December 15, 2025 • 36 mins
Jamie Mackay talks to Ray Smith, Damien O'Connor, Nadia Lim, Carlos Bagrie, Mark de Lautour, and Peter Newbold.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mcguy. Thanks to Brent, you're specialist in
John Deere machinery.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
For Christmas, there's just one thing.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
An.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Do you care about the presents? And Jeannie the Christmas tree?
Speaker 4 (00:27):
I just want for.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Even no.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Wish country for Christmas.
Speaker 5 (00:42):
Good afternoon, New Zealand. Welcome to the Country. The show
is brought to you by Brent. My name is Jamie mackay.
Can you believe this kid? Olivia Olsen was ten years
of age when she sang this on that great Christmas
flick Love Actually useless trivia for you today, But we've
got bigger fish to fry this small. We've got the
December situation and outlook for primary industries and it was
(01:06):
a really good one. The soapy report at one o'clock
will get HIIFU, which is what, off the top of
my head, a half yearly economic update or something like that.
Well sought that one out very shortly, so one o'clock
for that one. The numbers are really good around the
primary sect that we're going to tell you all about
them with Ray Smith direct the General of MPI, Damian
(01:27):
O'Connor for his final Argument in twenty twenty five. Nadia
Lym and Carlos baghriy New Zealand's power farming couple on
the show. They've had a very busy year. Mark de Latour,
chief Executive Open Country Derry has been on the acquisition
trail or his company has. We're going to talk about
their twenty twenty five and where that milk price might
(01:48):
end up for the twenty five twenty sixth season. And
Peter Newbolt not only the GM of PGG rights in
real estate, also the livestock division. Rahaps a pretty good
year for both divisions of PGG Wrights and lots to
get through. Between now and one, Michelle or wander in
here and tell you who won the electric cherries yesterday.
(02:08):
But up next it is Ray Smith, the Director General
of MPI. It is a day for acronyms today on
the Country as we kick off the show very shortly,
(02:30):
in fact, at one pm, we will have HAIFU, which
is the half yearly Economic financial Update. Earlier this morning
we had soapy from MPI the situation and outlook for
primary industries. The director General of MPI is Ray Smith,
and Ray, you keep smashing it out of the park
in the primary sector, well done.
Speaker 6 (02:52):
Well, what a fabulous result to a fullcast to close
the year out through cent growth on top of thirteen
percent last year for the primary sector, and they will
drive us up to sixty two billion dollars in export
innings and we expect that to continue, driven largely Jamie
boy by volume lifts for dairy, horticulture and forestry, and
(03:15):
and price increases the course for our important red meat sector.
And what a tremendous year they have here.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
Well, red meat's been the star of the stable. Now
let's just go through some of these numbers. We'll start
with the biggest one dairy export revenue lifting one percent
to twenty seven point four billion. That's a hell of
a lot of money. But as we know, the price
globally of milk is going down, So is that going
(03:41):
to put a dampner on your predictions for next year?
Speaker 6 (03:44):
No, I mean you've got to remember that dairy prices
have been sort of an absolute record levels. I mean,
if you're paying at milk prices in around a ten
dollar mark, I mean that's phenomenally high. So anything in
that nine dollar range is a tremendous price payer on
diary and just think about it like this. We've had
record milk solar production in the June to September period.
(04:07):
It's up about three point eight percent on last year.
And you know part of that has been, you know,
FARMAC having the confidence to bring in more feeds. There's
been a lot of subimentary feed to lift production. While
prices are good and we know that past your growth
out through through the summer period is likely to be
good with these ninia weather patterns affecting the North Island.
So look, new dealand is going to continue to produce well,
(04:29):
we'll probably produce more milk solids than we've ever produced
per car and there's a real demand for protein. So yes,
it's come off. It's very very high peaks, but stabilizing.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
It's still a good news story meat and Wallox sports.
Let's be honest here. It's mainly meet lifting seven percent,
as we said, Star of the Stable to thirteen point
two billion dollars. Do you know what one of the
standout numbers for me was Ray Smith direct, the General
of MPI Horticulture, A clear third now lifting five percent
to nine point two billion. Now, it wasn't that long
(04:59):
ago that horticulture and forestry were.
Speaker 6 (05:02):
Neck and neck absolutely and now Hulda culture is you know,
chasing that red meat sector, isn't it? And apples and
pairs over one point two billion is at December.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
Kiwi fruit nine percent growth.
Speaker 6 (05:17):
I mean, kiv fruit story is just phenomenal. In fact,
if you look back over the decades, Kiwi fruit sort
of never materialized until in the last couple of decades.
And you know, I think they've doubled the volume of
trays of red Kivu fruit this year, which is very
popular in the Asian markets. And of course the orchid returns,
(05:38):
ultid gate returns for for ortidice are just just at
phenomenally high levels. So avocados will go down a little bit.
But cherries we're expecting a really good return on cherries
this year because it plays into a slightly later Chinese
New Year, just in time for our harvest.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Forestry export revenue has lifted just two percent to six
point three billion, still very very very important, our fourth
biggest export sector, but it would be fair to say
it's had its challenges in the past two or three years.
Speaker 6 (06:07):
Yeah, and he's been quite a bit of consolidation, hasn't
there in some closed downs as well in the in
the forestry sector. But look, we're still, you know, the
biggest supplier of logs into the China market, where we
have big market share, and sawn timber prices are very
good out of the United States, even across the top
of those tariffs that were imposed. So the margins on
(06:29):
sort of our clearwood products that go into the United
States and into Australia are good. So look, I think
we'll see that forestry city to slowly pull its way
back through. And of course construction demands has been low,
which is also suppressed that the value of our product.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
Another couple of numbers to throw out there from me,
these I've cherry picked these, no pun intended. There are
Ray Smith, one and every seven people work in food
and fiber. And food and fiber now is responsible for
eighty three percent of our export goods earnings. Absolutely fantastic. Now,
I can't let you go on the show this week,
(07:05):
Ray Smith, without asking you, without any preparation at all. Again,
I have to think on your feet here, and I
know you do that for a living. Who is your
twenty twenty five AG Person of the Year.
Speaker 6 (07:16):
Well, Jamie, that gosh, every farmer in New Zealand yep
up for that price in my inestimation. But if I
was thinking a few key people, I'd say, you can't
go past the chief executive Frontira Miles har Or what
an outstanding job he has done and the time he's
been in that job and a big turnaround this year.
But can I also mention a couple of other people
I think phenomenal Pete Connolly who is Chief Executive ENSCO
(07:39):
and Zealand they have You'll know that we've just come
out of this in Bogus thing where we've declared that
we're on the home streetch and we're almost free of
this well that big feed lord of ENSCO, all the
controls have come off. That they've been tremendous in supporting
the program and making sure that we got information out
of the beef sector. We're just where. You want to
thank them for that and what they've done for that
(08:01):
whole beach sector and doing that. And of course it
can't go past my trailblazing, globe trotting Minister Tom McLay
who's he's been out of the country more than he's
been in it trying to do his best to get
a trade deal for news on.
Speaker 5 (08:15):
Yep okay, Ray Smith, thank you very much for your
time throughout twenty twenty five and well done to you
guys at MPI. I think we're going to very shortly
officially kick m Bovis for touch for good. Have a
great break. We'll catch you back next year.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
Thanks, thanks Jamie, having great Christmas.
Speaker 5 (08:32):
Thank you Ray. It is quarter past twelve. You are
with the country, So sorry to boy you with facts
and stories from Love actually two thousand and three. Great movie,
Olivia Olsen. His singing was so perfect. I'm reading this
from Wikipedia. It's got to be right. Her singing was
(08:54):
so perfect. The producers of Love actually thought the audience
wouldn't believe that a ten year old could really sing
the way she did, and would assume she was lip syncing.
They had to train her so her singing would sound
more believable, and add the sounds of inhalations to the track.
(09:16):
That's a bit like Andy Thompson's broadcasting. There's a few
inhalations there as well. I see someone's nominated him for
the ag Person of the Air. No accounting for taste anyhow.
Up next, Damien O'Connor I wonder who is ag Person
of the Year is. Before the end of the show
Power Couple Nadia Lemon, Carlos Bagory, Mark de Latour, Peter Newbolt, me.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
The Christmas Tree.
Speaker 5 (10:06):
Welcome back to the country. I wonder if our next
guest for the final time in twenty twenty five, Labour's
trade spokesperson likes love. Actually you're a bit of a
romantic at heart, Damien. Do you like this movie?
