Explore every episode of the podcast Farmers Weekly Podcast

Silver Fern Farms has partnered with Wellington-based Lynker Analytics to form a new company, Prism Earth, to help farmers better understand and capitalise on their natural vegetation and biodiversity.
Managing director of Prism Earth, Matt Lythe, tells Bryan the company will help primary producers face up to critical challenges such as developing diversified revenue streams, adjusting to changing climatic conditions, meeting emissions targets and responding to changing buyer behaviour.

A survey by Federated Farmers reveals its members are spending big money on pest control but are barely making any headway. And, as its pest control spokesperson, Richard McIntyre says having the Department of Conservation as a neighbour only makes the fight harder.

Roving reporter Neal Wallace calls in from Brussels to share insights on the first week of his Meeting the Market tour. He’s been in the United States where some of our biggest customers are, including Mars and McDonald’s.
Neal says they love NZ food but there are a couple of things we need to improve if we’re to remain as a supplier of first choice.

Silver Fern Farms has partnered with Wellington-based Lynker Analytics to form a new company, Prism Earth, to help farmers better understand and capitalise on their natural vegetation and biodiversity.

Managing director of Prism Earth, Matt Lythe, tells Bryan the company will help primary producers face up to critical challenges such as developing diversified revenue streams, adjusting to changing climatic conditions, meeting emissions targets and responding to changing buyer behaviour.

Calls for a national food strategy are growing as the cost of living crisis leaves many unable to afford nutritious food here, despite living in a food producing powerhouse.

Lincoln University’s Professor Alan Renwick says it will take a holistic approach as there are many aspects to consider – health, social development, commerce and agriculture. He says the changing climate will force us to rethink how we produce food and where.

Bryan hands over the microphone for this week’s feature interview to senior reporter Richard Rennie, who is in Australia right now.

Richard catches up with farmer Neils Olsen whose Soilkee Renovator provides a solution to farmers looking to plant diverse pasture species with minimal tilling.

He also chats with Hamish Hunt, a Central Victorian who is farming on land not typically suited to dairying. He’s used the Renovator to improve soil health, and to enable planting of multiple species for his regenerative farming system.

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford unpacks the latest rural confidence survey that shows sentiment is improving slightly, although farmers are still doing it tough.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace tells Bryan that drought conditions are now being felt in South and North Canterbury and Wairarapa as well as Marlborough. He also discusses a new satellite that’s been launched that will map methane emissions across the globe.

Bryan’s feature guest this week is Alison Dewes, a fourth generation dairy farmer and second generation vet from Bay of Plenty. She’s involved in a successful catchment group there and is an advocate for ground-up solutions to our environmental challenges and she tells me what she’s learned while helping lead a catchment group.

Then Federated Farmers GM policy and advocacy Paul Melville talks to Bryan about whether the aspirational climate targets we have in place are causing people to disengage as we struggle to meet them.

But first senior reporter Richard Rennie, who is in Australia finding out how farmers there are tackling the key issues of climate change, advancements in genetic technologies and the constant drive for more value.

*Share your thoughts with bryan.gibson@agrihq.co.nz

Bryan’s feature guest this week is Alison Dewes, a fourth generation dairy farmer and second generation vet from Bay of Plenty. She’s involved in a successful catchment group there and is an advocate for ground-up solutions to our environmental challenges and she tells me what she’s learned while helping lead a catchment group.

New Zealand’s climate policy should look at the practical reality the world faces, and our politicians should be making decisions based on what is going to happen in the real world, not what we wish would happen in a perfect world, says Paul Melville, Federated Farmers GM policy and advocacy.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie is in Australia finding out how farmers there are tackling the key issues of climate change, advancements in genetic technologies and the constant drive for more value.

Bryan catches up with ACT MP Mark Cameron, who chairs the Primary Production Select Committee. He reckons it’s easier getting things done with a committee that understands farming on a personal level. And he outlines the coalition plans to help farmers flourish this year.

We also talk to Federated Farmers Waikato dairy vice-chair Phil Sherwood, who not only spent the summer milking cows, he also opened a maze constructed from maize that has attracted big numbers of visitors.

And senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses his upcoming trip to Australia, where he’ll investigate how our neighbours are tackling the issue of carbon farming.

Bryan catches up with ACT MP Mark Cameron, who chairs the Primary Production Select Committee.

He reckons it’s easier getting things done with a committee that understands farming on a personal level. And he outlines the coalition plans to help farmers flourish this year.

Bryan talks with Federated Farmers Waikato dairy vice-chair Phil Sherwood, who not only spent the summer milking cows, he also opened a maze constructed from maize that has attracted big numbers of visitors.

New data from Farm Focus highlights the significant financial challenges farmers have faced over the past year. The agri-business software platform supports $9 billion in farming annual income, an analysis of which paints a clear picture of what farming businesses are facing. 

