Podcasts about Federated Farmers

The President of Federated Farmers comments on Dr Mike Joy’s ill-advised outburst. And when it comes to Paris, should we stay or should we go? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are pushing ACT and New Zealand First for less politicking and more action. The two parties have expressed interest in withdrawing from the global Paris Agreement unless more realistic emissions targets are produced to fight climate change. But Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says they're in government and could be resolving the problems creating uncertainty for farmers now. He told Andrew Dickens the Paris Agreement in itself isn't necessarily the problem. Langford says we need to dig deeper and look at what's setting Paris back, because it's actually what we're setting on ourselves as a government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode: News Wrap | Meeting the changing market in Japan1: 29 – Senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses his recent trip to Japan, which is faced with a population that's increasingly dominated by older people. He says protein is the buzzword and NZ food producers are primed to meet that need.Feature | Fruits of resilience: horticulture profits and challenges12:16 – Bryan catches up with Horticulture NZ chief executive Kate Scott at the industry body conference in Wellington. She says while returns have been positive, extreme weather over the past year have been challenging for growers in many regions.Feds Focus | Farmers to join emergency planning23:27 – Sandra Faulkner from Federated Farmers is celebrating Cabinet signing off on a plan to give farmers a seat at the emergency management table. She says they'll be involved in strategy and planning and also be an integral part of any major response.The Final Word30:49 – Getting older isn't something many of us think too much about, but with many nations experiencing a shift in demographics there's a real need to find ways to keep older people nourished.

Mike Perry talks with Jo Grigg about the fantastic prizes for those hunters and landowners wanting to get involved in culling wild goats. With categories for landowners, hunters, junior hunters, best goat head and prizes for even 1 goat entry, there is something for everyone. Using the on-line Landowners Assist programme, keen hunters can get access to willing landowners who need goats culled. It was developed by NZDA, with input from DOC, Federated Farmers, and Forestry Owners Association, and provides a clear framework for safe and respectful hunting on private property. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

Sandra Faulkner from Federated Farmers is celebrating Cabinet signing off on a plan to give farmers a seat at the emergency management table. She says they'll be involved in strategy and planning and also be an integral part of any major response.

The Reserve Bank's move to review banking capital rules has been welcomed by Federated Farmers. Banking spokesperson Mark Hooper says the stricter rules make it difficult for farmers to borrow money - and these changes will make things fairer. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers' banking spokesmen - past and present - say the Reserve Bank’s decision to review bank capital rules is the first step towards lower interest rates and fairer access to finance for farmers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank's move to review banking capital rules has been welcomed by Federated Farmers. Banking spokesperson Mark Hooper says the stricter rules make it difficult for farmers to borrow money - and these changes will make things fairer. The Country's Jamie Mackay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers’ meat and wool chairman says there’s reason for hope that the strong wool industry has turned a corner - but farmers need to get in behind the change-makers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode: Market Insights | Historic stock sale hits a high note1:34 – AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner discusses the recent Feilding-Marton hoggett fair, which has been a highlight of the calendar for almost a century. Regular buyers were back and paid top dollar for the stock on offer.Feature | How to tackle farm succession6:27 – Lawyer Andrew Clements of Grayson Clements joins the show to share his insights on how to tackle farm succession. He says there's no one template that will work for everyone and suggests addressing the values of the people involved is more important than the value of the business.Feature | The evolving landscape of rural banking21:35 – ASB head of food and fibre Kristen Ashby joins the show to talk about rural banking, whether banks are turning woke, and just how they assess risk. She also reflects on how bankers are being asked to bring new expertise to farm businesses and how to approach succession planning.Feds Focus | Glyphosate claims out of order40:31 – Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett takes Greenpeace to task over its recent claims about glyphosate. He says the public has been misled by the campaign, which claims glyphosate residue can be found in bread. In fact, grower contracts stipulate that glyphosate can't be used on grain grown for human consumption.The Final Word46:17 –  The wellness sector bombards us with the latest food products that will aid our health and cognition, but rarely are they backed by science. This week, however, NZ kiwifruit did get a big scientific tick, after the European Union signed off on a health claim that kiwifruit aids digestive health. It's these sorts of claims we should really be believing.

Federated Farmers says letting Chorus remove the copper network could leave rural people with uncertainty as to where to go for a phone or internet connection. 

