The Country-Wide Podcast

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The Country-Wide Podcast

Bringing' you the best of rural New Zealand for nearly 50 years via your mailboxes, now it’s time for our seasonal stories from the magazine to weekly updates straight to your ears. Proud to celebrate the grit and the smarts it takes to farm as well as good ol' fashioned country culture with The Country-Wide Podcast. Hosts: Rebecca Greaves - Editor of Country-Wide For more information & to subscribe to Country-Wide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

  1. Episode 57 - From the Paddock: Homeblock Columnists on Seasons and Stock

    1 DAY AGO

    Episode 57 - From the Paddock: Homeblock Columnists on Seasons and Stock

    This episode brings together insights from a diverse group of Homeblock columnists, offering a broad perspective on farming both in New Zealand and abroad. Rebecca Greaves and Sarah Perriam-Lampp discuss a range of topics, from sheep breeding and cattle fertility to shifting seasonal conditions and life on the land. This episode explores the evolving challenges and triumphs of farmers across different regions, highlighting their experiences and expertise. Guests include: Gavin Tait, cattle fertility vet and Scottish sheep and beef farmer Roger Barton, Wairarapa farmer Charlotte Rietveld, Middle Rock, Rakaia Gorge farmer Danielle Hawkins, Otorohanga farmer, author and Waikato vet Hosts: - Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide - Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, Country-Wide Gavin Tait, a cattle fertility vet and farmer from the Eastern Scottish Borders, shares insights into the world of livestock breeding and farm management. With a background in cattle IVF and embryo transfer, the discussion explores how technology is shaping the future of genetics in both beef and dairy herds. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing a veterinary career with running a family farm, the growing demand for direct-to-consumer beef sales, and the importance of diversification in a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape. Roger Barton, a Wairarapa farmer and industry advocate, shares insights into farm management, land conservation, and the shifting dynamics of livestock farming. Based west of Greytown, Roger discusses the transition from sheep to cattle, his extensive involvement in agricultural politics, lessons from past economic downturns, and the resilience needed to navigate financial challenges. Roger reflects on the importance of global trade relationships, his recent visit to a U.S. retail store selling New Zealand lamb, and the potential impact of shifting market conditions. Charlotte Rietveld, a Mid-Canterbury farmer and long-time Country-Wide columnist, shares insights into managing Middle Rock, her family’s intergenerational sheep farm in the Rakaia Gorge. Balancing farm ownership with raising three young children, Charlotte discusses the challenges of navigating drought conditions, volatile commodity prices, her 12-year journey as a columnist, how she found her way into writing, and her perspective on resilience in farming. Charlotte reflects on the pressures of modern farm ownership, and the importance of maintaining a sustainable work-life balance. Ōtorohanga sheep, beef, and dairy grazier Danielle Hawkins is a vet, novelist, and columnist. Alongside her husband, Jared, Danielle is working to transform their farm into a parkland, despite ongoing challenges with cattle damaging newly planted trees. She also balances part-time vet work, handling everything from routine care to complex surgeries. Danielle shares insights into the realities of farming, the unpredictability of weather, and the resilience needed to manage livestock.   Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAIL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    52 min
  2. Episode 56 - Farming’s Next Leap: AI, Tech and The Future of Productivity

    13 FEB

    Episode 56 - Farming’s Next Leap: AI, Tech and The Future of Productivity

    The big craze over how technology and AI will drive the next wave of productivity gains in farming isn’t slowing down. Off the back of Tony Leggett’s feature on improvements in tech in the Summer issue of Country-Wide, Rebecca Greaves and Sarah Perriam-Lampp discuss where the biggest opportunities lie, the barriers to adoption—particularly cost—and the importance of understanding the value behind tech investment. Guests include: Dani Darke, Nuffield Scholar and King Country sheep and beef farmer Brendan O’Connell, CEO of AgritechNZ Hosts: - Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide - Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, Country-Wide King Country sheep and beef farmer Dani Darke has been awarded a 2025 Nuffield Scholarship. Her research will explore how future farmers will interact with digital tools. Dani discusses the potential for AI to improve productivity—especially for smaller, labour-constrained farms—and the importance of staying open-minded about innovation. Dani also shares her plans to explore global agricultural tech trends, from the U.S. arable sector to European developments, and how they might translate to New Zealand’s hill country farming.   Brendan O’Connell, CEO of AgriTech New Zealand, explores the challenges and opportunities in integrating technology into farming systems. He discusses the importance of data-driven decision-making, the barriers to technology adoption, and how AI is already transforming farm management and advisory services. Brendan also shares insights into how collaboration between farmers, investors, and policymakers is essential for unlocking productivity gains and ensuring New Zealand agriculture remains at the forefront of innovation. Read Tony Legget’s feature here Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAIL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min
  3. Episode 55 - Lifting our game from woolshed to shop