Speaker 7 (10:19):
Oh, you know, it's one of those ones. It's quite
a cute movie that you know. I don't say good,
you know, I don't get too over excited for it.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
Yeah, yeah, Okay, Well, now the fans will be disappointed
if we don't have an argument to finish twenty twenty
five off, because that's what they like. But before we
do that, let's agree on some things. This government is
doing a tremendous job with the primary sector, as witnessed
by those soaping numbers this morning. I'm sure you'll concur
with me.
Speaker 7 (10:46):
Well, that's a good place to just start that. Actually
they don't look so good moving out. We've had a
good year this year, of course, recordairy in beef prices,
but actually, you know, drops back down to three percent
next year in terms of growth, and that's below what
has been the ten year average of five percent. Six
of those years of course where we were.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
So you're going to claim glory for those well.
Speaker 7 (11:09):
As we should do. That was through a COVID period
which was a pretty challenging time Internationally, we had the
Ukraine War, so yeah, we claimed some of the credit
for that. But they are the numbers look good, although
you know, slight softening of that growth into the next year,
but we understand that dairy prices are softening a little bit,
indications of increased international production and dairy. That beef looks
(11:32):
pretty strong, so you know, overall it's not a bad outlock.
Speaker 5 (11:35):
Well, beef and lamb are both pretty strong. And the
other one is horticulture, Damien, if you I know that
beef or meat and wall went up by seven percent
to thirteen point two billion, but horticulture has been outstanding.
It has gone lifted five percent to nine point two billion,
driven by kew fruit. And it's not that long ago.
As I've already said on the show today that horticulture
(11:58):
and forestry were kind and neck and neck.
Speaker 7 (12:01):
Look, we just had a celebration of court New Zealand
twenty years in existence, and I was here and remember
celebrating that add it's inauguration and it was where some
real leadership across the sector came together said we need
to combine so we can talk to government, so we
can work on the long term strategies. In fact, they
were talking with us in government at the time and
that allowed them to advocate for the RC scheme and
(12:25):
so we bought that in government. Because the industry was
united and its objectives and they had it. They developed
a strategy and you know a couple of people there,
I won't get into names, but some of them drove
that strategy and drove the success that we see in horticulture,
but kind of softened off a little bit. So, you know,
we have wine growers, the great growers aren't doing quite
(12:47):
so well. We've got a wasted opportunity and honey advocados
you know, good and bad. We've got to do a
bit more coordination across those horticultural sectors, I think, to
get more value from them.
Speaker 5 (13:00):
Such a good government. I can't believe we voted you out.
Speaker 7 (13:03):
Well, I have identified some of your stupidity before, you know,
So yeah, I don't like to get into that, but yes,
sometimes you make mistakes.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Now, the free trade agreement with India, you I'm going
to have a shot at you here. You put that
in the two hard a basket. Todd mcclay's going to
get this across the line.
Speaker 7 (13:22):
We didn't. We said that in our belief we needed
to build the relationships with India, and in fact, there's
some very good ones there and that that continued on
and they are negotiating and we'll see what the agreement is.
I think they'll have to come up with something that
will be signed before next year. And that's great. I'm
applauding any progress, but to get a substantive, comprehensive trade agreement,
(13:44):
you know, it's probably going to take a little longer.
But let's wait and see. I mean I've said to Todd,
good luck and go hard, and you know, but building
those relationships with a country like India, I think mister
Trump has helped us or helped the country that is that.
You know, he dealt a pretty hard blow to India,
and so India's looking a little harder to build relationships
with others, and we happen to be knocking on the door.
(14:07):
So you know, timing is everything and for lots of things,
and I think we're trying to negotiate it at the
right time and no one wants to kind of trump factor,
which is instability across the trade. He who is to pervade,
but there has helped us in the short term to.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
Really quickly finish on a text has just come on, Jamie,
could you ask Damien what he thought of Professor will
Happer's talks. He's the guy that Groundswell brought over. As
I know, he would have been in the front row.
I suspect that's a facetious comment.
Speaker 7 (14:36):
Yeah, look, I didn't I had to say I didn't
study every one of her presentations. I'm not sure I'm
convinced that Groundswell has added much to know agricultural thinking
over the last six or seven years. But you know,
I'm not dismissing what is some of his views might be.
But you know, as I say, better to focus on
(14:58):
the realities, which is the so Opie Report, which is
the trends that are provided to us from people like
IM proud for to go around the world and the
newfield scholars who go around, who come back and pretty cleanly,
plainly present some of those trend lines to us, and
if we ignore them at our peril.
Speaker 5 (15:17):
All Right, we've got a enoughfield scholar up next, Carlos Bagri,
along with this better half, Nadier Limb power farming couple. Okay,
Damien O'Connor, here's your shot at glory, your last shot
at the title in twenty twenty five. We've hardly argued
it all. I'm going to get sacked from the job
unless I left the game. Who is your twenty twenty
five agg Person of the Year?
Speaker 7 (15:37):
I'll picked two, you know, to be balanced, Jim Ward
and Lucy Brown, and both of them the whole story
is a group of young women who are really trying
to push the sustainability message out near Jim, who's been
committed to you know, well more than twenty three years,
twenty four years at molsbeth a line but now advocating
(15:58):
for the wider sect, and a whole lot of people
who have been feel a bit beaten up in Parmu.
But anyway, those of my two I had short notice,
and I know they're both worthy recipients of some recognition
of the good work that they're doing for agriculture.
Speaker 5 (16:14):
Tis the season forgiving and to be kind to all mankind.
So let's just agree to disagree some of the time,
and I might catch you for a beer over the break.
Speaker 7 (16:24):
Happy to have you shout me a beer anytime, Jamie.
Speaker 5 (16:26):
I didn't say that, we'll go Dutch. See you later,
see it right, Damian O'Connor. Twenty seven after twelve, This
is the country, No time to waste up. Next Nadia Lemon,
Carlos Baghriy Michelle's got the winners of the electric cherries
(16:50):
from yesterday, and we've got Mark de Latour and Peter
Nubold to come as we count down four the last
week of the country twenty.
Speaker 8 (17:00):
Five outside as grateful what the fire is so delightful.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
And since we've not less to go, we're counting down
to Christmas here on the country, and I reckon and
many Christmas stockings could be a book by one of
our two next guests. Her name is Nadia Lemon, of course,
the book is Nadia's Farm Kitchen. Nadia, We're going to
talk to Carlos Bagri in a minute, but your book
is number one on the non fiction best sellers list.
(17:37):
You even headed off just sinda a different kind of power.
Speaker 9 (17:41):
Oh, thank you, Jamie. Do you know I had only
heard rumors of that, so you have actually confirmed what
I've heard, So you knew the news before me. But yeah,
I was kind of told that, yeah, that it looks
like the book was going to be number one for
this year, and great to hear that it actually is.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Well, when I say I know it's number one, I
read it in the Listener like everyone else. So I'm
going to take the Listener at their words. So you
are number one.
Speaker 9 (18:07):
Did to the farmers. Your books are on the way
because they posted them last week. Sorry I was a
bit let's post them so you probably haven't seen it yet,
but the dedication is to our farmers and food producers
of New Zealand.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
Well, they're not actually my books. I'm giving them out
to a couple of winners that were neglected to sit you.
Oh this one for me, Well there's one Christmas present,
so of there's a box and MacKaye's that coming your way.
Twenty twenty five for you guys, has been a bit
of a change around. Instead of Nadia's Farm, the TV
program became Nardia's Farm Kitchen, and I know Carlos Bagri.
(18:41):
You were heavily involved, obviously, especially at the early part
of the year in your Nuffield scholarship.
Speaker 10 (18:47):
Oh and what a journey that's been, you know, that
has been a I think it was a bit thirteen countries,
been a part of four months abroad and got back
this year and hit to sit down and this was
hearder than participate it to be writing a twenty thirty
we had was that twenty thousand word paper on my
findings and what I saw abroad.
Speaker 5 (19:08):
I've got a really short attention span, Carlos, And I
tell Michelle, my producer, if it's more than an a
four page I'm not reading it. Do you have an
executive summary?
Speaker 10 (19:17):
I do, Yeah, there's there's there's a one to two
page tucked away on you. If you want to find
it, it will be on the Rural Leader's website, and so
you can. Yeah, there, not just mine, but that all
the other Noffield scholars have both their execut summaries as
well as the full papers and all the references.