Are we in for a wool revival? Industry leaders are meeting at a number of workshops next week, with the aim of driving up value. Stats show strong wool now makes up just 1-2% of gross farm income, compared to nearly 65% in the 1980s. Federated Farmers Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Mike Hosking there's good collabroation happening between government, industry, and various initiatives to drive up value. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett takes Greenpeace to task over its recent claims about glyphosate. He says the public has been misled by the campaign, which claims glyphosate residue can be found in bread. In fact, grower contracts stipulate that glyphosate can't be used on grain grown for human consumption.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Jo Grigg talks with Dan Smith about what powers rural contracting and his insights into success for contractors, from his Lincoln University research. Dom George talks with farmer Laura Morrison, on her trip to Singapore with AgriZero NZ and work with Federated Farmers. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.

(00:00:00) Full Show | 15 August (00:01:25) Meeting Japan's changing market (00:10:20) Understanding the impact of US tariffs on exports (00:16:51) Navigating New Zealand's ag visa system (00:23:30) The Final Word In this episode:News Wrap | Meeting Japan's changing market1:26 – Senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses the gene technology legislation currently passing through parliament, and previews his upcoming trip to Japan, where he'll report on the new trends emerging in one of our biggest export partners.Market Insights | Understanding the impact of US tariffs on exports10:21 – AgriHQ senior Mel Croad discusses the recent increase in tariffs on New Zealand's beef exports to the United States, the implications for the market, and the competitive landscape involving Australia and Brazil. NZ is now paying 15% to sell into the US market, but Mel says there doesn't seem to be any rash moves being considered as exporters take a wait and see approach.Feds Focus | Navigating New Zealand's ag visa system16:52 – Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean says farmers will be breathing a sigh of relief after two new visa categories were introduced, making it much easier for farmers and growers to access the skilled people they need at the right time of the year.He discusses the introduction of two new seasonal work visas in New Zealand aimed at providing farmers with more certainty in securing skilled labour and the workforce challenges the sector faces.The Final Word23:21 – Dawn Meats of Ireland has been selected as the preferred partner for Alliance Group, and while the injection of capital will steady the ship, will NZ farmers still control the tiller?

Federated Farmers says a report back to Parliament on the so-called "ban on carbon forestry" doesn’t go far enough to stop the march of pines across New Zealand’s productive farmland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country's red meat sector may struggle to reach a goal set by the Government to double exports by 2034. Data from NZ Beef + Lamb's found breeding ewe numbers have dropped by nearly two-percent, while beef cattle numbers were up 4.4-percent. It reveals 2.6 million units of sheep and beef stock have been lost due to afforestation over the past eight years. Federated Farmers Meat and Wool Chair Richard Dawkins told Ryan Bridge the rules don't extend to land where most beef and sheep farms are. He says it appears they're siding with polluters over producers, because a simple solution would be to extend it to all land use classes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean says farmers will be breathing a sigh of relief after two new visa categories were introduced, making it much easier for farmers and growers to access the skilled people they need at the right time of the year.They discuss the introduction of two new seasonal work visas in New Zealand aimed at providing farmers with more certainty in securing skilled labour and the workforce challenges the sector faces.

