CountryWide Connect

New Zealand's new daily video/radio show

CountryWide CONNECT is the latest innovative new daily rural video/radio show broadcast as a lunchtime livestream from 11am – 1pm Monday-Friday.
The show will be hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah’s Country & Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).
Over two hours, Sarah & Andy will cover news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!

How do I listen and/or watch?

LIVE:
We are about to launch the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app for iPhone and Android (the first for rural media!). We will have the download links here soon. You can listen via CarPlay or Anroid Auto if your on the go.

But also as live radio on your Amazon Alexa or Google Home smart device by saying “Hey Google, Play CountryWide CONNECT”

And it will be a video stream on YouTube, here on our website as well as on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIN.

We will be taking live texts and comments, prize giveaways, and lots of exciting guests in store for you! Its the place to tune in and connect with your farming community whereever you are – rain, hail shine!

ON-DEMAND:
Every show and the individual interviews will be available via podcast and YouTube for those that like to pick and choose.

The best way to stay up-to-date your favourite way to listen / watch, subscribe to CountryWide Insider email newsletter and subscribe to CountryWide on social media.

Listen On Demand

Watch On Demand

FULL SHOW - 10th April 2026

Show Rundown: CountryWide Connect Friday 10th April 2026

Today we cover Cyclone Vianau, on-farm resilience, animal health, and the financial opportunities shaping the sector, before wrapping with a full weekend sports ...preview.

Hon Mark Mitchell (Minister for Emergency Management)
An update on Cyclone Vianau, outlining the risks across the North Island and what farmers and rural communities need to be doing now.

Mark Leslie (CEO, Pāmu)
Responds to criticism from Damien O’Connor following footage of skinny heifers, addressing animal welfare concerns and Pāmu’s management systems.

Dr Kwasi Adusei-Fosu (Bioeconomy Science Institute)
A follow-up on facial eczema, detailing a potential breakthrough that targets the fungus at pasture level.

Dave Handley (General Manager – BNZ Agribusiness & Corporate Banking)
How farmers can make the most of the Fonterra capital return payment and position themselves financially.

Tony Trewinnard (Blueskies Weather)
The latest weather outlook and what it means on the ground as Cyclone Vianau approaches.

DAIRY Country Podcast
Anne Lee from the Dairy Country Podcast speaks to Lynaire Ryan and Paul Bird about insights into how farmers can build equity and long-term wealth in the dairy sector.

Graeme Beasley & Dave Worsley (Sportstalk)
A full weekend sports preview covering Super Rugby, the Warriors clash with the Storm, and the start of the netball season.Show More

FULL SHOW - 10th April 2026

Pāmu Under Animal Welfare Pressure // Mark Leslie, CEO, Pāmu New Zealand

Cyclone Vianau Warning // Mark Mitchell, Minister for Emergency Management & Recovery National Party

Facial Eczema Breakthrough // Dr. Kwasi Adusei-Fosu, Bioeconomy Science Institute

How is the Cyclone Progressing? // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather

10th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Cyclone Vaianu is bearing down on the North Island with MetService warning of potentially life-threatening impacts for everyone in the region.

The storm is expected to track first across the Coromandel ...and Bay of Plenty on Sunday before pushing through the rest of the North Island — and MetService says no area will be spared. Red warnings for specific regions are expected to be issued later today as forecasts firm up.

Over 200 millimetres of rain could fall in some areas within 18 to 24 hours. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell is describing the storm as potentially significant and damaging.

For growers, Bay of Plenty kiwifruit vines face wind damage from Opotiki through to Te Kaha, while apple growers in Hawke's Bay are being urged to pick as fast as possible to reduce fruit loading on trees ahead of forecast wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour and a sharp directional swing as the eye passes through. Hawke's Bay stop-banks could also face pressure, with over 130 millimetres forecast in the Ruahine Ranges. Waikato blueberry growers face windfall losses and rot risk, while Marlborough and Nelson are expected to largely escape the worst.

New Zealand's freshwater report card shows encouraging signs of improvement in some key areas, even as pressure on waterways remains a challenge across the country.

The Our Freshwater 2026 report, released yesterday by the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ, shows phosphorus levels in rivers and lakes are improving, and the visual clarity of most monitored rivers is trending in the right direction.

The report acknowledges that while some freshwater indicators are deteriorating — particularly around nitrate levels in groundwater and E.coli concentrations near modified land — 26 percent of monitored groundwater sites recorded improved nitrate levels over the period.

The report reinforces the value of the significant on-farm environmental work already underway across the country. Catchment groups, riparian planting programmes and precision nutrient management are all contributing to the improvements the report is starting to capture.

