Podcasts

Episode 74 – Leveraging technology from horseback

From data-driven decision making to environmental monitoring and compliance, Richard and Annabelle Subtil have reaped the rewards of lucrative supply contracts by being able to prove any claim by using technology while maintaining traditional high-country values.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Richard Subtil from Omarama Station about how full mobile coverage is unlocking and boosting efficiency and compliance in the high country with technology. But Richard stresses that even with virtual fencing, EID tags and connected irrigation systems, it is so important to ensure traditional stockmanship remains at the core of farming.

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Episode 73 – A biodiversity blueprint

In the gullies of Clinton in South Otago, the Campbells have developed an innovative new approach to native planting and maintenance that’s more affordable, has a higher success rate and could be scalable nationally.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with South Otago dairy farmer Sandra Campbell about transforming steep, unproductive gullies into thriving native ecosystems using drones, direct seeding and a DIY nursery. Sandra shares how support from the Otago South River Care Trust helped develop a low-cost, scalable method for on farm restoration, one she hopes other farmers and catchment groups across the country will adopt.

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Episode 72 – Venison takes flight in the USA

Despite the tariff war, New Zealand’s venison industry is making bold strides into the North American market – and it’s already paying off, exceeding three-year targets in the first nine months.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp chats with Rhys Griffiths, CEO of Deer Industry New Zealand, about how a government-backed program is boosting venison sales in North America. They discuss shifting focus to retail, growing consumer demand for healthy protein, and the future opportunities for New Zealand’s deer farmers.

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Episode 71 – What is a fully connected farm?

We improved horsepower by fuelling it with diesel rather than hay. We mechanised blade-shearing and hand-milking with electricity in the woolshed and milking shed. Every advancement in farming history has resulted in a productivity gain from a new source. The next shift is fully connected farms.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Melissa Andrews from Connected Farms and Craig Young from TUANZ about bridging rural connectivity gaps. Melissa shares practical on-farm tech solutions, while Craig unpacks the 3G shutdown, fibre limits, and why local, wireless networks are key to keeping farmers connected and future-ready across New Zealand’s rural communities.

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Episode 70 – 2025 FMG New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp chats with 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, Hugh Jackson about the preparation, support and motivation behind his winning campaign - and what’s next for the fourth-generation farmer at home on the farm at Te Akau.

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Episode 69 – Pushing the boundaries of catch crops

Imagine if a crop could be both productive and improve environmental outcomes in a cold and wet climate? Plant & Food Research have been working with several Canterbury catchment groups to ground the science to see how winter forage oats can reduce nitrate leaching losses even in the toughest conditions.

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Episode 68 – Returning to his rural roots

James Kellow has taken an unconventional path into farming with the purchase of Lighthouse Station on the Āwhitu Peninsula in 2017 for a deep connection to his rural roots and a desire to create something enduring.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with James Kellow about transforming Lighthouse Station Farm from a former dairy farm into a regenerative beef and gamebird estate.

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2024 Nuffield Report – Putting the success back into succession

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with 2024 Nuffield Scholar Peter Templeton about alternative pathways to farm ownership and succession.

Drawing on global models, Peter explores solutions like lease-to-buy and equity partnerships to help young farmers overcome rising land costs and secure New Zealand’s farming future.

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Special Report – Time to rethink your pre-lamb

Are your ewes performance ready this season?

In this must-listen vodcast, NZVA Sheep & Beef Cattle Branch president Alex Meban of VetEast joins Sarah to unpack everything trace elements pre-lamb — why they matter, how they help, and the benefits he’s seen from supplementing with trace elements like Multimin ® Plus Copper for Sheep.

Tune in for a practical, expert-led discussion to help you set your flock up for a successful, productive lambing season.

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2024 Nuffield Report – Changing the Bog-Standard; repeatable solutions for Aotearoa’s Peatlands

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with Nuffield Scholar Jenna Smith about her research into managing peatlands to reduce emissions while maintaining productive land use. Travelling through Europe and the UK, Jenna explored wetland farming and highlighted sphagnum moss as a promising opportunity for New Zealand.

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