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The Federated Farmers Podcast is your weekly guide to the issues affecting rural New Zealand. Join us as we unpack the policies, challenges and big ideas shaping life on farm. With frank conversations from farmers, advocates and experts, we break down what matters and why, so you can stay informed, prepared and heard. Hosted by Ben Chapman-Smith.
74 Episodes
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In this episode, we sit down with Mike Siermans, the new CEO of Federated Farmers, to talk about what’s next for the organisation and for farmers. Mike shares his journey from growing up around farming in rural South Auckland to a commercial career in the pharmaceuticals industry — including helping launch Viagra in New Zealand — and why he’s now taken on one of the most influential roles in rural New Zealand. We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing farmers, how Federated Farmers c...
This is the first episode in a new series where we sit down with good keen Kiwi farmers and simply have a chat – how they got into farming, what drives them, and what they’ve learned along the way. We’ll release one each month. For our first ‘Meet the farmer’, we’re joined by Jimmy Emmett, a South Canterbury dairy farmer who took an unconventional path into the industry. A self-confessed city boy, Jimmy swapped hospitality management for contract milking 17 years ago and hasn’t lo...
He’s the most recognisable voice in rural New Zealand but you’ll usually hear The Country host Jamie Mackay asking the questions rather than answering them. In this episode, Jamie sits on the other side of the mic to reflect on his early farming career, the twists and turns that led him into broadcasting, and how a rugby-mad bloke from Southland ended up shaping national conversations from the studio and the showgrounds. He shares some of the stories he’s collected along the way, includ...
What actually happens to wool after it leaves the sheep’s back? In this episode, Breanna Hayes, supply growth manager at The New Zealand Merino Company, and Nathan Watt, trading manager at New Zealand Wool Services International, explain how the wool industry works, why strong wool in particular faces challenges, and what farmers can do to improve outcomes. They unpack who the players are in the supply chain, share insights on the future of wool, and discuss why they're feeling co...
What does the rise of artificial intelligence mean for Kiwi farmers? Where does gene technology fit into New Zealand’s farming future — and what are the real opportunities and risks? And which global trends should farmers be paying close attention to right now? In this episode, we’re joined by Jarred Mair, chief insights officer at MPI. Jarred has spoken at a number of Federated Farmers events around the country, sparking plenty of interest and discussion, and we sat down with him to unpack t...
Homekill is booming in New Zealand, and Edgecumbe butcher Toby Barkla is right at the centre of it. In this episode, Toby explains why more Kiwis are choosing homekill, the pressures facing rural meat processors, and why he believes regulated mobile and micro abattoirs could be the future of local meat. He also shares his own business journey with Plains Butchery, the challenges around waste and by-products, and how innovation could help rural communities keep feeding themselves. ...
In this episode, we speak with two farmers who’ve taken different approaches to diversification as a way to build resilience, create new income, and keep life interesting. King Country dairy farmer Michael Woodward has added Angora goats to his system to tap into global demand for mohair, alongside a marketing and exporting business. Sheep and beef farmer Laura Morrison has diversified into agritourism, running a farm-based B&B near Marton. Both are Federated Farmers leaders, and they sha...
After several years focused on restoring farmer confidence, the conversation is shifting – from fighting roadblocks to driving the sector forward. In this conversation, Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford reflects on a landmark year for rural New Zealand and what it will take for New Zealand farming to be genuinely world-leading again. We unpack the major policy wins delivered in 2025, including reduced red tape, real cost savings for farmers, and a Government that’s finally b...
Marc Gascoigne, a Cambridge dairy farmer and Farmstrong Champion, joins us to share his wellbeing journey, including what it was like to suffer in silence for years and what helped him turn things around, including an unexpected conversation with his brother. We’re also joined by Farmstrong CEO Gerard Vaughan, who helped establish Farmstrong in 2015 and has spent years turning research and psychology into practical tools that actually work for farmers. As well as Marc’s personal story, you’ll...
Interest rates have been shifting fast, and many farmers are wondering if now is the time to fix or float their loans. To help cut through the noise, we’re joined by NZAB founder and director Scott Wishart, who explains what’s happening in the current lending environment and how farmers can approach their lending decisions with confidence. We cover the pros and cons of fixing vs floating, common mistakes to avoid, how to think about term length, and the strategies farmers are usin...
