October 29, 2025 • 6 mins
Today’s farmer panel is one man down, but it does feature the 2023 FMG Young Farmer of the Year and Waikato vet and dairy farmer.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
The Farmer Panel with the Isuzu Dmax, the Kiwi ute
built off with truck DNA, welcome back to the country. Well,
the Farmer Panel's just a one man band really today
because I've lost the other half of the Farmer Panel.
Emma Paul as the twenty twenty three Young Farmer of
the Year. She's in the Waikato region. Her older brother
(00:21):
Tim one up the year before. He's in Southland. He's
busy at the moment. We'll get a hold of him tomorrow.
But the reason I brought the Farmer Panel forward from
tomorrow to today, I really wanted to get your take
on this Fonterra vote to sell off the consumer brands,
because you were on Winston Peter's side when it came
to this argument. Good afternoon, Good afternoon, Jermy.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
And I don't know if i'd be comparing myself through
Winston Peter's too often there but farmer bit of looking
with a bit of personality.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
But oh that's a shock, mind you. Winston's held no
punches back when it comes to Fonterra. He's getting stuck
into them. He's getting stuck into Miles Hurrell on the
board and their incentive bonuses, and I know you didn't
hear Miles he said that there wasn't any of them,
but he's pulling no punches.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yeah. I didn't really like the way Winston threatened with
the environmental changes as well. They was talking about there.
I thought that was a little bit uncaan. Yeah. Well,
I was probably in Winston's vote in one camp that
I was against the sale of the assets, Jamie. But
it looks like I'm a very small minority in this
cohort of eight and a half thousand farmers, aren't we.
(01:30):
So yeah, interesting vote. Good to see that it's done.
I'm not sad about it. It's certainly going to be
a good bit of pocket change come back the farm's way,
isn't it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Well, eighty eight and a half percent of the farmer
voters who voted voted in favor of this. That's an
overwhelming result. Really, it's an outstanding result. And I know,
what are you going to do, am I poll with
the money that you didn't want?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Should I give it back? Jamie?
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Wait, you can give it to me if you want.
I'll spend it.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I don't think they were we do something boring like
payback debt Jamie, we've got you know, we've got enough
going on here as it is, and we're young and
need to start working on getting ahead. But I think
we were chatting off here and said that you've got
to still have some level of debt in your business too,
So I don't know. Maybe we'll save a little bit
for a rainy day project on the farm as well,
(02:20):
and it'll be certainly interesting to see what farmers do
with this money. And it's probably a once in a
lifetime opportunity, you'd say it wouldn't. Yeah, I don't think
we'll see this amount of cash injection into the rural industry.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Ever, Again, it's going to lift the New Zealand GDP
by zero point seven percent. This is one hell of
an injection for the economy.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
And it's an incredible and their rural services have taken
a beating over the past couple of years. So this
sort of money floating background in rural communities that will
certainly reach a long way. And we also know that
a lot of people in real communities do a lot
for the community as a whole, don't They donating carves,
the IHC Fund and that sort of thing. So I suspect,
(03:03):
you know that should be help keep those areas buoyant
this year. So that's there is good news.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
That's a great idea, Emma, because I'm involved with the
IHC CARF and Rural Scheme. So come on, farmers, you've
had a bit of a windfall. Share of the love.