Speaker 5 (19:33):
So just just in thirty seconds or less, what was
the guts of your thesis?
Speaker 10 (19:38):
The guts of it really was looking at it from
a macroeconomics perspective and looking at the New Zealand economy
going okay, look, we've got two main two main businesses
that are generating our expert earnings, one being of course tourism,
the other one being primary production. So those are your two,
your two big ones, and we need to maintain and
(19:59):
drive both hard as well as we possibly can into
the future. Basically, what I come out at the end
of it was, hey, look, we've got two amazing industries
that we need to continue to invest in, But what
is the third leg to our economy?
Speaker 6 (20:12):
Like what is what like?
Speaker 10 (20:13):
And what's the third leg to our still.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
And what is the third leg?
Speaker 2 (20:16):
Wow?
Speaker 4 (20:17):
That's up for.
Speaker 10 (20:17):
Debate, all right, yeah, yeah, So that's that's that's I mean,
that's part of the crunch of it. What what what
is it that we can invest in New Zealand and
continue to drive forwards worth and wow? Yeah, I mean
there's all sorts of things. You can look at Ireland
with taxation, and you look at finance with like Switzerland
and Singapore as well, like economies that are similar to ours,
(20:38):
populations that are similar to ours, and what has other
what what has other countries done that has worked.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
I know you two are an incredibly busy and I
call and you hate this, I know, but the celebrity
farming power couple of New Zealand, you lead very very
busy lives. So Nadia, what's up next for you? In
twenty twenty six? Will there be another series of Nadia's
Farm Kitchen.
Speaker 9 (21:04):
Well, I'm not looking too far ahead right now because
I feel like I needed to take a little bit
of a break, you know, just maybe at least six
weeks or so over the Christmas summer holiday period, so
hopefully I won't be doing too much over that period
of time.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
But yeah, it.
Speaker 9 (21:20):
Looks like we've been commissioned for another series of Nadia's
Farm Kitchen. That did really well. It was, it was
really popular, and the book that came up with it
has been has done really well too. So yeah, it
sounds like we'll be doing it next year. But you know,
I won't say definitely until we actually start rolling the camera,
but it has been commissioned.
Speaker 5 (21:40):
Yeah, carlos By, you're not renowned for sitting around twiddling
your thumbs or sitting on your thumbs. What's up for you?
What new adventures have you got on the farm?
Speaker 10 (21:49):
On the well, a lot of it as you off
the farm. At the moment on Farmers is continuing driving
at butchery in Erbatire. We're scaling up her arable so
we've got oh a lot of crops in the ground
this year, more than we've ever done. But a lot
of my focus on over the next twelve months will
be Swifty beer and of course in the mckibbon's Restell stores.
(22:09):
So we took over a retail store it's like a small,
small supermarket in Queenstown late last year. I mean working
away on that. So really, to be honest, we're very lucky.
We get to work on some very cool projects and
those are a couple of them.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
How good is it having your own beer, Carlos, It's right.
Speaker 7 (22:29):
You have no.
Speaker 5 (22:31):
Amerson's make house. It's just got my name on it.
I don't do anything about it. You do all the
work for yours.
Speaker 10 (22:38):
Well, that's probably my favorite. You turn up to a barbecue,
I've got my own land meet, I've got my own beer.
It's a it's a it's a great scenario.
Speaker 5 (22:49):
And you've got Nadia Alum on your arm.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
Well, this is a.
Speaker 5 (22:54):
Punching Well, I'm truly punching Carlos. Yeah, it's a compliment,
all right you guys. Hey, look, thank you very much
for me always being available anytime I ring you up.
You say, sure, have a great remainder of your twenty
twenty five and Merry Christmas with your family. Will catch
you back next year. And I've sent you a box
of Makaisa. No pressure, Carlos, but you know reciprocation.
Speaker 10 (23:17):
It will be way good on you.
Speaker 5 (23:19):
And thanks for the box, Nadia, See you later.
Speaker 10 (23:22):
Thank you, Jem.
Speaker 9 (23:23):
Merry Christmas.
Speaker 5 (23:24):
Yeah to you guys as well. No time to waste.
Michelle is chomping at the bit or is it championing
at the but I can never get that. But right
to announce the winner of the electric cherries from yesterday,
and we'll have rural news and sports news for you
as well. Dear, We're still good, okay, welcome back to
(23:46):
the country. I know you're all thinking that's not a
Christmas song, but apparently it is. His Michelle with the
latest and rural.
Speaker 11 (23:53):
News, the country's world news with Cold Cadet, New Zealand's
leading right on lawn Bower Bread and steel Ford dot
Co dot z for your local stockerst and Michelle.
Speaker 5 (24:03):
I'm running horribly behind time because it's meant to be
with Mark de Latour at twelve thirty, who won the
electric Cherries courtesy of Mike Casey yesterday.
Speaker 12 (24:12):
Congratulations to Steve Kyles from Ashburton and jan ABERNETI from Carterton.
Speaker 5 (24:16):
Well done you you are so lucky. And we're running
an unofficial poll on the country at the moment is
it on their Facebook page?
Speaker 12 (24:22):
That is on the Facebook page to go drop your
votes and at the moment Jane Smith has got an
overwhelming lead. But some great names in there are Hugh
of course young Farmer of the Year, George Dodson as well.
David Clark's names in there. One of your mates is
in there as well. Who's that who name we shall
not speak? Actually Damiens not on there.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
Someone wants to know Andy Thompson's in there. Isn't any
heavy breathing anyhow, tom op Okay, that's no time to waste.
I've got to hurry out.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
This sport on the country with AFCO invested in your
foaming success.
Speaker 5 (24:53):
Has anyone voted for me? No? Okay? Could Warren Gatland
be poised to return to international coaching rugby website Rock
UK reports the sixty two year olds poised to take
over as the head coach of Georgia. Gatlin stood down
from coaching Wales during his this year's Six Nations after
a record fourteenth straight defeats and really looking forward to
(25:14):
that third Ashes Test getting underway in Adelaide tomorrow and
of course Nathan Lyon is back hoping to prove the
select is wrong. Up next that is Mark Delatour from
Open Country Dairy.
Speaker 8 (25:32):
Outside it as playful, what the fire is?
Speaker 5 (25:35):
Counting down to the end of the year and we
bid our correspondence from twenty twenty five goodbye. This bloke
is the chief executive of Open Country Dairy, as second
biggest a dairy company, obviously behind Fonterra. He's had a
busy year. He has been on the acquisition trail, buying
Matara Valley Milk and me Raca. And if that wasn't enough,
(25:56):
I think last week Mark Delatour, you opened your new
Butterplly and Waharoa in the White Caddo.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jamie. That's did right and it makes
that I think I've had eleven Christmas party functions to
go to with our suppliers, so I found seven or
eight kilos. If you've lost it during that time, Jenny.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
And I haven't lost it, but I've sent you a
box of Makaisa which might add another aequila. You deserve
it hard yards. Indeed, Hey, I was down south on
a golf trip recently and I drove past Mattara Valley
Milk which is just outside of Gore, my former old
home patch, and I'm thinking, what a brand spanking new
site that is to get your hands on.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
Yeah, it is, it is, and look, we're really proud
of that. We feel the same as we drive into
it now it's across meat Acre and Matara Valley. We
have been busy and not not all the tasks have
been pleasant in the last few months. You know, we've
had Matara for six weeks and meat Acre for about
three months now, and we needed to write size those businesses.
(26:56):
So we've been going through that uncomfortable process. But you know,
when it comes to if you look at Matara Valley side,
as you said, and you walk into it, you know
we call it our our last and Martin really because
it shows very well and there's a high performance sight.
Probably I guess carrying on with that analogy, Jamie, it's
really been used to date to take the kids to school,
(27:18):
you know. So our plans are to get it out
on a racetrack and see what it can do.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
Well, I've got to give you some credit. You said
to me months ago that the milk price was going
to be nine to fifty. It's going to go below that.
I see rabobank is now at nine dollars and you
guys have dropped down to nine dollars thirty. Where have
we gone wrong?
