In our weekly Podcasts, we catch up with real farmers and agribusiness people making a difference in New Zealand agriculture
Federated Farmers of New Zealand
AgResearch scientist John Caradus joins us to discuss why it's time for a re-think on our GMO laws, and answer some questions on GM grasses from members.
For farming families doing it tough right now, this election will be one of the most if not THE most important in living memory. Last night we provided a platform for the top polling political parties to debate their plans to improve the lives of farmers, and the 2.5 million kiwis living outside of urban centres. Hosted by broadcaster Heather du Plessis-Allan in Mystery Creek, here's how the night unfolded...
In January we reported in FEDSNEWS that the future of wilding pine control was uncertain - with funds signalled to reduce to a $10m annual baseline. This week for FEDTalks we spoke with WPN Chair Richard Bowman about how NZ Inc. could best continue the effort, given the lion's share of funding is budgeted to leave the tent.
National President - Wayne LangfordNational Vice-President - Colin HurstArable Chair - David Birkett
SFX from zapsplat.comToyota confirms hybrid Hilux for NZ in 2024: tinyurl.com/msvfx25c
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Blanket pine forestry is a touchy subject for many Kiwi farmers. There are other ways farms and trees can coexist however - ways that offset emissions without impacting on land use, and with serious potential for farmers to make money sustainably from timber crops. We spoke to Farm Forestry Association Patron Eric Appleton to find out more.
SFX from zapsplat.comMore info on this research: tinyurl.com/u5txus7uDairyNZ's Plantain Potency and Practice Programme: tinyurl.com/yw7mj5r4
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The Submission process is daunting to many but becoming very important as we are increasingly swamped with proposed legislation….joining us today is Mid Canterbury president David Acland and Group Manager National Policy – Nick Clark.What does the submission process look like?Is it something everyone should do?Who should submit.What about select committee, should you appear?Are there any resources available to help first time submitters?What makes a good submissionWhy are submissions important?
You can't put a price on family. That's the key takeaway Feds' Communications Assistant Cameron MacDuff had when he talked to Ashburton ex-farmer and regional IHC chair Rose Keen this week. Rose's son Daniel has been in the IHC's care since he was very young. Following the loss of her husband in a 2009 rural firefighting tragedy, IHC support services funded via farmers' donations allowed Daniel to stay close to his mum and their neighbours on the farm.
Fedtalks is a proudly independent podcast produced by us - with no networks dictating or sanitizing our content, which means we get none of their cash either….join us today at fedfarm.org.nz, and if you haven't already – download fedsvoice the app!
Welcome to Fedtalks – this week we begin a new select committee feature. Feds appears at select committee often, and this week it was Sandra Faulkner telling Parliament's finance and expenditure select committee that local accountability will be destroyed and claimed savings are highly dubious….
It's calving season! As many farmers know this is a time where rural communities come together to support the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme, whereby funds from sales of donated calves are used to support intellectually disabled people and their families living rurally. The Scheme celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion Feds' Communications Assistant Cameron MacDuff talked to IHC's National Manager Fundraising, Greg Millar and Calf & Rural Scheme National Coordinator, Lynda Young-Kennedy about how they've adapted in the face of M. Bovis and COVID-19, and how this amazing initiative helps vulnerable rural families to thrive.
Chief Veterinary Officer from MPI - Mary van Andel is an experienced disease control epidemiologist who has worked successfully in challenging circumstances. Skilled in quantitative epidemiology and relationship management at all levels. Dr van Andel has a record of building engagement and delivering science communication to a variety of stakeholders from primary producers to ministers. Also experience in emergency management and outbreak investigation as well as modeling, analysis, and simulation exercises.
When the Labour government came in, they stopped the entire oil industry overnight. They didn't change legislation. They announced a moratorium on licensing and exploration. That was effective immediately. My question is to the government, why not do the same with special forestry tests and land conversions in this country? It's convenient for them to leave it- and the longer they leave it, and the more farmland that goes into forestry, the better it looks in terms of our objectives under the Paris accord.
2014 Nuffield Scholar Mel Poulton is someone with a unique perspective. Well, two really. As both a food-producing farmer and New Zealand's Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, we asked Mel to share her perspectives on trade, and an industry grappling with significant global challenges.
