PGG Wrightson chief executive Stephen Guerin joins the show to talk about the company’s 175th anniversary, which is being marked on May 1. George Gould launched Christchurch’s first general store in May, 1851, beginning a long legacy of farm supply businesses that all contributed to the PGG Wrightson we know today.

Federated Farmers’ new Waikato president Chris Woolerton discusses how he’ll approach his new role, his life in farming, and previous governance roles.

(00:00:00) Full Show | April 24

(00:01:24) Weaner prices ease back in the north

(00:06:13) Should I use this tech? An Aussie farmer’s rules for adoption

(00:14:47) Farm staff pay levels off a little

In this week’s podcast: AgriHQ’s Fiona Quarrie breaks down softer weaner prices in the north as feed shortages hit demand. NSW farmer Mark Mortimer shares his three rules for adopting on-farm tech, from EID to automation. Federated Farmers’ Karl Dean discusses new survey results showing farm staff wages levelling off after recent growth.

New South Wales sheep farmer Mark Mortimer told the AgInnovation conferences the three boxes he needs to tick before adopting any new technology on-farm. Mark has been at the forefront of tech adoption and knowledge transfer in Australia, with insights on everything from EID tagging to automated feed systems.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie joins the show for an update on weaner fairs, which have seen young cattle values drop back a little since the beginning of the season.

Federated Farmers’ Karl Dean has the results of the latest Federated Farmers/Rabobank Remuneration Survey, which shows modest gains for farm workers across farming types.

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.