Speaker 1 (27:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (27:38):
I think, I mean, I don't want to be the
soothsayer of doom on that one. I just I just
felt that, you know, a nine to fifty. I think
it was around fixed milk proce you took one of
our fixed milk price offers at nine fifty, Jamien, I
think you know, it just it fell on my bones
that after the last two seasons, that was a pretty
good pick. And and so it's proved. But yeah, I
(27:58):
think at the end of the day, Jamie, is just
a lot of product available at the moment. You know,
when global prices after two years have been this strong,
production increases and so I think buyers see that it
is peak production out of New Zealand with a fair
bit of volume being popped around on various markets at
(28:20):
the moment, so buyers are holding off thinking that next
week's price might be better than this week. So it
becomes a self fulfilling prophecy a little bit. So I
still think, Jamie, we'll get through this peak. The good
news and Zealand farmers is that I don't see the
demand being poor in the globe. You know, if you
see buyers not buying because consumer demands off, then it's
(28:43):
a little bit more of a worry.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
Right now.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
It's just because there's so much supply, buyers are just
being cautious and that tends to trigger a price adjustment.
But while demands I would say, you know, by the
end of the season, we're still pigging. That it solidifize
a little bit and the more we should be right
for the next season.
Speaker 5 (29:03):
Well, I hope you're right. We've got a global dairy
trade auction tonight. Is it are given that it will
drop again?
Speaker 4 (29:08):
Yep, I would say, so.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
You've had no preparation on this. I did tell you
in the ad break before we went to air, you've
got to name your agg person of the air now interestingly,
or and begrudgingly perhaps, Mark Delatour, your ag Person of
the Year last year was your competition, Miles Hurrell, it.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
Was, and no problem doing a bit this year. I
have been thinking about it during the ad breaks, you know,
and I'm probably going to go with the can Can
I go with a tie?
Speaker 4 (29:40):
Jane?
Speaker 5 (29:41):
I'm thinking, I know, this isn't hang on, this isn't
primary school netball. Not counting the scores, Mark Delatour, you
can only have one win. I don't do ties well.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
I'm deciding whether between Chris Bishop and Simon Court for
their r m A reform bill, which I think is
going to be the greatest advantage for dairy farmers and
gilling a little in the next few years. So I'm
pretty happy with either of those two. But if you
want a spokespersonal view, you'd have to go with the
Prince of the Provinces, will you?
Speaker 8 (30:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (30:09):
Shane es He's a favorite here on the Country Lover's work,
the old Martou of Shane. Anyhow, I think Chris Bishop
was the guy who really drove those RMA changes. Thank you,
Mark de Latour for your time throughout twenty twenty five.
It's been a huge year for Open Country Dairy. We'll
catch you back next year.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
Absolutely, I'm looking forward to those Michais's Day.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
We let us know Christmas for the final time in
twenty twenty five. Here is the head of Livestock and
real Estate for PGG Rights and his name is Petere
and Newbolt, and Peter, I forgot to tell you that
I'm going to ask you in about three minutes time
for your ag person of the Year. Sorry to land
(30:50):
that on you. You think about that while you're talking
to me, and I'll see if you can multitask now
which has been better for PGG Rights and the real
estate division or the live stock division in twenty twenty five.
I reckon it would be the livestock division, wouldn't it?
Speaker 10 (31:07):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (31:07):
And no, I think if you look at the livestock's
been really good and a both businesses started to see
gains early this year. So if you look at livestock,
probably we turned the corner last January and things just
basically took off and have continued ever since. If you
look at real estate, and I was going back and
reviewing that probably about March April earlier in the year,
(31:31):
that's when basically we turned the corner and we've seen
continued momentum right the way through to you know where
we are today. And I don't think that'll change. And
as you know, there's some key drivers there that influenced that.
When you look at returns, farmers are getting interest rates,
slowing of inflation, etc. So it's a really good space
(31:52):
for both. And I think the other thing, Jamie, is
that really the returns that the farmers are getting is
definitely fluids.
Speaker 5 (32:00):
In the real estate market, and so it should I mean,
the price of farm should be related to yield, not
capital gain. I think that capital gain story is almost
a thing of the past, is it.
Speaker 4 (32:10):
Oh, definitely. And that's one thing we have noticed is
especially some of those larger land sales, those that are
purchasing are definitely looking on a return basis, because otherwise
it just doesn't stack up and your bank's not going
to lend you the money, et cetera, et cetera. So
definitely there's the odd exception, but it's all looked it's
looked at from a yield perspective.
Speaker 5 (32:32):
These days, are you still selling dairy farms as quick
as you can list them? Because to be fair. Even
since we last chatted in November, the dairy market has
called its jets aweb.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
Yeah, it had is cool, but I don't think it's
made any difference at this point. And also there's limited stocks,
so that probably helps that piece. But look, it's still
moving along, I think at a good rate, especially in
some of those key areas you know, mid Cannon or whatever.
It's still moving long, strongly. There's not an oversupply, so
(33:04):
that maintains momentum. So no, I don't think things have changed,
and I don't know when you look at the long
term position, you'd still think Dairya is in a good
space moving forward.
Speaker 5 (33:15):
Absolutely, and the star of the stable at the moment,
because I don't know whether they're caught up on the
soapy numbers. This morning, meat and Walllex sport revenue and
it's mainly meat. Let's face it, up seven percent to
thirteen point two billion dollars, So that's a great number
and that's got to encourage I would think investment in
sheep and beef farming.
Speaker 4 (33:36):
Yeah, definitely, And we think we're going to see shep
and beef come alive in the new year. We're starting
to see a bit of activity now. You know the
last two months have been really strong. But the feeling
is as we go in to get through those early
summer months and move into autumn, I think we're going
to see a big change in that space, which is good.
The only thing I think our vendors just need to
(33:59):
be mine for that. You know, they don't get ahead
of where the market is.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
Hey.
Speaker 5 (34:04):
The other one to quickly touch on, meet and Walt
Star of the Soapy Report this morning, Horticulture not far behind,
up five percent to over nine billion now and Kiwi
fruit is very much driving that.
Speaker 4 (34:17):
Yeah, and Kiwi fruit just is quietly moving along. We're
starting to see more activity, We're starting to see more
at sales, and again that momentum will continue into the
next season. I think the other thing too is some
people need to wake up and understand what the rural
marketplace or economy is doing for the wider country. And
(34:38):
when you see some of those numbers that have come
out today, you know, if we weren't backing our rural friends,
we'd be in big trouble.
Speaker 5 (34:46):
Food and fiber, yes, responsible for eighty three percent of
our export. God, it's okay, Peter Newbold, You've had two minutes,
two and a half minutes to think about it while
we've been chatting away about real estate. Who's your twenty
twenty five ag person of the Year.
Speaker 4 (35:00):
Yeah, it was pretty easy for me. Peter McBride. I
think he's a gentleman that quietly goes about achieving and
everything he seems to get involved in he adds some
value to it. So that's who I would pick for
the year from where I sit.
Speaker 5 (35:17):
Well, you wouldn't get an argument from me. He is,
of course the chair of Fonterra, former chair of Zesprie.
Success follows that man around. Yeah, very much, the choiet achiever. Hey,
thank you very much for your input throughout twenty twenty five.
Will catch you back again next year. And just from
me as the ambassador for the IC carf and Rural Scheme,
thank you to you and the team at PGG Wrights
(35:39):
and for everything you do. The calf sales have gone gangbusters,
We've raised record money for the IC. Have a good Christmas.
We'll catch you back next year. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (35:47):
Thanks, Jamine, you have a good Christmas with your family
and we'll speak in January.
Speaker 8 (35:53):
Good.
Speaker 5 (35:53):
Indeed, we will thank you. Peter. Well, that wraps the
Country Peter McBride, Michelle is a good nomination for ag
Peron of the Year. Don Carson, who kicked all this
off years ago in the Farming Show Days, will make
a cameo appearance on Friday Show to name his AG
person of the year. Have you got your thinking hat
on yet?
Speaker 3 (36:11):
I have.
Speaker 12 (36:11):
I've got three in mind, but I don't want to
mention them yet.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
No. No, You've got to keep them out to dry
it all Friday. And to be honest, the best ideas
are stolen. I'm waiting to hear everyone else's agg person
of the Year and then I will name ours.
Speaker 12 (36:26):
I can't wait to hear yours.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
No ours, Michelle. Remember this is a dictator ship, it
is Yeah, you're right, yep, Okay. I will catch you
back tomorrow. Krystal ba Lux and Myles Hurral, Jane Smith
Hunter McGregor enjoy your Tuesday, but.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
If you really grab me catch all the latest from
the land It's the Country Podcast with Jamie McKay. Thanks
to friend, You're specialist in John Deere construction equipment
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mcguy. Thanks to Brent, you're specialist in
John Deere machinery.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
For Christmas, there's just one thing.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
An.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Do you care about the presents? And Jeannie the Christmas tree?
