The Country

The chief executive of Zespri updates the Kiwifruit co-op's latest November price forecast, with record returns predicted for Green and Organic Green fruit. Plus we look at the expansion producer vote underway at the moment

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The GM of PGG Wrightson Real Estate takes his monthly look at the state of the rural market, where there's renewed interest in dairy off the back of a $10 forecast milk price. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Our Australian correspondent comments on Denmark implementing the world’s first tax on agricultural emissions, including flatulence/burping by livestock. Plus can Joe Schmidt do an Alan Jones with the Wallabies? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's Ag spokesperson has been on the road visiting high-profile Kiwi farmers at the coal face.  And we agree to disagree over Te Pāti Māori and the Hīkoi.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How bad is the big dry in Hawkes Bay, and how can it be mitigated? We ask the former Chair of Beef + Lamb NZ and former NZ Special Trade Envoy. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Mark Wynne, Winston Peters, Anna Palairet, and Farmer Tom Martin.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask the Chair of the Alliance Group if the meat-processing co-op has hit rock bottom and is rebounding after yesterday reporting a $95.8 million loss (on top of last year's $70.2 million loss). Plus we ask who, or what, is to blame for the dismal performance? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Fonterra's COO comments on yet another good GDT Auction (up 1.9%, WMP + 3.2%) and the prospects of a $10 milk price.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Deputy PM has his say on the fallout from yesterday's mass Hikoi on Parliament and we ask whether it was an anti-Seymour or anti-Government protest.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our UK correspondent looks back on a day of protests as British farmers marched to Westminster!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Mark de Lautour, Paul Paynter, Vanessa Winning, Phil Duncan, and Barry Soper.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a big day for the Act Party leader as the Hīkoi to Parliament hits Wellington. Will he be addressing the protestors, is his Treaty Principles Bill dead in the water?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Hamilton-based chief executive of Open Country Dairy will join us for a beer this afternoon in Auckland — but will we be toasting a $10 milk price?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The son of The Yummy Fruit Company founder John Paynter is also a Hawke’s Bay orchardist. Today we look at the prospects for the 2025 apple harvest, the big dry and his award-winning cider.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The outgoing chief executive of Irrigation NZ is off to MPI but she’s still very much going to have all hands on the pump when it comes to water.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday’s resident weather expert is another Aucklander joining us for a Tuesday beer and potato chips.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We kick off the show with the Hīkoi and we wrap with our man in Parliament grounds.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Finn Ross, Alan Thomson, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The founder of Climate Action Company and the co-chair of Future Farmers NZ has been at Cop 29 at Azerbaijan (Nov 11-22). He's also written a very good column for our website - Carbon Farming: Urgent ETS changes needed to protect productive farmland .

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new chief executive of Beef + Lamb NZ joins us for the first time on the show and shares a very interesting revelation from 1982!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 One of NZ's leading primary sector academics and educators talks about her time at Lincoln, Massey and Waikato Universities. She also laments the lack of funding for science and science-based research and conferences. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Damien O'Connor, Todd Charteris, Christopher Luxon, Jane Smith, and Shane Jones. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Sir David Carter, Kate Acland, Stu Duncan and Duncan Humm, Craig Wiggins, Phoebe Nicholls and Ben Trevelyan, Barry Soper, and Rowena Duncum. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toyota New Zealand’s marketing guru and Miles Toyota Christchurch’s new vehicle sales consultant are at the show for the launch of the Hilux Hybrid Tour, where said vehicle will be towing a 3.5-tonne sign around New Zealand to prove its grunt.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Canterbury A&P Association chairman used to be the Speaker of the House, so we asked him what he would’ve done about yesterday’s events in Parliament before getting his thoughts on the main event at Christchurch.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beef + Lamb NZ’s chairwoman says she is attending show number 20 “at least”. She gives an overview of the sheep and beef markets, including green shoots and Trump tariffs.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s farmer panel is at the Christchurch Show; one’s up from the Maniototo for the races and the other’s arrived from Mid Canterbury to talk venison.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The founder of Lean on a Gate, Talk to a Mate and the Whatever with Wiggy Charitable Trust has taken on another role today — Clerk of the Course at Addington — he explains what it’s all about.