Make a really good donation to a really great cause,
the IC CARF and Rural Scheme. I suspect a lot
of it will be used to pay down debt, a
lot of it, A chunk of it will be used
for investment on farm, but there's got to be an
(03:31):
element of it, Emma that will be for private spending.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
But maybe I'll get my haircut, Jamie, get a bit
of a jusia. I would be more interested to see, though,
what happens with the surplus billion. We've talked about it before,
and I went to the farm and meetings to try
and find out Fonterra was pretty soon and they were
going to be paying that debt. But then I've read
multiple articles since that have said they're going to be
there's going to be capital investment into other areas with
(03:56):
that surplus money. So I'd like to hear them get
their story straight and find out where that money is
going and hopefully it's to something sensible that will take
our take take us forward into the future.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Up next on the Country, a woman you know well,
doctor Jaquil and Roweth. I had actually caught up with
her a wee bit earlier this morning because she wasn't
available to do a live slot today and we made
the assumption, or I did, that there would be an
overwhelming yes vote. Interestingly asked her how things are going
in your home province? She said, cold and wet.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Yeah, yeah, everything is cold and wet. It's starting to
pick up today though it's definitely a bit warmer and
with sunny see some spring temperatures, but nothing like those
folks down in South Under. Ben facing her, just my
heart goes out to them and talking to Tim. They've
certainly had their challenges this season, so hopefully they're all
keeping their chin up down there and maybe this vote,
you know, it's they're going to need some of it
(04:48):
to turn around and repair some of those pumps and
the likes that have been washed out with all that water.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Absolutely so, how is Tim getting on? We've got him
on the show tomorrow. But you can let the cat
out of the bag.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Yeah, you left to make it give him U NORL
so that he can keep his hitt abouts ground and
have a proper jet to you. But no, he's doing
well down there. And yeah, same as just what I've said.
They're all just trying to keep their chin up and
get on with things. And much like he said after cyclone, Gabrielle,
you've the events happened. Now you've just got to turn
around and make a plan and assess the damage and
get on with it.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Well, he's been on the receiving end of two of
our biggest weather events if you want, of the past
couple of years. He got smacked by Gabrielle or the
what was the Auckland storm before it called.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
The Yeah, I know what you mean, but I can't remember.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
I can't remember the name either, but the one that
came just before Gabrielle on the home farm there out
on the west Auckland flanks there. So he's got the
wind event in south and we will talk to him tomorrow. Hey, Emma, Paul,
thank you very much for your time as always, And
you go and splash some cash around in your local town.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
I go and get my hair cut Jeremie and put
my feet up.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
I don't think putting your feet up is really it's
not in your DNA. Not only are you a former
Young Farmer of the Year, you've got two dairy farms
and you still are you still practicing as a vet.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Ah here and be. I don't know if i'd call
myself practicing. Jamie.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
You're a very busy woman and we appreciate your time
today on the country. Thanks very much, Kiers, Jamie
The Farmer Panel with the Isuzu Dmax, the Kiwi ute
built off with truck DNA, welcome back to the country. Well,
the Farmer Panel's just a one man band really today
because I've lost the other half of the Farmer Panel.
Emma Paul as the twenty twenty three Young Farmer of
the Year. She's in the Waikato region. Her older brother
(00:21):
Tim one up the year before. He's in Southland. He's
busy at the moment. We'll get a hold of him tomorrow.
But the reason I brought the Farmer Panel forward from
tomorrow to today, I really wanted to get your take
on this Fonterra vote to sell off the consumer brands,
because you were on Winston Peter's side when it came
to this argument. Good afternoon, Good afternoon, Jermy.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
And I don't know if i'd be comparing myself through
Winston Peter's too often there but farmer bit of looking
with a bit of personality.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
But oh that's a shock, mind you. Winston's held no
punches back when it comes to Fonterra. He's getting stuck
into them. He's getting stuck into Miles Hurrell on the
board and their incentive bonuses, and I know you didn't
hear Miles he said that there wasn't any of them,
but he's pulling no punches.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Yeah. I didn't really like the way Winston threatened with
the environmental changes as well. They was talking about there.
I thought that was a little bit uncaan. Yeah. Well,
I was probably in Winston's vote in one camp that
I was against the sale of the assets, Jamie. But
it looks like I'm a very small minority in this
cohort of eight and a half thousand farmers, aren't we.
(01:30):
So yeah, interesting vote. Good to see that it's done.
I'm not sad about it. It's certainly going to be
a good bit of pocket change come back the farm's way,
isn't it. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Well, eighty eight and a half percent of the farmer
voters who voted voted in favor of this. That's an
overwhelming result. Really, it's an outstanding result. And I know,
what are you going to do, am I poll with
the money that you didn't want?
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Should I give it back? Jamie?
Speaker 1 (01:56):
Wait, you can give it to me if you want.