Speaker 4 (00:27):
I just want for.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
Even no.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Wish country for Christmas.
Speaker 5 (00:42):
Good afternoon, New Zealand. Welcome to the Country. The show
is brought to you by Brent. My name is Jamie mackay.
Can you believe this kid? Olivia Olsen was ten years
of age when she sang this on that great Christmas
flick Love Actually useless trivia for you today, But we've
got bigger fish to fry this small. We've got the
December situation and outlook for primary industries and it was
(01:06):
a really good one. The soapy report at one o'clock
will get HIIFU, which is what, off the top of
my head, a half yearly economic update or something like that.
Well sought that one out very shortly, so one o'clock
for that one. The numbers are really good around the
primary sect that we're going to tell you all about
them with Ray Smith direct the General of MPI, Damian
(01:27):
O'Connor for his final Argument in twenty twenty five. Nadia
Lym and Carlos baghriy New Zealand's power farming couple on
the show. They've had a very busy year. Mark de Latour,
chief Executive Open Country Derry has been on the acquisition
trail or his company has. We're going to talk about
their twenty twenty five and where that milk price might
(01:48):
end up for the twenty five twenty sixth season. And
Peter Newbolt not only the GM of PGG rights in
real estate, also the livestock division. Rahaps a pretty good
year for both divisions of PGG Wrights and lots to
get through. Between now and one, Michelle or wander in
here and tell you who won the electric cherries yesterday.
(02:08):
But up next it is Ray Smith, the Director General
of MPI. It is a day for acronyms today on
the Country as we kick off the show very shortly,
(02:30):
in fact, at one pm, we will have HAIFU, which
is the half yearly Economic financial Update. Earlier this morning
we had soapy from MPI the situation and outlook for
primary industries. The director General of MPI is Ray Smith,
and Ray, you keep smashing it out of the park
in the primary sector, well done.
Speaker 6 (02:52):
Well, what a fabulous result to a fullcast to close
the year out through cent growth on top of thirteen
percent last year for the primary sector, and they will
drive us up to sixty two billion dollars in export
innings and we expect that to continue, driven largely Jamie
boy by volume lifts for dairy, horticulture and forestry, and
(03:15):
and price increases the course for our important red meat sector.
And what a tremendous year they have here.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
Well, red meat's been the star of the stable. Now
let's just go through some of these numbers. We'll start
with the biggest one dairy export revenue lifting one percent
to twenty seven point four billion. That's a hell of
a lot of money. But as we know, the price
globally of milk is going down, So is that going
(03:41):
to put a dampner on your predictions for next year?
Speaker 6 (03:44):
No, I mean you've got to remember that dairy prices
have been sort of an absolute record levels. I mean,
if you're paying at milk prices in around a ten
dollar mark, I mean that's phenomenally high. So anything in
that nine dollar range is a tremendous price payer on
diary and just think about it like this. We've had
record milk solar production in the June to September period.
(04:07):
It's up about three point eight percent on last year.
And you know part of that has been, you know,
FARMAC having the confidence to bring in more feeds. There's
been a lot of subimentary feed to lift production. While
prices are good and we know that past your growth
out through through the summer period is likely to be
good with these ninia weather patterns affecting the North Island.
So look, new dealand is going to continue to produce well,
(04:29):
we'll probably produce more milk solids than we've ever produced
per car and there's a real demand for protein. So yes,
it's come off. It's very very high peaks, but stabilizing.
Speaker 5 (04:37):
It's still a good news story meat and Wallox sports.
Let's be honest here. It's mainly meet lifting seven percent,
as we said, Star of the Stable to thirteen point
two billion dollars. Do you know what one of the
standout numbers for me was Ray Smith direct, the General
of MPI Horticulture, A clear third now lifting five percent
to nine point two billion. Now, it wasn't that long
(04:59):
ago that horticulture and forestry were.
Speaker 6 (05:02):
Neck and neck absolutely and now Hulda culture is you know,
chasing that red meat sector, isn't it? And apples and
pairs over one point two billion is at December.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
Kiwi fruit nine percent growth.
Speaker 6 (05:17):
I mean, kiv fruit story is just phenomenal. In fact,
if you look back over the decades, Kiwi fruit sort
of never materialized until in the last couple of decades.
And you know, I think they've doubled the volume of
trays of red Kivu fruit this year, which is very
popular in the Asian markets. And of course the orchid returns,
(05:38):
ultid gate returns for for ortidice are just just at
phenomenally high levels. So avocados will go down a little bit.
But cherries we're expecting a really good return on cherries
this year because it plays into a slightly later Chinese
New Year, just in time for our harvest.
Speaker 5 (05:54):
Forestry export revenue has lifted just two percent to six
point three billion, still very very very important, our fourth
biggest export sector, but it would be fair to say
it's had its challenges in the past two or three years.
Speaker 6 (06:07):
Yeah, and he's been quite a bit of consolidation, hasn't
there in some closed downs as well in the in
the forestry sector. But look, we're still, you know, the
biggest supplier of logs into the China market, where we
have big market share, and sawn timber prices are very
good out of the United States, even across the top
of those tariffs that were imposed. So the margins on
(06:29):
sort of our clearwood products that go into the United
States and into Australia are good. So look, I think
we'll see that forestry city to slowly pull its way
back through. And of course construction demands has been low,
which is also suppressed that the value of our product.
Speaker 5 (06:44):
Another couple of numbers to throw out there from me,
these I've cherry picked these, no pun intended. There are
Ray Smith, one and every seven people work in food
and fiber. And food and fiber now is responsible for
eighty three percent of our export goods earnings. Absolutely fantastic. Now,
I can't let you go on the show this week,
(07:05):
Ray Smith, without asking you, without any preparation at all. Again,
I have to think on your feet here, and I
know you do that for a living. Who is your
twenty twenty five AG Person of the Year.
Speaker 6 (07:16):
Well, Jamie, that gosh, every farmer in New Zealand yep
up for that price in my inestimation. But if I
was thinking a few key people, I'd say, you can't
go past the chief executive Frontira Miles har Or what
an outstanding job he has done and the time he's
been in that job and a big turnaround this year.
But can I also mention a couple of other people
I think phenomenal Pete Connolly who is Chief Executive ENSCO
(07:39):
and Zealand they have You'll know that we've just come
out of this in Bogus thing where we've declared that
we're on the home streetch and we're almost free of
this well that big feed lord of ENSCO, all the
controls have come off. That they've been tremendous in supporting
the program and making sure that we got information out
of the beef sector. We're just where. You want to
thank them for that and what they've done for that
(08:01):
whole beach sector and doing that. And of course it
can't go past my trailblazing, globe trotting Minister Tom McLay
who's he's been out of the country more than he's
been in it trying to do his best to get
a trade deal for news on.
Speaker 5 (08:15):
Yep okay, Ray Smith, thank you very much for your
time throughout twenty twenty five and well done to you
guys at MPI. I think we're going to very shortly
officially kick m Bovis for touch for good. Have a
great break. We'll catch you back next year.
Speaker 6 (08:30):
Thanks, thanks Jamie, having great Christmas.
Speaker 5 (08:32):
Thank you Ray. It is quarter past twelve. You are
with the country, So sorry to boy you with facts
and stories from Love actually two thousand and three. Great movie,
Olivia Olsen. His singing was so perfect. I'm reading this
from Wikipedia. It's got to be right. Her singing was
(08:54):
so perfect. The producers of Love actually thought the audience
wouldn't believe that a ten year old could really sing
the way she did, and would assume she was lip syncing.
They had to train her so her singing would sound
more believable, and add the sounds of inhalations to the track.
(09:16):
That's a bit like Andy Thompson's broadcasting. There's a few
inhalations there as well. I see someone's nominated him for
the ag Person of the Air. No accounting for taste anyhow.
Up next, Damien O'Connor I wonder who is ag Person
of the Year is. Before the end of the show
Power Couple Nadia Lemon, Carlos Bagory, Mark de Latour, Peter Newbolt, me.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
The Christmas Tree.
Speaker 5 (10:06):
Welcome back to the country. I wonder if our next
guest for the final time in twenty twenty five, Labour's
trade spokesperson likes love. Actually you're a bit of a
romantic at heart, Damien. Do you like this movie?
Speaker 7 (10:19):
Oh, you know, it's one of those ones. It's quite
a cute movie that you know. I don't say good,
you know, I don't get too over excited for it.