The New Zealand Government is proposing drastic changes to pig farming practices even as we face a wave of imported pork produced using practices that are illegal in New Zealand. These changes could result in the deaths of thousands of additional piglets, pig farms shutting down, and force Kiwis to rely on even more imported pork.https://www.supportnzpigfarmers.co.nz/ Our pig farmers support science-backed improvements to animal welfare, but the proposed changes could force farmers out of business and put the price of New Zealand born and raised pork out of the reach of many Kiwis.
Diana Rodgers is a “real food” Dietitian Nutritionist, author and podcast host, she is joining us in New Zealand this July At PINZ Today Diana talks to us about nutrition, sustainability, the huge benefits of eating meat and food policy issues. She also speaks to Sacred Cow, her documentry exploring the important role of animals in our food system.
listen to the beginners guide hereListen to Not the beginners guide here
Andrew wraps the week that was, #FMG Winter, powercuts, 3 Waters and of course HWEN.
“I mean, I don't think that New Zealand would ever want to be in a situation where it could not guarantee a consistent supply of milk, meat, fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and produce. That would not be a sensible thing for any country”. Alison Stewart CEO FAR
Andrew give a He Waka Eke Noa update and talks us briefly through the Government's recently released exposure draft of their NPS for indigenous biodiversity.
Countdown to HWEN is on! The final recommendation report went to Ministers this week. Andrew outlines the overriding goal for Feds.
This week we catch up with departing board member - Chris AllenMid Canterbury Farmer Chris Allen farms a 360-hectare irrigated sheep, beef and cropping property in Mid Canterbury utilising winter cropping practices. Chris uses technology to deliver precision agriculture, including using real-time telemetry on irrigation to monitor water flow and soil moisture. Chris' direct involvement with Farming issues includes being elected Federated Farmers Mid Canterbury Provincial President from 2011-2014 and currently is a community representative on the Ashburton Zone Committee. Since 2011 Chris has been on Federated Farmers National Board with specific governance responsibilities on Good Farming Practices and Integrated Farm Plans projects. Chris was involved with setting up and is currently a trustee of the Biodiversity Collaborative Group that completed the Draft National Policy Statement Biodiversity (NPSIB) and complementary measures.
A crazy week politicly - pleasing to see science as the solution. Andrew covers off the budget this week too and of course the HWEN update!
Bonjour from Brussels…Andrew is at the International Dairy Federation meeting. Andrew reports 19 hours to Dubai with a mask not much fun, the paperwork is awful and stressful, and just too hard. Ukraine leads the news, Europe are very concerned and rightly so,…there is not about the food not being available - it is. But for example, around 100 % of Egypt's wheat is from the Ukraine which in turn could cause civil unrest. Piercristiano Brazzale IDF President reports that his power bill has gone from 3 mil to 15 mill for his Italian dairy factories. Andrew is concerned about the just-released “ Dairy code of welfare” and will be picking that up too when he is home.
From the cowshed, HWEN update, farm-level or processor level? Government is yet to decide! Gene editing covered off too. Inflation, immigration and the ridiculous cost of regulation, which will adversely affect productivity which in turn - you got it - creates inflation.
Slight positive moves on Eh Waka Eke Noa, what's happening with rural representation and big ups to the Southland team.
Andrew Hoggard with an update on He Waka Eke Noa. "We've been pushing for changes that we want to see, that we think make the farm level a better option than what it currently is. But it's still too early to tell whether we're going to get this thing in a good enough place that we're happy to sign it.Government parties have informed us that they won't be signing the document. Would it be nice to know that way back at the start".
Federated Farmers along with many others in rural Rotorua have pushed hard yet again for rural representation to be at the table, being part of decision making and bringing our unique perspective to the outcomes. Sadly following the 2022 Representation Review arrangements, it is clear our voice is not wanted – just our money. Keeping in mind rural communities make up around 30% of the rate take, they simply could not do without us financially.
