Blue Shed Diary

Joining the conversation this month: 

Controlling worm challenge and drench resistance on sheep and cattle farms have a new, proven, tool thanks to a joint trial from PGG Wrightson and PGG Wrightson Seeds. Jason Leslie, PGG Wrightson Technical Expert for Animal Production joins to chat through the data.

For more information:

Rural Diary: ⁠Rural Diary | PGG Wrightson⁠

Summer Forage Crops

Business.Scoop » Summer Forage Crops Prove Inhospitable For Internal Worm Larval Development

Joining the conversation this month: 

The Government is releasing the 2025 budget on May 22nd and early indications show it will be a picture of fiscal restraint rather than a lolly scramble. We get some insight into what this may mean for farmers and growers with NZIER Principal Economist Chris Nixon.  

For more information:

Rural Diary: ⁠Rural Diary | PGG Wrightson⁠

Joining the conversation this month: 

The Government is releasing the 2025 budget on May 22nd and early indications show it will be a picture of fiscal restraint rather than a lolly scramble. We get some insight into what this may mean for farmers and growers with NZIER Principal Economist Chris Nixon.  

Controlling worm challenge and drench resistance on sheep and cattle farms have a new, proven, tool thanks to a joint trial from PGG Wrightson and PGG Wrightson Seeds. Jason Leslie, PGG Wrightson Technical Expert for Animal Production joins to chat through the data.

Is there a new dairy conversion boom on the horizon? Renewed interest, particularly in Canterbury, in Dairying is on the rise - but what do farmers need to know before making the jump? We speak to PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative Brent Dalley.

For nearly a century, Land Search and Rescue volunteers have been everywhere for everyone. They are shining a light on this incredible work in their Searchlight 2025 campaign with support from PGG Wrightson and others. LandSAR CEO Carl McOnie joins us to discuss their vital mission and how we can help!

For more information:

Rural Diary: Rural Diary | PGG Wrightson

LandSAR Spotlight Campaign: Searchlight Campaign | Support Land Search and Rescue

Coming to you from the big blue sheds dotting New Zealand’s landscape is PGG Wrightson’s podcast – the “Blue Shed Diary.”

It is autumn, and time to get your soil sorted for the coming season. Joining the conversation is Jay Howes, PGG Wrightson Technical Specialist for soil to give us top tips for getting your land ready and offer autumn fertiliser advice.

Rural Diary | PGG Wrightson

Coming to you from the big blue sheds dotting New Zealand’s landscape is PGG Wrightson’s podcast – the “Blue Shed Diary.”

Plastic waste, and how to get rid of it, is a huge issue for farmers and growers. Plastic is used everywhere – from bale wrap to containers. Plastic is now found everywhere on Earth. It is the soil, our water, even the air. Studies show we consume around a credit card of plastic each week. Preventing more plastic from entering our environment is important but getting rid of it responsibly can be a pain. Recently, organisations AgRecovery and Plasback have helped farmers and growers recycle their waste. However, the Government is proposing a new product stewardship scheme to streamline the process. They are seeking your feedback on what this scheme should look like. Minister for the Environment, Penny Simmonds and AgRecovery Chief Tony Wilson join the conversation.

Help shape the future of farm plastics recycling | Beehive.govt.nz

Rural Diary | PGG Wrightson

Coming to you from the big blue sheds dotting New Zealand’s landscape is PGG Wrightson’s podcast – the “Blue Shed Diary.”

Todd McClay is the Minister charged with three of the biggest portfolios impacting the primary sector – Agriculture, Forestry, and Trade. Minister McClay joins Blue Shed Diary for a conversation about the state of the sector. We start with tariff turmoil, as instability in the global markets continues to roil, how is the ag sector coping and how are we reacting?

Rural Diary | PGG Wrightson

Coming to you from the big blue sheds dotting New Zealand’s landscape is PGG Wrightson’s podcast – the “Blue Shed Diary.”

In Episode Three’s conversation:

With tariffs still the topic on everyone’s list, we speak to Trade Minister Todd McClay about where things stand. Plus, we check in on his other portfolios – forestry and agriculture – to get an idea of where things are and where they are going.

Plastic waste is a huge issue for all farmers and growers. It is used for everything but getting rid of it is not as simple as burying it, burning it, and recycling it is not always easy. New regulations are on the way, but the Minister for the Environment wants to give you a chance to have your say first. We talk to Minister Penny Simmonds and the head of AgRecovery Tony Wilson.

We speak to PGG Wrightson Technical Specialist - Soil Jay Howe for top tips on getting your land ready for winter with a look at autumn fertiliser.

Help shape the future of farm plastics recycling | Beehive.govt.nz

Rural Diary | PGG Wrightson

America’s new President introduces tariffs against Canada, China, and Mexico. What impact will this have on New Zealand, and in particular rural New Zealand? Will wefeel the pain? Or is there opportunity for Aotearoa? We speak with New Zealand’s former Trade Negotiator and Diplomat, Charles Finny of Saunders Unsworth.

We investigate the difference between proprietary seeds and common varieties. When you have a choice, we ask PGG Wrightson’s Peter McKnight why proprietary seeds are worth the investment?

New proposed legislation from the Green Party will make it easier for New Zealanders to repair broken equipment themselves. How will this legislation benefit our nation’s farmers and growers? We ask the Green Party Co-Leader, Marama Davidson.

Over a hundred agricultural and horticultural products are in the backlog for regulatory approval. After a push from the primary sector, the government has announced they are cutting some of the red tape. We talk to Liz Shackleton,President of Animal and Plant Heath New Zealand about what this means for you.  

To learn more about the Blue Shed Diary, and to sign-up for news and updates, visit: Blue Shed Diary Podcast | PGG Wrightson

If you would like to ask any questions or suggest a topic, please contact us: [email protected]

PGG Wrightson is proud to present its brand-new podcast, 'The Blue Shed Diary'. We tackle the issues important to New Zealand's farmers and growers: new innovations, best practices, improving productivity, sustainability, animal health, and more!

The Blue Shed Diary is less of a podcast, and more like a conversation about the people and the land. We would love for you to join the conversation, by e-mailing us at: [email protected]

Our topics for our inaugural episode:

• Biosecurity - How do we best respond to threats with Elaine Gould, PGG Wrightson Fruitfed Supplies Technical Expert.
• Sustainability - Permapine is changing the wooden post game with viticulture. We discuss it with their Marketing & Sales Manager Glyn Eason and David Nutsford of PGG Wrightson.
• Fielddays - Northland & South Island are around the corner. We get the inside scoop with PGG Wrightson's Aaron Gravatt and Chris Adam.
• Golden Shears - we speak with shearer and commentator Norm Harraway about the final competition.
• It is Facial Eczema season. We speak with PGG Wrightson Technical Expert for Animal Production Jo Harris about how to prevent it taking hold.