While the Ag Sector has been on an upswing, one primary sector is still feeling the pinch: Arable Farmers. What's behind the struggle? Why are some looking to leave the sector in search of greener pastures? What impact will the Watties and McCain's frozen veggie closures have on the sector? And what can we do to support the industry?

Joining the conversation to answer these questions and more is Federated Farmer's Arable Group Chairperson and arable farmer based out of Leeston, David Birkett.

For over 40 years, IHC has raised money to support people with intellectual disabilities and their whānau in rural communities through the calf & rural scheme. Farmers donate livestock (and virtual calves, too) to IHC who use the proceeds from their sale to raise vital funds. As a principal sponsor, PGG Wrightson wants to make sure everyone gets involved with Pink Week!

Joining the conversation to tell us how you can make a difference is IHC NZ National Fundraising Manager Greg Millar.

For more information about IHC, visit: IHC Calf & Rural Scheme | PGG WrightsonFor more information about Pink Week, visit: IHC Calf & Rural Scheme | PGG Wrightson

Vocational, hands-on, work-based practical training is essential for bringing new farmers, growers, and workers to the industry. One of the major organisations behind this kind of training is Primary ITO, however government reforms could significantly change the way we deliver work-based education in New Zealand. What does this system look like in the future and can you have your say?

Joining the conversation is Primary ITO CEO Ginny Vincent.

For more information about Primary ITO, visit: Home | Primary ITO

Autumn fertiliser can be one of your largest annual input costs, but with the price of fertiliser on the rise, how can you make sure you are maximising your investment while getting the best results for your crop?

Joining April's Tech Talk is PGG Wrightson Technical Specialist for Soil Science, Dr Jay Howes.

As the war in Iran continues, the impacts to the global economy cut deeper. Petrol and diesel costs are up along with price of inputs and commodities. Is this a short-term or long-term problem? And what does this mean for New Zealand's economy, particularly our farmers and growers?

Joining the conversation is Simplicity Chief Economist Shamubeel Eaqub.

In life, there are few things in which we can all agree. The Resource Management Act (RMA) may be an exception with most New Zealanders agreeing it's in dire need of overhaul.

The 25-year-old legislation governs nearly everything about NZ—our land, air, water—and what we can do with them. A lot has changed since it was enacted, and several governments have tinkered with fixes over the years. The most recent overhaul proposal introduced at the end of last year has some in the primary industry nervous about the impact on our farmers and growers. So, what is in the reform proposals and what does it mean for our industry?

Joining the conversation is Fox Meyer, Political Reporter for Newsrooms who covers this issue.

Back in the day, the go-to approach for pest control was to use insecticide to kill anything moving in the crop. Not only was that not the most effective control method, but it also led to a rise in resistance. The new way is Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. This method moves beyond a chemical-only solution and employs a multi-faceted approach. It is a valuable tool for farmers and growers.

March's Tech Talk is all about adopting IPM into your system. Joining the conversation is PGG Wrightson Technical Specialist Chris Lambert.

A rebound in the rural sector has seen stronger returns and bigger payouts for our farmers and growers. Its great news after several tough years. As confidence in the sector grows, so too does the interest in the rural property market. So, is it a good time to buy a farm? What operations are generating the most interest?

Joining the conversation to answer these questions and more is PGG Wrightson's General Manager for Real Estate and Livestock, Peter Newbold.

For six decades, Country Calendar has marked the lives of New Zealand's farmers, growers, and rural communities. More than half a million people, both rural and urban audiences, tune-in to watch our longest-running television show.

If anything is an institution in our cultural landscape, it is TVNZ's Country Calendar. Joining the conversation is the voice behind the show, and its producer, Dan Henry.

It all started with 888-acres of retired farmland in East Taranaki when Miranda Wells, her partner Daryl Egarr, and brother Bjorn Doherty purchased this land in 2013 as a weekend hunting spot.

But the discovery of wild kiwi changed the trajectory of their lives and this land. Together, they formed the 800-Trust which has an ambitious mission to restore a dying forest and create a biodiversity corridor for some of our rarest indigenous species. The introduction of AI-powered technology, Hark, is revolutionising how they are accomplishing this mission, and could make a huge difference to conservation efforts in the future.

Joining the conversation is Miranda Wells of the 800 Trust.

Read more about the 800 Trust in our latest edition of Rural Diary.

Learn more about Hark and the 800 Trust, visit here.