Farmers Weekly Podcast

Senior reporter Richard Rennie joins the show to discuss some of the top stories of the week, including Zespri's possible plan for a second grower vote on whether to add Chinese SunGold fruit to its international mix. Richard has also been talking to Massey University researcher Dr Amelia Almeida, who updated Australia’s livestock emissions model and now has New Zealand’s in her sights. Richard also talks about urease inhibitors and whether they are actually doing what they state on the tin.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner reports on the recent Temuka in’lamb ewe fair, which saw record prices for the top lines before buyers became a lot more picky, resulting in a topsy-turvy day for vendors.

Federated Farmers’ Wairarapa president Robert Hickson tells Bryan that recent rain in the region caused unnecessary flooding as a result of poor or non-existent riverbed maintenance. He says the buildup of gravel in key rivers exacerbated the floods and wants to see agreement reached on how to avoid the same situation in future.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 9

(00:01:52) Is America's beef boom starting to slow?

(00:09:46) A closer look at Ingka’s new Hawke’s Bay forest

(00:20:13) Red light for Green water policy

Ingka Investments country manager Kelvin Meredith joins the Farmers Weekly Podcast to discuss the company's newest Hawke's Bay forest and its long-term approach to production forestry and sustainability. AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad explains why America's appetite for beef may be starting to cool, and what that could mean for red meat prices. Plus, Federated Farmers national board member Mark Hooper shares his concerns about the Green Party's freshwater policy and its potential impact on farming and food prices.

Ingka Investments country manager Kelvin Meredith showed Bryan around one of their new forest plantings in Central Hawke’s Bay. He says the company is committed to sustainability, being a good neighbour and producing high quality production timber.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad joins the show to discuss red meat pricing, noting that America’s voracious appetite for beef appears to be diminishing a little. While it won’t see prices fall off a cliff, it is definitely something to keep an eye on.

Federated Farmers’ national board member Mark Hooper says the Green Party’s freshwater policy is scientifically and economically illiterate, and would push up the price of food here in New Zealand. He says while everyone wants improved water quality, that doesn’t have to come at the cost of food affordability.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 3

(00:01:33) Strong wool market reaches new highs

(00:06:07) How Massey is helping solve the ag teacher shortage

(00:14:47) Federated Farmers welcomes solar consent reforms

This week: Strong wool prices have more than doubled over the past year. AgriHQ's Sara Hilhorst explains what's driving the remarkable rally. Feature guest Massey University Professor Paul Kenyon discusses a new programme to help tackle the shortage of agriculture and horticulture teachers, while sharing the latest on the university's enrolment surge. And Federated Farmers' Mark Hooper welcomes National's proposal to make on-farm solar installations a permitted activity without resource consent.

Head of Massey University’s School of Agriculture and Environment Professor Paul Kenyon joins the show to discuss a new micro-credential course programme being offered to secondary teachers that will help them teach agriculture and horticulture at high schools. More and more schools are offering these subjects but there is a shortage of teachers. He also gives an update on the enrolment situation at Massey, which is enjoying a big surge.

AgriHQ analyst Sara Hilhorst says the strong wool season ended with the Fusca coarse fleece indicator more than doubling from last season, after continuing to strengthen throughout the year. The benchmark also made significant gains over the past two months, extending its steady upward trend.