    6 FEB

    Episode 55 - Lifting our game from woolshed to shop

    The hot topic at the moment is New Zealand’s wool quality challenges to position both merino and strong wool with a positive future. Following our release of the annual Merino Review magazine, Sarah Perriam-Lampp discusses merino clip tenderness and improvements through farmer education, the rise of female wool classers and wool research’s renewed mission to return better value to farmers.  Guests include: Craig Smith, New Zealand general manager, Devold Emma O’Sullivan, Marlborough merino farmer and wool classer Andrew Morrison, Chairman, WRONZ Hosts: - Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide - Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, Country-Wide The 2024/25 season for merino growers has seen wool tenderness issues following a tough season. Craig “Smithy” Smith, General Manager of Devold, explains the importance of understanding wool metrics beyond micron, the role of genetics and nutrition in wool strength, and how Devold’s Sheep to Shop program ensures full traceability from farm to finished garment. He also introduces a new education initiative, ‘Sheep to Shop’ aimed at bridging the knowledge gap for the next generation of wool producers. Emma O'Sullivan, shares her passion for wool as a qualified wool classer and tutor as well as farming the Saxon merinos at her intergenerational family’s farming operation, Waihopai Downs  in Marlborough.  With the challenges facing the wool industry, Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand (WRONZ) has a new chairman, Andrew Morrison who is focused on the need for collaboration across the sector to drive profitability, reduce fragmentation, and ensure wool’s value is captured beyond the farm gate. He shares insights into WRONZ’s focus on post-harvest research and commercialization, highlighting a shift towards finding new uses for strong wool, such as deconstructing fibers into particles, powders, and pigments. Andrew also touches on sustainability, market positioning, and the importance of long-term research investment to secure the future of New Zealand’s wool industry. Read the latest issue of the Merino Review here Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAIL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    57 min
  4. Episode 54 - Is your farm insurance keeping up with the changes?

    30 JAN

    Episode 54 - Is your farm insurance keeping up with the changes?

    This episode we take a deep dive into the changes affecting rising insurance premiums and advice on how to navigate the changes including a new insurance model called parametric insurance that will help farmers insure in the face of extreme weather events. Guests include: Brett Borrell, Commercial and Rural Manager, Gallaghers Insurance Lucie Douma, Head of Client Strategy and Advice, FMG Hosted by Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Co-Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter     2. Tony Legget, Journalist, Country-Wide Gallagher Insurance commercial and rural manager Brett Borrell, breaks down the key factors driving insurance prices up for farmers and how insurance for insurers (reinsurance) plays a significant role in the rising costs of premiums. He also discusses the challenges farmers face in managing risk and offers insights on how understanding the components of your premium can help make informed decisions. FMG head of client strategy and advice Lucie Douma, introduces the new insurance model parametric insurance. This is a model designed to help farmers manage extreme weather risks. She highlights its growing popularity, especially for farmers dealing with climate change, and how it can complement existing coverage to ensure quicker and more efficient compensation when disaster strikes.   Read the Country-Wide Summer articles on insurance premiums and insurance market insights   Read the Summer issue of Country-Wide Magazine here. Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAIL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    52 min
  5. Episode 53 - A national and international look at the sheep industry and where it’s heading

    23 JAN

    Episode 53 - A national and international look at the sheep industry and where it’s heading

    With the start of the new year, more signs are appearing for the direction the sheep industry is going. The majority of these signs are positive and are pointing towards an exciting year for the industry. In this episode, hear from the South Island Livestock Manager for PGG Wrightson, Shane Gerken about how prices have looked over the summer break and what they’re shifting towards. We also hear from a young up and coming sheep breeder, Jasper Hewlett-Coffey about what he plans to do as part of a new generation of sheep breeders. Hank Vogler, a sheep farmer based in Nevada, U.S.A, gives his insight on what lamb in the US is looking like and how this might affect New Zealand. Guests include: Shane Gerken, South Island Livestock Manager, PGG Wrightson Jasper Hewlett-Coffey, Sheep Breeder, Te Kapaha Farm, PH: 021 707 733 Hank Vogler, Nevada Based Sheep Farmer Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media South Island Livestock Manager for PGG Wrightson, Shane Gerken discusses how events late last year have currently influenced where prices are and how they will continue to affect for the next part of this year. Sheep Breeder from Tekapaha Farm, Jasper Hewlett-Coffey discusses how raising his studs as a young sheep breeder is going and the help he has from those in the industry. Nevada based sheep farmer Hank Vogler discusses the similarities and differences between the sheep industry in the US and New Zealand and what needs to happen next for the industry worldwide.   Read the Summer issue of Country-Wide Magazine here. Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $59/four magazines plus postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAIL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    52 min
  6. Episode 52 - How are farmers implementing low emissions solutions?

