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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.
82 Episodes
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Labour’s agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton joins us for a candid chat about her upbringing, the tough chapters in her life, and her connection to farming. She shares what she’s hearing from farmers, what she'd prioritise if she became Minister of Agriculture, and how she responds when farmers say Labour hates them. Feds and Labour don’t always agree, but it’s important we have a relationship and can talk things through when we need to. Jo sits at the centre of that relationship, keeping line...
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton joins us to break down the company’s 2025 turnaround, including what’s driving the strong results and whether better prices are here to stay. We dive into the challenges behind falling livestock numbers, the pressures on processors’ margins, and the role of global markets and geopolitics in shaping New Zealand red meat. Dan also shares insights on the balance between value-add strategies and efficiency, the ongoing importance of sustainabili...
Fuel supply is front of mind for farmers right now, with rising uncertainty around availability, pricing and logistics. In this episode, Fern Energy CEO Chris Gourley joins us to cut through the noise and explain what’s really going on. Are we at risk of running short? What’s driving the pressure in the supply chain? And what does it mean for on-farm operations in the weeks and months ahead?
Do Kiwi farmers need to be concerned about getting their hands on fertiliser? Ravensdown chief operating officer Mike Whitty joins us to explain how conflict in the Middle East is shaping the global fertiliser market right now. He tackles the key question on farmers’ minds: how much fertiliser is actually on hand, and what’s being done to secure supply ahead of spring. Whitty also explains where New Zealand’s fertiliser comes from, how exposed we are to international volatility, and what’s dr...
Stretching across nearly 68,000 hectares in northern Southland, Glenaray is a sheep, beef and deer station that’s quietly challenging assumptions about high-country farming. In this episode, we’re joined by station manager Simon Lee and owner David Pinckney to explore the rich history of Glenaray, and how it operates today, including using innovative approaches like Halter. They also discuss the strong culture behind their team, and why they've agreed to host this year's High Country Fi...
In this episode, Waikato lawyer Andrew Clements explains why farm succession can fail even when the balance sheet looks rock solid. He breaks down the five types of capital that really determine long-term success, and why focusing on just one can undermine the rest. Andrews shares real examples of farming families that have learned this stuff the hard way, and he provides practical advice on how to build a farm business with something stronger than just a healthy bottom line. This episo...
New Zealand's arable farmers are facing some of their toughest conditions in years, with margins collapsing and growers exiting the industry. It's a "crisis" that will have flow-on effects for dairy, sheep and beef farmers, says David Birkett, Federated Farmers’ national arable chair. Birkett and Chris Dillon, an arable farmer in Southland and former Southland president, join us on this episode to explain what's going on, what the mood's like out there, and what needs to change for arab...
In this episode, we’re joined by Waikato dairy farmer Carla de Wet, who shares an honest look at building a career in farming as a young woman today. Originally from South Africa, Carla talks about her journey to New Zealand just before Covid, settling into rural life, and finding her place in a family dairy business. As former chair of the Morrinsville–Ngarua Young Farmers club, she reflects on leadership, confidence, and the value of getting involved beyond the farm gate. Being relatively n...
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 ...
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