Farmers Weekly Podcast

(00:00:00) Full Show | 5 February (00:01:55) Can red meat farmers bank on record prices? (00:13:30) Inside the challenges facing NZ’s specialty cheese sector (00:25:07) Canterbury crops under pressure after soggy summer In this week's episode, AgriHQ analyst Mel Croad talks about red meat prices, Whitestone Cheese managing director Simon Berry unpacks the challenges for artisan cheese, and Federated Farmers arable spokesperson David Birkett talks about winter feed risks following a wet summer.Market Insights | Can red meat farmers bank on record prices?1:56 – AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says red meat farmers looking at the sector’s current high prices are still trying to determine how far into the future they can bank on them. Having seen prices boom, then bust before, many are seeking confirmation the sector is experiencing a structural upward shift in prices that they can bank on for making longer term farm business decisions, including whether to increase breeding stock numbers.Feature | Inside the challenges facing NZ’s specialty cheese sector13:30 – Whitestone Cheese managing director Simon Berry outlines some of the challenges the sector is facing at present. They include the cost-of-living crisis making consumers more wary of spending more on luxuries like artisan cheeses, the high ongoing regulatory costs producers face if they want to expand through export ventures, and the uncertainty the sale of NZ’s largest specialty cheesemaker Kāpiti to French company Lactalis brings to the sector.Feds Focus | Canterbury crops under pressure after soggy summer25:08 – While the wetter summer has been a positive for pastoral farmers it has made growing and harvesting crops in Canterbury extremely challenging. For dairy farmers the summer has meant less irrigation, but it also means supplies of winter supplement crops may be harder to secure given the impacts weather has had. David is encouraging dairy farmers to start a conversation sooner than later with their arable crop growing partners to ensure they have a clear idea how much will be available, and start a Plan B for crop supply now if necessary.

Whitestone Cheese managing director Simon Berry outlines some of the challenges the sector is facing at present. They include the cost of living crisis making consumers more wary of spending more on luxuries like artisan cheeses, the high ongoing regulatory costs producers face if they want to expand through export ventures, and the uncertainty the sale of NZ’s largest specialty cheesemaker Kāpiti to French company Lactalis brings to the sector.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says red meat farmers looking at the sector’s current high prices are still trying to determine how far into the future they can bank on them.Having seen prices boom, then bust before, many are seeking confirmation the sector is experiencing a structural upward shift in prices that they can bank on for making longer term farm business decisions, including whether to increase breeding stock numbers.

While the wetter summer has been a positive for pastoral farmers it has made growing and harvesting crops in Canterbury extremely challenging. For dairy farmers the summer has meant less irrigation, but it also means supplies of winter supplement crops may be harder to secure given the impacts weather has had. Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett is encouraging dairy farmers to start a conversation sooner than later with their arable crop growing partners to ensure they have a clear idea how much will be available, and start a Plan B for crop supply now if necessary.

In this episode, AgriHQ’s Fiona Quarrie discusses strong lamb and ewe sales after recent rain, Sam Hogg shares how ecological farming can cut emissions and boost profits, and Jason Herrick from Federated Farmers unpacks Southland’s local service reform ideas. Market Insights | Strong rainfall sends buyers back to the yards1:25 – AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie says recent rain in regions like Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury have been game changing for farmers who are now heading back to the saleyards to restock. Recent store lamb and ewe sales have been very strong, and will continue to be for a while yet. Feature | Why ecological farming is gaining ground7:30 – Sam Hogg has teamed up with his mate Sam Lang to write a chapter for the upcoming book Kiwis in climate: Solutions from Aotearoa New Zealand. Hogg told Bryan that viewing a farm as an ecosystem could transform the way it is managed and reduce emissions, build climate resilience and boost profits.  Feds Focus | Southland leading discussion on local government reform17:55 – Jason Herrick from Federated Farmers in Southland says local bodies there have been discussing how to rationalise services for more than a year, and the region could provide a blueprint for others.Follow the Farmers Weekly Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Send us your feedback or get in touch at farmers.weekly@agrihq.co.nz

Sam Hogg has teamed up with his mate Sam Lang to write a chapter for the upcoming book Kiwis in climate: Solutions from Aotearoa New Zealand. Hogg told Bryan that viewing a farm as an ecosystem could transform the way it is managed and reduce emissions, build climate resilience and boost profits.

AgriHQ analyst Fiona Quarrie says recent rain in regions like Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury have been game changing for farmers who are now heading back to the saleyards to restock. Recent store lamb and ewe sales have been very strong, and will continue to be for a while yet.

Jason Herrick from Federated Farmers in Southland says local bodies there have been discussing how to rationalise services for more than a year, and the region could provide a blueprint for others.

This week, AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington joins the studio to break down red meat markets, why prices are holding near record highs, and what global demand, climate shocks and trade risks mean for NZ farmers.Then Fonterra organics GM Andrew Henderson explains why the co-op will begin collecting organic milk in the South Island from 2028, driven by strong global demand, tight supply and customer pull.Market Insights | What’s propping up red meat prices1:20 – AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington joins the studio this week to talk about red meat markets. Alex unpacks why strong global demand for protein is underpinning sheep and beef values, the trade risks facing Australia, and why New Zealand farmers are comparatively well placed in a shifting global market.Feature | Fonterra targets South Island for organic expansion6:15 – Fonterra’s general manager of organics Andrew Henderson discusses the co-op’s planned expansion of organic milk collection to the South Island in 2028. He explains that strong global demand, supply shortages, and customer requests are driving the move. Henderson also shares insights into the logistics of processing organic milk, highlighting the Stirling site’s ability to handle smaller volumes from local farmers.

