July 9, 2025 • 8 mins
A leading farming academic discusses her latest column, "Crop protection challenges as Bayer closes Hastings research site," as well as the young blood coming up through the primary sector.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Right on with the country on your Thursday lunchtime, right
across the country. Hamish mackay in for a namesake, Jamie.
Great to have your company, and always great to be
joined by this fantastic advocate for all things agriculture, the
primary industry industry doctor Jacqueline Ruth Jacklin. How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm fabulous in the wonderful Wye Cato.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
In the wonderful Why Katter? What more could you want
from life? He so lovely to catch up. Hey, look,
let's let's deal with the sort of we're going to
get onto some fantastic chat about what's going on with
young blood coming through in farming shortly. But first of all,
look this issue of our restrictions around pasture pest control.
(00:47):
I mean, I'll tell you what. We're dragging the chain,
aren't we, And you know we're heating for a lot
of particularly good space if we don't do something about it.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
You are absolutely right. Hamish and Bay are pulling out
of New Zealand while starting with hate things, but saying
they're not going to do any more research is just
dire news. But it's not just Bayer that is the
thin end of the wedge. It's other agrichemical companies saying
we can't do it. It takes too long, it costs
too much, and the whole it's not just pastor it's
(01:15):
also all of our orchards are vegetables. It's animal welfare
as well. All of this is linked and actually hamish
it is linked to the next generation because it comes
down to can we have a vibrant business? And for
farmers and growers, it's pretty frustrating to know that research
overseas has shown there's a new chemical that is more targeted,
(01:39):
potentially less expensive, and that has impacts on food costs,
and they're not allowed to use it because it's got
hooked up in the regulatory system. And I look at
the Environmental Protection Authority and think they're struggling under the legislation.
There are good people there trying to do their best,
but it's not happening quickly enough. So how can we help?
(02:00):
How can the government understand that they need to be
able to be allowed to take a more sensible approach?
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Okay, how does the backstop with who needs to get
involved here with the EPI and make these changes In particulars.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
It's the ministers and the Ministry for Primary industries. And
there are people around who think, oh, well, we could
just be organic, but they are wrong in terms of
thinking that organics does not use chemicals. They absolutely do.
It's just that they're not as targeted. And that's actually
a bad thing. That we want the new targeted, particularly
(02:34):
the new biological ways of controlling pests and diseases, and
they're not coming into the country because of the cost
of the regulation. And if they've been proven overseas, what
is the issue here. Once we've checked with our peculiar
winds are native species, then let's get on with it
and create a vibrant business that the young ones want
(02:57):
to come into. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Absolutely, I mean compared instance to the investment that Australia
is making per capita or you know, I mean, it's
just it's appalling.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It is absolutely appalling. And then go back to America
or EU where these big companies are based. So there
is a huge amount of investment dollars time all of
those sorts of things making sure that these chemicals are
safe or these new bio logicals that attack the pest
and diseases that they are safe. And yet New Zealand
(03:28):
has a system that is taking the precautionary principle a
little bit far. Precautionary principle was proceed with care, not
stop doing stuff, and we're on the wrong side of
the proceed with care if it's taking. Some companies have
got examples of five years to get through the regulatory process.
(03:49):
Too long.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Too long, right, Let's talk about things wonderfully positive. And
of course we have our wonderful Young Farmer of the
Year and the Dairy Industry Awards and idying all these
great young people coming through. But as you say, we
want to have a platform, a template to operate from.
But we have got some We have got some magical
young people coming through, haven't we.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Yes, they're lovely and they always have been, these young, enthusiastic,
go ahead people that want to make a good or
a good contribution to the primary sector through food production.
And that's where most of them are driven. It's the
safe food quality that we produce, and they want to
do it with least impact on the environment. And they
(04:33):
want to be able to support their families as well.
Hence the vibrant business issue, and they would like to
be able. We know all this generations and they're on
their websites and looking up the new information. They want
to be able to use the new technologies on their
productive systems. We've got the Young Horticulturist of the Year
going on at the moment too. The regionals. These young people,
(04:55):
they we need to be able to put the incentives
ahead of them, and some of that is being the changer.
So let's go back to the Young Farmer of the Year.
There is now a it's been there actually quite a while.
Agmark started it and I was on the board of
privilege of being on the board during the later two
thousands and you know the seven to thirteen and we
(05:18):
had the Innovation Product project. So what innovation can you
bring on to the farm or change can you make
to the farm system that's sort of given a farm
or allowed to choose amongst them to enable the farm
system to be more innovative, to bring in another income stream,
because gosh, these days they have to buy out their siblings.
