Farmers Weekly Podcast

Bryan is joined by Irrigation NZ chief executive Karen Williams and Federated Farmers board member Richard Dawkins to discuss how water security is the key to farming’s future. They say a long-term strategy to build the infrastructure to collect and store water will nurture our communities and economy.

This week, what comes next for growers and farmers on the Heretaunga Plains as wine tastes change and water determines their options?
Featured guest, Farmers Weekly reporter Rebecca Greaves, explores the Hawke's Bay’s changing landscape.
Farmers Weekly’s Richard Rennie also previews his visit to India’s biggest textile and carpet expo; AgriHQ’s Alex Coddington reports on strong Feilding store cattle prices; and Federated Farmers sharefarming chair Sam Ebbett explains why outdated laws need to catch up with young farmers’ pathways into dairy.

Reporter Rebecca Greaves joins the show to discuss the special report on the changing landscape in the Bay. With consumer preferences reshaping viticulture, growers and farmers are looking for the next land use to adopt. But it all comes down to one variable – water.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie previews his upcoming visit to India, where he’ll attend its biggest textile and carpet expo. New Zealand’s wool is in demand there, valued for its strength and length.

AgriHQ Insight | Store cattle shine in FeildingAgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington says store cattle values are holding up despite worries about El Niño. Feilding hosted a big yarding last week with prices pleasing vendors.

Federated Farmers sharefarming chair Sam Ebbett says the new government needs to prioritise an update to the laws around sharefarming. The Act as it stands doesn’t account for contract milking, now the predominant path for young farmers to progress in dairy.

Where have half a million lambs gone, and what does their disappearance from the numbers mean for farmers? This week, AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad unpacks the mystery and the consequences for the red meat sector. Plus, Richard Rennie looks at the passing of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bills, Suz Bremner follows Chatham livestock back to market, and Federated Farmers Otago’s Logan Wallace tackles farm drainage regulations.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says updates to our national sheep population figures have wiped out half a million lambs the industry was previously accounting for. She says this has repercussions for farmers, processors and everyone in the red meat supply chain.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie says the passing of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill with broad support is giving industry leaders confidence that the door will reopen to new tools to combat pests and diseases.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says Chatham Island farmers are celebrating the first load of stock sent to the yards at Strotford Lodge, with a temporary larger barge filling the gap while they wait for the new boat to be built in China.