With reports of some countries and companies stepping back from climate commitments, what’s really happening in global sustainability—and how does it affect New Zealand’s farmers and growers?

In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate is joined by Marjan van Riel, Rabobank’s Global Lead of Climate and Sustainability, to unpack global sustainability trends, regulatory shifts, and value chain expectations. From decarbonisation and climate risk to consumer behaviour and technological innovation, this conversation highlights where the world is heading—and how New Zealand’s agri-sector is well positioned to respond.

Tune in to learn how New Zealand’s agri sector can turn sustainability into a lasting competitive advantage by focusing on both compliance and opportunity.

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With major change and challenge on the horizon, how do we bring young people into the fold and ensure their voices are shaping the future of our food and fibre sector? In this episode, Katie Rodwell speaks with Aimee Blake, co-founder of Girls Who Grow and co-chair of Future Farmers NZ. Aimee shares how a growing network of over 150 young people from across the value chain are coming together to build a resilient, prosperous future for New Zealand agriculture.

They discuss how Future Farmers was formed, the importance of constructive cross-sector conversation, and how the group’s Statement of Hope is helping chart a positive path forward for policymakers and industry alike.

Tune in to learn how Future Farmers NZ brings diverse voices together around a shared purpose, to create momentum for change.

As sustainability continues to shape the future of New Zealand agriculture, how does this compare across the ditch in Australia? In this episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with Anna Drake, Sustainability Analyst at RaboResearch in Australia, to understand the drivers, challenges, and opportunities influencing Australian farmers' approach to sustainability.

While Australia faces fewer regulatory pressures than New Zealand, similar market forces, climate concerns, and innovation needs are still in play. Anna shares insights into how Australian agriculture is responding to sustainability demands, what’s currently happening on farm, and where the sector is headed in the years to come.

On-farm efficiency is often hailed as the win-win strategy for delivering both profitability and environmental performance. But where are those gains going to come from next—and how do genetics and herd improvement fit in? In this episode of Growing Our Future, Blake is joined by David Chin, CEO of Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), to explore how far New Zealand dairy farmers have come in improving herd efficiency and what new opportunities lie ahead.

From traditional breeding to cutting-edge genomic selection and methane-reducing genetics, this conversation covers the science, strategy, and future potential of herd improvement in New Zealand.

Join us to explore how genetics is shaping a more sustainable and productive future for dairy farming, driving efficiency, profitability, and environmental gains.

When change is needed on-farm, how do we better understand what kind of change we're dealing with—and what it takes to support it effectively? In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate talks to Geoff Kaine, Landcare Research Senior Researcher in economics, about farmer behaviour, decision-making, and the types of change they encounter. They explore why some shifts are easier, how support varies, and why understanding each farmer’s situation is key to effective industry and policy action.

Geoff introduces a framework categorizing farm system changes as simple, complex, tactical, or strategic. Simple changes are low-risk and one-off, while complex ones require planning. Tactical shifts adjust production methods, whereas strategic changes redefine what is produced, such as switching from dairy to horticulture. Decision-making depends on mindset, system boundaries, and support networks, particularly for complex or strategic transitions.

Tune in to this engaging conversation to learn how both Blake and Geoff emphasize the importance of understanding the type of change a farmer is navigating before offering advice or support. They also highlight that for farmers facing big transitions, industry and government must invest in research and create viable options to support system-level change.

Most farmers and growers have some form of relationship with a bank, but the nature of that relationship can vary significantly. From a simple transactional connection to a deeper partnership, how can farmers maximize the value of their banking relationship? In this episode of Growing Our Future, host Blake Holgate speaks with Bruce Weir, Rabobank's General Manager for Country Banking, to discuss what a strong bank-client relationship looks like, key considerations when assessing financial partnerships, and how farmers can position themselves for long-term success.

The key to a successful banking relationship is proactivity, transparency, and long-term planning. By building trust, understanding their financial position, and fostering a strong relationship with their bank, farmers can ensure their businesses remain resilient and well-positioned for future opportunities.

Tune in to this insightful discussion to learn how you can maximise the value of your banking relationship and set your farming business up for lasting success.

 In this episode of Growing Our Future, Blake sits down with Robert Siveter, Senior Manager, Sustainability Risk at Rabobank, to discuss the evolving climate risks facing New Zealand farmers. They explore how climate change impacts farming systems, the role of technology in mitigating risks, and the broader economic and market changes farmers need to consider. The conversation also highlights the opportunities that come with these changes and how farmers can position themselves to capitalise on them.

Tune in to hear more about how farmers can navigate these challenges and position themselves for success in an evolving climate landscape.

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.