The CountryWide Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

When the traditional income streams are not delivering enough to the bottom line, is it time to diversify into activities that don’t rely on the cyclical nature of farm commodities? It can be hard to know what options are out there to diversify onfarm income, and how they can be integrated into your farming system. In this episode we hear about different options for diversifying, from raising goats for cashmere to horticulture and viticulture. 

Guests include:

1. Olivia Sanders, Business Development Manager, New Zealand Cashmere
2. Che Charteris, CEO, Craigmore Sustinables
3. Marcus Bousfield, Regional Manager for Business, ANZ

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

NZ Cashmere’s Olivia Sanders says the time is now to get into the goat business, and shares some helpful insights for farmers who are interested in integrating goats into their farm system. She also discusses the realistic maintenance required for goats - such as when to shear, when to drench, and how to keep them contained.

Craigmore Sustainables CEO Che Charteris discusses the options for diversifying farm business through horticulture. He talks about how to manage the volatility of horticulture and viticulture, what opportunities there are with both climate change and water consents across the country, and what advice he has for sheep and beef farmers to avoid pitfalls when diversifying their land-use options. 

ANZ’s Marcus Bousfield discusses whether it’s a good time for farmers to look at diversifying their income, and what those options might be. This includes solar, agritourism, and tree plantings with a potential ETS in mind. He says the weigh up would be whether you could get more value out of having beef or sheep on that land, or if trees could bring more income in future carbon credits. 

Read more in Country-Wide Spring: 

• Pest to profit with Olivia Sanders
• Weighing up the options with Marcus Bousfield

Read the new Spring issue of Country-Wide Magazine here

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Could solar farming be the next value-add option for New Zealand farmers? Agrivoltaics, which results in dual use of farmland between solar farming and traditional farming, is gaining traction as a viable way of diversifying income.

Hear what’s already happening in this space, including the Lincoln University energy farm project, how Lodestone Energy is partnering with farmers to expand their solar farm network, and listen to farmer Hamish Hills, who researched, financed and installed his own solar setup on his Golden Bay dairy farm.  

Guests include:

1. Dr Shannon Page, Energy Farm Project Lead, Lincoln University
2. Richard Pearce, Chief Operating Officer, Lodestone Energy
3. Hamish Hills, Golden Bay Dairy Farmer

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter

Lincoln University has unveiled plans for an energy farm project, to demonstrate how productive land can be optimised to produce high value horticulture crops, while also producing high scale solar energy. 

Dr Shannon Page of Lincoln University discusses how the project will be able to provide 18% of the power needed for the University annually, as well as providing opportunities for teaching and learning, with both the solar and horticulture elements. 

Lodestone Energy is a renewable energy company based in New Zealand, and is developing their agrivoltaics system with farmers to expand their portfolio of solar farms. This would result in farms having dual use of the land for both solar and traditional farming practices.  

Chief Operating Officer, Richard Pearce, says solar farming provides the opportunity to repurpose farmland to integrate energy production and farm production more effectively. He discusses the benefits for farmers, and what they’re looking for from farmers. 

Golden Bay farmer Hamish Hills started looking at introducing solar to his dairy operation three years ago, going operational at the beginning of last year, and says it complements their dryland operation well.

He took it upon himself to find out how he could implement solar on his farm, and had good support in doing so. He discusses what other farmers should think about if they’d also like to introduce solar on their farm. He says selling the power is the most challenging element. They are currently looking at expanding their solar operation. 

Read more about solar farming opportunities in Country-Wide Magazine

Read the new Spring issue of Country-Wide Magazine here

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It’s bull and sheep buying season, and advancements in the genetics space are continuing to develop, to provide sheep and beef breeders with better New Zealand specific data. But how do farmers make the most of this information? 

We talk to genetics specialists about projects running at the moment, what data they already have available, and how farmers can start using it in their systems.

Guests include:

1. Dr Shannon Clarke, AgResearch Principal Scientist & The Ovine Pangenome Project
2. Gemma Jenkins, Programme Manager, INZB

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

AgResearch’s Dr Shannon Clarke says the front of mind for genetics research with AgResearch is making sure overseas data and research is easily applicable for New Zealand farmers. 

One of these developments has been the “snip chips”, a genetic profiling tool, which allows farmers to view the DNA sample of a sheep to select the traits they want to breed using New Zealand data. This includes hard to measure traits such as meat quality and methane emissions, and as well as more accuracy with trait selection. 

Shannon gives us an overview of The Ovine Pangenome Project, an international project New Zealand is involved with.

Gemma Jenkins says the whole focus of the INZB (Informing New Zealand Beef) programme is to set up tools to help select traits that are important to New Zealand farmers. Their first project has been creating three selection indexes for farmers; maternal, terminal, and beef on dairy indexes. 