A stronger tone across the South Island wool market this week, with ninety-three percent of wool sold and all wool types described as firm in sellers' favour.

PGG Wrightson Wools South Island Auction Manager Dave Burridge says limited volumes forecast in the short to medium term are driving competition among buyers, with better style and well-prepared wools attracting the strongest interest.

Crossbred fleece led the gains, with good style up three percent to three dollars eighty per kilogram clean, and average and poor style both lifting four percent.

Crossbred second shear good style gained three percent to five-fifty-three, while crossbred oddments rose three percent to four-sixty-five.

Lamb's wool also performed well, with the 29 to 32 micron range all lifting three to four percent on the previous sale.

The next South Island sale is scheduled for April the thirtieth.

Synlait Milk has announced the departure of one of its longest-serving executives, with Chief Supply Chain and Technology Officer Robert Stowell set to leave the business in July. Stowell joined Synlait in its early years and has held several senior roles including Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer.

Most recently he led a major recapitalisation of the company and the sale of its North Island assets — two significant moves in reshaping Synlait's balance sheet and future direction. Stowell leaves with the company continuing to execute its strategy under CEO Richard Wyeth.Show More

FULL SHOW: 9 April

9th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

Northland farmers are preparing for Cyclone Vaianu by securing livestock, tying down infrastructure and making sure feed supplies are in order ahead of the weekend.

A preliminary strong wind watch covers ...the entire North Island from one am Saturday through until eleven pm Sunday, with further updates expected as the storm's path becomes clearer.

Federated Farmers Northland president Colin Hannah says most farmers will have feed on hand should the worst occur, with maize silage currently being harvested across the region. Hannah's biggest concern isn't the storm itself — it's the mental toll of repeated weather events, particularly on younger farmers.

Northland Regional Council councillor and farmer Geoff Crawford says those in flood-prone areas know their risks and their properties well, and the focus now is practical preparation — gates shut, bin roofs secured and loose equipment put away to minimise wind damage.

A multi-agency discussion is planned for tomorrow once the cyclone's path is confirmed.

Despite yesterday's US-Iran ceasefire announcement bringing crude oil prices down, farmers and the primary sector relying on diesel should not expect rapid relief at the pump.

While petrol prices may begin to ease over the coming days, diesel is a different story — and with prices already sitting at nearly four dollars a litre at many stations, and some truck stops in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato hitting four-twenty, the pressure on agricultural operations remains intense.

Industry analysts say New Zealand's lack of domestic refining capacity means diesel prices are unlikely to fall quickly, with the country entirely dependent on overseas supply.

The current crisis is being described as worse than the Russia-Ukraine price spike — diesel has more than doubled in price, compared to a fifty percent rise seen during that conflict.

For farmers and contractors locked into supply agreements signed before the crisis, there is little option but to absorb the extra cost in the short term. Flow-on price increases across transport, construction and agriculture are expected to follow.

Some modest easing in diesel is expected eventually — but analysts warn it will take time to unwind.

Meanwhile Federated Farmers is adding to the pressure, reporting farmers are already experiencing delivery delays of two to three weeks on their regular on-farm fuel drops.

Dairy chair and Canterbury sharemilker Karl Dean says importers have changed distributor allocation schedules, leaving farmers short at a critical time — with some running out of fuel for stock water pumps entirely.

The timing couldn't be worse, with major stock movement events approaching in May and June requiring significant diesel-powered transport. Dean is calling on the Government to formally classify agriculture as an essential service for fuel supply purposes before the situation worsens.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the distribution issues are isolated and not the result of an overall fuel shortage, and that the Government is working directly with importers to resolve them.

But with spring supply orders being placed now for next season, Federated Farmers warns the flow-on cost impacts could stretch well into next year.

The Environmental Protection Authority has a new chief executive, with Lian Butcher confirmed in the role from the first of July. Butcher joins from Greater Wellington Regional Council, where she has been Group Manager of the Environment Group, and previously served as Deputy Director-General of Partnerships and Engagement at the Department of Conservation.

EPA Board Chair Barry O'Neil says Butcher brings a proven track record in leading complex organisations and building high-performing teams in the public sector — qualities he says are well matched to the EPA's next phase of development as an environmental regulator.

For the farming and primary sector community, the EPA plays a significant role in resource consenting, hazardous substance regulation and environmental oversight — making this a leadership appointment worth watching.

Butcher succeeds Dr Allan Freeth, who wraps up nearly eleven years of service with the EPA in June.Show More

FULL SHOW: 8 April

FULL SHOW: 7 April

No Drums = No Drama with Next Gen Solids // Darren Stenning, Ecolab

6-week forecast - 31st March // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather