Farmers Weekly In Focus

Gallagher’s GM for NZ and Chile says technology companies must work together to provide the tools farmers need to improve their systems and provide traceability and sustainability data. Darrell Jones says data in isolation is no good to anyone and interoperability is the name of the game.

Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick hit the wall a few years ago as the pressures of farming built up. He tells Bryan this Mental Health Awareness Week, he’s urging people to talk more, share the burdens they have and seek help when they need it.

Reporter Hugh Stringleman joins the studio to discuss Fonterra’s bumper annual result. It posted a $1.128 billion profit after tax, announced a 55 cent per share dividend and lifted its forecast milk price for the 2024-2025 season by 50 cents to a new midpoint range of $9/kg MS.

Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help:
Rural Support Trust: 0800 RURAL HELP
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757
Lifeline: 0800 543 354
Need To Talk? Call or text 1737
Samaritans: 0800 726 666
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234

Gallagher’s GM for NZ and Chile says technology companies must work together to provide the tools farmers need to improve their systems and provide traceability and sustainability data.
Darrell Jones says data in isolation is no good to anyone and interoperability is the name of the game.

Reporter Hugh Stringleman joins Bryan to discuss Fonterra’s bumper annual result. It posted a $1.128 billion profit after tax, announced a 55 cent per share dividend and lifted its forecast milk price for the 2024-2025 season by 50 cents to a new midpoint range of $9/kg MS.

Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick hit the wall a few years ago as the pressures of farming built up. He tells Bryan that this Mental Health Awareness Week, he’s urging people to talk more, share the burdens they have and seek help when they need it.

Suffering from depression or stress, or know someone who is? Where to get help:
Rural Support Trust: 0800 RURAL HELP
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757
Lifeline: 0800 543 354
Need To Talk? Call or text 1737
Samaritans: 0800 726 666
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234

Sheep farmers are doing it tough right now, with farmgate returns dropping back after a few good years and input costs rising. Add to that the march of pine trees across the land, and there’s talk of an existential crisis. Bryan asked AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad to give him the lay of the land and asked her what the sector needed to do to find prosperity again.

Federated Farmers is calling on the government to tell councils to pause work on freshwater reforms. Otago Feds member Luke Kane says with signals pointing to changes in water regulations, it makes sense for regional councils to hit the brakes.

Reporter Neal Wallace checks in from London, where he’s spent time with the Alliance Group’s UK team. They’ve hired a chef to come up with new recipes for those consumers who don’t want the traditional lamb roast and learns that a football stadium is a key part of the strategy.

Sheep farmers are doing it tough right now, with farmgate returns dropping back after a few good years and input costs rising. Add to that the march of pine trees across the land, and there’s talk of an existential crisis.

Bryan asked AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad to give him the lay of the land and asked her what the sector needed to do to find prosperity again.

Reporter Neal Wallace checks in from London, where he’s spent time with the Alliance Group’s UK team. They’ve hired a chef to come up with new recipes for those consumers who don’t want the traditional lamb roast and learns that a football stadium is a key part of the strategy.

Federated Farmers is calling on the government to tell councils to pause work on freshwater reforms. Otago Feds member Luke Kane says with signals pointing to changes in water regulations, it makes sense for regional councils to hit the brakes.

AGMARDT and KPMG have released a report that offers a new way of organising our advocacy networks. Common Ground assesses the positives and negatives of the advocacy groups we have now and sets out a strategy that could improve the collaboration and messaging emanating from the farming world. AGMARDT general manager Lee-Ann Marsh joins Bryan to discuss the report.

Federated Farmers turns 125 this year and president Wayne Langford joins the studio to reflect on the past century and a bit. Following a recent restructure Wayne says Feds is ready for its next challenge as it works to ensure farmer voices are heard.

Reporter Neal Wallace checks in from Amsterdam to discuss his visits to Wageningen University and to a Dutch dairy farm. He says the methane research going on there is promising and NZ farmers should be aware that emissions efficiencies are improving in the EU and other key food producing countries.

AGMARDT and KPMG have released a report that offers a new way of organising our advocacy networks.

Common Ground assesses the positives and negatives of the advocacy groups we have now and sets out a strategy that could improve the collaboration and messaging emanating from the farming world.

AGMARDT general manager Lee-Ann Marsh joins Bryan to discuss the report.