Farmers Weekly In Focus AgriHQ

It’s been almost a year since Westpac introduced its Sustainable Farm Loan to the market, which gives farmers a discount on their interest rate in return for meeting certain standards. Head of agribusiness Tim Henshaw joins Bryan to discuss the types of work borrowers are undertaking. Flood protection, drought resilience and emissions reductions are the three prominent areas he’s seen.

Federated Farmers has submitted its views on rural banking to the Primary Production Select Committee. We speak to Richard McIntyre, who says they’re urging the committee to undertake a full inquiry and outlines the reasons it’s warranted.

And, senior reporter Richard Rennie gives an update on that Zespri SunGold shipment found with mice in the hold and also unpacks the recent report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment that looks at land-use change and the emissions trading scheme.

It’s been almost a year since Westpac introduced its Sustainable Farm Loan to the market, which gives farmers a discount on their interest rate in return for meeting certain standards.

Head of Agribusiness Tim Henshaw joins Bryan to discuss the types of work borrowers are undertaking. Flood protection, drought resilience and emissions reductions are the three prominent areas he’s seen.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie gives an update on that Zespri SunGold shipment found with mice in the hold and also unpacks the recent report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment that looks at land-use change and the emissions trading scheme.

Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says the emotional toll of increased pressure on farmers from their banks is worrying and he’s urging parliamentarians to launch an inquiry into the rural banking sector. 

Rob Hewett has been a fixture in the boardrooms of farming companies and co-ops for almost two decades. After speaking at the recent Institute of Directors leadership conference, he talks with Bryan about the importance of good governance, how a board interacts with management and how market evolution is tackled by NZ exporters.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams admits to having a few nerves about packing down in the front row alongside Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford and national dairy chair Richard McIntyre, when a farming team takes on a team of politicians in a rugby fundraiser for cyclone-hit farmers later this month.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie gives an update on the leading news stories including a new report on regenerative farming, the continued lull in port activity and more job cuts in the science sector.

Rob Hewett has been a fixture in the boardrooms of farming companies and co-ops for almost two decades.

After speaking at the recent Institute of Directors leadership conference, he talks with Bryan about the importance of good governance, how a board interacts with management and how market evolution is tackled by NZ exporters.