The Country

Jamie Mackay talks to Todd McClay, Cameron Henderson, Chris Brandolino, Paul Henderson, and Barry Soper.

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Courtesy of PGG Wrightson, we take our monthly look at the state of the wool market.

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We ask the Minister of Agriculture and Trade what was in the Budget for farmers? Plus has he got a Fieldays surprise in store for us?

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Is a Dairy NZ farmer-elected director who comments on World Milk Day and "Mooving" Day - both happening tomorrow.

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NIWA's Weather Guy talks about the just-released updated seasonal climate outlook for winter.

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We ask the most successful All Black captain of all-time for his take on the state of our national game and why grass roots rugby in the provinces is so important.

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We cast our eye over Nicols Willis' first Budget and the Trump trial.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Rowena Duncum, Graeme Williams, Grant "Disaster" McMaster, Tom Young, Michael Harvey, and Chris Russell.

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The Country's former producer is not on Rob Nichol's Christmas card list as a "Civil War" breaks out in NZ rugby!

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Today's farmer panel features two Flock House Alumni who are looking forward to the 100th Reunion in July. Today they share some humorous banter from their year - the class of '79. 

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Affco's National Livestock Manager comments on the state of the red meat industry after yesterday's press release from the Meat Industry Association saying the US has overtaken China as our biggest market for April.

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Rabobank's Senior Dairy and Consumer Food analyst provides an update on the Australian dairy sector, including the potential impact of the recent Fonterra decision to divest from Fonterra Oceania. Plus, we look at global prospects for milk and China's key role in the market. 

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Our Australian correspondent talks about Bird Flu, camel dung beer and PNG joining the NRL.

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The Country's Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. "Getting Through" looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who've been through it first-hand. In episode 8, Ro is joined by Tairāwhiti farmers Ian & Helen Burgess. 16 months on from Gabrielle, they still struggle for access to their farm, but remain smiling, laughing and unfailingly optimistic.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Miles Hurrell, Hunter McGregor, Scott Duggan, and Peter Nation.

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The PM ponders tomorrow's Budget and whether it will be overshadowed by the Maori Party protests. Plus while Nicola was having a smoke behind the bike sheds at school, was he a "swotty goody good" in his youth?

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The chief executive of Fonterra comments on the opening forecast milk price for the 24/25 season (midpoint $8) and the potential famer shareholder dividend for the 23/24 season in the co-op's Q3 business update. 

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Is a Shanghai-based Kiwi selling NZ venison to the Chinese. Today we talk about the domestic economy, the housing market and some crazy early summer weather.

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The National Sales manager of Volkswagen has some great Fieldays deals for farmers including a new Amarok for under $60k.

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The chief executive of Fieldays. Two weeks and 14 sleeps to go until the biggest Ag Act in town.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Rowena Duncum and Julian Raine, Jack Jordan, Mark de Lautour, Jo Luxton, and Phil Duncan.

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We preview the Primary Industry Summit and Awards with the MC and a finalist for the Outstanding Contribution Award.

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It's STIHL Chainsaw Safety Awareness Week but who needs a chainsaw when you have a three-time world champion axeman handy?

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We ask the chief executive of Open Country Dairy whether Fonterra has gone OCD with its new business model?

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Labour's Ag Spokesperson talks live animal export, wallabies and a sleepover with Fed Farmers.

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Monday's resident weather expert on a Tuesday about a "Bloody Cold May".

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Jamie Mackay talks to Wayne Langford, Wayne McLaughlin, Kathrin Jankowiec, Stu Duncan and Stu Loe. 

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The President of Federated Farmers reviews the Parliamentary rugby and netball games and previews "Mooving Day/Week". (The Parliamentarians won the rugby 20 - 12, Federated Farmers won the netball 33 - 16. Feds raised over $300,000 in cash, original goal was to raise $150,000). 

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We catch up with the proud father of Indy 500 driver Scott McLaughlin, a man with a good rural pedigree, a Cambridge-based logging trucking operator and Cambridge lifestyle farmer.

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It's Wine Industry Wellness Week and together with Farmstrong we look at what the industry is doing to look after those working in it.

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Today's farmer panel comes in from the cold to yarn to us. And it's not only cold. It's still dry!

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Jamie Mackay talks to Ben Purua, Ian Kirkpatrick, Alasdair Bettles-Hall, Ben Picton, and Shane Jones.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Shane Jones, Samuel Whitelock, Dan Hodgen, Phil Ropiha, and Toby Williams.

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He's the Prince of the Provinces (and the Minister of Digging it up and Damming it up) and he was in Blackball on the West Coast yesterday launching a nationwide Mineral Bonanza to double mining exports to $2 billion over the next decade. Fair to say the Greens and Labour were in his sights. But can we say no lizards and skinks were harmed in the making of this interview?

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We find our most capped All Black, Farmstrong Ambassador and soon-to-be Bay farmer finishing out his rugby career in France. But when the prodigal son returns will he be sheep and beef farming in Hawke's Bay or milking cows in Manawatū?

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North Canterbury farmer and former Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Executive member, updates the situation on the ground, where the ongoing drought is going from bad to worse.

