In this week’s podcast: senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie unpack forestry’s impact on rural communities, while AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington outlines strong store lamb demand and margins. Federated Farmers Otago president Luke Kane also joins to discuss his recent environmental award win.

Senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie join the show to discuss the new Farmers Weekly special report, The Rural Cost of Forestry Conversion, which looks at the growth of exotic forestry in the high country. They’ve talked to concerned farmers, forestry companies and academics who have studied the impact forestry has had on several communities.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington gives an update on the store lamb market. She says strong store lamb demand, driven by rain and tight supply, should deliver good margins when lambs go to processing.

Federated Farmers Otago president Luke Kane joins the show to discuss his recent win in the Otago Ballance Farm Environment Awards. He and wife Nicole continue a fine tradition for Feds members in the south, with the Kane's being the seventh winner in the past 20 years.

(00:00:00) Full Show | April 10

(00:01:33) Young cattle demand drives market surge

(00:07:35) Hurrell looks back as Fonterra eyes future growth

(00:23:35) Dog law investigation underway

In this week's episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast, AgriHQ analyst Suz Bremner discusses the strong demand for young cattle is driving record prices and buyer confidence. Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell reflects on the co-op’s performance and future direction ahead of his departure. And Federated Farmers’ Colin Hannah highlights the need for farmer input into dog law reforms to protect livestock and working dogs.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell joins the show to reflect on the co-op’s interim result, the Lactalis sale, and on his term at the top. Hurrell has signaled he will step down soon and says the co-op is primed for its next phase.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says the South Island calf sales are following a similar trend to the weaner sales in the north, with record prices being paid.

Colin Hannah of Federated Farmers in Northland says the investigation into our current laws around dog ownership need input from the farming community. Feral and unmanaged dogs pose a risk to people and livestock, and Colin says any law changes need to take account of how working dogs are managed.

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.