(05:41):
In the olden days, when I was young, the oldest
son inherited everything and then they looked after the girls
or their other brothers in different ways or not at all,
and there are family disputes. Now you split up the inheritance,
and so the person that takes on the farm, or
the two take on the farm, have to buy out
the other siblings. That's where the debt comes from. And
(06:04):
how do you get the extra innovation stream the income
stream to be able to pay out the others.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Challenges are plenty, but then again, I sort of I
do feel like the incentives and the motivation and the
future is incredibly bright if we get it right across
the board, yep.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
And that's what we need to be well. Many of
us are working with the government to try and ensure
that the settings are right so that New Zealand continues
to have a vibrant primary sector, which we all know
is underpinning their economy. Whatever people used to say about sunsets,
we're still there and we're still trying to do our best,
and the next generation is coming through with stars on.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
I love these and you'll know all the names across
the various industry awards and the young farmer of these
people who are who are making a difference. What I
love is they It's a bit of a fine line
between promoting oneself, I think, and as opposed to promoting
being an advocate for the industry isn't it. But there
are some cheeses and superlative examples.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
There are, and I'm looking forward to their next steps
when they come through, as it were Federated Farmers in
twenty years two decades say on some sorts of boards,
when they get a bit of experience in managing people
and land under their belt, and then they come through
and say I can help our industry through a different
way to our companies do even better. And it's the
(07:35):
goal always to do better that really entuses me. The
terrific bunch of young people, I've.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Got to say before you go, Jacqueline. The nineteen eighty
five Massi University bag first year class are having a
reunion this week at renowned hawks By regenerative farmer Greg
Hart's property in the Hawks Bay. Now, I was actually
a first year member of this squad. I can't make
it this weekend, but I still feels like yesterday, and
(08:04):
yet it's forty years on, so you know, I still
feel like these guys have got to these guys and
God's got a hell of a lot to offer the industry.
But it's great that these young people are coming through,
and it's just it's just fabulous. And you know what
the thing is that back then, forty years ago and
the ones who are still involved today and most of
them went into farming situations and they've all done amazing things.
(08:25):
So goodness knows what the picture can look like in
forty years. It could be fabulous, am I not said?
Speaker 2 (08:30):
But I'll look forward to the next twenty.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Yeah, exactly, I'm with you. I'd be happy to I'd
happy to check out the next twenty. Jack one, Thank
you so much, much appreciated. There we go, There we go,
great friend of the show and expert and just so
so many things Dr Jack will n row with here
joining us on the country
Right on with the country on your Thursday lunchtime, right
across the country. Hamish mackay in for a namesake, Jamie.
Great to have your company, and always great to be
joined by this fantastic advocate for all things agriculture, the
primary industry industry doctor Jacqueline Ruth Jacklin. How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I'm fabulous in the wonderful Wye Cato.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
In the wonderful Why Katter? What more could you want
from life? He so lovely to catch up. Hey, look,
let's let's deal with the sort of we're going to
get onto some fantastic chat about what's going on with
young blood coming through in farming shortly. But first of all,
look this issue of our restrictions around pasture pest control.
(00:47):
I mean, I'll tell you what. We're dragging the chain,
aren't we, And you know we're heating for a lot
of particularly good space if we don't do something about it.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
You are absolutely right. Hamish and Bay are pulling out
of New Zealand while starting with hate things, but saying
they're not going to do any more research is just
dire news. But it's not just Bayer that is the
thin end of the wedge. It's other agrichemical companies saying
we can't do it. It takes too long, it costs
too much, and the whole it's not just pastor it's
(01:15):
also all of our orchards are vegetables. It's animal welfare
as well. All of this is linked and actually hamish
it is linked to the next generation because it comes
down to can we have a vibrant business? And for
farmers and growers, it's pretty frustrating to know that research
overseas has shown there's a new chemical that is more targeted,
(01:39):
potentially less expensive, and that has impacts on food costs,
and they're not allowed to use it because it's got
hooked up in the regulatory system. And I look at
the Environmental Protection Authority and think they're struggling under the legislation.
There are good people there trying to do their best,
but it's not happening quickly enough. So how can we help?
(02:00):
How can the government understand that they need to be
able to be allowed to take a more sensible approach?
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Okay, how does the backstop with who needs to get
involved here with the EPI and make these changes In particulars.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
It's the ministers and the Ministry for Primary industries. And
there are people around who think, oh, well, we could
just be organic, but they are wrong in terms of
thinking that organics does not use chemicals. They absolutely do.
It's just that they're not as targeted. And that's actually
a bad thing. That we want the new targeted, particularly
(02:34):
the new biological ways of controlling pests and diseases, and
they're not coming into the country because of the cost
of the regulation. And if they've been proven overseas, what
is the issue here. Once we've checked with our peculiar
winds are native species, then let's get on with it
and create a vibrant business that the young ones want
(02:57):
to come into. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Absolutely, I mean compared instance to the investment that Australia
is making per capita or you know, I mean, it's
just it's appalling.