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent wraps up a tense week, including the disruption in Parliament yesterday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country’s former executive producer was in Mystery Creek last night at a function to farewell Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation after nearly 30 years of involvement with the iconic event.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Shane Jones, Andrew Gibson, Chris Russell, and Wayne Langford. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prince of the Provinces, and self-titled Matua of Mining, says Trump "has put the tetrapod of wokeism to the sword". Plus we talk about the "Pumpkin Patch Kids" of the Green Party, his Fast Track Approval Bill, the Hikoi to nowhere, and Cop-out 29 in Azerbaijan. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Taranaki features twice on today's show. We find PGG Wrightson Livestock's regional manager Andrew Gibson at a buoyant Inglewood sale where 200 IHC calves are up for auction.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask our Australian correspondent if the election of a new American President will spell the end of "wokeism" in Oz? And can he dare to dream about a Grand Slam for the Wallabies?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We find the President of Federated Farmers at the Fonterra AGM in New Plymouth along with Greenpeace a few others! Plus we preview his "boost farmer confidence" tour with the PM.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Country's Rowena Duncum brings you a special three-part podcast series, where PGG Wrightson's experienced animal production team share practical tips and advice for dairy, sheep and beef farmers across New Zealand.

In episode 1, Ro is joined by veterinary nutritionist Laura Pattie to focus on the health and growth of young dairy and dairy-beef calves – specifically around the challenges of weaning. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Ray Smith, Jane Smith, Rick Ladd, and Hunter McGregor.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister ponders the Trump phone call, whether Trump could happen here, and whether Winston or the Prince of the Provinces is our Trump. And who/which is his biggest headache — David Seymour or the hīkoi?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Director General of MPI discusses doubling exports over the next decade, the impending Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report and raising awareness of bird flu.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our second Smith for the day is an outspoken North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist, who doesn't spare the rod when it comes to Damien O'Connor, methane chambers and banks setting climate change targets.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brandt's Gisborne-based director of sales for agriculture joins us to talk about green tractors, and how we went from a mechanic to running the joint.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hunter McGregor is a Kiwi in Shanghai selling red meat, largely venison, to the Chinese. Today we search for the elusive green shoots everyone is talking about. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Sir David Carter, Damien O'Connor, Toby Williams, and Rhys Roberts and Tim Dangen. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is calling for the Government to urgently distance itself from a radical new pine planting proposal released by the Climate Change Commission late last week. “The proposal would see large swathes of productive farmland sacrificed in the name of emission reductions,” says Federated Farmers meat and wool chair, Williams. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cup and Show Week gets underway today with the NZ Trotting Cup at Addington, there's the Free for All Friday, Riccarton Saturday, and the A&P Show on Thursday to Saturday. Plus, what does the former Minister of Agriculture and Speaker of the House make of the political world today? And how is he faring on his Banks Peninsula sheep and beef farm?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A very grumpy Labour Trade spokesperson vociferously defends his latest European trade trip. Also on the agenda - Trump, trade and mining! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Today's Zanda McDonald Panel features the 2022 winner and a 2024 finalist, as we profile young leaders and entrepreneurs in the NZ primary sector.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Todd Charteris, Andrew Hoggard, Grant "McNational" McCallum, Justin Kitto, and Phil Duncan. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief executive of Rabobank puts up a spirited defence of the rural banking industry, but is he defending the indefensible? And should banks butt out of setting climate change emissions targets? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's farmer/politician panel ponders going back to milking cows, the rural banking enquiry, Trump, tariffs and Winston, the Hikoi to nowhere, and what Opposition MP would they want in their team?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy NZ's Senior Environment Specialist comments on another good day dairy farmers (milk price up another 50 cents to $9-50) and the continuing significant uptake of good wintering practices. