Marc Gascoigne, a Cambridge dairy farmer and Farmstrong Champion, joins us to share his wellbeing journey, including what it was like to suffer in silence for years and what helped him turn things around, including an unexpected conversation with his brother.

We’re also joined by Farmstrong CEO Gerard Vaughan, who helped establish Farmstrong in 2015 and has spent years turning research and psychology into practical tools that actually work for farmers.

As well as Marc’s personal story, you’ll hear about the most common stressors farmers face, what stops them asking for help, and the habits, mindsets and simple actions that make the biggest difference – even during busy seasons like calving and lambing.

This is a practical, honest conversation about what really helps farmers stay well, and how we keep normalising these conversations across the rural sector.

Useful links

Farmstrong.co.nz

Jason Herrick’s mental health story | EP 18

Mental health on the land – what’s the plan? | EP 48

‘How are you really doing?’ — Bex Green’s mental health story | EP 55

How farmers can lead well when the pressure is on | EP 60

Interest rates have been shifting fast, and many farmers are wondering if now is the time to fix or float their loans. 

To help cut through the noise, we’re joined by NZAB founder and director Scott Wishart, who explains what’s happening in the current lending environment and how farmers can approach their lending decisions with confidence. 

We cover the pros and cons of fixing vs floating, common mistakes to avoid, how to think about term length, and the strategies farmers are using to manage risk, cashflow and uncertainty. 

Scott also answers questions asked by a young farmer for this episode specifically, including whether fixing ever makes sense if you can ride out the tougher periods.

If you’re reviewing your loan structure or planning for the next season, Scott’s insights will prove valuable. 
 
Useful links: 

Rural banking inquiry: 'Let's get it underway' | EP 03

How farmers can unlock better banking deals | EP 52

British farmers are facing many of the same pressures as Kiwi farmers – rising costs, land use change, tougher environmental rules, and greater public scrutiny.

Tom Bradshaw, president of the UK’s National Farmers’ Union, joins us to share what’s happening on the ground, with the looming new inheritance tax of greatest concern. Tom also talks about what’s happening with farmer confidence, public perception, climate policy, Jeremy Clarkson, and more.

Hear about the challenges, wins and day-to-day realities of farming in the UK, and how it compares to life on the farm in New Zealand.

Thinking about entering a farm equity partnership, or just curious about how they work? In this episode, rural accountant Joe Morgan breaks it all down. 

Joe, a director at GFA in Te Awamutu, explains what equity partnerships are, how they differ from arrangements like sharemilking and contract milking, and how they can fit into succession planning.

He shares real-life stories, highlights common pitfalls, and outlines the key dos and don'ts to help ensure everyone benefits. 

Useful links

DairyNZ's equity partnership resources

For decades, grazing kept New Zealand’s Crown land in check, supporting healthy landscapes and holding back pests and weeds. But when livestock were removed, those problems exploded. 

In this episode, Jim Ward and Simon Cameron explain why carefully managed, low-impact grazing could help reverse the decline. Jim is the former manager of Molesworth Station and current Federated Farmers high country co-chair, while Simon is Federated Farmers meat and wool vice chair. 

They share lessons from the high country, the challenges on Crown and conservation land, and what needs to change to make this practical again.

Useful links

How grazing can save our high country

Feral pests like deer pigs are exploding in number across New Zealand, while wilding pines are marching across some of our most iconic landscapes. Farmers are seeing the fallout every day: destroyed pasture, lost production, biosecurity risks, and farmland slowly buried beneath unwanted trees.

In this episode we’re joined by Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Richard Dawkins and executive member Ruby Mulinder to unpack the scale of the problem and what it will take to turn the tide.

We look at why pest numbers have surged, the impact of neighbouring conservation and forestry land, and the critical gaps in current pest management settings. 

Then we dive into wilding pines – how fast they’re spreading, why Richard calls them “a ticking time bomb”, and the serious threat they pose to productive farmland and biodiversity.

Finally, we explore the solutions, like a national strategy, greater funding, and even practical changes on farm. 

Other podcasts on this topic: 

Carbon forestry crisis – the view from Southland | EP 49

The science of pest management | EP 21

Running a farm means leadership under pressure is part of the job. When the weather turns, the workload spikes or the unexpected hits, there’s no pause button. 

Southland leadership trainer and former military veteran Tony Groves helps farmers, team supervisors and rural professionals make better decisions when the heat is on.  

After a hugely popular first appearance, Tony is back to share new insights from the farm businesses he’s working with right now.  

We dive into practical tools to: 
 
• Stay calm and clear in crisis 
• Communicate so there’s less friction 
• Execute when time and energy are tight 
• Build trust and a stronger team culture 
• Make fast calls without shutting people out 

Useful links 

Different battles, same pressures: an army veteran’s advice for farmers | EP 28 

Halo Training 

It’s been more than two years since the Government promised to let young farmers use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home or farm — but nothing has changed. 

In this episode, we talk with Kylee Smit, a Cambridge-based mortgage adviser who works with many young farmers and rural workers trying to get on the property ladder. 

Kylee explains why the current KiwiSaver rules don’t work for farmers, the frustration it’s causing across rural communities, and how fixing the system could open up huge opportunities for the next generation in agriculture.

Contract milking remains a key stepping stone in New Zealand dairying, but what does it take to succeed in this role today? 

In this episode, Dairy Holdings chief executive Colin Glass shares his experience running one of the country’s largest contract milking systems. 

He discusses the skills, mindset, and strategies that set top contract milkers apart, how the model is evolving, and practical advice for those starting or growing their careers in dairying.

Alliance Group farmer-shareholders are facing one of the biggest decisions in New Zealand’s red meat sector in decades: whether to approve a proposed $250 million joint venture with Europe’s Dawn Meats Group. In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Keith Woodford, an experienced agribusiness commentator and former Lincoln University professor, to break down what’s on the table.

Keith shares his insights on the deal, including its potential benefits, risks, and implications for farmer control, processing, marketing and long-term returns. He also explores whether there are any alternatives, the financial pressures at play, and what the deal would mean for competition in New Zealand's processing sector. 

Whether you’re a farmer-shareholder weighing your vote or simply interested in the future of New Zealand agribusiness, this episode provides a clear, independent perspective on one of the sector’s most consequential decisions.