    16 JAN

    Episode 52 - How are farmers implementing low emissions solutions?

    Selecting sheep for their lower methane traits could be a great tool for farmers, if emissions pricing is on the cards. Cool Sheep Programme Manager Dr Cynthia Lawrence discusses how they are using gene selection to breed lower methane sheep. Central Otago farmer Emma Crutchley shares how they’ve tackled emissions reductions on her family farm, using a range of actions, including a larger arable component, which led to a reduction in stocking rate. Guests include: Emma Crutchley, Sheep and Beef Farmer, Maniototo Dr Cynthia Lawrence, Cool Sheep Programme Manager Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Central Otago farmer Emma Crutchley discusses their family farm journey to becoming more efficient, building a resilient farming business, and lowering methane emissions in tandem with each other. She says since they started they’ve managed to lower their farm emissions by 8%, and little actions add up. Cool Sheep Programme Manager Dr Cynthia Lawrence discusses the programme's goals, how they are using gene selection for breeding lower methane sheep, and what the opportunity for farmers is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    40 min
  7. Episode 51 - Shutting the paddock gate to cut costs

    12/12/2024

    Episode 51 - Shutting the paddock gate to cut costs

    Deferred grazing could be a great option for your farm, to reduce costs, and improve soil health, with environmental benefits too, and could be as simple as shutting the paddock gate. In this episode, hear from a Waikato farmer who has implemented this practice on his farm, and a scientist behind the research into deferred grazing. We also hear from Property Brokers about what changing land use regulations could mean for the rural property market going into 2025..  Guests include: Bill Garland, Waikato Sheep & Beef Farmer Conrad Wilkshire, General Manager Rural, Property Brokers Dr. Katherine Tozer, Senior Scientist, AgResearch Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Waikato sheep and beef farmer Bill Garland discusses how he’s used deferred grazing as a low cost pasture renewal tool, and the environmental benefits he’s noticed. He says managing biodiversity is a big part of their operation, with five QEII covenants on their land. He shares how deferred grazing has reduced input costs, and benefitted the environment and their farm system.  Read more about Bill’s story here. Property Brokers General Manager for Rural Conrad Wilkshire discusses the impact of changing regulations around full farm to forestry conversion, and what this means for the rural property market. He says we collectively need more information about what this means for the property market, but it does create an opportunity for farmers to look at land use change opportunities.  AgResearch Senior Scientist Katherine Tozer discusses how to get started with deferred grazing for pasture renewal, and what the benefits are. She discusses how deferred grazing improves soil quality, and can lead to increased root depth. She says not to think of it as wasted feed that’s not eaten, but instead that it’s part of the pasture rejuvenation process.  Read the Summer issue of Country-Wide Magazine here. Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $59/four magazines plus postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAIL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 1m
  8. Episode 50 - Is 2025 the year of the deer?

    05/12/2024

    Episode 50 - Is 2025 the year of the deer?

    2025 could be a window of opportunity for farmers to get into the deer industry, as the sheep industry faces tough times. With new market access opportunities opening up in China and South Korea, and the benefits of mixed species farming in mind, could it be the year of the deer for New Zealand farmers? Guests include: Rhys Griffiths, CEO, Deer Industry New Zealand Mark McCoard, Chairman, New Zealand Deer Farmers Association Hosts: Rebecca Greaves, Editor, Country-Wide Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Taihape deer farmer Mark McCoard farms a velvet focussed operation in his mixed species farm, alongside cattle and sheep. He is also the Chairman of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association (NZDFA). He says the beauty of having deer as part of his operation is that once you have the deer fencing up you can run anything behind it, and this could be a great opportunity for the next generation of farmers. He also discusses how deer could help in the battle against drench resistance. Learn more about the NZDFA here. Velvet access to China has been a challenge for Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ), but with market access restored, it’s opening up the market for New Zealand. The new CEO of DINZ, Rhys Griffiths, discusses the deer market at the moment, including what a Trump administration in the USA will mean for exporting to America, what the Chinese and South Korea markets are looking for, and more about the upcoming Deer Industry Awards next year. Find out more about the awards and nominations here. Read the Summer issue of Country-Wide Magazine here. Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $59/four magazines plus postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/  SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAIL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 min
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About

Bringing' you the best of rural New Zealand for nearly 50 years via your mailboxes, now it’s time for our seasonal stories from the magazine to weekly updates straight to your ears. Proud to celebrate the grit and the smarts it takes to farm as well as good ol' fashioned country culture with The Country-Wide Podcast. Hosts: Rebecca Greaves - Editor of Country-Wide For more information & to subscribe to Country-Wide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

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