The Country

Jamie Mackay talks to Jen Corkran, Jo Luxton, Campbell Parker, Chris Russell, and Callum McDonald.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with a senior analyst for animal protein at RaboResearch to talk beef mince. And there’s no mincing words about it: the long-held affordable red meat staple is now out of reach for many Kiwis as consumers look to alternative sources of protein, such as chicken and pork. But beef mince at $24/kg is not all bad news for the economy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour’s agriculture spokeswoman makes a long-awaited appearance on The Country. But where’s her agriculture policy less than three months out from the election?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief executive of DairyNZ talks about plantain, director nominations and election priorities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Australian correspondent looks at some of the unintended consequences of bird flu. Plus, why Pauline Hanson is ruling the “Bush”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PGG Wrightson’s National Genetics Manager talks bulls on this month’s livestock update.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Nathan Guy, Jane Smith, and Mike Petersen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s on the show today in his capacity as the chairman of the Meat Industry Association. However, his past occupation as a National MP and Minister for Primary Industries (2013-17) has him commenting on today’s political shenanigans. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist comments on a tense leadership battle in the Beehive and in her own sheep yards. Plus, the $400 lamb, brickbats and bouquets, and who/what gets her vote this year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former chairman of Beef + Lamb NZ, former Special Agricultural Trade Envoy and the current chairman of Scales Corp. Today, we buy some time with him while we wait for news from the Beehive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Stephen Guerin, Sandra Faulkner, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Steve Wyn-Harris, and Scott Hunter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief executive of PGG Wrightson on the company’s annual results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers spokeswoman on local body amalgamations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Primary sector academic who comments on nitrates in water in Canterbury and whether food is too expensive to eat and produce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer is also a meteorite obsessive.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Member of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Test Team heading to Australia later this month to challenge for the Wayleggo Cup.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Kate Acland, Steve Allen, Andrew Hoggard, Grant McCallum, Bryce Neyland, and Phil Duncan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We kick off Meat Matters Week with the chairwoman of Beef + Lamb NZ and Rural Woman of the Year, and ask if carbon farming is still a threat to the NZ meat industry. We also discuss record exports for June and the US lamb investigation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with the retiring chairman of the Tatua Dairy Co-op, arguably NZ’s most successful dairy operator, who’s stepping aside after two decades at the helm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s farmer/politician panel talks about bird flu, nitrate in water, wilding pines, fast-tracking the RMA, and list rankings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2026 Australian winner of the Zanda McDonald Awards, on his way home after being in NZ for the mentoring trip, where he was joined by Jack O’Connor (Aus 2025 winner), Maegen Blom (2025 NZ winner), and Karn Dhaliwal (NZ 2026 winner).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monday’s resident weather man with a warmer week in store.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Jim Ward, Farmer Tom Martin, Todd Charteris, and Bruce Cotterill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Brandolino, Mike Casey, George Dodson, Hugh Jackson, Steve Abel, and Barry Soper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday's weather guy from Earth Sciences NZ.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is solar panel farming the new carbon farming 2.0? We ask the chief executive of Rewiring Aotearoa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s farmer panel features a Canterbury dairy farmer and a Te Akau sheep and beef farmer. Both are former Young Farmers of the Year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We agree to disagree with the Green Party agriculture spokesperson on the future use of nitrogen fertiliser to feed the world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Opportunity Party and whether Christopher Luxon is under threat of being rolled.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Shane Jones, Todd Charteris, Lana Marshall, and Chris Russell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matua Shane, the Prince of the Provinces, is excited about his 122-page report on NZ’s Minerals Royalty Regime Review where the take-home message is don’t be too greedy. We also discuss the economy, the Opportunity Party, Winston and the Greens, and the $9 million spent on traditional Māori massages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The chief executive of Rabobank comments on the bank’s latest August Agribusiness Monthly Report (titled “Good prices, but plenty to watch”), where the commodity outlook is strong but the cost of farm inputs is escalating. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We catch up with our third and final 2026 Zanda McDonald Award finalist and find out what she’s been up to since the awards in March, including a European OE, enduring the heatwave and observing British farming struggling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Australian correspondent talks bird flu, “slave” labour and a runaway coal train.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michelle Watt talks with Kate Fransen, Senior Project Manager at DairyNZ, about plantain research and some of the exciting results emerging from farmlet trials. They discuss how incorporating plantain into pasture can have positive impacts on farm performance and productivity. To find out more about plantain and the Plantain Potency Programme, visit www.dairynz.co.nz.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Matt Bolger, Craig Hickman, Duncan Humm, Craig Wiggins, and Riley Kennedy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister ponders meat and massages, a recovering economy, and whether peace in the Middle East is a pipedream or in the pipeline.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fonterra’s managing director of co-operative affairs comments on last night’s “steady as she goes” GDT Auction. In light of the dramatically increased volumes being offered, it was pleasing to see prices supported (Index +0.1%). The improved Chinese demand underlined full cream levels especially.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s farmer panel features the finest from Mid Canterbury - as we go dairy and deer farming with two social media darlings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We head to Nelson for the Fencing Contractors Association Conference to talk health checks, a fencing open day, mental health and Jim Hopkins.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BusinessDesk rural correspondent on the upcoming reporting season and strong results expected from rural servicing companies. Plus, why the rural economy is outperforming many urban centres.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jamie Mackay talks to Phil Duncan, Bruce Cotterill, Damien O'Connor, and Sir David Carter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.