At the moment they have 37 commercial farmers involved in the project, and they’re hoping to continue adding 10 new farmers each year over the seven-year programme. She explains some ways farmers can make the most of the data collected already by this project. Learn more about the programme here.

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Drench resistance is a growing challenge for many New Zealand farms, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Hear about what tools are out there, including adapting farm systems, and being proactive with testing. 

Rebecca Greaves talks to Wormwise Programme Manager Ginny Dodunski about what to do if you discover drench resistance onfarm, and Hawke’s Bay farmer Charles Yule, who is farming with drench resistance and wrote his Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme report on this topic. 

Guests include:

1. Ginny Dodunski, Wormwise Programme Manager
2. Charles Yule, Hawke’s Bay farmer and Kellog Rural Leadership Programme report author

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide

Wormwise Programme Manager Ginny Dodunski says discovering drench resistance onfarm isn’t the death sentence it once was, but does require looking at long term solutions. She says changing drench products isn’t enough, and farmers need to look at how their farm system could adapt. 

She says farmers shouldn't feel ashamed of having drench resistance, as it’s becoming more prevalent, and the most important thing is to keep testing, and talking to your vet and advisors about what you can do. 

Farmer Charles Yule happened to be starting his research under the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme when he discovered drench resistance on the farm he manages, which changed the direction of his study towards addressing the problem in real time. 

His focus is on providing accessible information for farmers on this issue, and investigating solutions. He says the key is finding the right management tools for drench resistance. You can read Charles Yule’s report here. 

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Lifting the price of wool, the benefits of deferred grazing and capturing money left on the table from everyday tools - Sarah Perriam-Lampp was roving around Fieldays to capture yarns reflecting the opportunities in front of us today.

She checked out some exciting announcements for farmers across New Zealand: outdoor clothing company Stoney Creek’s pledge to pay farmers more for their wool; a new deferred grazing study from AgResearch; and innovations in animal management with Gallagher. 

Guests include:

1. Dan & Gee Harper, wool farmers, Quartz Hill Station
2. Brent & Juanita McConnell, Stoney Creek
3. Katherine Tozer, scientist, AgResearch
4. Mark Maitland & Brett Beagley, Gallagher

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

Popular outdoor apparel brand Stoney Creek launched their mission to lift the price of strong wool direct to the farmer with Quartz Hill Station owners, Dan and Gee Harper. The Canterbury farmers on a mission to diversify their income were on-site to interact with customers keen to wear wool.

AgResearch’s Dr. Katherine Tozer shared the research findings and the free management tool of deferred grazing to benefit pasture yields, weed and pest control and animal health.

And regular partner of innovation, yet focused on the here and now, Gallagher’s Mark Maitland shares his thoughts on the cost control and revenue opportunities of getting the basics right with the current technology we already have, before investing in new.

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How do we keep the next generation and beyond engaged in the agriculture sector? In order to keep the agriculture sector growing, we have to get young people interested, from both rural and urban backgrounds. 

Hear from those across different programmes introducing agriculture to a whole new generation, from primary school children participating in Farmer Time for Schools through to skills-based onfarm cadetships, with the positive news that Waipaoa Farm Cadet Training Trust has found a new home and hopes to accept cadets again in 2026. 

Guests include:

1. Tim Rhodes, Chairperson, Waipaoa Farm Cadet Training Trust
2. Marie Burke, National Coordinator, Farmer Time for Schools

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

Farmer Time in Schools aims to connect primary-aged children to the food and fibre industries, to foster a partnership between urban and rural communities. National Coordinator Marie Burke says it’s been really popular, and came about during lockdown, after seeing something similar in the UK. She says it's been brilliant for New Zealand children to learn about all aspects of the farming sector.

The future of the Waipaoa Training Trust looked uncertain when Waipaoa Station was put on the market. The scheme has been providing structured onfarm training for young people since 2006, with a focus on sheep and beef. Trust Chairperson Tim Rhodes shares an update on an exciting new location and the future of the scheme, and says there’s certainly still a need for the training it provides.

The cadets learn a holistic set of skills, from technical onfarm practices, to breaking in a horse and cooking and cleaning for themselves. Tim shares what the cadets get up to, and where the scheme will go in the future. 

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We have a mountain to climb to shift a narrative with society of farming as well as a determined effort by political leaders to develop the best stable of agricultural policies in the world - but first we must draw on what is happening globally as New Zealand is but isn't unique. 

2023 Nuffield scholar and Gisborne sheep & beef farmer, Kerry Worsnop says, we need better leadership that's prepared to elevate the importance of the primary sector to the New Zealand public both environmentally and economically even if it's at the expense of political wins.

Guests include:

1. Kerry Worsnop - 2023 Nuffield Scholar and Gisborne sheep & beef farmer.

Hosts:

1. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

Read Kerry's full Nuffield Report "Designing agricultural policy for a future in farming"

This episode is a special bonus episode through CountryWide Media’s partnership with Rural Leaders and the New Zealand Nuffield Farming Scholarship. 

