Changing a farm system is no small feat, and Banks Peninsula farmer George Masefield, and his wife Emma, have spent the past eight years making significant changes to the family’s farming operation. In almost a decade they’ve been able to transform the business, enabling them to finish all of their lambs on their dryland hill country and buy in trading stock. 

In this episode hear from George Masefield, and PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative Robert Trott, who has been part of the farm transformation. We also catch up with AgResearch about their latest project: a brand new podcast exploring the big questions facing New Zealand agriculture, and Jasper Van Halder CEO of Agnition about the exciting opportunities available to farmers through their pilot farmer network.

Guests include:

1. George Masefield, Farmer, Banks Peninsula
2. Jasper Van Halder, CEO, Agnition
3. Robert Trott, Technical Field Representative, PGG Wrightson
4. Eryn Breading, Senior Marketing and Communications Advisor, AgResearch

Hosts:

1. Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

George Masefield is a sixth generation sheep and beef farmer on Banks Peninsula, and is currently almost a decade into transforming the farm to get the most from their dryland system. He discusses the benefits of doing it yourself, rather than relying on contractors, and how as a family they’ve made their plans possible.

• Read more about George Masefield’s story here

CEO of Agnition Jasper Van Halder discusses the exciting opportunities available through Agnition. Agnition’s dual mission is to generate returns from innovations and to accelerate innovation in the ag sector in NZ. Agnition also facilitates a pilot farm network where twice a year, 100+ curious farmers and growers act as ‘beta tester’ for pre-commercial solutions ready for on-farm deployment.

• Become part of the pilot farm network, simply enter your details at www.agnition.ventures/pilot-farm-network/join
• Join the next webinar at 7pm on October 29th to learn more: http://www.agnition.ventures/join 

Agronomist Robert Trott from PGG Wrightson has been along for the journey with the Masefields while they transform their farm. He discusses the vast array of different crops they’re trying on the Masefield’s farm, and what he himself has learned along the way.

‘What’s Next? from AgResearch’ is a limited series podcast exploring the big questions facing New Zealand agriculture. Senior Marketing and Communications Advisor Eryn Breading discusses the work AgResearch is doing, covering everything from soil health and composition, to what lives and grows in that soil, to the wellbeing of the livestock that eat what grows in the soil, to the food and fibre produced by those animals and the health impacts on consumers.

• Find the podcast wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts, or via the website www.agresearch.co.nz/podcast
• If you’ve listened to the podcast and you’re interested in partnering with us – that could be funding research, participating in work, or commercial investment - visit our website www.agresearch.co.nz

Read the Spring issue of Country-Wide Magazine here

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