Senior reporter Neal Wallace reports on a new auction system for strong wool that is modelled on the Global Dairy Trade system. Its backers say it will provide a better way to trade fibre and should lead to more value being created for farmers.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner previews the beef weaner fairs and calf sales that are getting under way. She says everything is pointing to a bumper set of sales and there should be great returns for vendors.

Federated Farmers vice-president Colin Hurst joins the show to talk about the new funding announced for the QEII Trust, which was facing the prospect of being unable to register new landholdings. The funding boost is great news for farmers and for conservation efforts, says Colin.

In this week’s show:

• Fonterra’s head of sustainability Charlotte Rutherford joins the show to talk about the new incentives the co-op has added to its Co-operative Difference programme that would see farmers rewarded for reducing their emissions. Two of the three incentives are funded by big Fonterra customers Mars and Nestlè.
• Senior reporter Richard Rennie is in Brisbane at the evokeAg conference. He says the food industry is being warned that weight loss drugs like Ozempic could substantially reshape eating habits with major consequences.
• AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie gives an update on the happenings at the saleyards around the country. Dry weather is having an impact in some regions with stock moving from west to east in the North Island. Ewe fairs continue around NZ and prices have dropped back a bit after a strong start.
• Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford talks us through their latest rural confidence survey, which saw a big improvement. Wayne says a reduced regulatory burden, good farmgate returns and lower interest rates are the cause.

Fonterra’s head of sustainability Charlotte Rutherford joins the show to talk about the new incentives the co-op has added to its Co-operative Difference programme that would see farmers rewarded for reducing their emissions. Two of the three incentives are funded by big Fonterra customers Mars and Nestlè.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie is in Brisbane at the evokeAg conference. He tells Bryan that the food industry is being warned that weight loss drugs like Ozempic could substantially reshape eating habits with major consequences.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie updates Bryan on the happenings at the saleyards around the country.

Dry weather is having an impact in some regions with stock moving from west to east in the North Island. Ewe fairs continue around NZ and prices have dropped back a bit after a strong start.

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford talks us through their latest rural confidence survey, which saw a big improvement. Wayne says a reduced regulatory burden, good farmgate returns and lower interest rates are the cause.

February 15 marks National Lamb Day, so this week Bryan talks with Ag Proud co-ordinator Jon Pemberton about what’s in store for the big day, and why celebrating the first shipment of meat from NZ is a big deal.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace talks us through the beef with banks – NZ First has drafted a Members’ Bill that would stop large emitters being debanked. And, AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner joins the show to discuss the week that was down at the saleyards.

Federated Farmers Local Government spokesperson Sandra Faulker joins the show to outline their seven point plan to reform local government. It includes redirecting funds from central to local government and a clear directive on what money should be spent on.

Tomorrow is National Lamb Day, so this week Bryan talks with Ag Proud co-ordinator Jon Pemberton about what’s in store for the big day, and why celebrating the first shipment of meat from NZ is a big deal.