Fonterra’s general manager of organics Andrew Henderson discusses the co-op’s planned expansion of organic milk collection to the South Island in 2028. He explains that strong global demand, supply shortages, and customer requests are driving the move. Henderson also shares insights into the logistics of processing organic milk, highlighting the Stirling site’s ability to handle smaller volumes from local farmers.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington joins the studio this week to talk about red meat markets. Alex unpacks why strong global demand for protein is underpinning sheep and beef values, the trade risks facing Australia, and why New Zealand farmers are comparatively well placed in a shifting global market.

In this episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast, senior reporter Richard Rennie discusses the challenges and options for farmer burials, while legal hurdles in fruit intellectual property protection are explored. AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad provides insights into global beef and lamb trade, highlighting positive market trends. And Matt Hand from New Zealand Merino talks about the revitalisation of the strong wool sector and opportunities for dairy exports to India.News Wrap | Is a farm a final resting place?1:43 – Senior reporter Richard Rennie has taken a look at the logistics of being buried on farm. While it is possible, there are many regulatory hurdles to clear, and some say it could actually lead to anguish for those left behind, should the farm need to be sold.Market Insights | Optimism backed by export value10:06 – The optimism seen at early sales around the country is valid, with export returns for lamb and beef looking to stay strong for the rest of the year, AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says. While there is some volatility in terms of trade access and tariffs, enduring demand from key markets looks set to fuel farmgate returns throughout 2026.Feature | Strong wool contracts a growing trend19:37 – Matt Hands of the NZ Merino Company reports that more than 90% of the strong wool it sold last year was on contract to international brands. And, he says more and more brands are making the move to natural fibers, once they can be assured of steady supply and quality.Final word | Dairy’s opportunity in India31:41 – While the proposed FTA with India didn’t grant access for the bulk of our dairy exports, it does allow for a lasting partnership to begin. With high-value proteins and infant formula sought after there, why don’t we focus on the opportunities we now have, rather than the commodity trade we sought?Follow the Farmers Weekly Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Send us your feedback or get in touch at farmers.weekly@agrihq.co.nz

Matt Hand of the NZ Merino Company reports that more than 90% of the strong wool it sold last year was on contract to international brands. And, he says more and more brands are making the move to natural fibers, once they can be assured of steady supply and quality.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie has taken a look at the logistics of being buried on-farm. While it is possible, there are many regulatory hurdles to clear, and some say it could actually lead to anguish for those left behind, should the farm need to be sold.

The optimism seen at early sales around the country is valid, with export returns for lamb and beef looking to stay strong for the rest of the year, AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says. While there is some volatility in terms of trade access and tariffs, enduring demand from key markets looks set to fuel farmgate returns throughout 2026.

This week, Dr Victoria Hatton talks about premium NZ-made food, Neal Wallace discusses a new Farmers Weekly special report on whether the co-op model is still fit for purpose, and Suz Bremner breaks down record ewe prices and renewed confidence in the sheep sector.News Wrap | Our co-operative future?0.02 - Senior reporter Neal Wallace is here to discuss a new special report launched in Farmers Weekly this week. With some of our big co-operative battling for survival in recent years, is the co-op model still fit for purpose? Market Insights | Ewe beauty!07:47 The ewe fair at Stortford Lodge earlier this week saw record prices paid for all ewe classes. AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says after the steady decline in the sheep flock it’s great to see confidence returning to the sector, on the back of consistently high lamb returns.Feature | A premium Christmas dinner15:58 - FoodHQ chief executive Dr Victoria Hatton joins the show to talk about her quest to buy premium, NZ-made food for her family this Christmas. She says quality, sustainability and story were on her shopping list.

FoodHQ chief executive Dr Victoria Hatton joins the show to talk about her quest to buy premium, NZ-made food for her family this Christmas. She says quality, sustainability and story were on her shopping list.

The ewe fair at Stortford Lodge earlier this week saw record prices paid for all ewe classes. AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says after the steady decline in the sheep flock it’s great to see confidence returning to the sector, on the back of consistently high lamb returns.

Senior reporter Neal Wallace is here to discuss a new special report launched in Farmers Weekly this week. With some of our big co-operative battling for survival in recent years, is the co-op model still fit for purpose?

From big industry shake-ups to the 2026 outlook, Bryan and the Farmers Weekly-AgriHQ panel break down the year in ag, and Federated Farmers explains how new RMA reforms may finally ease the burden of stalled “zombie” consents on farmers.Feature | The Year in Ag: 2025’s biggest stories and what’s next0:42 – Bryan is joined by senior journalists Neal Wallace and Richard Rennie and AgriHQ senior analysts Suz Bremner and Mel Croad, to reflect on the big news stories of 2025. They cover the big company sell-offs, the changing regulatory landscape and what the export and local markets have in store for 2026.Feds Focus | RMA rethink gets the thumbs up21:06 – Federated Farmers consenting spokesperson Colin Hurst says the government’s proposed RMA reforms are a positive step forward. He says the decision to pause consent renewals until after the new regime is in place will also ease the concerns of many farmers who were facing a lengthy and expensive process to comply with a “zombie law”.