This week Bryan talks with AgResearch scientist Dr Alec Mackay about his new study into pasture productivity. Mackay says not only is productivity falling, but gains that were forecast to be made because of the warming climate aren’t evident. He says volatility appears to trump warmth when it comes to pasture growth.

Sandra Faulkner of Federated Farmers joins the podcast to talk about the upcoming local government elections. She’s urging farmers to put their hand up for councils because representation is the key to getting good outcomes for rural communities. 

Senior reporter Richard Rennie outlines some of the stories he’s been working on this week, including farmer concern that their properties are becoming fire risks due to environmental regulations. Australia is going to tag all of its sheep so they can be traced if there’s a disease outbreak. Will it happen here? And, after a decade of boom times, the honey industry is facing a reckoning

This week Bryan talks with AgResearch scientist Dr Alec Mackay about his new study into pasture productivity. 

Mackay says not only is productivity falling, but gains that were forecast to be made because of the warming climate aren’t evident. He says volatility appears to trump warmth when it comes to pasture growth.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie outlines some of the stories he’s been working on this week, including farmer concern that their properties are becoming fire risks due to environmental regulations.

Australia is going to tag all of its sheep so they can be traced if there’s a disease outbreak. Will it happen here? And, after a decade of boom times, the honey industry is facing a reckoning.

Sandra Faulkner of Federated Farmers joins the podcast to talk about the upcoming local government elections. She’s urging farmers to put their hand up for councils because representation is the key to getting good outcomes for rural communities.

To kick off 2025, Bryan gets into a deep discussion with senior reporter Richard Rennie on the state of New Zealand’s science system. It is undergoing a review and some scientists worry recent job losses and funding cuts might be the new normal.

Toby Williams of Federated Farmers is back on the show to respond to allegations of animal mistreatment made by activist group PETA. The group released footage of shearing that shows some worrying behaviour.

To kick off 2025, Bryan gets into a deep discussion with senior reporter Richard Rennie on the state of New Zealand’s science system.

It is undergoing a review and some scientists worry recent job losses and funding cuts might be the new normal.

Toby Williams of Federated Farmers is back on the show to respond to allegations of animal mistreatment made by activist group PETA. The group released footage of shearing that shows some worrying behaviour.

For the final episode of 2024 Bryan chats with senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie about the big news stories of the year. Both reporters travelled overseas during the year to find out more about farming practices and customer and consumer preferences. Back home there was plenty of big news in the food and fibre sector. They discuss meat industry woes, dairy’s resurgence and some of the big regulatory changes in gene technology and emissions trading.

Toby Williams of Federated Farmers also gives an update on the wool industry. Toby decided not to sell his clip at auction this year but reports that he got about the same price for it as he would have anyway. He’s got some concerns about how the supply chain is structured.

For the final episode of 2024, Bryan chats with senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie about the big news stories of the year. Both reporters travelled overseas during the year to find out more about farming practices and customer and consumer preferences.

Back home there was plenty of big news in the food and fibre sector. They discuss meat industry woes, dairy’s resurgence and some of the big regulatory changes in gene technology and emissions trading.

Toby Williams of Federated Farmers has an update on the wool industry.

He decided not to sell his clip at auction this year but reports that he got about the same price for it as he would have anyway. He’s got some concerns about how the supply chain is structured.