Speaker 2 (03:07):
It is absolutely appalling. And then go back to America
or EU where these big companies are based. So there
is a huge amount of investment dollars time all of
those sorts of things making sure that these chemicals are
safe or these new bio logicals that attack the pest
and diseases that they are safe. And yet New Zealand
(03:28):
has a system that is taking the precautionary principle a
little bit far. Precautionary principle was proceed with care, not
stop doing stuff, and we're on the wrong side of
the proceed with care if it's taking. Some companies have
got examples of five years to get through the regulatory process.
(03:49):
Too long.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
Too long, right, Let's talk about things wonderfully positive. And
of course we have our wonderful Young Farmer of the
Year and the Dairy Industry Awards and idying all these
great young people coming through. But as you say, we
want to have a platform, a template to operate from.
But we have got some We have got some magical
young people coming through, haven't we.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Yes, they're lovely and they always have been, these young, enthusiastic,
go ahead people that want to make a good or
a good contribution to the primary sector through food production.
And that's where most of them are driven. It's the
safe food quality that we produce, and they want to
do it with least impact on the environment. And they
(04:33):
want to be able to support their families as well.
Hence the vibrant business issue, and they would like to
be able. We know all this generations and they're on
their websites and looking up the new information. They want
to be able to use the new technologies on their
productive systems. We've got the Young Horticulturist of the Year
going on at the moment too. The regionals. These young people,
(04:55):
they we need to be able to put the incentives
ahead of them, and some of that is being the changer.
So let's go back to the Young Farmer of the Year.
There is now a it's been there actually quite a while.
Agmark started it and I was on the board of
privilege of being on the board during the later two
thousands and you know the seven to thirteen and we
(05:18):
had the Innovation Product project. So what innovation can you
bring on to the farm or change can you make
to the farm system that's sort of given a farm
or allowed to choose amongst them to enable the farm
system to be more innovative, to bring in another income stream,
because gosh, these days they have to buy out their siblings.
(05:41):
In the olden days, when I was young, the oldest
son inherited everything and then they looked after the girls
or their other brothers in different ways or not at all,
and there are family disputes. Now you split up the inheritance,
and so the person that takes on the farm, or
the two take on the farm, have to buy out
the other siblings. That's where the debt comes from. And
(06:04):
how do you get the extra innovation stream the income
stream to be able to pay out the others.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Challenges are plenty, but then again, I sort of I
do feel like the incentives and the motivation and the
future is incredibly bright if we get it right across
the board, yep.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
And that's what we need to be well. Many of
us are working with the government to try and ensure
that the settings are right so that New Zealand continues
to have a vibrant primary sector, which we all know
is underpinning their economy. Whatever people used to say about sunsets,
we're still there and we're still trying to do our best,
and the next generation is coming through with stars on.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
I love these and you'll know all the names across
the various industry awards and the young farmer of these
people who are who are making a difference. What I
love is they It's a bit of a fine line
between promoting oneself, I think, and as opposed to promoting
being an advocate for the industry isn't it. But there
are some cheeses and superlative examples.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
There are, and I'm looking forward to their next steps
when they come through, as it were Federated Farmers in
twenty years two decades say on some sorts of boards,
when they get a bit of experience in managing people
and land under their belt, and then they come through
and say I can help our industry through a different
way to our companies do even better. And it's the
(07:35):
goal always to do better that really entuses me. The
terrific bunch of young people, I've.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Got to say before you go, Jacqueline. The nineteen eighty
five Massi University bag first year class are having a
reunion this week at renowned hawks By regenerative farmer Greg
Hart's property in the Hawks Bay. Now, I was actually
a first year member of this squad. I can't make
it this weekend, but I still feels like yesterday, and
(08:04):
yet it's forty years on, so you know, I still
feel like these guys have got to these guys and
God's got a hell of a lot to offer the industry.
But it's great that these young people are coming through,
and it's just it's just fabulous. And you know what
the thing is that back then, forty years ago and
the ones who are still involved today and most of
them went into farming situations and they've all done amazing things.
(08:25):
So goodness knows what the picture can look like in
forty years. It could be fabulous, am I not said?
Speaker 2 (08:30):
But I'll look forward to the next twenty.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
Yeah, exactly, I'm with you. I'd be happy to I'd
happy to check out the next twenty. Jack one, Thank
you so much, much appreciated. There we go, There we go,
great friend of the show and expert and just so
so many things Dr Jack will n row with here
joining us on the country
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