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We kick off our STIHL Chainsaw Safety Week promotion and it's your chance to win one of seven 14" chainsaws, valued at $425, over the next seven days.

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A Federated Farmers vs Parliament fundraiser sporting tournament is being held in Gisborne on Saturday to support farmers still recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle. With more than a quarter of Parliament turning up to play rugby or netball, the event has already raised close to $300,000.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Richard McIntyre, Ben Picton, Katie Milne, Warwick Catto and Jamie Strang, and Chris Russell.

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 Federated Farmers have released the results of their latest banking survey and the findings paint a damning picture of the state of rural lending. "Rural banking issues are nearing crisis point and farmers are quickly losing confidence," says Federated Farmers commerce and competition spokesperson.

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Rabobank's Sydney-based Senior Macro Strategist comments on yesterday's OCR announcement from the RBNZ and the perilous state of the NZ economy. 

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The former President of Federated Farmers tells us about her unique family connection to Flock House plus we get her take on Fonterra's "step-change in strategy".

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We catch up with the long-serving BFEA judges ahead of the National Sustainability Showcase on June 20 in Hamilton.

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We ask our Australian correspondent about how worried we should be about the Bird Flu, plus we discuss a $40,000 sheep dog and whether drones will render her redundant?

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The Country's Rowena Duncum brings you a brand-new Farmstrong-powered series. "Getting Through" looks at what it takes to recover from extreme weather events, by people who've been through it first-hand. In episode 7, Ro is joined by Wairarapa sheep and beef farmer Georgie Moore, who was badly impacted by Cyclone Hale, before Gabrielle provided the icing on the cake. Georgie shares what's kept her Farmstrong through the challenges. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Alasdair Bettles-Hall, Simon Till, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, and Peter Nation.

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The PM ponders OCR and monetary policy day, the end of the KO spending spree, the Politicians gift registry, and what's the most odd thing he's been given/offered?

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The organiser of the Flock House project says it has two distinct themes: One, to celebrate the 100th Commemoration of Flock House opening on July 19, 1924, and the other, to continue finding and making contact with the descendants of the 759 original war orphans sent to NZ after WW1.Flock House was originally set up at the largesse of the New Zealand sheep owners.  This was in a debt of gratitude to the men of the Royal Navy, Mercantile Navy and the British Fishing Fleet who were incapacitated, or killed, keeping the shipping lanes open in WW1, enabling the NZ sheep owners to sell their wool.  The 100th Commemoration is for both the descendants of the original orphans, and also the approximately 2,400 farm cadets that went to Flock House  from the late 1930s though to 1988 when it closed.

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Fonterra's  Acting CFO reviews the final GDT Auction of the 23/24 season. And it was a good one - up 3.3% with WMP + 2.9%. We also look at the timing around the announcement of the opening forecast price for 24/25 season and Fonterra's "step-change in strategy". 

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One of NZ's leading primary sector academics says while the 3 Rs are important in education, equally so are the 3 Fs!

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Three weeks and counting until Fieldays.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Ian Kirkpatrick, Cameron Bagrie, Damien O'Connor, Rodger Dickie, and Tom Martin. 

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We missed him yesterday but we always get our man here on The Country. The Patron of NZR, All Blacks legend and farmer pays tribute to old mate Super Sid Going. And what happened to all the farmers who once made up the feared All Blacks forward pack?

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Is an Independent Economist who previews tomorrow's OCR announcement and monetary policy statement. Plus we ask if the inflation settings from the Reserve Bank are too low?

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In the absence of Ag spokesperson Jo Luxton, we resurrect Labour's Trade spokesperson's on-air career to discuss the FTA with the EU and whether Fonterra is heading in the right direction.   

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A Forestry investor and commentator and stalwart on the state of the industry and whether roading, harvesting and transport costs are making it uneconomic? We also ask if carbon farming is still a thing?

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We ask our UK farming correspondent what he was doing starring on the BBC website and whether British farmers are playing dirty over New Zealand lamb.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Ben Purua, David Seymour, and Phil Duncan.

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If you do nothing else today, listen to this powerful story of a South Waikato farm manager’s amazing transformation from gang life (and a manslaughter conviction) to milking cows. On Friday night he was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award.

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The Act Party leader comments on Sid Going, the Greens, the Reserve Bank's monetary policy and charter schools. 

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Some serious rain is coming. Will it cause flooding or is it a drought-breaker? We ask Monday's resident weather expert.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Steve Smith, Jane Smith, Miles Hurrell, Jen Corkran, and Christopher Luxon.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Todd McClay, Emma Poole, Chris Brandolino, and Rowena Duncum.

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The Minister of Agriculture and Trade has his say on the Fonterra "step-change in strategic direction", his recent trade trips and the current Woolshed Tour around NZ.

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It's 55 days until FMG Young Farmer Grand Final in Hamilton (11 July) so we chat to the 2023 winner (and new mother) about what to expect in the Tron. She also comments on the Fonterra step-change in its strategic direction and the how the season has treated Waikato dairy farmers. 