Farm Focus CEO Auriga Martin said farmers are increasingly hands-on with their business finances and recognise the importance of knowing their numbers and managing finances effectively.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses his upcoming trip to Australia, where he’ll investigate how our neighbours are tackling the issue of carbon farming.

Bryan talks with Fish and Game Southland manager Zane Moss, who addresses claims they’re blocking vital work to remove gravel in rivers and streams.

New Federated Farmers Taranaki president Leedom Gibbs also shares how she’s come full circle after leaving the family farm at 18 to seek a career in the city, only to finally find her happy place back on the land.

And, senior reporter Neal Wallace discusses worrying news from the Rural Support Trust which is seeing increasing numbers of dairy farm owners and workers seeking their support. He also has some advice for farmers from Fire and emergency NZ on how to avoid disaster this summer.

*Share your thoughts with bryan.gibson@agrihq.co.nz

This week Bryan talks with Fish and Game Southland manager Zane Moss, who addresses claims they’re blocking vital work to remove gravel in rivers and streams.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace discusses worrying news from the Rural Support Trust which is seeing increasing numbers of dairy farm owners and workers seeking their support. He also has some advice for farmers from Fire and emergency NZ on how to avoid disaster this summer.

It’s not her high school ambition for a ‘high heels and business suits’ career in the city, but Leedom Gibbs has found her niche as a farmer.

The Federated Farmers Taranaki president told Bryan her involvement with the federation has proven to be a “massive part” of her strategy for good mental health.“Being involved in something bigger than oneself is so good for the soul”.

Farmers are often told that they need to tell their story better in order to gain more value from the food and fibre they produce. But what should that story be and how should they tell it?

This week Bryan talks with David Downs who heads up NZ Story – an organisation funded by various government departments – which carries out market research in key markets. He has some insights into what the world thinks of us and how we can use that information to tailor a food story that might finally bring better returns to farmers.

Then, Bryan catches up with Chris Dillon from Federated Farmers in Southland. He‘s got a bone to pick with Fish and Game, which he says is blocking plans to remove gravel from rivers that would make them more resilient to flooding.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie also wraps up some of the stories he’s been working on this week.

*Share your thoughts with bryan.gibson@agrihq.co.nz

Farmers are often told that they need to tell their story better in order to gain more value from the food and fibre they produce. But what should that story be and how should they tell it?

This week Bryan talks with David Downs who heads up NZ Story – an organisation funded by various government departments – which carries out market research in key markets. He has some insights into what the world thinks of us and how we can use that information to tailor a food story that might finally bring better returns to farmers.

Claims that large agribusiness corporates are making extraordinary profits globally have been challenged by a Lincoln University Professor of Agribusiness, as Richard Rennie explains.

Chris Dillon from Federated Farmers in Southland has a bone to pick with Fish and Game, which he says is blocking plans to remove gravel from rivers that would make them more resilient to flooding.

Valentine’s Day marks one year since Cyclone Gabrielle ripped through the eastern North Island. Farmers, growers and communities faced a massive recovery as they worked to rebuild infrastructure, supply chains and get the land back into productive shape.

For this week’s show, I sat down with Rod Vowles, who farms just east of Waipawa a few kilometres from the Tukituki River. His story of survival is astonishing.

Then, Karen Morrish from Apples and Pears NZ to see how Hawke’s Bay growers are faring as the harvest gets under way.

And, Federated Farmers national board member Sandra Faulkner shares how Tairāwhiti farmers are getting on up the coast.

Read the full special report here.


*Share your thoughts with bryan.gibson@agrihq.co.nz

Federated Farmers says the terms of reference announced for the upcoming inquiry into rural banking will leave the banks nowhere to hide. 

Its banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says there had been a concern that the terms would limit the reach of the inquiry, but those fears have been allayed.

In this week’s show, Bryan chats with Rod Vowles, who farms just east of Waipawa, a few kilometres from the Tukituki River. His story of survival is astonishing.

Karen Morrish, from Apples and Pears NZ, tells Bryan how Hawke’s Bay growers are faring as the harvest gets under way.

Federated Farmers national board member Sandra Faulkner shares how Tairāwhiti farmers are getting on up the coast.

Bryan talks with Dr John Caradus, chief executive of Grasslanz, about the growing calls to revisit our laws around genetic modification and editing. This week the European Union passed a major upgrade to its laws and Caradus says we’re now the only nation in the world working under such a strict regime. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford also discusses his plan to bring the various farming voices together as Team Ag. And, senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses some new research that could bring good news to mānuka hone producers and also takes a look at how Hawke’s Bay fruit growers are faring.

Bryan talks with Dr John Caradus, chief executive of Grasslanz, about the growing calls to revisit our laws around genetic modification and editing. This week the European Union passed a major upgrade to its laws and Caradus says we’re now the only nation in the world working under such a strict regime.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses some new research that could bring good news to mānuka hone producers and also takes a look at how Hawke’s Bay fruit growers are faring.

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford discusses his plan to bring the various farming voices together as Team Ag.

