In this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Katie Rodwell chats with David Williams, head of on-farm excellence at Synlait, about a pioneering soil health project in New Zealand. The project, a collaboration between Synlait, Danone, AgResearch, and MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, aims to assess the impact of regenerative agriculture on soil health, farm resilience, and environmental outcomes

David shares insights on the project's goals, methods, and early results, emphasising the importance of practical, farmer-centric solutions for sustainability and climate adaptation. He is optimistic about the potential for New Zealand agriculture to lead in sustainability and underscores the importance of collaboration, communication, and a proactive approach to sustainability. David believes New Zealand farmers are already performing well on a global scale but must continue to adapt to meet evolving demands.

Tune in to learn how innovative soil health practices can shape the future of New Zealand agriculture.

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with KPMG’s Director Private Enterprise, Nick Swallow, about his Cambridge University Master’s research into New Zealand farmers' perceptions of low-carbon farming. They discuss the global forces driving emissions reductions, the challenges farmers face, and how to align sustainability goals with on-farm priorities like productivity, resilience, and intergenerational success.

Nick shares insights into global market trends and the opportunities for farmers to adapt and lead in sustainable agriculture.

Learn how connecting emissions reduction efforts to tangible benefits can empower New Zealand farmers for the future.

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, Blake Holgate speaks with Neal Wallace, a respected agricultural journalist, about his recent travels through Europe, Asia, the US, UK and Middle East, exploring how global food companies are approaching sustainability and product sourcing. Neal’s trip was funded by Rabobank, Silver Fern Farms, Alliance, Beef+Lamb NZ and the Meat Industry Association to understand exactly what these “markets” are demanding from their farmer suppliers.

Neal shares what he learned from Nestlé, Mars, and major retailers driving the conversation around food production and environmental responsibility and provides his perspective on the future market expectations New Zealand farmers may face.

In this episode, Blake Holgate is joined by Rabobank’s very own ‘Senior Animal Protein’s Analyst’ Jen Corkran, to discuss the global market forces shaping New Zealand's sheep sector. They explore the external pressures driving sustainability efforts, the need for farmers to adapt to evolving requirements, and the opportunities to leverage New Zealand’s unique production systems for future market success.

Jen suggests stagnation is not an option in the farming industry, especially in sheep farming. By embracing change and reframing sustainability as an opportunity rather than a burden, farmers can ensure the long-term viability of their businesses.

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with John Burke, who, alongside his brother Rick, has spent over 20 years improving the environmental health of their farm. Their hard work was recognised earlier this year when they were awarded the inaugural Cawthorn National Freshwater Champions Award.

John Burke's story is a powerful example of how long-term commitment and strategic planning can lead to both environmental and economic benefits on the farm. His insights offer valuable guidance for any farmer looking to enhance nature values on their property.

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate looks into Fonterra's 2030 emissions intensity target. He is joined by Malcolm Ellis, a fourth-generation farm owner and Fonterra's strategic advisor, to specifically look at the opportunities for available to farmers for improving on-farm emissions efficiency.

In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate talks with Nicholas Jolly, Senior Trade Policy Advisor for the Environment at Beef and Lamb New Zealand, to unravel how sustainability standards are reshaping international trade.

From navigating regulatory landscapes to advocating for sustainable farming practices, this episode offers insights into the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand farmers amidst evolving global trade policies.

Join us as we delve into the future of trade agreements and the pivotal role of sustainability in shaping the future of agriculture.

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Katie Rodwell speaks with Michael ‘Woody’ Woodward, a forward-thinking farmer from Otorohanga. Woody shares his hands-on experience and insights from participating in a collaborative project between Synlait, Danone, AgResearch and MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, which aims to access the impact of regenerative agri on soil health, farm resilience and environmental outcomes.

He talks about the practical approaches to sustainable farming, the challenges and triumphs of innovative soil management, and what New Zealand farming will look like in the future. Woody’s insights offer valuable lessons for farmers seeking to enhance soil health and build resilient farming systems.

On this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Katie Rodwell chats with David Williams, head of on-farm excellence at Synlait, about a pioneering soil health project in New Zealand. The project, a collaboration between Synlait, Danone, AgResearch, and MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund, aims to assess the impact of regenerative agriculture on soil health, farm resilience, and environmental outcomes

David shares insights on the project's goals, methods, and early results, emphasising the importance of practical, farmer-centric solutions for sustainability and climate adaptation. David is optimistic about the potential for New Zealand agriculture to lead in sustainability. David underscores the importance of collaboration, communication, and a proactive approach to sustainability. He believes that New Zealand farmers are already performing well on a global scale but must continue to adapt to meet evolving demands.

Tune in to learn how innovative soil health practices can shape the future of New Zealand agriculture.

On this episode of RaboTalk's Growing our future, host Katie Rodwell is joined by Paul Ensor from Glenaan Station up the Rakaia Gorge in the South Island. The Ensors are fourth generation farmers and are merino wool advocates, passionate about biodiversity and sustainable farm practices. Paul talks to us about his high-country merino sheep and cattle operation, and discusses the focus on sustainability and regenerative practices, as well as his involvement in a new business venture, Hemprino.

Katie and Paul discuss embracing sustainability with an open mind. Paul emphasises the value of curiosity and exploration of new and old ideas on farms. This curiosity has led to a new venture, Hemprino, that Paul is involved with alongside two other farming families. Hempreno blends merino wool with hemp to create unique and sustainable knitwear. Paul discusses the challenges and opportunities of this direct-to-consumer business model.

If you're a New Zealand farmer or grower with a business idea, Paul encourages you to reach out and start exploring its potential!