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NIWA Weather Guy on the prospect of a dry winter.

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The past producer and current fill-in host of The Country previews the Ahuwhenua Awards and the Century Farm and Station Awards coming up tonight and tomorrow respectively.

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The Country's Rowena Duncum and John Caradus - Senior Scientist and CEO of Grasslanz Technology, a subsidiary of AgResearch - look at what we collectively know as Genetic Technologies and its place in agriculture, both now and in the future.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Miles Hurrell, Ray Smith, Jen Corkran, Peter Newbold, and Chris Russell.

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The chief executive of Fonterra announces a step-change in its strategic direction.  As part of this, the Co-op has announced it is exploring full or partial divestment options for some or all of its global Consumer business, as well as its integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka. Is Fonterra selling the family silverware? And what will it do with the money?

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It's been a tough day at the office for the Director General of MPI as he announces the slashing of jobs to meet the Government's requirement of a 7.5% saving across the board. But how will this affect front-line services, biosecurity and the farming fraternity?

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Rabobank's animal protein analyst comments on the ban of live animal export (sheep by sea) in Australian from May 2028. What does this potentially mean for New Zealand sheep farmers?

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The GM of PPGW Real Estate takes his monthly look at the state of the rural market.

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Our Australian correspondent pulls no punches on the ban of live animal export (sheep by sea) in Australian from May 2028. Plus what, if anything, was in the Budget for Aussie farmers?   

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Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Lance Kerr, Jane Smith, Nadine Tunley, Craig "Dairyman Hickman and Grant Farquhar.

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The PM ponders the reintroduction of live animal exports (after the Aussies plan to ban sheep by sea by 2028), balancing the books, charter schools, the Christchurch Call and that oh-so-tight Highlanders jersey.

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Could farming sheep under solar panels be the next big thing? We ask a Waikato beef farmer who plans on doing just that.

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Is a North Otago farmer and former winner of the BFEA who talks about the ongoing dry taking its toll, her trip to the corridors of power in Wellington, plus she pays tribute to the late Dr Jock Allison. 

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The chief executive of Horticulture NZ comments on the grower levy vote, cheaper vegetables because of a great growing conditions and her recent resignation.

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Today's farming panel features a Mid Canterbury dairy farmer and Taranaki fert rep. We discuss feed covers heading into winter, farmer sentiment and the Aussies banning live sheep exports. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Phil Duncan, James and Debbie Stewart, Todd Clark, Hunter McGregor, Vanessa Winning and Shane McManaway.

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It's Monday's resident weather expert on a Tuesday - and it's still incredibly dry in many parts of the country.

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We track down the winners of the 2024 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award at the NZ Dairy Awards held at Coronet Peak on Saturday night.

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Our Lexington-based US farming correspondent talks record beef prices, the "fastest two minutes in sport", the Trump trial and US PGA Championship up the road at Louisville this week. 

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Shanghai-based Kiwi selling NZ venison (and now beef) to the Chinese. Today we ask if the Chinese economy is showing signs of life and whether the May Day holidays (May 1-5) have improved consumer spending.  

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We find today's panel at the Wairarapa Water Users Field Day, where it's still "bloody dry" and where it's all about water advocacy and resilience for the future.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha, Steve Smith, Grant "McNational" McCallam and Andrew Hoggard, and Pita Alexander.

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This dynamic duo from Manawatū were named the 2024 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year at the NZ Dairy Industry Awards held at Coronet Peak on Saturday night.  Northland’s Kieran McCahon became the 2024 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year and Kirwyn Ellis from Waikato was announced the 2024 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year. 

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On Friday was awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his outstanding contribution as an alumni and Chancellor, and his successes in the New Zealand wine industry. Steve took on the leadership of Lincoln as its Chancellor over 2016-2018 and led it through a period of transformation to its thriving position today and he became the first viticulturalist in the world to achieve the Master of Wine qualification. 

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Today's farmer/politician panel ponders one-eyed politicians, the parliamentary rugby game in Gisborne on May 25, the performance of Lincoln and Massey Universities, staying fit and healthy in Parliament, and a tough road for sheep farmers.

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Is a globe-trotting Christchurch farm accountant who questions the government's stance on inflation and talks about the challenges facing the sheep farming industry.   

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Jamie Mackay talks to Damien O'Connor, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Jim Hopkins, Emma Higgins, and Shane Jones. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Wayne Langford, Dave Martin, Chris Brandolino, Gill Naylor, Stu Duncan, and Barry Soper.

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The president of Federated Farmers comments on the ongoing dry, the Parliamentary rugby and netball games coming up in Gisborne, the rural advocacy hub at Fieldays and the Feds sharing the love with Groundswell.

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We talk to a Wairoa farmer who talks about the current failure of the maize grain market for many North Island growers.

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NIWA’s Weather Guy bids farewell to El Nino (but not its effects).

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The president of Rural Women New Zealand on the upcoming business awards.

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In the absence of Stu Loe (who’s on a course at Terrace Downs), we yarn to his offsider, who is in the very dry Maniototo region.

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Our political correspondent comments on Julie Anne Genter and Willie Jackson.

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