Farmers Weekly Podcast

This week, Farmers Weekly’s Neal Wallace finds confidence returning to southern dairy country, AgriHQ’s Mel Croad weighs up easing red meat prices, Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland asks how farmers can turn another strong year into real gains, and Federated Farmers Waikato president Chris Woolerton looks at whether council reform will deliver a stronger rural voice.

Beef + Lamb NZ chair Kate Acland says forecasts point to another good year for farmers, even as farmgate returns ease slightly and the cost of production remains stubbornly high.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace reports that sales of dairy farms in Southland and Otago are increasing in number, with confidence returning to the regions and banks back in the lending game.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad gives an update on our key markets for beef and sheepmeat, reporting that while prices are easing slightly, we’re still in great shape as the new season begins.

Federated Farmers Waikato president Chris Woolerton says the plans for local government reform in the region have the backing of Federated Farmers, with sensible boundaries suggested and a clear voice for rural communities.

(00:00:00) Full Show | September 4 (00:01:29) Councils target truckers to fund road repairs (00:04:49) Sheep markets turn from old to new (00:11:37) More than a competition: the bond behind dog trialling (00:17:12) Amalgamation angst in Otago This week, Farmers Weekly’s Neal Wallace examines road rates hitting farmers and foresters, AgriHQ’s Fiona Quarrie tracks the changing sheep market, NZ dog trial team manager Pat Coogan reflects on a Trans-Tasman victory, and Federated Farmers Otago president Anna Gillespie weighs up council amalgamation options.

NZ dog trial team manager Pat Coogan reflects on the hard-fought test series win in Queensland earlier this week. Pat says the NZ team held its nerve to win in trying conditions.

With council budgets under pressure, some regions have opted to target rates at landowners that rely on heavy traffic. Senior reporter Neal Wallace reports that dairy farmers and foresters face big rates hikes.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie discusses the transition from old season lambs to new, young stock as ewes with lambs at foot enter the saleyards.

Federated Farmers Otago president Anna Gillespie analyses the different proposals put forward by councils in the region, with Feds favouring an urban-rural split rather than the coastal-inland divide put forward by Dunedin and Queenstown.

This week, Farmers Weekly senior reporter Richard Rennie examines the growing workforce challenge in ageing regions, while AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner explains why strong store cattle prices aren’t quite meeting expectations. Featured guest, Agritech NZ's chief executive Brendan O’Connell, offers a different take on the tech brain drain, and Federated Farmers arable chair Chris Dillon looks at how relaxed drone rules could unlock greater farm adoption.

Agritech NZ chief executive Brendan O’Connell says reports that our tech sector is at risk of a brain drain need to be viewed with caution. He says the fact our best and brightest head offshore should be seen as a positive.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie outlines a new report that looks at demographic change in our regions, and finds that while populations are growing in some places, the age of them is rising, bringing workforce and productivity challenges.

Senior analyst Suz Bremner says store cattle prices are high and even up on last year’s results at this time of year, but expectations are higher and some are feeling a little disappointed on returns. Buyers are very cautious about the El Niño risk and that’s impacting the longer term cattle market.

Federated Farmers arable chair Chris Dillon says the Government’s plan to ease drone regulations could encourage more farmers to invest in the technology. He says costly and complex certification requirements have been a major barrier, making farmers reluctant to adopt drones despite their potential on-farm benefits.

In this week's episode, senior reporter Neal Wallace and AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington examine red meat and lamb markets as prices face seasonal pressure, while Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard outlines the government’s $109m battle plan to tackle wilding pines.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard outlines the plan being developed to combat wilding pines. With $109 million in the war chest for the fight, Hoggard says he’s keen to have a plan that uses resources efficiently, and draws on the capability of every stakeholder.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace takes a look at the red meat markets, with data from Beef + Lamb NZ and global trends all pointing to a slight drop in farmgate returns.

Could lamb prices be heading for their usual pre-Christmas slide? AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington unpacks the market signals farmers should watch as spring progresses.

This week we examine the issues shaping rural New Zealand. Neal Wallace revisits the solar farm debate and looks at moves to bring food and fibre into secondary schools, AgriHQ’s Sara Hilhorst wraps up a massive Feilding-Marton hogget fair, AgFirst’s James Allen explains how small farm management changes can deliver big gains for dairy farmers, and Federated Farmers’ Sandra Faulkner examines the progress of local government reform.