Senior reporter Richard Rennie unpacks Bayer Crop Science’s exit from New Zealand. He says the exit highlights significant challenges in NZ's agricultural sector, particularly regarding the slow approval rates for new agri-chemical products, which hinders local trials critical for product approval.
He also tells Bryan about challenges faced by catchment groups, which are crucial for addressing local farming issues.

Richard McIntyre reflects on his time with Federated Farmers, saying his departure comes with mixed emotions. He tells Bryan about the challenges faced during his tenure, including government regulations and the importance of effective communication with farmers, and says he’s grateful for the support received during his time at Feds.

In this episode:

News Wrap | Real estate market comes back to life
1: 38 – Senior reporter Neal Wallace tells Bryan that farm sales are picking up and agents across the country are seeing more interest from buyers looking to farm, rather than plant.

Market Insights | Stormy seas hinder Chathams lambs
7:19 – AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner joins the show to talk about how farmers are faring on the Chatham Islands. They’ve been battling the weather in an effort to get lambs to market. They’re hoping to cash in on strong farmgate prices being enjoyed on the mainland.

Feature | Native forests a carbon champion?
15:12 – We also caught up with Dr Beata Bukosa, a NIWA scientist who has just published a paper that shows our native forests are sequestering far more carbon than previously thought. Using a new technique, Bukosa found that previous thinking on mature native forests being carbon neutral may be wrong and that they continue storing it at a good rate.

Feds Focus | Spreadmark code gets an update
23:30 – Executive director of the Fertiliser Quality Council Tyler Langford explains what’s in the recent update to the Spreakmark code and why it’s good news for farmers and the environment.

The Final Word
30:36 – Two recent stories in Farmers Weekly show farming’s future is in great hands. They’re winning innovation awards, growing meaningful communities and meeting challenges head on.

Bryan catches up with Dr Beata Bukosa, a NIWA scientist who has just published a paper that shows our native forests are sequestering far more carbon than previously thought. Using a new technique, Bukosa found that previous thinking on mature native forests being carbon neutral may be wrong and that they continue storing it at a good rate.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace tells Bryan that farm sales are picking up and agents across the country are seeing more interest from buyers looking to farm, rather than plant.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner joins the show to talk about how farmers are faring on the Chatham Islands. They’ve been battling the weather in an effort to get lambs to market. They’re hoping to cash in on strong farmgate prices being enjoyed on the mainland.

Executive director of the Fertiliser Quality Council Tyler Langford explains what’s in the recent update to the Spreakmark code and why it’s good news for farmers and the environment.

In this episode: 

Market Insights | Dwindling sheep numbers worrying exporters
1:36 – AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington reveals some worrying data about our sheep population. Numbers are down and processors are struggling to find stock to export.

Feature | Checking out the herd at Fieldays
7:15 – Fieldays is underway at Mystery Creek and senior reporter Richard Rennie is there taking in the sights and sounds. In our feature interview he talks with herd-i chief executive Liz Muller about whether farmers are spending this year and how the company is tracking.

Feds Focus | Petition to use KiwiSaver for property investment
17:41 – Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre chats about the petition they’ve launched to try and get the government to make good on its promise to allow farmers to use their KiwiSaver to invest in property. Right now they’re not allowed if they don’t live in the house they buy.

The Final Word
22:10 – The Ahuwhenua Trophy was another fantastic celebration of Māori farming. But are we doing enough in the food and fibre sector to support this primary powerhouse? And, isn’t it time we adopted the mindset these great farmers have to improve the lot of every farmer?

Fieldays is underway at Mystery Creek and senior reporter Richard Rennie is there taking in the sights and sounds. In our feature interview he talks with herd-i chief executive Liz Muller about whether farmers are spending this year and how the company is tracking.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington reveals some worrying data about our sheep population. Numbers are down and processors are struggling to find stock to export.