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There’s no denying times are tough right now for most farm businesses, and profitability is severely challenged. The key to surviving is being as solutions-focussed as possible. 

Cutting costs is the obvious solution, but it’s important to continue investing in your farm business, even during tough financial times. We hear from those in the rural business industry about what farmers can practically do now to keep afloat, and how to stay hopeful for the future when pressures ease again. 

Guests include:

1. Ed Harrison, Agribusiness Consultant, Baker Ag 
2. Geordie McCallum, Director/Rural Business Consultant, Wairarapa Property Consultants

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

BakerAg Agribusiness Consultant Ed Harrison says despite prices being poor, farmers still need to focus on capitalising on what they can get. He says part of this is planning ahead, and being adaptable to the situation at hand. He says cutting costs onfarm can only go so far; it’s important to balance being as lean as possible without undermining the farming asset. Ed also discusses the value of off-farm income when times are tight.

Rural Business Consultant Geordie McCallum says everything is stacked against farmers at the moment but it’s important to remember that bad years and good years are cyclical, and pressures will ease again in the future. He says having resilience and hope is key to survival - believe there is something better coming in the future.

Rebecca and Geordie also discuss the proposed inquiry into bank lending from Federated Farmers. With Geordie’s background in rural banking he provides useful advice for getting the most from your banker and cultivating a good relationship.

Check out the Dairy Exporter episode on managing fertiliser costs

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Those in New Zealand’s deer industry have an exciting future ahead of them, as they come out the other side of the pandemic era. Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) held its conference earlier this month, and say there is a lot to look forward to, including disseminating into more overseas markets and moving into the retail space.

We hear from a key specialist in the industry, Ron Schroeder, ahead of his retirement, about his hope for the future of deer, and how we got here. And we speak to DINZ executive chef, Graham Brown, who shares his love for venison and its versatility, and gives us some tips for cooking venison at home.

Guests include:

1. Graham Brown, Executive Chef, DINZ
2. Ron Schroeder, deer specialist of 50 years, PGG Wrightson 
3. Rhys Griffiths, Market Manager, DINZ

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

Deer Industry NZ Executive Chef Graham Brown has just spent time in China and Korea upskilling the market on how to utilise lesser known cuts of venison in their cooking. Back home on local soil, there’s an emphasis on making sure cuts provided to restaurants are as user-friendly as possible, to take pressure off restaurants with less staff. 

He’s been with DINZ for the past 30 years, and loves working with venison due to its versatility. He shares his top tips on how to perfect cooking venison at home in your kitchen. 

Deer industry stalwart Ron Schroeder has recently announced his retirement, after 49 years as a deer specialist at PGG Wrightsons. Ron got on the deer ladder back in the 70s, and has watched it grow and develop in the following decades. He shares his insights and wisdom with Sarah Perriam-Lampp, from his time at Lincoln to now. He’s excited about where the deer industry is at, and has enjoyed mentoring the next generation. 

DINZ Market Manager Rhys Griffiths says in the post-covid climate they’re focusing on diversifying their options overseas, and not relying on the food service market. Prior to the pandemic, the USA market had been growing. Now they’re evenly distributed across Europe, USA, and the Asia markets.

DINZ held their conference earlier this month and Griffiths says it went really well, and there’s a lot to look forward to in the future. The sector is starting to recover and move forward now, in the aftermath of the pandemic. 

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Reinstating live animal exports from New Zealand is currently on the table under the new coalition government and is drawing attention from all sides of the debate.

Sceptics are worried about how it will impact New Zealand’s reputation and protecting animal welfare, and question whether it’s giving away our valuable genetics. 

On the other side of the debate, those in the industry say it's a great opportunity to take leadership on setting a new gold standard.

Guests include:

1. Julia Jones, Agricultural industry commentator 
2. Dr Helen Beattie, Veterinarian, Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa
3. Brent Wallace, formerly worked in the live exports industry

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

Rural commentator Julia Jones says we need to decide as a country what we want our brand to be, and what we want to be proud of. She says at the moment we’re missing the opportunity to have a proud New Zealand brand overseas with our animal products and, if we decide to remove the ban on live exports, it’s a vital consideration. 

She also says we need to think about our situation independently, and not compare ourselves to the likes of Australia, America and Europe.

Veterinarian Dr Helen Beattie says protecting the live export ban isn’t just about the welfare of the animals during the voyage - it’s also about what happens when they get to the overseas destination; how they’re treated for the rest of their lives, and how they are slaughtered. 

Brent Wallace has worked first-hand in live exports, and says it’s the perfect opportunity for New Zealand to set a world leading standard, and to do a better job than Australia, which is currently considered the best in the live export industry.  

He says the key thing to get right is overseeing what is happening on-board live export ships. Having independent observers to oversee how each ship is managed from loading, to sea-passage, to the discharge point, is one possible step. 

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