Podcasts about Federated Farmers

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.

In this episode:Market Insights | Buyers return to feeder calf market1:38 – AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie has an update on the early feeder calf sales, with rearers returning to the rails to buy up young stock. Input costs are still stubbornly high but Fiona says there's a good margin there for careful operators.Feature | Genetic opportunities in dairy beef production7:07 – Wyoming rancher Lee Leachman discusses the evolution of Leachman Cattle, a leading seed stock operation in the United States, focusing on profit-driven genetics and the growing market for beef on dairy. He shares insights on the genetic advancements in dairy beef production, the challenges and opportunities in New Zealand's livestock market, and the comparative advantages of grass-fed beef in both countries.Feds Focus | Confidence returns to sector17:15 – Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford joins the show to discuss the latest farm confidence survey that shows farmers are feeling good right now. Wayne says there are a number of factors, including  strong farmgate returns and a better regulatory environment.The Final Word22:02 – No one has emerged from the great butter debate looking all that good. But while fingers are pointed and responsibility shirked, the fact remains that many New Zealanders can't afford to buy our staple spread.

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.

In this episode of Ideas That Grow, Bryan Gibson, Farmers Weekly managing editor, talks to Richard Dawkins, 2023 Kellogg Scholar and Marlborough sheep and beef farmer. He is also the new meat and wool chair for Federated Farmers.Richard discusses his family's diverse 602-hectare farm operation, which includes sheep, cattle, forestry, and viticulture. He shares his experiences abroad and how returning home reignited his passion for farming. He also talks about his Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme journey and research on lamb and ewe mortality, emphasising the need for better data and body condition scoring.The discussion also covers leadership, collaboration, and the importance of timing when engaging in personal development. 

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Game Animal Council CEO Corina Jordan about the Game Animal Council (Herds of Special Interest) Amendment Bill (submissions close Thurs 24 July), why she believes it's a crucial moment for NZ and the historical background to the legislation... He talks with David Birkett, arable farmer and Federated Farmers Arable Industry Group Executive Chairperson, about the major issues facing arable farmers in NZ, some of the possible solutions and why NZ risks become a forgotten outcast following Bayer Crop Science's recent decision to close its Hastings research site... And he talks with the Supreme winners at last night's NZ Bacon and Ham Awards; Jordan Hamilton from Wild Game in Hastings, who took home the Supreme Ham Award for their Old School Pressed Ham and Puvi Nadason from Sam’s Butchery in Silverdale, who won the Supreme Bacon winner for their Naturally Maple Streaky Bacon. 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.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Federated Farmers Meat & Wool Chair Richard Dawkins about his recent submission to the the Environment Select Committee in relation to the Forestry Conversion Amendment Bill, his recent opinion piece on the Save Our Sheep campaign and his first few weeks in the role... He talks with Catchment Communities Aotearoa Chair Ben Ensor about a recent funding boost from the government and Rabobank, the work the group undertakes and the progress its made so far... And he talks with Beef+Lamb NZ CEO Alan Thomson about the 2025 Director Roadshow, the implementation of its strategy refresh and the Red Meat Sector Conference beginning in Christchurch today. 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.

In this episode:News Wrap | Zespri takes on plant variety applicant1:38 – Richard Rennie outlines how Zespri is opposing the registration of a type of fruit that it says is a version of its own SunGold variety. And, he reports that Rabobank and the government have given more funding to keep catchment groups going for a while longer.Market Insights | Winter store markets still red hot6:17 – AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner checks in from Stortford Lodge to chat about the winter store markets. She says sky-high prices for lambs may be levelling off, but in the cattle pens vendors are still getting top money.Feature | Sheep a source of high-value health products12:15 – A Christchurch company has found a unique way of extracting collagen from sheep skins and now exports its ingredients and products around the world. Bryan talks to Tertiary Extracts Õtautahi co-founder Dr Rob Kelly about the value to be captured in the growing industry.Feds Focus | Green taxonomy fails to identify farming22:33 – Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Mark Hooper outlines his issues with the proposed Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, being developed by the Centre for Sustainable Finance and the Ministry for the Environment to provide a consistent framework for defining what is ‘green' or ‘sustainable' in financial markets.The Final Word30:52 – It seems odd that in the same week the government gave flood-hit farmers money to help recover from flooding, Ministers were telling local government leaders they were going to limit future rates rises. Is this the right way to tackle our massive infrastructure deficit?

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 banking spokesperson Mark Hooper outlines his issues with the proposed Sustainable Finance Taxonomy, being developed by the Centre for Sustainable Finance and the Ministry for the Environment to provide a consistent framework for defining what is ‘green' or ‘sustainable' in financial markets.

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Friday the 18th of July 2025, jobseeker benefit numbers are continuing to climb, former welfare advisory group member Phil O'Reily shares why. It's final All Blacks test against the french tomorrow night at FMG stadium in Hamilton, Rugby commentator Tony Johnson shares his thoughts on the line up. Dairy prices around the globe are soaring and Kiwi's are footing the bill, Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean tells Andrew Dickens why prices have become so high. Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Vincent McAviney has the latest on the UK lowering the voting age to 16 at the next general election expected in 2029. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We may have to get used to paying more for butter. Kiwi consumers are now consistently paying more than twice as much for butter as they were a decade ago, according to latest Stats NZ figures. Supermarkets and suppliers have been under pressure to lower prices. Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Karl Dean told Andrew Dickens there's been a global trend towards consuming more butter, especially in the last five years, ramping up even further in the last twelve months. However, he says, what goes up normally comes down, which these bubbles normally do. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Associate Minister of Agriculture Mark Patterson about the future of Telford following the government's move to return 10 polytechnics to regional governance, the ongoing work to address the skills shortage in agriculture and recent developments in the wool industry... He talks with Kristine Asuncion from Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers about her role as one of the leading advocates for Filipino workers in the agriculture industries in NZ, her move from the Philippines to NZ in 2008 and running two businesses... And he talks with Reefton Distilling Co founder and CEO Patsy Bass about winning a platinum award in the 2025 SIP Awards design category for its Little Biddy Gin bottle series, edging out Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre’s newly launched “Gin & Juice” brand for 'Best in Class', winning an Innovation Award for its unique pounamu filtration process and claiming Gold for its Little Biddy Classic Gin and a Double Gold for its Amber Little Biddy Gin. 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.

