All articles
Episode 31 – How will EU deforestation regulations impact meat exporters?
One of the hot topics at the Red Meat Sector Conference this week was the recently enacted EU deforestation regulation, and how this will impact New Zealand meat exporters. Rebecca Greaves talks to farmer and Special Agricultural Trade Envoy for New Zealand, Hamish Marr, and lawyer Sarah Salmond, about this and more - including negotiating the minefield of Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and whether we should join forces with the Aussies.
Then hear from McDonald’s New Zealand's Simon Kenny about what they’re doing to get ahead of the game when it comes to sustainability, meeting their climate obligations and goals with their beef suppliers.
Episode 30 – What is the key to successful farm succession?
Farm succession is something that affects every farming family at some point - whether it be from parent to child, or outside the family unit, there are many ways to approach it, and definitely no silver bullet.
Hear from three people who know succession’s in-and-outs best:, a farmer currently in the succession process; a rural banking expert; and a family succession planning consultant.
Rubbish as a resource
Plastic waste from farms isn’t just rubbish, it’s a resource. As a product stewardship scheme, Agrecovery doesn’t just collect your plastic farm waste, it cares about the products that plastic is turned into.
Flying into farming
Ron Small started off shepherding people around the skies. Now he prefers shepherding sheep and keeping his flying for fun. His 30-year professional flying career helped him get a foot into land, eventually owning the 3000-hectare Blairich Station in Marlborough. Words Joanna Grigg Photos Jim Tannock
Optimising opportunity
Livestock plays an important role on most arable farms. Heather Chalmers of the Foundation for Arable Research talks to two Mid Canterbury mixed arable farmers about how they are optimising the integration of cropping and livestock.
Connected to the land
A shared passion for food and a love of the land bond Hugo and Pip Beamish, as they embark on their new farming journey, taking over the management of the Beamish family property, Awapai, with a view to beginning farm succession. Words Rebecca Greaves
Episode 29 – Why is the spotlight on rural banking?
Rural banking is a hot topic. The government says it has heard farmers’ concerns about a disparity between rural and urban bank lending practices, and has requested an inquiry into the state of competition in New Zealand banking, with a particular focus on rural areas.
Hear from those in the industry about why they believe this inquiry is needed, whether the current situation is unfair to farmers, and where personal business responsibility fits into this. Federated Farmers also outline the results of their latest banking survey, and what they hope will come from the inquiry.
Making the most of the rain
Water has always been a precious resource for Central Otago farmers Tim and Camilla Rutherford, and they’re keen to ensure they utilise every drop that falls from the sky. Words Rebecca Greaves
Episode 28 – How to make or break our future with emissions?
The government has announced that agriculture will no longer be included in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for now, but the effects of climate change and the way we might potentially price agricultural emissions are still front of mind for those in the sector. Industry bodies say that New Zealand food producers need to think about how a global demand for sustainably grown and produced food will impact our place in the supply chain.
Are your ewes getting what they need?
The ewes in a sheep business are its engine room. There aren’t too many days in the year when you shouldn’t be thinking about whether they are getting what they need. Senior Genetics Consultant and CEO at neXtgen Agri, Dr Mark Ferguson offers some expert advice.