There's a belief many farmers will be feeling disappointed and betrayed after a report to Parliament on the ban of carbon forestry. The Environment Select Committee's recommendations show carbon farms across productive farmland, won't be coming to a stop. Currently under the Emission Trading Scheme there's a ban on whole-farm conversions for land that's not used for beef and sheep farming. Federated Farmers forestry spokesperson Richard Dawkins told Mike Hosking this still puts beef and sheep at risk of full conversions. He says there's less export income without a productive meat industry. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers says two new visas provide a clear pathway for seasonal international workers. Experienced workers like rural contractors can apply for the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa, which is available for up to three years and allows them to return on the same visa. The Peak Seasonal Visa will be for up to seven months. Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Ryan Bridge it's a welcome change. He says normally they'd get workers in on a working holiday visa for a year, but this makes much clearer what they're here for.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A hit for the Taranaki region, with dwindling gas supply forcing a potential short-term shutdown of a local fertiliser plant. Ballance Agri-Nutrients may have to cease operations at Kapuni for up to four months if it can't secure more gas before its contract expires next month. The company manufactures about a third of the country's urea fertiliser each year. Federated Farmers Arable Chairperson David Birkett told Kerre Woodham it's been an ongoing issue that has just been getting worse and worse. He says that plants like that in Kapuni was built around the gas supplies nearby, and to convert it to another fuel source would be a huge and expensive process. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local politicians from both sides of the political divide are slamming police process around the proposed restructure in wider Canterbury. Federated Farmers, City Councillors, and schools are concerned at the lack of community consultation. Banks Peninsula MP Vanessa Weenink told John MacDonald the communication, for a start, hasn't been well managed. She says police will need to do a lot to assure her, and the community, that what they're doing is the right step. While Labour's Tracey McLellan says the community's rightly concerned about the internal-only consultation, which is not at all in line with expectations. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's disappointment Canterbury communities weren't consulted on a proposal to shut down rural Police stations. Police are looking to reduce personnel, disestablishing some rural roles in favour of larger 24/7 hubs based in Rolleston and Rangiora. Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green told Mike Hosking the community's heard about it via the media. She says their Police live in their area and know their people, and if you lose that in a rural community it has a huge impact. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Canterbury farmer and former All Black discusses positivity in the primary sector. He also ponders why arable farmers may not be as confident in the recent Federated Farmers survey. And what is a “rural-rural divide”?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank’s chief executive on achieving top of the class in the bank report cards from Federated Farmers. Plus, he discusses a funding boost for Catchment Communities Aotearoa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is welcoming new Government proposals to make farm health and safety rules more practical - and grounded in real-world standards. The Government will spend two months consulting with farmers to determine whether farm kids are safe to do certain chores, including feeding animals, watering plants and collecting eggs. Federated Farmers' health and safety spokesperson David Birkett says farmers have raised questions - and the clarification would be useful. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers' latest six-monthly Farm Confidence Survey shows a big lift this year, rebounding from record lows 12 months ago. Federated Farmers President Wayne Langford spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A farm in Dannevirke was targeted by cattle rustlers and 65 hand reared calves were stolen. Federated Farmers Dairy Industry Group chairperson Karl Dean spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Federated Farmers’ new banking spokesman on the latest survey ranking the banks, which has revealed how the country’s biggest rural lenders are performing in the eyes of farmers, by ranking the banks from best to worst. Also, the Com/Com dismissed the Feds’ complaint on net-zero banking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A battle's flared between Federated Farmers and Greenpeace. Federated Farmers says the activist group should be stripped of its charitable status for defacing Gore's iconic brown trout statue to highlight how dairy pollution's affected the town's water. A three-day do-not-drink notice was issued Friday, because of elevated nitrate levels. Southland Federated Farmers president, Jason Herrick, says Greenpeace should behave better. "What they were doing had the potential to destroy a pretty important monument in Gore." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They're being called blocks of yellow gold, and whether that be cheese or butter - they're getting most of the blame for blowing out the weekly food budget. Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Federated Farmers believes it could be years before some farms in the Tasman District fully recover from the devastating floods of the past two weeks. Nelson Federated Farmers president Kerry Irvine spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 13 July 2025, journalist and true crime author Steve Braunias joins Francesca to discuss how the Polkinghorne trial brought him back to the genre and why he's fond of Phillip Polkinghorne. Teacher turned soldier Owain Mulligan speaks on how his weekend hobby in the territorial army ended with him leading a troop in Iraq. An open letter to the Prime Minister is calling for reform of the energy sector, two of the organisations behind it talk about why they've taken this action, and Francesca questions whether Wellington deserves better following a bumbling interview from Mayoral candidate Ray Chung. And Tasman farms have been devastated by recent weather events, Federated Farmers provincial president and Tapawera farmer Kerry Irvine shares the reality of the situation. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nelson–Tasman is facing millions of dollars of damage following Friday's severe weather. Last week Federated Farmers was calling for help for the farming community over the level of damage from previous flooding in the area. So what impact has this latest round of rain had on an already battling farming community? Kerry Irvine is Federated Farmers Nelson Tasman Provincial President. He joins Francesca Rudkin from Tapawera. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers’ new national meat and wool chair farms in Marlborough. He discusses how Feds is keeping a close eye on flood-affected farmers in the region. Plus, he says the Save Our Sheep campaign is still going strong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers is calling on Kiwis to “get in behind” flood-affected farming families at the top of the South Island, as recovery efforts ramp up and the scale of the damage becomes clearer. President Wayne Langford visited the area on Monday, July 7. He says the destruction in parts of Nelson and Tasman is extensive, with some farms completely unrecognisable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The president of Federated Farmers on flooding in the Tasman region and how his Golden Bay farm is doing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers’ Nelson dairy chairman updates on the devastating flooding in his region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers in Nelson and Tasman are reeling from a major weather event that's left some farms totally devastated. Ingrid Hipkiss spoke to Federated Farmers president Kerry Irvine.