How do I know if the Water Services Bill will affect me?Did Federated Farmers try to stop this? What happened?What is Taumata Arowai and why do we need it?What are the solutions for small water suppliers likely to look like? How much more paperwork am I going to have to do?You must be answering questions all day Nigel, where can I hear more about this?Why is the Three Waters reform Can you take us back to the beginning When counties and boroughs were amalgamated into districts and Regional Councils were created.
Joining us today on fed talks to update us on Omicron on-farm - is national board member of Federated Farmers, Chris Lewis. We talk about the traffic light system and what it means on-farm.Chris talks about the effects on primary production and farming in generalThe industry groups working with central government have they made any headway?It's a time-critical part of our farming year with processing etc, we catch up with how production is going. Also grain and grapes or beer and wine, our arable farmers have had a terrible time with weather, on top of staff shortages we cover how that is going too. And we've also got the added complication of the Ukraine. How could this event impact us?What resources can Federated Farmers offer to members, and why should Farmers join Federated Farmers?https://www.bargainchemist.co.nz/collections/rapid-antigen-test?fbclid=IwAR0JKCMtIF3sYpGt1cCShV3qgR7cO1QvUy3TRWUsFUUNIDEa7hILJzfl0Ms https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/resources/social-media/UAC_what-type-of-contact-are-you.pnghttps://www.fedfarm.org.nz/
William Beetham from our board, and Meat and Wool chairperson here at Federated Farmers. This week we speak about Carbon Farming and what it means.What is carbon farming, and why do we need it.sequestration explained, and what sequesters carbonThe difference between plant and leave - And production plantationsThe sheer density of the planting of some carbon forestry, and the risks in terms of pests and fire
Which leave should farmers use for staff when they are waiting on results from a PCR test?If a staff member claims they have COVID do they have to prove it? What if an employee has run out of annual leave after Christmas and refuses to use unpaid leave for isolation?If staff ignore the infection prevention protocols, what can an employer do?Some farmers are going to need to ask staff who are well, to work overtime to cover staff shortages. What legalities surround that?If staff are needed for other duties while someone else is away but they refuse to do these new duties as they aren't part of their original job description, what happens?
What is He Waka Eke Noa? Do Feds have a position on He Waka Eke NoaWhat's the deadline to select one of the HWEN optionsif we don't select one of them, is it automatic that agriculture goes into the ETS (and when?) or is there a chance for further negotiation with the government?Both options have some benefits over the ETS which is the alternative, but are either of them any good?Have we given up on the fight to get the methane targets changed, particularly the post-2030 26-47% reduction target? What's the alternative?Is the alternative any better?What about the price paid for sequestration and what is eligible, currently farmers can claim ETS eligible natives through HWEN, Meaning farmers don't have to deal with ETS and HWEN? Some farmers are saying, who cares next time National gets in they will change it all back?What are the other big concerns at the moment?
Omicron - Stay calmPrepare for the worst hope for the best – Take what comesWhat does this mean for Farmers? We talk to Federated Farmers board member and Waikato dairy farmer Chris Lewis about how should we prepare, what can Feds offer farmers?
Why is shade and shelter important?• Are there rules around Shade and Shelter?• How do we Identify hot spots on the farm?• Strategies for stock placement during summer months?• Top tips for planting?• Do we have a nursery who can supply bulk plants direct to farm?• What are some of the other reasons to have a planting strategy?
What is the core role of Feds? Inside Feds, where we chat with people inside New Zealand's largest rural advocacy group… Who are they? What are their roles? And more importantly what are they doing for you?Today we speak with Gavin Forrest - General Manager of policy at Federated Farmers, also joining us is Canterbury-based Manager of general policy Nick Clark …..
In this episode, we talk about Cyber Security and Cybercrime amidst the growing concerns about just how un-secure we are. We speak with industry experts Jonathan Berry from InPhySec and FMG's Stephen Cantwell.We cover What is Cyber crime – By definition, and how do we recognise it, what to look out for? We've seen some big companies and organisations have cyber-attacks such as Waikato DHB, NZX, and major banks. We ask how big of a problem is this? What about farmers, Are they at risk of this? And how? Any examples? And our tips on what farmers do to make sure they're not impacted by this for more information go to Cert NZ They have put together 11 top tips for staying safe online.
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