Farmers Weekly Podcast

Senior reporter Neal Wallace takes a look at the policy offerings for climate change mitigation, and finds parties across the political spectrum have disparate views, is it business as usual or increased regulation? Global livestock numbers are on the decline, and Neal says this bodes well for our red meat exports in the medium term.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie wraps up the in-lamb ewe market and then speculates on how the ewes with lambs at foot market will play out as the season progresses.

ACT’s plan to transfer responsibility for managing game animals on conservation land to the Game Animal Council needs a major rethink, according to Federated Farmers. Richard Dawkins, pest management spokesperson, says allowing the Game Animal Council to set game population targets is extremely concerning.

In this week's Farmers Weekly Podcast, senior reporter Neal Wallace discusses the latest progress on RMA reform and China's changing economy. AgriHQ's Alex Coddington explains how dairy beef is reshaping livestock markets, Melissa Clark-Reynolds explores AI's impact on farming, and Federated Farmers' Mark Hooper welcomes the latest RMA changes.

Agri-futurist and former Beef + Lamb NZ independent director Melissa Clark-Reynolds knows more than most about the impact of AI now, and its potential to disrupt our future. She tells Bryan how AI will affect our careers, our day to day work, and farming’s future.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace has gauged the response to the Select Committee’s report on the government’s RMA legislation. Most industry bodies are supportive of the report’s suggestions and look forward to the Bill progressing. China’s stalling economy has some economists questioning whether its growth charge is over, though Neal has found some believe the economic transformation taking place will kickstart a new growth phase soon.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington says the growing move to integrate dairy beef into farming businesses is having a big impact on the livestock markets, and while our appetite for more beef genetics will be welcomed in export markets right now, we need to take care not to fuel a boom and bust scenario.

This week the Government announced that the agreements councils reach with local iwi would be scrapped, with new rules being drafted for future agreements. Federated Farmers RMA spokesperson Mark Hooper has welcomed the move, and is also optimistic about the RMA reform, following the release of the Select Committee report on the proposed legislation.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 17

(00:01:51) Zespri to ask growers to back Chinese SunGold again

(00:11:54) Ups and downs at Temuka’s in-lamb ewe fair

(00:19:03) What El Niño could mean for NZ farmers this spring

(00:34:28) River maintenance falls short

In this week's Farmers Weekly Podcast, weather expert Phil Duncan explains what a possible El Niño could mean for New Zealand farmers this spring. Senior reporter Richard Rennie also discusses Zespri's possible second grower vote on Chinese SunGold production, livestock emissions research and urease inhibitors, while AgriHQ's Suz Bremner reviews the Temuka in-lamb ewe fair and Federated Farmers Robert Hickson examines river maintenance failures in Wairarapa.

Farmers Weekly’s weather man Phil Duncan is here to explain what El Nino is, how it might affect global food production, and what farmers and growers in New Zealand need to know heading into spring.