On today's REX Daily Podcast, Dom talks with Ruby Mulinder from Waihora Farm about her work with Federated Farmers as Meat & Wool Chair of the Rotorua/Taupo branch and the national Meat & Wool Executive team, her role as an independent farm consultant and her and husband Sean's sheep milking flock... He talks with NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management CEO Jo Finer about the purpose and role of the organisation, its annual conference next month (Aug 26-27) and the Institute's bid to host the international Farm Management Conference in 2030... And he talks with Mikaela Greig, Beef+Lamb NZ Western North Island Extension Manager, about its upcoming Rural Blokes Roundup (Aug 8), her own farming operation and her cricketing career. 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.

Dom talks with Ruby Mulinder from Waihora Farm about her work with Federated Farmers as Meat & Wool Chair of the Rotorua/Taupo branch and the national Meat & Wool Executive team, her role as an independent farm consultant and her and husband Sean's sheep milking flock. 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.

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.

In this episode: News Wrap | Emissions reduction and the profitable farm1:48 – DairyNZ head of data science and modelling Mark Neal tells Bryan about a newly released study that shows any farm in any region can be profitable and emissions efficient. The study drew on data from DairyNZ, Dairybase, Fonterra and LIC.Feature | Agroecology coach favours relationships over recipes7:56 – Nicole Masters, an agroecology coach, reckons that if we're going to improve environmental outcomes we need to stop focusing on data and rules and instead look to relationships and values. Masters says farmers tend to use intuition when making big decisions, rather than relying on facts and figures.Feds Focus | Richard Dawkins takes on sheep and beef challenge20:58 – We catch up with Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins, a Marlborough farmer who was voted onto the national executive a few weeks ago. Richard talks about his farming life and what the meat and wool executive has planned for the months ahead.The Final Word29:15 – Nuffield scholar Hugh Ritchie has some advice for today's farmers – look up and look out. He says there's plenty of innovation out there that could transform NZ farm systems, if we're willing to find it.

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.

Federated Farmers is calling on Revenue Minister Simon Watts to rule out new changes to the Fringe Benefit tax that would impact utes. The IRD has proposed major changes to the way FBT applies to utes and farmers are concerned this would set them back thousands of dollars a year. Federated Farmers' transport spokesperson Mark Hooper says this issue started drawing in more attention post-Fieldays. "We've had a little bit of communication with the minister's office - as I said, we looked at it from a farm perspective, we could see that there were some issues with the categories they had laid out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prince of the Provinces, just returned from Singapore, is back in Heartland NZ. We discuss farm-to-forestry conversions, a Federated Farmers political poll, and a Beef + Lamb NZ carbon farming report.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabobank’s chief executive discussed the bank’s Fieldays breakfast, where Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke about her clear vision for the primary sector, including using wool carpets in Kāinga Ora in state homes. He also talks about a positive result in the Federated Farmers banking survey.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.

Federated Farmers has launched a petition calling for KiwiSaver rules to be changed to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder. The petition's launch has been timed to coincide with Fieldays, where thousands of farmers, industry leaders and politicians will gather at Mystery Creek. Federated Farmers' banking spokesperson Richard McIntyre says farming is very capital intensive and young farmers need a boost in the name of fairness. "Kiwi farmers are really struggling to put that money aside and a lot of them are actually deciding not to put money into KiwiSaver and basically scrimp and save because they know they need all the money they can get to actually get their foot in the door." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Meat Industry Association chairman, and former Minister for Primary Industries, talks tariffs, record meat prices, and whether he supports Federated Farmers' SOS (Save Our Sheep) campaign. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 president of Federated Farmers and poster boy for Toyota, Yamaha and One NZ. We discuss “Save Our Sheep” billboards in Wellington and the Feds’ banking survey. Plus, the Fish & Game announcement today - its advocacy function is under review. Also, Federated Farmers is at Fieldays next week – where can people find them and what will they focus on?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows more Kiwi farmers are satisfied with their banks - pointing to improved communication and less 'undue pressure'. Federated Farmers' latest Banking Survey shows 60 percent of respondents are 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their bank. The Country's Jamie Mackay explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federated Farmers’ banking spokesman comments on the results of the latest survey. Are the banks getting the message? And which banks are performing best (and worst)?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Federated Farmers is welcoming proposed changes to the Resource Management Act. The Government's released three discussion documents proposing amending 12 current national directions and four new ones. They include changes to freshwater management, regulation of farming practices and revising mine consent processes. Mark Hooper, their RMA Spokesperson, told Mike Hosking that while the guidelines are complex and there's a lot to wade through, the intent here is very much to get a simpler and better outcome. The rewritten Resource Management Act isn't expected to come until next year, so he says the intent of this release is to hopefully provide a bit more guidance and certainty for local authorities, so they can get on with their planning. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.