Federated Farmers Podcast

Scott Wishart from agricultural loan broker NZAB joins us to discuss how farmers can take more control of their banking outcomes. 

Scott shares practical advice on how to become “bank-ready,” what information to gather beyond budgets and financials, and how a well-prepared farmer can unlock a better deal. 

He also explains the value of engaging multiple lenders, the role of non-bank lenders, and common mistakes farmers make when approaching their bank. 

You’ll hear the steps farmers can take today to strengthen their position, drive competition, and ultimately secure better deals. 

Links 

How to get a cheaper interest rate | EP 05 

Rural banking inquiry: 'Let's get it underway' | EP 3 

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Farmers rely on rural media to stay informed – but shrinking print runs, social media, and changing news habits are putting pressure on traditional outlets.  

In this episode, we sit down with Dean Williamson, CEO of AgriHQ and publisher of Farmers Weekly, to discuss the challenges facing rural media. 

We explore the changing media landscape, how younger farmers are consuming news differently, and why Dean believes connecting rural New Zealand is more important than ever. We also ask: what legacy does he hope to leave behind? 

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Farmers have long been saying they’re getting a raw deal from the banks – higher interest rates, tougher lending rules, fewer options, and growing pressure around environmental reporting. That’s why Federated Farmers pushed so hard for a rural banking inquiry. 

Now, after months of hearings and submissions, the Finance and Expenditure Committee has released its final report. It calls for changes to capital requirements, new transparency rules, and stronger political oversight of the big banks. 

But will this really deliver a fair deal for farmers? What will it mean for farming families, and how do we make sure the recommendations turn into lasting change? 

To unpack it all, we’re joined by Mark Hooper, Federated Farmers’ new banking spokesperson, and Richard McIntyre, the former spokesperson who helped lead the fight for the inquiry. 

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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.  

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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. 

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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

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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'

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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.

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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. 

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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

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