Show Rundown: CountryWide Connect: Thursday 9th April 2026

Today we examine the volatility of global trade, the heated debate over animal welfare standards, and a scientific breakthrough in managing facial eczema.

• Hon Todd McClay (Minister of Agriculture & Trade)
  Fresh from a recent trade mission, the Minister discusses the impact of the Middle East conflict on NZ exporters and the realistic status of an India Free Trade Agreement.
• Bevan Weir (Bioeconomy Science Institute)
  Groundbreaking research reveals we may have been counting the wrong fungal spores for 70 years. Discover why "facial eczema" needs a new name and a new management approach.
• Karl Dean (Federated Farmers)
  The Feds explain their controversial opposition to restricting low-welfare imports, sparking a public debate with domestic producers over trade principles versus local fairness.
• Jasper van Halder (Agnition Ventures)
  A new UK–NZ pilot program brings proven agritech to Kiwi farms. We ask: will this solve real problems or just add to the digital "talkfest"?
• Brent Kleiss (CEO, NZ Pork)
  A direct rebuttal to the Feds' position. NZ Pork argues that local farmers shouldn't have to compete against imported products that don't meet NZ’s legal welfare standards.
• Cristina Alvarado (NZX)
  Analysis of the latest GDT result (down 3.4%) and how geopolitical nerves are hitting dairy fats harder than powders.
• Ed Harrison (BakerAg)
  A "sharp rebound" in sheep and beef profitability. We discuss whether this is a genuine recovery or just relief after two brutal seasons.
• Damien O’Connor (Labour MP for Waitaki)
  Damien recently released a scathing video of cattle on a Pamu farm to highlight his dislike of a centralised farming approach from Wellington.

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