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Monday's resident weather expert says every November is basically the same. From a big-picture point of view our weather patterns across New Zealand tend to slow down more during this month, with often an uptick in high pressure and a downtick in rainfall. Now that we’re into the second week already the long-range forecast shows three things. 1) New Zealand still has most of our weather being westerly driven. 2) We still see regular cold fronts coming into the country. 3) The most important thing to note of all – NZ is going to get more high pressure. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Nathan Guy, Farmer Tom Martin, Miles Hurrell, Emma Higgins, Winston Peters, and Grant Nisbett. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Richard McIntyre, Gavin Hodgson, Kevin "Smiley" Barrett, Grant Nisbett, and Chris Hipkins.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Federated Farmers’ latest banking survey showed that only one in 11 farmers supported banks setting climate change targets. "Farmers simply don’t trust foreign-owned banks to be setting emissions reduction targets. We don’t want or need them," banking spokesperson McIntyre says "We already have emission reduction targets that have been set by the Government, and further targets set by our milk and meat processing companies. Banks should stay out of it." 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sainsbury’s Director of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Horticulture has over 20 years experience in the Agriculture industry, which includes almost 15 years in farming and eight years in processing and retail. Since joining Sainsbury’s in 2014 he has occupied the roles of Pork Agriculture Manager, Head of Livestock, Buying Manager in Meat, Fish & Poultry, and now oversees a team of 17 to deliver Sainsbury’s agriculture strategy, focussing on supply chain resilience and sustainability, security of supply, and innovation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's farmer panel takes us to Dublin with a Taranaki cow cocky who calls Ireland his second home. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He has been shepherding the rugby public of NZ for 40 years and tomorrow he will call his 350th Test Match. But which was the best of the lot?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Labour leader comments on the US election, and what are the lessons for the left. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Winston Peters, Emma Higgins, Chris McCullough, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, and Chris Russell. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask a 79 year old Kiwi politician why a 78 year old American politician has so much energy?  And was Trump's a victory for the ages and a win in the war over woke? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank's Senior Ag Analyst comments on the just-released November Agri-business Outlook report and the improving prospects for dairy, beef and sheep meat, and interest rates. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 We catch up with an Irish agribusiness journalist to talk farming, Trump and footy.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 We find one of New Zealand's leading primary sector academics at the annual Grasslands Conference in Oamaru - where Donald Trump is the talk of the town. Does his presidency kick climate change policies to touch? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 We ask our Australian correspondent what a Trump presidency could mean for his country and its farmers?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Miles Hurrell, Miranda Devine, and Annette O'Sullivan.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister ponders expanding the dairy industry to help double exports in the next decade, the American election, his high-performing Trade Minister Todd McClay and whether some of the Coalition Ministers are dragging the chain with their portfolios.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We find the chief executive of Fonterra at the 7th annual China International Import Expo in Shanghai where we talk about a great GDT auction overnight (up 4.8%, WMP + 4.4%, SMP + 4%), and the prospects of a $10 payout and possible dairy conversions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Election Day in the US, so we talk to a high-profile Fox TV correspondent, and New York Post columnist (with 675,000 followers on X) about Donald Trump. Unsurprisingly, she’s an unabashed supporter and cheerleader for the man who could be the 47th President.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The author of Woolsheds - The Historic Shearing Sheds of Aotearoa New Zealand reflects on “the story of the rise and rise and then regrettable fall of a once great industry - one that kept a small, far away colony with limited resources from insolvency and which, at its peak, made many families who ran stations fabulously wealthy”. [Wool 1860 - 90% of export income, 1920 - 26%, 2023 - 1.4%]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Raymond Bowan, Todd Muller, Jason Herrick, Greg Menzies, Greg Millar, Farmer Tom Martin, and Rick Ladd.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This spud farmer in Winchester, South Canterbury, is also the founder of Heartland Chips. He talks about how he went from growing potatoes for others to make potato chips, to making his own. He also celebrates his collaboration with The Country, “The Farmers Cut”.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former National Party leader has transformed into an American political podcaster. Today we get his take on arguably the most important presidential election of our lifetime. Is he picking Kamala or Trump?