Speaker 5 (10:26):
Yeah, yeah, Okay, Well, now the fans will be disappointed
if we don't have an argument to finish twenty twenty
five off, because that's what they like. But before we
do that, let's agree on some things. This government is
doing a tremendous job with the primary sector, as witnessed
by those soaping numbers this morning. I'm sure you'll concur
with me.
Speaker 7 (10:46):
Well, that's a good place to just start that. Actually
they don't look so good moving out. We've had a
good year this year, of course, recordairy in beef prices,
but actually, you know, drops back down to three percent
next year in terms of growth, and that's below what
has been the ten year average of five percent. Six
of those years of course where we were.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
So you're going to claim glory for those well.
Speaker 7 (11:09):
As we should do. That was through a COVID period
which was a pretty challenging time Internationally, we had the
Ukraine War, so yeah, we claimed some of the credit
for that. But they are the numbers look good, although
you know, slight softening of that growth into the next year,
but we understand that dairy prices are softening a little bit,
indications of increased international production and dairy. That beef looks
(11:32):
pretty strong, so you know, overall it's not a bad outlock.
Speaker 5 (11:35):
Well, beef and lamb are both pretty strong. And the
other one is horticulture, Damien, if you I know that
beef or meat and wall went up by seven percent
to thirteen point two billion, but horticulture has been outstanding.
It has gone lifted five percent to nine point two billion,
driven by kew fruit. And it's not that long ago.
As I've already said on the show today that horticulture
(11:58):
and forestry were kind and neck and neck.
Speaker 7 (12:01):
Look, we just had a celebration of court New Zealand
twenty years in existence, and I was here and remember
celebrating that add it's inauguration and it was where some
real leadership across the sector came together said we need
to combine so we can talk to government, so we
can work on the long term strategies. In fact, they
were talking with us in government at the time and
that allowed them to advocate for the RC scheme and
(12:25):
so we bought that in government. Because the industry was
united and its objectives and they had it. They developed
a strategy and you know a couple of people there,
I won't get into names, but some of them drove
that strategy and drove the success that we see in horticulture,
but kind of softened off a little bit. So, you know,
we have wine growers, the great growers aren't doing quite
(12:47):
so well. We've got a wasted opportunity and honey advocados
you know, good and bad. We've got to do a
bit more coordination across those horticultural sectors, I think, to
get more value from them.
Speaker 5 (13:00):
Such a good government. I can't believe we voted you out.
Speaker 7 (13:03):
Well, I have identified some of your stupidity before, you know,
So yeah, I don't like to get into that, but yes,
sometimes you make mistakes.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Now, the free trade agreement with India, you I'm going
to have a shot at you here. You put that
in the two hard a basket. Todd mcclay's going to
get this across the line.
Speaker 7 (13:22):
We didn't. We said that in our belief we needed
to build the relationships with India, and in fact, there's
some very good ones there and that that continued on
and they are negotiating and we'll see what the agreement is.
I think they'll have to come up with something that
will be signed before next year. And that's great. I'm
applauding any progress, but to get a substantive, comprehensive trade agreement,
(13:44):
you know, it's probably going to take a little longer.
But let's wait and see. I mean I've said to Todd,
good luck and go hard, and you know, but building
those relationships with a country like India, I think mister
Trump has helped us or helped the country that is that.
You know, he dealt a pretty hard blow to India,
and so India's looking a little harder to build relationships
with others, and we happen to be knocking on the door.
(14:07):
So you know, timing is everything and for lots of things,
and I think we're trying to negotiate it at the
right time and no one wants to kind of trump factor,
which is instability across the trade. He who is to pervade,
but there has helped us in the short term to.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
Really quickly finish on a text has just come on, Jamie,
could you ask Damien what he thought of Professor will
Happer's talks. He's the guy that Groundswell brought over. As
I know, he would have been in the front row.
I suspect that's a facetious comment.
Speaker 7 (14:36):
Yeah, look, I didn't I had to say I didn't
study every one of her presentations. I'm not sure I'm
convinced that Groundswell has added much to know agricultural thinking
over the last six or seven years. But you know,
I'm not dismissing what is some of his views might be.
But you know, as I say, better to focus on
(14:58):
the realities, which is the so Opie Report, which is
the trends that are provided to us from people like
IM proud for to go around the world and the
newfield scholars who go around, who come back and pretty cleanly,
plainly present some of those trend lines to us, and
if we ignore them at our peril.
Speaker 5 (15:17):
All Right, we've got a enoughfield scholar up next, Carlos Bagri,
along with this better half, Nadier Limb power farming couple. Okay,
Damien O'Connor, here's your shot at glory, your last shot
at the title in twenty twenty five. We've hardly argued
it all. I'm going to get sacked from the job
unless I left the game. Who is your twenty twenty
five agg Person of the Year?
Speaker 7 (15:37):
I'll picked two, you know, to be balanced, Jim Ward
and Lucy Brown, and both of them the whole story
is a group of young women who are really trying
to push the sustainability message out near Jim, who's been
committed to you know, well more than twenty three years,
twenty four years at molsbeth a line but now advocating
(15:58):
for the wider sect, and a whole lot of people
who have been feel a bit beaten up in Parmu.
But anyway, those of my two I had short notice,
and I know they're both worthy recipients of some recognition
of the good work that they're doing for agriculture.
Speaker 5 (16:14):
Tis the season forgiving and to be kind to all mankind.
So let's just agree to disagree some of the time,
and I might catch you for a beer over the break.
Speaker 7 (16:24):
Happy to have you shout me a beer anytime, Jamie.
Speaker 5 (16:26):
I didn't say that, we'll go Dutch. See you later,
see it right, Damian O'Connor. Twenty seven after twelve, This
is the country, No time to waste up. Next Nadia Lemon,
Carlos Baghriy Michelle's got the winners of the electric cherries
(16:50):
from yesterday, and we've got Mark de Latour and Peter
Nubold to come as we count down four the last
week of the country twenty.
Speaker 8 (17:00):
Five outside as grateful what the fire is so delightful.
Speaker 5 (17:14):
And since we've not less to go, we're counting down
to Christmas here on the country, and I reckon and
many Christmas stockings could be a book by one of
our two next guests. Her name is Nadia Lemon, of course,
the book is Nadia's Farm Kitchen. Nadia, We're going to
talk to Carlos Bagri in a minute, but your book
is number one on the non fiction best sellers list.
(17:37):
You even headed off just sinda a different kind of power.
Speaker 9 (17:41):
Oh, thank you, Jamie. Do you know I had only
heard rumors of that, so you have actually confirmed what
I've heard, So you knew the news before me. But yeah,
I was kind of told that, yeah, that it looks
like the book was going to be number one for
this year, and great to hear that it actually is.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Well, when I say I know it's number one, I
read it in the Listener like everyone else. So I'm
going to take the Listener at their words. So you
are number one.
Speaker 9 (18:07):
Did to the farmers. Your books are on the way
because they posted them last week. Sorry I was a
bit let's post them so you probably haven't seen it yet,
but the dedication is to our farmers and food producers
of New Zealand.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
Well, they're not actually my books. I'm giving them out
to a couple of winners that were neglected to sit you.
Oh this one for me, Well there's one Christmas present,
so of there's a box and MacKaye's that coming your way.
Twenty twenty five for you guys, has been a bit
of a change around. Instead of Nadia's Farm, the TV
program became Nardia's Farm Kitchen, and I know Carlos Bagri.
(18:41):
You were heavily involved, obviously, especially at the early part
of the year in your Nuffield scholarship.
Speaker 10 (18:47):
Oh and what a journey that's been, you know, that
has been a I think it was a bit thirteen countries,
been a part of four months abroad and got back
this year and hit to sit down and this was
hearder than participate it to be writing a twenty thirty
we had was that twenty thousand word paper on my
findings and what I saw abroad.
Speaker 5 (19:08):
I've got a really short attention span, Carlos, And I
tell Michelle, my producer, if it's more than an a
four page I'm not reading it. Do you have an
executive summary?
Speaker 10 (19:17):
I do, Yeah, there's there's there's a one to two
page tucked away on you. If you want to find
it, it will be on the Rural Leader's website, and so
you can. Yeah, there, not just mine, but that all
the other Noffield scholars have both their execut summaries as
well as the full papers and all the references.
Speaker 5 (19:33):
So just just in thirty seconds or less, what was
the guts of your thesis?
