Federated Farmers Podcast

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.

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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

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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

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Gallagher’s Sarah Adams returns to explore the latest in agri-tech, from virtual fencing to smart ear tags and integrated data systems. She shares insights from U.S. farming trends, discusses adoption barriers, and offers practical advice for tech-curious Kiwi farmers keen to boost efficiency and make smarter on-farm decisions. 

Links

Virtual fencing and precision farming | EP 10 - Federated Farmers Podcast | Podcast on Spotify

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Farm succession—it’s one of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand’s rural families. How do you pass the farm on to the next generation in a way that’s fair, makes financial sense, and keeps relationships intact? 

Our guest today is Joe Morgan, an accountant and director at GFA in Te Awamutu, who is back by popular demand. Joe's here to cover the main challenges farmers are facing with farm succession and the role of trusts and other business structures. 

He’ll also walk us through some strategies for balancing inheritance between farming and non-farming children, and why getting the right professional advice early is critical.

Links

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

GFA Chartered Accountants

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

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New Zealand’s sheep population has plummeted from over 70 million in the 1980s to just 25 million today—and the decline is accelerating. 

In this episode, we speak with Toby Williams, national meat and wool chair and a sheep farmer himself, about the alarming state of the red meat sector. 

What’s driving the loss—land use changes, climate policy, farmer confidence, or economics? What’s at stake for rural communities and the wider industry? And crucially, what can be done to reverse the trend? It’s a wake-up call for the future of sheep farming in New Zealand. 

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A recent contract milking survey has sparked debate across the dairy industry. In this episode, we speak with survey creator Louise Gibson, and Brendan Attrill, a long-time industry leader and Federated Farmers farm owner representative, to unpack the key findings.

We explore why the survey was conducted, what the results reveal, and how both sides of the industry are reacting. Brendan and Louise also share their thoughts on possible reforms, from legal protections to mentoring and better economic models.

If you’re a contract milker, farm owner, or just care about the future of dairy farming in New Zealand, this is a balanced conversation you won’t want to miss.

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One of the biggest days in the dairy farming calendar, Moving Day, is fast approaching.  

It’s a day full of change and challenge as thousands of farmers, workers, and their families head off to start a new chapter on a new farm. It’s a big logistical job, but there’s also the emotional, professional and relationship side to think about too. 

So, how do you do Moving Day well? How do you prepare, stay organised, and set yourself up for a strong finish to the season, and a strong start to the new season?

To help us unpack all of that, we're joined by contract milker Bex Green, who's Federated Farmers North Canterbury’s senior vice president. She’s also on the Federated Farmers national dairy leadership team, and she was our Dairy Advocate of the Year in 2024. 

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Global scrutiny of farming is rising — but how can farmers respond? Journalist and Nuffield Scholar Claire Taylor has travelled the world exploring how agricultural sectors are responding to criticism and shifting public perception. In this episode, she shares lessons from her journey and offers practical advice for New Zealand farmers seeking a stronger voice.

Links

Primary Industries New Zealand Summit and Awards 2025

Meet Claire Taylor, 2023 Nuffield Farming Scholar

www.nuffieldscholar.org/scholars/2023/claire-taylor

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One of the best ways for farmers to protect special areas of their land is covenanting with the QEII National Trust. But what does that actually mean in practice? What are the benefits and challenges? And what does the future of covenanting look like?"

Our guest for this episode is Dan Coup, CEO of the QEII Trust, who explains everything from the history of QEII to the practicalities of covenanting, funding challenges, and what recent government decisions mean for farmers. 

Links

https://qeiinationaltrust.org.nz

Farmers celebrate more funding for QEII Trust

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