How do we keep the next generation and beyond engaged in the agriculture sector? In order to keep the agriculture sector growing, we have to get young people interested, from both rural and urban backgrounds. Hear from those across different programmes introducing agriculture to a whole new generation, from primary school children participating in Farmer Time for Schools through to skills-based onfarm cadetships, with the positive news that Waipaoa Farm Cadet Training Trust has found a new home ...
Jun 07, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 24
We have a mountain to climb to shift a narrative with society of farming as well as a determined effort by political leaders to develop the best stable of agricultural policies in the world - but first we must draw on what is happening globally as New Zealand is but isn't unique. 2023 Nuffield scholar and Gisborne sheep & beef farmer, Kerry Worsnop says, we need better leadership that's prepared to elevate the importance of the primary sector to the New Zealand public both environmentally an...
Jun 01, 2024•46 min
There’s no denying times are tough right now for most farm businesses, and profitability is severely challenged. The key to surviving is being as solutions-focussed as possible. Cutting costs is the obvious solution, but it’s important to continue investing in your farm business, even during tough financial times. We hear from those in the rural business industry about what farmers can practically do now to keep afloat, and how to stay hopeful for the future when pressures ease again. Guests inc...
May 30, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Those in New Zealand’s deer industry have an exciting future ahead of them, as they come out the other side of the pandemic era. Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) held its conference earlier this month, and say there is a lot to look forward to, including disseminating into more overseas markets and moving into the retail space. We hear from a key specialist in the industry, Ron Schroeder, ahead of his retirement, about his hope for the future of deer, and how we got here. And we speak to DINZ executive c...
May 23, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 22
Reinstating live animal exports from New Zealand is currently on the table under the new coalition government and is drawing attention from all sides of the debate. Sceptics are worried about how it will impact New Zealand’s reputation and protecting animal welfare, and question whether it’s giving away our valuable genetics. On the other side of the debate, those in the industry say it's a great opportunity to take leadership on setting a new gold standard. Guests include: Julia Jones, Agricult...
May 16, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 21
What keeps rural advisors awake at night? How to feed an ever-increasing population from a declining land area whilst at the same time reducing its environmental footprint. 2023 Nuffield scholar and AgFirst Chief Executive, James Allen says, their are significant trends in the use of technology in the agricultural sector coming at farming faster than we can understand and the role of the agricultural advisor needs redefined. Guests include: James Allen - 2023 Nuffield Scholar and chief executive...
May 12, 2024•37 min
Waste takes many different forms onfarm, such as plastic packaging and chemical drums, and there are some great initiatives out there with an aim to give these resources another life - sometimes even back on the same farm! So when it comes to the circular economy of recycling onfarm waste, it is about viewing it as a resource, rather than rubbish. Guests include: Evan Maehl, Managing Director, WM New Zealand Greg Coppell, Founder, Repost Tony Wilson, Chief Executive, Agrecovery Hosts: Rebecca Gr...
May 09, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 20
When it comes to looking at the future of regenerating biodiversity, farmers have a key role to play, with 24% of native biodiversity found on sheep and beef farmland, second only to conservation estate. In this episode, we hear from three experts who highlight the work farmers are already doing to regenerate biodiversity, including in wildlife and plantings, and the opportunities for collaboration. Guests include: Sam Rowland, Programme Manager for Nature, Sustainable Business Network David Nor...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Over 2 million calves are produced from the dairy herd in NZ every year, with only a quarter retained for herd replacements. How do we build a ‘beef on dairy’ industry that is growing successfully in the States? 2023 Nuffield scholar and Canterbury farmer, Matt Iremonger says, money may save the bobby calf but to have a successful beef on dairy value chain several key changes need to be made to our dysfunctional supply chain. Guests include: Matt Iremonger - 2023 Nuffield Scholar and Canterbury ...