Speaker 10 (19:38):
The guts of it really was looking at it from
a macroeconomics perspective and looking at the New Zealand economy
going okay, look, we've got two main two main businesses
that are generating our expert earnings, one being of course tourism,
the other one being primary production. So those are your two,
your two big ones, and we need to maintain and
(19:59):
drive both hard as well as we possibly can into
the future. Basically, what I come out at the end
of it was, hey, look, we've got two amazing industries
that we need to continue to invest in, But what
is the third leg to our economy?
Speaker 6 (20:12):
Like what is what like?
Speaker 10 (20:13):
And what's the third leg to our still.
Speaker 5 (20:15):
And what is the third leg?
Speaker 2 (20:16):
Wow?
Speaker 4 (20:17):
That's up for.
Speaker 10 (20:17):
Debate, all right, yeah, yeah, So that's that's that's I mean,
that's part of the crunch of it. What what what
is it that we can invest in New Zealand and
continue to drive forwards worth and wow? Yeah, I mean
there's all sorts of things. You can look at Ireland
with taxation, and you look at finance with like Switzerland
and Singapore as well, like economies that are similar to ours,
(20:38):
populations that are similar to ours, and what has other
what what has other countries done that has worked.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
I know you two are an incredibly busy and I
call and you hate this, I know, but the celebrity
farming power couple of New Zealand, you lead very very
busy lives. So Nadia, what's up next for you? In
twenty twenty six? Will there be another series of Nadia's
Farm Kitchen.
Speaker 9 (21:04):
Well, I'm not looking too far ahead right now because
I feel like I needed to take a little bit
of a break, you know, just maybe at least six
weeks or so over the Christmas summer holiday period, so
hopefully I won't be doing too much over that period
of time.
Speaker 3 (21:19):
But yeah, it.
Speaker 9 (21:20):
Looks like we've been commissioned for another series of Nadia's
Farm Kitchen. That did really well. It was, it was
really popular, and the book that came up with it
has been has done really well too. So yeah, it
sounds like we'll be doing it next year. But you know,
I won't say definitely until we actually start rolling the camera,
but it has been commissioned.
Speaker 5 (21:40):
Yeah, carlos By, you're not renowned for sitting around twiddling
your thumbs or sitting on your thumbs. What's up for you?
What new adventures have you got on the farm?
Speaker 10 (21:49):
On the well, a lot of it as you off
the farm. At the moment on Farmers is continuing driving
at butchery in Erbatire. We're scaling up her arable so
we've got oh a lot of crops in the ground
this year, more than we've ever done. But a lot
of my focus on over the next twelve months will
be Swifty beer and of course in the mckibbon's Restell stores.
(22:09):
So we took over a retail store it's like a small,
small supermarket in Queenstown late last year. I mean working
away on that. So really, to be honest, we're very lucky.
We get to work on some very cool projects and
those are a couple of them.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
How good is it having your own beer, Carlos, It's right.
Speaker 7 (22:29):
You have no.
Speaker 5 (22:31):
Amerson's make house. It's just got my name on it.
I don't do anything about it. You do all the
work for yours.
Speaker 10 (22:38):
Well, that's probably my favorite. You turn up to a barbecue,
I've got my own land meet, I've got my own beer.
It's a it's a it's a great scenario.
Speaker 5 (22:49):
And you've got Nadia Alum on your arm.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
Well, this is a.
Speaker 5 (22:54):
Punching Well, I'm truly punching Carlos. Yeah, it's a compliment,
all right you guys. Hey, look, thank you very much
for me always being available anytime I ring you up.
You say, sure, have a great remainder of your twenty
twenty five and Merry Christmas with your family. Will catch
you back next year. And I've sent you a box
of Makaisa. No pressure, Carlos, but you know reciprocation.
Speaker 10 (23:17):
It will be way good on you.
Speaker 5 (23:19):
And thanks for the box, Nadia, See you later.
Speaker 10 (23:22):
Thank you, Jem.
Speaker 9 (23:23):
Merry Christmas.
Speaker 5 (23:24):
Yeah to you guys as well. No time to waste.
Michelle is chomping at the bit or is it championing
at the but I can never get that. But right
to announce the winner of the electric cherries from yesterday,
and we'll have rural news and sports news for you
as well. Dear, We're still good, okay, welcome back to
(23:46):
the country. I know you're all thinking that's not a
Christmas song, but apparently it is. His Michelle with the
latest and rural.
Speaker 11 (23:53):
News, the country's world news with Cold Cadet, New Zealand's
leading right on lawn Bower Bread and steel Ford dot
Co dot z for your local stockerst and Michelle.
Speaker 5 (24:03):
I'm running horribly behind time because it's meant to be
with Mark de Latour at twelve thirty, who won the
electric Cherries courtesy of Mike Casey yesterday.
Speaker 12 (24:12):
Congratulations to Steve Kyles from Ashburton and jan ABERNETI from Carterton.
Speaker 5 (24:16):
Well done you you are so lucky. And we're running
an unofficial poll on the country at the moment is
it on their Facebook page?
Speaker 12 (24:22):
That is on the Facebook page to go drop your
votes and at the moment Jane Smith has got an
overwhelming lead. But some great names in there are Hugh
of course young Farmer of the Year, George Dodson as well.
David Clark's names in there. One of your mates is
in there as well. Who's that who name we shall
not speak? Actually Damiens not on there.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
Someone wants to know Andy Thompson's in there. Isn't any
heavy breathing anyhow, tom op Okay, that's no time to waste.
I've got to hurry out.
Speaker 1 (24:47):
This sport on the country with AFCO invested in your
foaming success.
Speaker 5 (24:53):
Has anyone voted for me? No? Okay? Could Warren Gatland
be poised to return to international coaching rugby website Rock
UK reports the sixty two year olds poised to take
over as the head coach of Georgia. Gatlin stood down
from coaching Wales during his this year's Six Nations after
a record fourteenth straight defeats and really looking forward to
(25:14):
that third Ashes Test getting underway in Adelaide tomorrow and
of course Nathan Lyon is back hoping to prove the
select is wrong. Up next that is Mark Delatour from
Open Country Dairy.
Speaker 8 (25:32):
Outside it as playful, what the fire is?
Speaker 5 (25:35):
Counting down to the end of the year and we
bid our correspondence from twenty twenty five goodbye. This bloke
is the chief executive of Open Country Dairy, as second
biggest a dairy company, obviously behind Fonterra. He's had a
busy year. He has been on the acquisition trail, buying
Matara Valley Milk and me Raca. And if that wasn't enough,
(25:56):
I think last week Mark Delatour, you opened your new
Butterplly and Waharoa in the White Caddo.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jamie. That's did right and it makes
that I think I've had eleven Christmas party functions to
go to with our suppliers, so I found seven or
eight kilos. If you've lost it during that time, Jenny.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
And I haven't lost it, but I've sent you a
box of Makaisa which might add another aequila. You deserve
it hard yards. Indeed, Hey, I was down south on
a golf trip recently and I drove past Mattara Valley
Milk which is just outside of Gore, my former old
home patch, and I'm thinking, what a brand spanking new
site that is to get your hands on.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
Yeah, it is, it is, and look, we're really proud
of that. We feel the same as we drive into
it now it's across meat Acre and Matara Valley. We
have been busy and not not all the tasks have
been pleasant in the last few months. You know, we've
had Matara for six weeks and meat Acre for about
three months now, and we needed to write size those businesses.
(26:56):
So we've been going through that uncomfortable process. But you know,
when it comes to if you look at Matara Valley side,
as you said, and you walk into it, you know
we call it our our last and Martin really because
it shows very well and there's a high performance sight.
Probably I guess carrying on with that analogy, Jamie, it's
really been used to date to take the kids to school,
(27:18):
you know. So our plans are to get it out
on a racetrack and see what it can do.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
Well, I've got to give you some credit. You said
to me months ago that the milk price was going
to be nine to fifty. It's going to go below that.
I see rabobank is now at nine dollars and you
guys have dropped down to nine dollars thirty. Where have
we gone wrong?
Speaker 1 (27:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (27:38):
I think, I mean, I don't want to be the
soothsayer of doom on that one. I just I just
felt that, you know, a nine to fifty. I think
it was around fixed milk proce you took one of
our fixed milk price offers at nine fifty, Jamien, I
think you know, it just it fell on my bones
that after the last two seasons, that was a pretty
good pick. And and so it's proved. But yeah, I
(27:58):
think at the end of the day, Jamie, is just
a lot of product available at the moment. You know,
when global prices after two years have been this strong,
production increases and so I think buyers see that it
is peak production out of New Zealand with a fair
bit of volume being popped around on various markets at
(28:20):
the moment, so buyers are holding off thinking that next
week's price might be better than this week. So it
becomes a self fulfilling prophecy a little bit. So I
still think, Jamie, we'll get through this peak. The good
news and Zealand farmers is that I don't see the
demand being poor in the globe. You know, if you
see buyers not buying because consumer demands off, then it's
(28:43):
a little bit more of a worry.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
Right now.