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Southland President of Federated Farmers has made the journey up for a free beer and a feed of Heartland Chips.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our old mate and co-collaborator, the national marketing manager for Emerson’s, gives us his take on our latest joint venture — The Farmers Pour — an extra crispy pale ale.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Fundraising Manager for the IHC Calf and Rural Scheme talks about recorded weaner calf prices for the charity.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our UK correspondent talks politics, footy, and weather, with the weather seeming to be the only thing playing ball for farmers at the moment.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The national sales manager for Brandt has made his way from Gisborne to share a drop of The Farmers Pour and a few Farmers Cut chips with The Country.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Nathan Guy, Samuel Whitelock, and Phil Duncan.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Act Party Leader and soon-to-be Deputy PM talks about a peaceful transition with Winston, gun laws, why he's no fan of a CGT, and the prospects for the US election.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we find the Chairman of the Meat Industry Association (and former Minister of Agriculture) in Shanghai where's he's promoting red meat at an importer's expo. We also discuss what a Trump win would mean for NZ farmers.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former All Black great and current Farmstrong Ambassador talks about life after rugby, farming in Hawkes Bay, and the PTS Logistics Charity Golf Tournament on November 21 at Wairakei.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday's resident weather guy talks Kamala and a dry November.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Kate Scott, Shane Jones, Mike Casey, Michael Every, and Nadia Lim and Carlos Bagrie. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Todd McClay, Michael Every, Nadia Lim and Carlos Bagrie, Chris Brandolino, and Barry Soper. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank's Singapore-based Global Strategist looks at how the outcome of the US Presidential election will potentially affect NZ and World Trade, how a Trump win would affect the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and whether 2025 will be a better year for the world economy than 2024?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank's Singapore-based Global Strategist looks at how the outcome of the US Presidential election will potentially affect NZ and World Trade, how a Trump win would affect the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and whether 2025 will be a better year for the world economy than 2024?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's farmer panel is a true farming partnership! We catch up with the Celebrity Power Couple of NZ farming as we look back on Season 2 of Nadia's Farm and ask if there'll be a Season 3?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 NIWA's Weather Guy offers a different kind of forecast - for the US election.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask New Zealand's longest serving political journalist to pick the US election.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Wayne Langford, Shane Jones, Mike Casey, and Chris Russell.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The President of Federated Farmers comments on a surge this year in memberships, upcoming workshops for share farming next week, advocacy around fresh water, and why his son celebrated finishing school by cleaning the tractor! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We find the Prince of the Provinces in Seventh Heaven, like a pig in muck, at a 9000-strong mining conference in Sydney, but what has be been up to in Singapore? What has he done to upset the Greenies in the Coromandel? And who is best for NZ - Kamala or Trump?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speaking at Digital Ag Conference in Wagga Wagga is where we find this entrepreneurial Central Otago cherry grower and poster boy for electric vehicles. But are EVs going out of fashion? Do they have any resale value anymore? And how did his orchard survive the Labour Weekend snow?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We make out third trip across the ditch today to catch up with our Aussie correspondent to talk about beer being the barometer of a good harvest, why a cancer cloud hangs over a methane emissions panacea, why Albo could be for the high jump, and has the All Blacks' haka had its day?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Jane Smith, Todd, Clark, and Blair Drysdale.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The PM ponders the US election (but not the result), fast-tracking building consents, support for a CGT, private capital for KiwiBank, and why he hasn't sacked Andrew Bayley.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is a North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist. But has she been smoking something in the tailing pen up on the hills? What can she possibly agree with Chloe Swarbrick about? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We ask a Southland arable farmer if rice is the only thing he can plant at the moment as the deep south battles through one of the worst springs in living memory.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.