I'll spend it.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
I don't think they were we do something boring like
payback debt Jamie, we've got you know, we've got enough
going on here as it is, and we're young and
need to start working on getting ahead. But I think
we were chatting off here and said that you've got
to still have some level of debt in your business too,
So I don't know. Maybe we'll save a little bit
for a rainy day project on the farm as well,
(02:20):
and it'll be certainly interesting to see what farmers do
with this money. And it's probably a once in a
lifetime opportunity, you'd say it wouldn't. Yeah, I don't think
we'll see this amount of cash injection into the rural industry.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Ever, Again, it's going to lift the New Zealand GDP
by zero point seven percent. This is one hell of
an injection for the economy.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
And it's an incredible and their rural services have taken
a beating over the past couple of years. So this
sort of money floating background in rural communities that will
certainly reach a long way. And we also know that
a lot of people in real communities do a lot
for the community as a whole, don't They donating carves,
the IHC Fund and that sort of thing. So I suspect,
(03:03):
you know that should be help keep those areas buoyant
this year. So that's there is good news.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
That's a great idea, Emma, because I'm involved with the
IHC CARF and Rural Scheme. So come on, farmers, you've
had a bit of a windfall. Share of the love.
Make a really good donation to a really great cause,
the IC CARF and Rural Scheme. I suspect a lot
of it will be used to pay down debt, a
lot of it, A chunk of it will be used
for investment on farm, but there's got to be an
(03:31):
element of it, Emma that will be for private spending.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
But maybe I'll get my haircut, Jamie, get a bit
of a jusia. I would be more interested to see, though,
what happens with the surplus billion. We've talked about it before,
and I went to the farm and meetings to try
and find out Fonterra was pretty soon and they were
going to be paying that debt. But then I've read
multiple articles since that have said they're going to be
there's going to be capital investment into other areas with
(03:56):
that surplus money. So I'd like to hear them get
their story straight and find out where that money is
going and hopefully it's to something sensible that will take
our take take us forward into the future.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Up next on the Country, a woman you know well,
doctor Jaquil and Roweth. I had actually caught up with
her a wee bit earlier this morning because she wasn't
available to do a live slot today and we made
the assumption, or I did, that there would be an
overwhelming yes vote. Interestingly asked her how things are going
in your home province? She said, cold and wet.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Yeah, yeah, everything is cold and wet. It's starting to
pick up today though it's definitely a bit warmer and
with sunny see some spring temperatures, but nothing like those
folks down in South Under. Ben facing her, just my
heart goes out to them and talking to Tim. They've
certainly had their challenges this season, so hopefully they're all
keeping their chin up down there and maybe this vote,
you know, it's they're going to need some of it
(04:48):
to turn around and repair some of those pumps and
the likes that have been washed out with all that water.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Absolutely so, how is Tim getting on? We've got him
on the show tomorrow. But you can let the cat
out of the bag.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Yeah, you left to make it give him U NORL
so that he can keep his hitt abouts ground and
have a proper jet to you. But no, he's doing
well down there. And yeah, same as just what I've said.
They're all just trying to keep their chin up and
get on with things. And much like he said after cyclone, Gabrielle,
you've the events happened. Now you've just got to turn
around and make a plan and assess the damage and
get on with it.
Speaker 1 (05:18):
Well, he's been on the receiving end of two of
our biggest weather events if you want, of the past
couple of years. He got smacked by Gabrielle or the
what was the Auckland storm before it called.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
The Yeah, I know what you mean, but I can't remember.
Speaker 1 (05:33):
I can't remember the name either, but the one that
came just before Gabrielle on the home farm there out
on the west Auckland flanks there. So he's got the
wind event in south and we will talk to him tomorrow. Hey, Emma, Paul,
thank you very much for your time as always, And
you go and splash some cash around in your local town.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
I go and get my hair cut Jeremie and put
my feet up.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
I don't think putting your feet up is really it's
not in your DNA. Not only are you a former
Young Farmer of the Year, you've got two dairy farms
and you still are you still practicing as a vet.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Ah here and be. I don't know if i'd call
myself practicing. Jamie.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
You're a very busy woman and we appreciate your time
today on the country. Thanks very much, Kiers, Jamie
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