British farmers are facing many of the same pressures as Kiwi farmers – rising costs, land use change, tougher environmental rules, and greater public scrutiny. Tom Bradshaw, president of the UK’s National Farmers’ Union, joins us to share what’s happening on the ground, with the looming new inheritance tax of greatest concern. Tom also talks about what’s happening with farmer confidence, public perception, climate policy, Jeremy Clarkson, and more. Hear about the challenges, wins and day-to-...
Thinking about entering a farm equity partnership, or just curious about how they work? In this episode, rural accountant Joe Morgan breaks it all down. Joe, a director at GFA in Te Awamutu, explains what equity partnerships are, how they differ from arrangements like sharemilking and contract milking, and how they can fit into succession planning. He shares real-life stories, highlights common pitfalls, and outlines the key dos and don'ts to help ensure everyone benefits. Useful ...
For decades, grazing kept New Zealand’s Crown land in check, supporting healthy landscapes and holding back pests and weeds. But when livestock were removed, those problems exploded. In this episode, Jim Ward and Simon Cameron explain why carefully managed, low-impact grazing could help reverse the decline. Jim is the former manager of Molesworth Station and current Federated Farmers high country co-chair, while Simon is Federated Farmers meat and wool vice chair. They share lesso...
Feral pests like deer pigs are exploding in number across New Zealand, while wilding pines are marching across some of our most iconic landscapes. Farmers are seeing the fallout every day: destroyed pasture, lost production, biosecurity risks, and farmland slowly buried beneath unwanted trees. In this episode we’re joined by Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Richard Dawkins and executive member Ruby Mulinder to unpack the scale of the problem and what it will take to turn the tide. We l...
Running a farm means leadership under pressure is part of the job. When the weather turns, the workload spikes or the unexpected hits, there’s no pause button. Southland leadership trainer and former military veteran Tony Groves helps farmers, team supervisors and rural professionals make better decisions when the heat is on. After a hugely popular first appearance, Tony is back to share new insights from the farm businesses he’s working with right now. We dive into practi...
It’s been more than two years since the Government promised to let young farmers use their KiwiSaver to buy their first home or farm — but nothing has changed. In this episode, we talk with Kylee Smit, a Cambridge-based mortgage adviser who works with many young farmers and rural workers trying to get on the property ladder. Kylee explains why the current KiwiSaver rules don’t work for farmers, the frustration it’s causing across rural communities, and how fixing the system could ...
Contract milking remains a key stepping stone in New Zealand dairying, but what does it take to succeed in this role today? In this episode, Dairy Holdings chief executive Colin Glass shares his experience running one of the country’s largest contract milking systems. He discusses the skills, mindset, and strategies that set top contract milkers apart, how the model is evolving, and practical advice for those starting or growing their careers in dairying.
Alliance Group farmer-shareholders are facing one of the biggest decisions in New Zealand’s red meat sector in decades: whether to approve a proposed $250 million joint venture with Europe’s Dawn Meats Group. In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Keith Woodford, an experienced agribusiness commentator and former Lincoln University professor, to break down what’s on the table. Keith shares his insights on the deal, including its potential benefits, risks, and implications for farmer contr...
Fonterra is at a crossroads, with its proposed sale of Mainland Group raising big questions for its farmer suppliers, the wider dairy sector, and everyday consumers. In this episode, we’re joined by Matt Montgomerie, a senior analyst at Forsyth Barr, to unpack what’s really going on. Matt explains Fonterra’s financial position, the rationale behind the Mainland sale, and what it could mean for farmers and the sector. He also shares insights into the co-op’s long-term strategy and global dairy...
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and North Canterbury dairy farmer Bex Green is opening up about one of the toughest periods of her life. Between a severe injury, raising three kids, and running a 1000-cow contract milking operation with her husband, Bex also stepped up to lead farmers in her region. But behind her public role, she was struggling deeply with her mental health. Bex openly shares the challenges she faced, what helped her recover – including the decision to compete...
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