This week’s podcast covers Silver Fern Farms’ return to profit and growing calls for an inquiry into vegetable processing closures and food resilience, featuring senior reporter Neal Wallace and Green Party ag spokesperson Steve Abel.

Green Party agriculture spokesperson Steve Abel discusses his call for an inquiry into McCain and Heinz Wattie’s closures, highlighting concerns over food resilience and local production.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace discusses Silver Fern Farms’ annual result, which reveals a turn to profitability after a loss last year.

(00:00:00) Full Show | March 27

(00:02:09) Aussie farmers up against global forces

(00:07:10) Uncertain future for vegetable and grain growers

(00:15:40) Foreign investors back in the game

(00:25:31) Feds submits to Health and Safety Amendment Bill

This week on Farmers Weekly Podcast, we unpack the mounting global and local pressures shaping agriculture. AgriHQ’s Alex Coddington breaks down turmoil in Australia’s red meat sector following a controversial EU trade deal, while Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Will Foley raises alarm over the future of NZ vegetable and grain production after major processing pullbacks. 

We also explore renewed interest from foreign investors in New Zealand’s primary industries with Findex’s Hayden Dillon, and Federated Farmers weighs in on proposed health and safety law changes impacting the sector.

Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Will Foley says he’s deeply disappointed by recent moves from McCain and Heinz-Wattie’s to scale back or halt vegetable processing in New Zealand. With around 9,000 hectares of production in the region, Foley believes it may be time for a broader conversation about how the country’s food industry is structured.

Word on the street is that international investors have their eye on New Zealand’s primary sectors, says Hayden Dillon, managing partner – agribusiness at Findex.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington discusses the current state of Australia’s red meat sector, as the industry reels from signing what has been described as one of the worst FTAs in history with the European Union.

Federated Farmers health and safety spokesperson David Birkett says while they support the overall direction of the new H&S regulations, there are some aspects specific to farming that need to be addressed.

(00:00:00) Full Show | March 20

(00:01:42) Middle East conflict drives rising costs for NZ farmers

(00:07:55) HortNZ outlines election priorities for sector growth

(00:21:24) Federated Farmers pushes back on Gore District Plan concerns

In this episode, AgriHQ’s Mel Croad explains the impacts of rising fuel and fertiliser costs are adding pressure on farmers as global conflict disrupts supply chains. HortNZ CEO Kate Scott outlines its election priorities and Federated Farmers raises concerns about the proposed Gore District Plan and unclear consenting rules.

Horticulture NZ chief executive Kate Scott chats about the election manifesto the industry group has just released, which includes the key issues it hopes the next government will address.