The President of Federated Farmers reviews a very successful PINZ Summit and Awards this week in Christchurch. Plus, we discuss why farmer politics is such a brutal business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a surprise move, Federated Farmers meat and wool group recently ousted chair Toby Williams. Williams lost the chairmanship to Marlborough provincial vice president Richard Dawkins during the council annual meeting. The Country host Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers’ meat and wool chairman on the next part of Feds’ battle against carbon farming.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand food and fibre exports - including dairy, meat and wool, horticulture and forestry - are set to hit $60 billion a year for the first time. Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

As part of Fieldays, Federated Farmers have done the most interesting survey. It is a snapshot, like them all. But the numbers for one lot are so stark, alarm bells should be ringing. So, who would a farmer vote for? You would say National and you would be right. Broadly the farming community is conservative, always has been. That, partly, is because they are their own masters, they are hard workers, they are self-reliant, they are at the cutting edge of the economy, and they know how life works. So 54% said they'd vote for National and 19% said ACT. Here is where it gets interesting and/or alarming. 8% said they'd vote for NZ First. They're the only party with farmers at about the same level as they are nationally. Labour is on 3%. How bad is that? Even with a margin of error, even with a massive margin of error, Labour should be shocked at that figure. Every party has their sweet spot, some parties more overtly so, e.g. the Greens and environmentalists, or communists. ACT have some upmarket urban liberals. New Zealand First having a provincial number higher than the city wouldn't surprise me But National and Labour, as major parties should be, by their very nature are broad-based. After all, it is Labour and National, and Labour and National alone, that will lead any given Government on any given day. You have to at least have a half-decent level of support even in your weakest areas. Farming is particularly important, given we are a farming nation, the foreign receipts we get from the land and the value of our free trade deals. To have a major party so out of touch with such a large sector strikes me as being astonishing, if not embarrassing, if not unheard of. My suspicion is the current version of Labour is particularly unpalatable, and this is going to be their major issue next year. For all voters the damage done to the country is still fresh in most of our minds, but no more so than farmers. The climate obsession, special land area designation, Three Waters with Māori overreach, no gas, and more paperwork. Farmers hated it. A lot of us hated it. But in general polls Labour are competitive. On the land they are pariahs. At 3% that is a massive hill for Hipkins and co to climb between now and October next year. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The heat is on the agriculture minister to deliver this term on a pre-election promise to unlock KiwiSaver so it can be used to buy a first farm, and not just a house. At the moment if you have been contributing to KiwiSaver for three years you can withdraw almost all the money to buy a first home to live in, although there a few exceptions. Federated Farmers has launched a petition urging the government to losen the rules for accessing the retirement scheme saying it will turbo charge the next generation of farmers and deliver on a committment that Todd Mclay made during a meeting in Morrinsville. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay spoke to Lisa Owen.

Federated Farmers say this year's Fieldays is likely to be one of the most positive. Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford spoke to Corin Dann.

In today's episode, government ministers will be arriving at Fieldays on mass as the country looks to the agricultural sector to drive the economy over the next year, Federated Farmers believe this year's Fieldays is likely to be one of the most positive, the government will be hoping tractor sales are tracking upward at Fieldays with a new tax incentive for farm machinery, it is now the fourth day of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Los Angeles, and 11 people, including the gunman, have died in a shooting at an Austrian high school in the city of Graz.

There have been calls for the government to unlock KiwiSaver so the funds can be used to buy a first farm, not just a house. At the moment if you have been contributing to KiwiSaver for three years you can withdraw almost all the money to buy a first home to live in. Now, Federated Farmers has launched a petition urging the government to losen the rules for accessing the retirement scheme and have said it will turbo charge the next generation of famers. Federated Farmers Dairy chair, Richard McIntyre spoke to Lisa Owen.

Parts of the South Island are in line for snow as a big chill makes its bite. Federated Farmers' Otago president Luke Kane spoke to Corin Dann.

The government's released new rules and policies telling Councils how to manage everything from housing and mining to water. Federated Farmers National Vice President Colin Hurst spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.