Apr 28, 2024•30 min
The wellness industry is valued at $1.8 trillion so why aren’t we positioning New Zealand red meat’s positive health attributes? From selecting the right sire through to how we market our beef, hear from three experts from livestock genetics sales ahead of bull sale season, our new host of BEEF Country and an AgResearch scientist who have thoughts on where we need to focus our efforts. Guests include: Cameron Craigie, senior scientist, AgResearch Jo Scott, genetics specialist and host of BEEF Co...
Apr 25, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In February 2024, the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approved seven foreign buyer sales to pine trees under the eye of the current coalition government. It has hill country sheep and beef farmers scratching their heads as to whether National and ACT were even listening to the drum being beaten by the “ 50 Shades of Green ” movement at all? But what about the private property rights of retiring farmers to not have bureaucrats determine the sale opportunities of their farm? Guests include: Damie...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Globally old chemistry is being withdrawn from the market and being more selective is encouraged for both avoiding insecticide & pesticide resistance whilst also bringing down onfarm costs. So how do you control pests without relying on an overuse of pesticides? Three science experts believe there is a major knowledge gap on pests and diseases in pasture, forage and cereal crops. They say not everything that is an insect is a pest and there is a way to target the actual pests without a broad...
Apr 12, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Shearing & animal health costs outstrip the income from strong wool and one academic believes it’s a no brainer to lean into Wiltshires (shedding sheep). But when one former shearer-turned-Wiltshire-farmer goes against his passion for wool for profit you get curious! Rebecca uncovers the benefits of the breed from the research trial at Massey University along with the inspirational story of one East Coast farmer who had his capital stock whipped out from a drought and a cyclone. Guests inclu...
Apr 04, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 15
If anyone is going to put life, farming and resilience into perspective, Rosie Dowling is one of the best with her incredible story. On the first day of Covid lockdown she was in Starship hospital when police arrived to share the news of Gav Dowling’s tragic on farm death. With three young children and debt in their first farm, Rosie wasn’t going anywhere and was determined to carry on farming despite a steep learning curve. “I had lost Gavin and I didn’t want to lose the life that I was living ...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 14
The government has scrapped the proposed Significant Natural Areas (SNA’s) regulation, so what opportunities does that present for sheep & beef farmers to receive income from these areas? There has been a single focus on carbon, but now the concept of receiving funds or credits for planting native bush rather than pine trees on farms could encourage farmers to retire sensitive land to regenerating native bush. But what’s the right financial model that can help outweigh the cost of establishm...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Are you having to balance a lack of feed and holding ewe condition in a dry Autumn? This episode is jam-packed with technical knowledge from two farmers - Mark Zino & Alistair Bird - as well as a Marlborough veterinarian. Mating time is the time to wrap your ewes in cotton wool, says Mark as he shares how to juggle feeding grain and silage to not overdo it. Alistair shares why he’s not mating his ewe hoggets this season preferring terminals and his mineral tips, and Peter Anderson, Marlborou...
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 12
There’s never been a greater interest in shearing given all the world records in New Zealand in the last 6 months, but at the same time we have a significant decrease in farmer appetite for the costs of shearing due to the price they are receiving for strong wool. With Golden Shears 2024 being packed with crowds and the share number of women coming into both shearing and wool-handling, how do we keep stoking the fire of talent whilst we wait for a return to better wool prices? Guests include: Le...
Mar 11, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Is it possible to truly forecast a drought? Country-Wide editor, Rebecca Greaves speaks to three passionate industry experts working to support New Zealand farmers to avoid being caught out by drought by staying one step ahead of mother nature. Whether it’s fancy new forecasting technology or a drastically improved water strategy, it’s not going to speed up farmers in drought stricken areas right now, such as the top of the South Island, who are pulling triggers such as offloading capital stock ...