Speaker 3 (28:45):
It's just because there's so much supply, buyers are just
being cautious and that tends to trigger a price adjustment.
But while demands I would say, you know, by the
end of the season, we're still pigging. That it solidifize
a little bit and the more we should be right
for the next season.
Speaker 5 (29:03):
Well, I hope you're right. We've got a global dairy
trade auction tonight. Is it are given that it will
drop again?
Speaker 4 (29:08):
Yep, I would say, so.
Speaker 5 (29:10):
You've had no preparation on this. I did tell you
in the ad break before we went to air, you've
got to name your agg person of the air now interestingly,
or and begrudgingly perhaps, Mark Delatour, your ag Person of
the Year last year was your competition, Miles Hurrell, it.
Speaker 3 (29:29):
Was, and no problem doing a bit this year. I
have been thinking about it during the ad breaks, you know,
and I'm probably going to go with the can Can
I go with a tie?
Speaker 4 (29:40):
Jane?
Speaker 5 (29:41):
I'm thinking, I know, this isn't hang on, this isn't
primary school netball. Not counting the scores, Mark Delatour, you
can only have one win. I don't do ties well.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
I'm deciding whether between Chris Bishop and Simon Court for
their r m A reform bill, which I think is
going to be the greatest advantage for dairy farmers and
gilling a little in the next few years. So I'm
pretty happy with either of those two. But if you
want a spokespersonal view, you'd have to go with the
Prince of the Provinces, will you?
Speaker 8 (30:09):
Yeah?
Speaker 5 (30:09):
Shane es He's a favorite here on the Country Lover's work,
the old Martou of Shane. Anyhow, I think Chris Bishop
was the guy who really drove those RMA changes. Thank you,
Mark de Latour for your time throughout twenty twenty five.
It's been a huge year for Open Country Dairy. We'll
catch you back next year.
Speaker 3 (30:26):
Absolutely, I'm looking forward to those Michais's Day.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
We let us know Christmas for the final time in
twenty twenty five. Here is the head of Livestock and
real Estate for PGG Rights and his name is Petere
and Newbolt, and Peter, I forgot to tell you that
I'm going to ask you in about three minutes time
for your ag person of the Year. Sorry to land
(30:50):
that on you. You think about that while you're talking
to me, and I'll see if you can multitask now
which has been better for PGG Rights and the real
estate division or the live stock division in twenty twenty five.
I reckon it would be the livestock division, wouldn't it?
Speaker 10 (31:07):
Yes?
Speaker 4 (31:07):
And no, I think if you look at the livestock's
been really good and a both businesses started to see
gains early this year. So if you look at livestock,
probably we turned the corner last January and things just
basically took off and have continued ever since. If you
look at real estate, and I was going back and
reviewing that probably about March April earlier in the year,
(31:31):
that's when basically we turned the corner and we've seen
continued momentum right the way through to you know where
we are today. And I don't think that'll change. And
as you know, there's some key drivers there that influenced that.
When you look at returns, farmers are getting interest rates,
slowing of inflation, etc. So it's a really good space
(31:52):
for both. And I think the other thing, Jamie, is
that really the returns that the farmers are getting is
definitely fluids.
Speaker 5 (32:00):
In the real estate market, and so it should I mean,
the price of farm should be related to yield, not
capital gain. I think that capital gain story is almost
a thing of the past, is it.
Speaker 4 (32:10):
Oh, definitely. And that's one thing we have noticed is
especially some of those larger land sales, those that are
purchasing are definitely looking on a return basis, because otherwise
it just doesn't stack up and your bank's not going
to lend you the money, et cetera, et cetera. So
definitely there's the odd exception, but it's all looked it's
looked at from a yield perspective.
Speaker 5 (32:32):
These days, are you still selling dairy farms as quick
as you can list them? Because to be fair. Even
since we last chatted in November, the dairy market has
called its jets aweb.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
Yeah, it had is cool, but I don't think it's
made any difference at this point. And also there's limited stocks,
so that probably helps that piece. But look, it's still
moving along, I think at a good rate, especially in
some of those key areas you know, mid Cannon or whatever.
It's still moving long, strongly. There's not an oversupply, so
(33:04):
that maintains momentum. So no, I don't think things have changed,
and I don't know when you look at the long
term position, you'd still think Dairya is in a good
space moving forward.
Speaker 5 (33:15):
Absolutely, and the star of the stable at the moment,
because I don't know whether they're caught up on the
soapy numbers. This morning, meat and Walllex sport revenue and
it's mainly meat. Let's face it, up seven percent to
thirteen point two billion dollars, So that's a great number
and that's got to encourage I would think investment in
sheep and beef farming.
Speaker 4 (33:36):
Yeah, definitely, And we think we're going to see shep
and beef come alive in the new year. We're starting
to see a bit of activity now. You know the
last two months have been really strong. But the feeling
is as we go in to get through those early
summer months and move into autumn, I think we're going
to see a big change in that space, which is good.
The only thing I think our vendors just need to
(33:59):
be mine for that. You know, they don't get ahead
of where the market is.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
Hey.
Speaker 5 (34:04):
The other one to quickly touch on, meet and Walt
Star of the Soapy Report this morning, Horticulture not far behind,
up five percent to over nine billion now and Kiwi
fruit is very much driving that.
Speaker 4 (34:17):
Yeah, and Kiwi fruit just is quietly moving along. We're
starting to see more activity, We're starting to see more
at sales, and again that momentum will continue into the
next season. I think the other thing too is some
people need to wake up and understand what the rural
marketplace or economy is doing for the wider country. And
(34:38):
when you see some of those numbers that have come
out today, you know, if we weren't backing our rural friends,
we'd be in big trouble.
Speaker 5 (34:46):
Food and fiber, yes, responsible for eighty three percent of
our export. God, it's okay, Peter Newbold, You've had two minutes,
two and a half minutes to think about it while
we've been chatting away about real estate. Who's your twenty
twenty five ag person of the Year.
Speaker 4 (35:00):
Yeah, it was pretty easy for me. Peter McBride. I
think he's a gentleman that quietly goes about achieving and
everything he seems to get involved in he adds some
value to it. So that's who I would pick for
the year from where I sit.
Speaker 5 (35:17):
Well, you wouldn't get an argument from me. He is,
of course the chair of Fonterra, former chair of Zesprie.
Success follows that man around. Yeah, very much, the choiet achiever. Hey,
thank you very much for your input throughout twenty twenty five.
Will catch you back again next year. And just from
me as the ambassador for the IC carf and Rural Scheme,
thank you to you and the team at PGG Wrights
(35:39):
and for everything you do. The calf sales have gone gangbusters,
We've raised record money for the IC. Have a good Christmas.
We'll catch you back next year. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (35:47):
Thanks, Jamine, you have a good Christmas with your family
and we'll speak in January.
Speaker 8 (35:53):
Good.
Speaker 5 (35:53):
Indeed, we will thank you. Peter. Well, that wraps the
Country Peter McBride, Michelle is a good nomination for ag
Peron of the Year. Don Carson, who kicked all this
off years ago in the Farming Show Days, will make
a cameo appearance on Friday Show to name his AG
person of the year. Have you got your thinking hat
on yet?
Speaker 3 (36:11):
I have.
Speaker 12 (36:11):
I've got three in mind, but I don't want to
mention them yet.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
No. No, You've got to keep them out to dry
it all Friday. And to be honest, the best ideas
are stolen. I'm waiting to hear everyone else's agg person
of the Year and then I will name ours.
Speaker 12 (36:26):
I can't wait to hear yours.
Speaker 5 (36:28):
No ours, Michelle. Remember this is a dictator ship, it
is Yeah, you're right, yep, Okay. I will catch you
back tomorrow. Krystal ba Lux and Myles Hurral, Jane Smith
Hunter McGregor enjoy your Tuesday, but.
Speaker 1 (36:41):
If you really grab me catch all the latest from
the land It's the Country Podcast with Jamie McKay. Thanks
to friend, You're specialist in John Deere construction equipment
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