving forward in your career? Richard McIntyre, an experienced sharemilker and Federated Farmers national dairy chair, joins us to methodically walk us through the due diligence process – in other words, what it means to take time before you sign up for a new role....
Feb 10, 2025•43 min
Ginny Dodunski, Wormwise programme manager, joins us to share the concerning results of new research into the state of drench-resistant worms in cattle here in New Zealand. She covers the basics of good worm management, why drench resistance is worsening, how to spot it and deal with it, what it means for dairy and beef farmers, and much more practical advice. Links: Survey findings: A convenience sample of cattle faecal egg count reduction tests in New Zealand 2021-2024 How Pamu's organic unit ...
Jan 28, 2025•38 min
After a break over summer, Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford reflects on the big wins for farmers last year, the challenges, and what his major goals are for the year ahead. He talks about plans to make the farmer voice even louder, getting KiwiSaver changes across the line, whether ‘Team Ag’ is playing as a team yet, and much more.
Jan 13, 2025•22 min
What are the biggest risks involved in going contract milking, sharemilking or being a share farm owner? And how do you manage or mitigate those risks? For our final episode of 2024, we’re talking to Taranaki dairy farmer Sam Ebbett, who’s Federated Farmers’ national sharefarmer chair. Useful links Federated Farmers contracts Federated Farmers Podcast: Advice for new contract milkers | EP 06 Federated Farmers Podcast: A guide to sharemilking success | EP 07...
Dec 16, 2024•20 min
Gisborne farmer and Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams joins us to discuss what’s going on for Kiwi sheep and beef farmers right now, where he thinks things are going in 2025, and what he reckons might need to change for sheep farmers, in particular, to get back in the black.
Dec 02, 2024•44 min
How could Donald Trump’s second term in the White House affect Kiwi farmers? What should we expect to see with international trade and market access? To get some insights, we catch up with Todd Muller, former leader of the National Party and now co-host of a podcast that helps explain American politics to a Kiwi audience.
Nov 18, 2024•35 min
Feral animals are costing Kiwi farmers a fortune, so how are we going to control them? Landcare Research scientist Bruce Warburton and Federated Farmers pest spokesperson Richard McIntryre join us to quantify the impact pests have on farming and biodiversity, discuss the science behind pest management, outline best practice control methods, and more.
Nov 06, 2024•44 min
Ben Purua is an award-winning dairy farm manager, but 15 years ago his life was heading in a very different direction. Hear Ben’s story of how he found farming while in prison, how he managed to turn his life around, and the pivotal role farming’s played in his transformation. Links www.facebook.com/FarmUpNZ www.farmersweekly.co.nz/people/saved-by-farming-ben-puruas-story...
Oct 21, 2024•29 min
If you’re thinking of planting trees on your farm, or you’ve done so recently, don’t miss this expert advice from Adam Thompson, owner of Restore Native nursery in the Waikato. Adam loves helping farmers not only plant more trees on their land, but in the right way, so you’re not wasting your time and money. Adam walks us through the process from preparation to maintenance, with a focus on ‘right tree, right place’. He covers the ideal-sized tree to buy, when to plant, whether fertiliser is nece...
Oct 08, 2024•31 min
It was a wet, muddy day in Southland in December 2018 that local dairy farmer Jason Herrick decided to take his life. Months of heavy rain, the pressure of excessive regulation, negative sentiment towards farming, and an inability to share his feelings had left him at breaking point. To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week in New Zealand, we’re very fortunate to be joined by a now happy and well Jason, who’s president of Southland Federated Farmers. Hear how Jason climbed out of that hole ...
Sep 22, 2024•26 min
Our guest today is Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, who’s here to talk about the huge opportunities out there for farmers to save money and reduce emissions by electrifying their farm. Mike's seen these opportunities first-hand. In 2019 he established the world’s first electric cherry orchard – saving him tens of thousands of dollars a year on energy costs and creating a new revenue stream. He’s now on a mission to show that what he’s done on his property is possible for other farmers too....
Sep 09, 2024•37 min
With farm confidence at rock-bottom, what’s the Government been doing to get things back on track? Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay joins us to discuss his first nine months in the job, cutting red tape, the banking inquiry, KiwiSaver for young farmers, new trade opportunities, and how he thinks we’ll double exports over the next 10 years.
Aug 26, 2024•26 min
Wayne McNee, chief executive of AgriZeroNZ, joins us to discuss tools and technologies being developed to help farmers reduce their methane emissions. Find out what's in the pipeline, what reductions they could help farmers achieve and, importantly, when farmers might get their hands on these new tools, which range from a methane-inhibiting bolus to low-emissions pasture. Useful links: https://www.agrizero.nz/
Aug 13, 2024•25 min
We all know something's broken in the way agricultural policy has been made in New Zealand, but what's the solution? How do we get farming regulations that actually work? Kerry Worsnop is a Gisborne sheep and beef farmer who's been on a mission to find answers through her Nuffield Scholarship. In this episode, Kerry explains what's wrong with the current policy-making process, what her recommendations are to fix it, and why she's moved from cynic to optimist.
Jul 30, 2024•47 min
What is a trust, why might a farmer want to set one up, and what are some common mistakes to avoid? David Boyce from Perpetual Guardian joins us in this episode to give a thorough overview of trusts, including what the recent trustee tax rate rise might mean for the average farm trust. He also explains wills and enduring power of attorney.
Jul 15, 2024•36 min