Mar 04, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Are you poised to take advantage of opportunities as they come along? Country-Wide editor, Rebecca Greaves is taking their farm through integrated farm plan workshops in 2024 so they can better understand the value. Guests include: Rachel Joblin, Agribusiness Consultant, BakerAg Sara Clarke, General Manager - System Establishment and Support - Ministry for the Environment Annie Cates, Wairarapa sheep & beef farmer Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Dir...
Feb 25, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 9
A recent national report shows a third of sheep farmers have triple drench resistance - what does that mean for you? Well, imagine finding out you're leaving $100,000 on the table every year due to having 20% lower growth rate on your lambs by not addressing drench resistance? Wherever you are on the drench spectrum, taking control and making management changes by knowing your parasites can reap financial rewards. Guests include: Sara Sutherland, Vet at The Vet Clinic, Wairarapa Clive Bingham, L...
Feb 18, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 8
When you are looking at putting the axe through on-farm costs, one of the biggest items that is under scrutiny is fertiliser. To balance your decision making, take a listen to how a farmer and soil scientist recommend how to reduce your spend on fertiliser without sacrificing soil fertility. Guests include: David Bielski, Farm Manager, Craigmore Station Dr. Ants Roberts, Chief Scientific Officer Ravensdown Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, Count...
Feb 09, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In a special bonus episode with independent nutrient advisor, Melinda Turner , helps balance animal health with the soil nutrients we are applying to ensure we aren’t curbing the animal’s performance in the meantime. Guests include: Melinda Turner, Farm Nutrients Advisory Hosts: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Melinda see’s great value when farmers treat their advisors as specialists in their field and that the opportunities lie in collaboration with fertiliser sales, v...
Feb 08, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Guests include: Ed Harrison, farm consultant, Baker Ag Dr. Todd White, Head of Product and pasture scientist, Farmax Frazer Weir, Head of Agri, BDO Christchurch Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media When a typical North Island hill country farm budget for this year shows a potential $176,000 loss this year, it’s pretty easy to fly into fight or flight? So how do you make logical business decisions when it's tough that puts you in a...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Guests: Carlos Bagrie, Royalburn Station, 'Nadia's Farm' & 2024 Nuffield Scholar Greg Coppell, Repost Alex Campbell, Awapapa Station Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media A picture of a thousand poplar poles a year says a thousand words when it comes to how Alex Campbell’s Awapapa Station near Gisborne was relatively intact from major damage after Cyclone Gabrielle particularly when viewing comparable land in the district with ...
Jan 26, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Guests include: Natalie Smith, Retired Working Dogs Michelle Simpson, Ovis Management (Sheep Measles) Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media In this episode, we celebrate our working, those loyal companions who play a vital role on our farms. Editor of Country-Wide, Rebecca Greaves along with her co-host Sarah Perriam-Lampp discuss the origins of the Hunterville Shemozzle, a unique Kiwi celebration of the Hunteraway dog, their perso...
Jan 20, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Guests include: Craig Smith, Devold NZ Danielle Morton & Anastasia Tristram, Floating Peaks woollen popular poles Tom O’Sullivan, Campaign for Wool. Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Episode Summary: From the discovery of real-time smartphone micron testing to tracing the journey of wool from sheep to shop, we delve into the pivotal role education and government play in reshaping the future of wool. This episode provides a ...
Jan 14, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Guests include: Krissy Mac, Hear 4 U Lindy Nelson, Safer Farms Kathryn Wright, Rural Counsellor & Phd candidate for the impacts of afforestation on rural mental health Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media The strength of the thread of any rural community is built over time and through connection, however due to many land-use change factors rural wellbeing in New Zealand has lost the sense of community and ultimately wellbeing....
Dec 23, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Guests include: Prof. Hugh Campbell, University of Otago Brent Paterson, MyEnviro Hon. Todd McClay, Minister for Primary Industries & Trade Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media The 2023 New Zealand general election showcased a shift in voting patterns, with a decline in the National Party's influence and a rise in support for the ACT party, according to Professor Hugh Campbell Professor of Sociology at the University of Otago....
Dec 16, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 1
