CountryWide Spring 2025

Silver Fern Farms, MIA and OSPRI have partnered with Prism Earth’s innovative technology to provide unprecedented insights into farmers’ natural capital that will provide continued market access to the European Union as well as potential new revenue streams.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with Matt Lythe, managing director of Prism Earth, about using AI and satellite imagery to map carbon, biodiversity, and natural capital. This technology helps farmers meet EU deforestation rules and unlock opportunities in sustainable supply chains and nature-based markets.

Setting up cell grazing systems on their Te Pahu hill-country farm has transformed more than just Heather Gilbert and Elliot Kent’s bottom line.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Waikato farmers Heather Gilbert and Elliot Kent about their shift to cell grazing and the transformation of their 325-hectare bull beef operation. They discuss challenges and learnings, how the system has lifted production while supporting environmental outcomes, and insights gained from being a Beef + Lamb New Zealand monitor farm.

CountryWide has partnered with the Institute of Rural Professionals to strengthen support, knowledge-sharing, and innovation across the agricultural sector.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Jo Finer, CEO of the newly renamed Institute of Rural Professionals (IRP) (formerly NZIPIM) about CountryWide’s new strategic partnership with the organisation. They discuss the role of rural professionals, the institute’s history and future direction, and how collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and digital innovation will strengthen support for farmers and the wider agricultural sector.

Read Country-Wide Spring 2025 online here. Country-Wide is New Zealand’s only dedicated farmers and growers magazine, available on subscription.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Ivan Lawrie, General Manager at the Foundation for Arable Research, about the New Zealand Grown Grains initiative. Ivan explains how growers, millers, and bakers are collaborating to create a traceable, certifiable brand, strengthen the domestic wheat industry, and open opportunities in premium markets, while sharing lessons on value chains and building a resilient local food sector.

It’s never been more important to have eyes to the future, looking for signals ahead to what might be coming rather than looking in the rear-vision mirror. This special report arms your farming business on how to set a strategy that is resilient and aiming in the right direction – meeting the market. Words Anne Lee.

As a Big Buddy, Mark Withers is inspiring the next generation of farmers after a powerful bond was established through the programme with Kobi – proving that positive male role models can truly change young boys’ lives. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

Spring can be a mixed bag of weather but ideal for preparation to reset, rethink, and retool your irrigation strategy. Words Kathryn Healy.

Five Fijian ratus (chiefs) recently attended a special ceremony in Matapihi to celebrate the Ngāi Tukairangi Trust relationship with their villages’ Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers. Words Carly Gibbs, Photos John Cowpland.

As new wearable technologies for animals have surged in popularity, specific advice on the use of them within the dairy sector are to be included in an imminent review of the Animal Welfare Code: Dairy Cattle.
Words Tony Leggett.