The Country

Federated Farmers' banking spokesman is calling for the Reserve Bank to drop overly conservative and growth-restricting banking capital rules that are costing farmers a fortune. Plus, we ask how autumn calving is going during a Manawatū drought.

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In the absence of the PM and the Deputy PM, the Acting PM and Act leader comments on the school lunch debacle, the Reserve Bank ripping off farmers and whether the Coalition will cannibalise itself as we head into the 2026 election.  

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Affco's National Livestock Manager comments on record beef returns and vastly improved lamb and mutton prices. But he's reluctant to commit to how long they'll last.

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On St Patrick's Day, we're joined by Irish Ag Journo who says the iconic day is celebrated more in the cities and with tourists than in rural Ireland. Plus, we look at tough times for farmers under Sir Keir Starmer, FMD in Europe and Trump's tariffs potentially hitting the Irish dairy industry hard.

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Does Monday's weatherman have any relief in store for the drought regions as we head into the heart of autumn?

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Jamie Mackay talks to Jerry Buttimer, Jane Smith, Professor Keith Woodford, Winston Peters, and Dean Rabbidge. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Dean Rabbidge, Shane Jones, Glen Burrell, Barry Soper, and Chris Brandolino.

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High-profile Southland sheep, beef and dairy farmer on his "pine tree menu," a humorous dig at carbon farming. Plus, he comments on Southland Federated Farmers' duck shooting stoush with Fish and Game.

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We catch up with the Prince of the Provinces before his address to the Investment Summit this afternoon, as he looks for foreign investment to pay for new mines, dams and gas exploration. Plus, he weighs in on Dame Jacinda Ardern and school lunches.

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MPI's Director of Animal Welfare and Response responds to SAFE's "Mud Farming" claims in Southland. 

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We talk to Newstalk ZB's senior political correspondent about Dame Jacinda Ardern's new book, the Investment Summit and whether the PM is in any danger of being rolled. 

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Where is the rain? We ask NIWA's weather guy.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Winston Peters, Professor Keith Woodford, Michelle Sands, Chris Russell, and Andrew "Elvis" Jennings.

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We catch up with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister on the eve of his departure to Washington to meet with the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. We talk about Trump, tariffs on agriculture, and whether Winston's doing a Trump when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion and his war on woke.

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One of the sharpest minds in agriculture wants Fonterra to offer Kiwis a bite of dairy cherry with an IPO floating of its consumer brands business. 

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The GM of Strategy and Policy for Horticulture NZ on the proposed new water storage facility for the Heretaunga Plains. 

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Our Australian correspondent comments on ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, Trump, tariffs and Dylan Brown. 

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We head to the Wairarapa for our monthly catch-up with the team from PGG Wrightson Livestock.

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Internal parasites and drench resistance are serious threats to livestock production. In the final episode of our special four-part series, The Country’s Rowena Duncum is once again joined by B+LNZ Principal Scientist (Animal Health Research) Dr Cara Brosnahan to look at targeted selective treatment in the fight against drench resistance.

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