Carbon forestry is spreading fast, and the impacts are becoming impossible to ignore for farmers in regions like Southland. In this episode, we’re joined by Dean Rabbidge, Southland Federated Farmers meat & wool chair, to talk about what he’s seeing on the ground. 

He describes the heartbreak of whole, highly productive farms being converted into pine plantations, and rural towns slowly hollowing out.  

He explains how the rise of carbon forestry is affecting local communities, contractors, shearers, and processors – and why it’s a serious threat to the red meat sector. 

We also dig into the Government’s promises to rein in carbon forestry, what’s actually being delivered, and what policy changes are urgently needed to stop the damage.  

In this episode, we dig into the mental health challenges facing farmers and rural communities, and ask: is the support on offer actually working?

Matt Doocey, New Zealand’s first dedicated Minister for Mental Health, joins us to discuss what’s changing, what still needs to, and whether rural voices are truly being heard.

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford shares what rural people are telling him they really need, the barriers that still exist, what support services need to look like on the ground, and the role farming leaders must play in driving change.

Where to get help

If you or someone you know needs support, free help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor.

You can also call Rural Support Trust on 0800 RURAL HELP or 0800 787 254. 

Farmstrong is another great place to go for practical tools and strategies for managing workload, stress and pressure, and to hear other farmers talk about mental health. 

A month since he won the prestigious NZ Young Farmer of the Year Award, we catch up with Hugh Jackson to find out how he’s feeling about the win and get to know a bit better. 

We dig into his background, his personal goals, his mental health story, his passion for the Young Farmers organisation, and what makes him tick. We also talk about winning the award, including some of the strategies he employed as part of his preparation, and we also hear about the trip to Tanzania he’s just returned from, and, interestingly, how the name on his birth certificate isn’t Hugh Jackson. 

Links

Hugh Jackson crowned 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year

FMG Young Farmer of the Year - Video

In this episode we’re digging into a hot topic in the primary sector – regulation of agrichemicals and the role of the Environmental Protection Authority, or EPA.

David Birkett, Federated Farmers’ biosecurity spokesperson and arable chair, has been at the coalface of conversations around agrichemical approvals. We discuss what’s going wrong with the EPA process, how it’s affecting Kiwi farmers, and what needs to happen to ensure we have the tools to protect crops and pasture without unnecessary roadblocks. 

Links

Farmers Weekly article: 'Alternative grass grub weapon now urgent'

Farmers Weekly article: 'Chemical ban would ‘knee-cap’ grass grub fight'

In this episode, we take a hard look at where things are at for the red meat and wool sectors right now, including what’s driving the strong red meat returns, but also pain points like processor viability, falling stock numbers, productive farmland going into carbon forestry, and the ongoing struggles for wool growers.  

Richard Dawkins, Federated Farmers meat and wool chair, brings insights from farmers on the ground, and Mel Croad, senior analyst at AgriHQ, unpacks what’s driving global demand and market movements.

Legal issues on the farm can be stressful — and often dealt with only when things go wrong. In this episode, you'll hear from lawyer Simon Middlemiss about the most common legal and employment problems farmers face, and how to avoid them. 

From staff contracts to handling disputes, Simon shares practical tips all farmers should know, plus the basics every good employer needs to get right. 

Whether you’re dealing with an issue now or want to stay ahead of trouble, this episode will help you understand your legal risks and where to turn for support when you need it. 

We’re continuing the theme of farm succession by chatting with Peter Templeton, a fifth-generation Southland dairy farmer, who spent five months travelling the USA and Europe as a Nuffield scholar, researching what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to farm succession.

He met with over 100 farmers, their advisors, and industry experts to paint a wide picture of ownership structures, financial strategies, and family dynamics that make or break the succession process.

He joins us to share his findings, warn about common pitfalls that trip families up, and talk us through strategies that lead to successful, stress-free transitions.

Links

Peter's Nuffield report: 'Putting the Success back into Succession'

Farm succession planning with Joe Morgan | EP 38

Bridging the farm ownership gap with Sarah How | Episode 41

Farmers Weekly article: Many farmers pondering succession, selling

When we talk about assets on farm, we often think of land, livestock, and machinery. But there’s one asset that’s even more important — and that’s you, the farmer.  

Farming can be risky, physically and financially, and too often we overlook how vulnerable we are when we don’t have the right support in place for ourselves and our families.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ash Krishna from FMG to talk about the bigger picture when it comes to protecting farmers' health, lives and livelihoods. 

He shares some real-life stories of farmers who’ve experienced the unexpected on-farm but got through it because they’d put plans in place. 

He also breaks down the common myths and misconceptions around insurance and explains how to get started if it’s something you’ve been putting in the too-hard basket.

We get it – insurance isn’t the most exciting topic under the sun.

But it sure can have a big impact on your business, particularly when something goes wrong, and you’re caught without it.

Farm ownership is becoming harder for young Kiwis, and traditional succession is no longer working for many farming families. 

In this episode, we hear from Sarah How, founder of Landify, about the challenges and opportunities in farm succession and ownership. 

Sarah explains why succession is getting tougher, explores alternative ownership models, and offers practical advice for both older farmers planning succession and young people looking to get on the land — even without a family farm background. 

Useful links

Landify

Joe Morgan in episode 29: 'More than tax: the benefits of a good rural accountant'

Hot Tips for Successful Farm Succession

Rural Coach’s Free Succession Planning eBook

Keeping Farming in the Family: A guide to succession planning for farmers and their families

Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the most serious animal diseases globally, and while New Zealand has never had an outbreak, the risk is very real. If the disease were to make it to our shores the consequences would be huge for our rural communities and the wider economy. 

To help us understand the risks, the plans in place, and what farmers need to know, we're joined by Dr. Mary van Andel, the Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry for Primary Industries. 

Mary leads the national veterinary team responsible for protecting the health of New Zealand’s animals and has a key role in disease preparedness and response.

Links

Advice to farmers and livestock owners about foot and mouth disease | NZ Government 

About foot and mouth disease | NZ Government