Bryan talks with Anna Nelson, who in May will become the first woman to chair a major NZ meat company when she takes over from Rob Hewett at Silver Fern Farms.

Then Richard McIntyre from Federated Farmers reveals why he’s taken up the fight for Noland Kinney, a Filipino dairy farmer who is being asked to leave NZ after developing a chronic kidney issue, despite giving 10 years of his life to NZ’s dairy industry.

And Senior reporter Neal Wallace takes us through some of the top stories this week.

Bryan talks with Anna Nelson, who in May will become the first woman to chair a major NZ meat company when she takes over from Rob Hewett at Silver Fern Farms.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace discusses a new study out of Southland that looks at the barriers to succession and sustainable improvements.

Two South Island farmers have launched an online platform, Landify, which helps young farmers looking to get into farm ownership find investors and sellers. Co-founder Sarah How tells Bryan that while the sector has talked about the problem of succession for years there has been relatively few tools developed to deal with the problem.
Landify is a place where succession conversations can begin and How hopes it will not only help more people get on the property ladder, but also attract more people to the sector in general as it provides a visible career pathway to farm ownership.

Federated Farmers is celebrating regulatory changes that exempt those who supply drinking water to fewer than 25 people from costly and time-consuming administration. Its local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says the changes are a win for common sense. She says the process of registering, testing and reporting on their water supply would have added significant cost, risk and hassle for absolutely no gain. 

Skyrocketing power prices are hitting farmers and processors hard. Senior reporter Richard Rennie says it looks like a challenge that will be here for some time as there’s no obvious fix on the horizon. Meat and dairy processors, orchardists and irrigators are all grappling with the problem and many are looking for efficiencies and ways to trim costs in other areas.

Richard McIntyre from Federated Farmers reveals why he’s taken up the fight for Noland Kinney, a Filipino dairy farmer who is being asked to leave NZ after developing a chronic kidney issue, despite giving 10 years of his life to NZ’s dairy industry.

Bryan talks with University of Otago researcher Marnie Prickett about her new research into NZ’s management of drinking water.

She’s found that even after the campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North, we’ve still got some work to do.

Then, Federated Farmers Manawatū meat and wool chair Heather Gee-Taylor highlights why Feds is a great place for young farmers.

And senior reporter Neal Wallace gives an update on the supply chain woes hindering our path to market and what 2024 will bring for sheep farmers.

University of Otago researcher Marnie Prickett says that even after the campylobacter outbreak in Havelock North, we’ve still got some work to do.

Neal Wallace joins the podcast to discuss how crises at the Panama and Suez canals could affect our key exports.

Federated Farmers Manawatū meat and wool chair Heather Gee-Taylor highlights why Feds is a great place for young farmers.

Bryan kicks off 2024 by talking with Scottish journalist and Nuffield scholar Claire Taylor about how UK farmers are faring right now and how she’s working to help them take control of their futures. Federated Farmers transport and roading spokesperson Mark Hooper celebrates the scrapping of the clean car discount. Neal Wallace also joins the podcast to discuss how farmers are feeling about the weather this summer and also highlights some optimism returning to the sheep sector.

Bryan talks with Scottish journalist and Nuffield scholar Claire Taylor about how UK farmers are faring right now and how she’s working to help them take control of their futures.

Neal Wallace joins the podcast to discuss how farmers are feeling about the weather this summer and also highlights some optimism returning to the sheep sector.

Transport and roading spokesperson Mark Hooper says the repeal of the clean car discount is a sign the new government is working with farmers’ interests in mind, but there’s much more that needs to be done to secure vital supply chain infrastructure in the regions.

In this final episode of In Focus for 2023, Bryan discusses the top stories of the year with senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie.

They cover Cyclone Gabrielle, the general election, leadership in farming and some other stories that resonated with them.

Then Bryan checks in with Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford who reflects on a busy first few months in the job.

Two South Island farmers have launched an online platform, Landify, which helps young farmers looking to get into farm ownership find investors and sellers.

Co-founder Sarah How tells Bryan that while the sector has talked about the problem of succession for years there has been relatively few tools developed to deal with the problem.

Landify is a place where succession conversations can begin and How hopes it will not only help more people get on the property ladder, but also attract more people to the sector in general as it provides a visible career pathway to farm ownership.

Bryan discusses the top stories of the year with senior reporters Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie. They cover Cyclone Gabrielle, the general election, leadership in farming and some other stories that resonated with them.

Bryan checks in with Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford who reflects on a busy first few months in the job.

Dr Dave Leathwick from AgResearch has some worrying news about drench resistance in cattle – he’s written a new scientific paper after finding four farms with triple resistance to one of the main parasites.

Then, Bryan chats with Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz, who is struggling to maintain infrastructure on the coast after relentless rain.

Finally, Richard McIntyre goes over the results of Federated Farmers’ annual survey of rural crime. He’s now calling for more resources to be committed to policing rural communities.