Farmers Weekly In Focus

Where have half a million lambs gone, and what does their disappearance from the numbers mean for farmers? This week, AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad unpacks the mystery and the consequences for the red meat sector. Plus, Richard Rennie looks at the passing of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bills, Suz Bremner follows Chatham livestock back to market, and Federated Farmers Otago's Logan Wallace tackles farm drainage regulations.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says updates to our national sheep population figures have wiped out half a million lambs the industry was previously accounting for. She says this has repercussions for farmers, processors and everyone in the red meat supply chain.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie says the passing of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill with broad support is giving industry leaders confidence that the door will reopen to new tools to combat pests and diseases.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says Chatham Island farmers are celebrating the first load of stock sent to the yards at Strotford Lodge, with a temporary larger barge filling the gap while they wait for the new boat to be built in China.

Federated Farmers Otago vice president Logan Wallace says the laws around managing farm drains need an overhaul, with restrictions and costs leaving the land degraded and unproductive.

(00:00:00) Full Show | September 18 (00:01:24) Solar companies seek investment (00:09:00) Cattle hit the road in search of better money (00:16:46) Why everyone should be watching bond yields (00:28:07) Farmer confidence slides despite high returns This week, Farmers Weekly's Richard Rennie looks at solar's hunt for investment, AgriHQ's Fiona Quarrie follows cattle travelling for better returns, economist Cameron Bagrie explains why rising bond yields matter, and Federated Farmers president Colin Hurst unpacks what's shaking farmer confidence.

Economist Cameron Bagrie is here to explain why the 10-year bond yield is something everyone should have their eyes on. He says with inflation on the rise, governments will be quick to cool down financial markets which will lead to higher interest rates and borrowing costs.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie takes a look at the growing solar energy market and notes that big player Lodestone is considering the stock market as a way to raise more capital.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie rounds up the early cattle sales and says some vendors are heading further afield to find the highest returns. A Pleasant Point seller took 1500 dairy-beef cattle north to Fielding in search of value and was well rewarded.

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.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace follows up on his story on solar farms, with advocates saying the better alternative to them is for every farmer to implement their own system. And, moves to introduce a food and fibre curriculum to secondary schools is being celebrated, though teachers are waiting on the details on how it will be taught.

AgriHQ analyst Sara Hilhorst wraps up the Feilding-Marton hogget fair, held in Feilding this week. It was a massive yarding and despite the size, vendors left happy.

AgFirst's James Allen outlines how some small changes to farm management can realise big gains in profit on Waikato and Bay of Plenty dairy farms. He says being smarter with fertiliser and focusing on feed quality can really help the bottom line.

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty vice-president Sandra Faulkner takes a look at how the government's local government reforms are tracking, with many regions submitting a Head Start plan that outlines how they propose to structure councils in the future.

(00:00:00) Full Show | August 7 (00:02:19) Solar farms and tallow: Two rural trends to watch (00:09:33) Lamb markets signal a slight correction (00:18:43) How local government reform could weaken biosecurity (00:30:27) Regulations strangling pest management This week we examine the issues shaping rural New Zealand. Hawke's Bay Council's Sophie Siers discusses biosecurity reform, AgriHQ's Mel Croad explains the lamb market outlook, Neal Wallace looks at solar farm expansion and rising demand for tallow, and Federated Farmers' Brent Mountford outlines why pest control regulations are becoming a growing concern for volunteers.

A new report warns that proposed structural changes to local government could undermine New Zealand's biosecurity programmes. Commissioned by the country's 16 regional and unitary councils, it examines the risks of reducing or pausing these programmes. Hawke's Bay Regional Council chair Sophie Siers joins the show to unpack the findings and their implications.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace has been looking at the spate of solar farms being built or planned, and finds some people are worried they will displace good, productive land. He's also been investigating the rise in popularity of tallow, which is being used in everything from skincare products to cooking to fuel.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says farmgate returns for lamb have been held high by a procurement battle, but there's been a bit softening in key export markets and we should expect prices to ease a little in the coming months. 

Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty president Brent Mountford says regulations are putting volunteers off doing pest management, as the cost of certification for managing pest management tools like Feratox become prohibitive.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 31 (00:02:10) What climate policies are parties pitching? (00:07:58) Ewe market steady as lambs enter mix (00:13:56) Indian appetite for strong wool grows (00:21:47) How to farm smarter through El Niño (00:31:29) Feds take issue with ACT hunting policy This week on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, senior reporter Neal Wallace examines the political parties' climate policies and what they could mean for farmers, before looking at how declining global livestock numbers are supporting New Zealand's red meat outlook. AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie reviews the ewe market, Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson discusses opportunities for strong wool in India, Ravensdown's Mike White shares El Niño advice, and Federated Farmers responds to ACT's proposed game animal policy.

Ravensdown chief scientist Mike White joins the show to talk through some of the key things farmers should be thinking about as El Niño progresses. 

Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson visited India recently to attend its massive textile fair, and says buyers there are hungry for our strong wool. He says there's an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with businesses there and raise farmgate returns further.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace takes a look at the policy offerings for climate change mitigation, and finds parties across the political spectrum have disparate views, is it business as usual or increased regulation? Global livestock numbers are on the decline, and Neal says this bodes well for our red meat exports in the medium term.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie wraps up the in-lamb ewe market and then speculates on how the ewes with lambs at foot market will play out as the season progresses.

ACT's plan to transfer responsibility for managing game animals on conservation land to the Game Animal Council needs a major rethink, according to Federated Farmers. Richard Dawkins, pest management spokesperson, says allowing the Game Animal Council to set game population targets is extremely concerning.

In this week's Farmers Weekly Podcast, senior reporter Neal Wallace discusses the latest progress on RMA reform and China's changing economy. AgriHQ's Alex Coddington explains how dairy beef is reshaping livestock markets, Melissa Clark-Reynolds explores AI's impact on farming, and Federated Farmers' Mark Hooper welcomes the latest RMA changes.

Agri-futurist and former Beef + Lamb NZ independent director Melissa Clark-Reynolds knows more than most about the impact of AI now, and its potential to disrupt our future. She tells Bryan how AI will affect our careers, our day to day work, and farming's future.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace has gauged the response to the Select Committee's report on the government's RMA legislation. Most industry bodies are supportive of the report's suggestions and look forward to the Bill progressing. China's stalling economy has some economists questioning whether its growth charge is over, though Neal has found some believe the economic transformation taking place will kickstart a new growth phase soon.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington says the growing move to integrate dairy beef into farming businesses is having a big impact on the livestock markets, and while our appetite for more beef genetics will be welcomed in export markets right now, we need to take care not to fuel a boom and bust scenario.

This week the Government announced that the agreements councils reach with local iwi would be scrapped, with new rules being drafted for future agreements. Federated Farmers RMA spokesperson Mark Hooper has welcomed the move, and is also optimistic about the RMA reform, following the release of the Select Committee report on the proposed legislation.

(00:00:00) Full Show | July 17 (00:01:51) Zespri to ask growers to back Chinese SunGold again (00:11:54) Ups and downs at Temuka's in-lamb ewe fair (00:19:03) What El Niño could mean for NZ farmers this spring (00:34:28) River maintenance falls short In this week's Farmers Weekly Podcast, weather expert Phil Duncan explains what a possible El Niño could mean for New Zealand farmers this spring. Senior reporter Richard Rennie also discusses Zespri's possible second grower vote on Chinese SunGold production, livestock emissions research and urease inhibitors, while AgriHQ's Suz Bremner reviews the Temuka in-lamb ewe fair and Federated Farmers Robert Hickson examines river maintenance failures in Wairarapa.