May 5, 2025 • 38 mins
Jamie Mackay talks to Mark Cameron, Richard Lindroos, Dr Frank Mitloehner, and Rick Ladd.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie McKay thanks to Brent the starkest of
the leading agriculture brands.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Cane zelland Welcome to the Country. It's brought to you
by Brandt. My name is Jamie McKay. Eighties Key we
pop divers the music theme for today. We're going to
kick it off with Northland Kowcock ACTAGG spokesperson Mark Cameron,
who's or the ACT party is joining New Zealand first
(00:51):
war on woke against the banks and we touched on
this one yesterday. The decline, the continuing decline and New
Zealand live stock numbers not flash at all, especially when
it comes to sheepdown six point two twenty one percent
to just twenty three point six million from a decade ago.
(01:12):
Where we'll talk to him about that. One Field days
are coming up. I reckon they're only about five or
is it six weeks away? Tomorrow we will chat to
the new chief executive. He took up the position in
early April. His name is Richard Lindrews. We will have
a yard to him. Most importantly for you guys, we've
got a chance to win a couple of double passes
(01:33):
to Field Days. Today's keynote interview is doctor Frank mitt Lerner.
He's a world renowned expert on live stock, methane and
climate change and global warming and all that sort of stuff.
He's in high demand globally for his clear science based communication.
He's been in New Zealand for a seminar and Q
(01:54):
and A with Beef and Lamb New Zealand. He's heading
out today, I think, so we're going to catch him
before he departs. Our shores and our correspondent with my
favorite name, Rick Laird, Brand's director of sales, talking Trump,
tariffs and tractors, will have rural news for you in
sports news as well. But up next it is Mark
(02:17):
Cameron X, a spokesperson and Northland kowkake. It is funny
(02:43):
who you run into in the pub and Gore on
a Friday night. I raned to this bloke. He is
AX Agriculture spokesperson Mark Cameron Mark. I was down there
for duck shooting and socializing. You were having an act
meeting in a pub on Friday.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Night, Jamie.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
Good to talk to you, mate.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
How good is Gore and the people of Gore? I mean,
fantastic to go down and talk to everyday. Key weeks,
that's the thing, right, you know, duck shooting the next day.
But I had a great meeting in Gore, and we
started in Wymatty further north of there and worked our
way down the island and man alive. There's some good
people out in rural New Zealand and it was good
(03:23):
to talk to them and get the ideas of where
things are going well and where things are not. And yeah,
I thoroughly enjoyed their company.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
And I see the ACT party and led by you
because you've submitted the members bill. You've joined the war
on woke against the banks with Winston and Shane.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Yeah, yeah, Look absolutely, Jamie. The banks have gone to
Bulgary and I can't, for the life of me reconcile
how banks seem to think that they can put a
veiled overlay over how they submit bank information on half
of you the boro should I say, on all things
(04:03):
to do with the missions. We've got an ETS for
goodness sakes, and now we've got the banks and financial
organization saying, you know, look, let's disclose what your climate
the climate emissions are and by virtue you might or
may not get the same interest rate as your nabor
next door. This is the kind of nonsense that we've
(04:24):
got to be riddle. And I think you know at
risk of overplaying my hand, Jamie. A country with no
money can't afford to be this price. We've got an
ets if it works pretty well, you've got a cap
on emissions. That should be the sum of it, rather
than have banks getting into social engineering.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
I absolutely agree with you. It's the government's job, not
the banks. And we've seen the example of some banks,
and I'll name and shame the bn Z because I
think they're the most work of the banks are reducing
their lending to the fossil fuel industry. We still need
fuel stations around that country to keep the country moving
one hundred.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
I mean it's a nonsense. I would say that the
banks think that by virtue that they should set the precedence.
I mean, this is the job of the clown. We
all agree that we have in emissions trading scheme that
put a cap on emissions, and how can we function
inside that cap is up to them. Now a couple
(05:20):
of observations. If markets decide there's emeritus outcome for them
to set a mission's profiling like Fontira with their scope threes,
then so be it, but it shouldn't be legally mandated.
So this bill would remove that climate disclosures that are
currently mandated that changed in twenty twenty one to become
(05:43):
a legal obligation is removed, and then banks and financial institutions,
who I would argue a regulated debuggery as well, can
stop the nonsense, go back to basics with that relationship
they used to have, which is dead as in credits
and the rest be gone.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Your bill is not government policy. It'll only be debated
if it's draw them from the biscuit.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Tin right, That is correct, Jomie, that is correct. So
to give you a bit of context, I wrote to
Scott Simpson, who's the new Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs,
and said, hey, mate, this is something you might want
to consider. He's a pretty energetic sort of MP and minister,
and I would think he sees the same numbers I do.
(06:26):
The countries in a pretty woeful economic environment at the moment.
This would sort of release the shackles off the banking
sector and their farmer relationships that they have. I would
like to think that he would adopt it as a
government bill rather than the Members bill as it says today,
(06:47):
and we can get back to business.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
Right.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
I mean, I think you and I and our listeners
all agree. Rural New Zealander is the backbone of this country.
And every time things get high and we have issues
like cod and a country goes into lockdown or the
next economic doldrums, God, our rural New Zealand just pulls
up its trousers and goes back to work. Well, let's
help them do it and introduce this bill as a
(07:11):
government bill.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Hey, is this war on woke Mark Cameron Act a
spokesperson going to be a bit of a loving between
New Zealand First and the ACT Party because it'd be
fair to say in the past there hasn't been that
much love lost.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, well, fair call. But I think the thing we
found common grunt and you know, I think we've got
to make the concession or acknowledgment. We listen to the punters,
and the punters being the constituency said they want to
get on with their lives. They want to be rid
of interference, especially government's interference where possible, and go back
(07:47):
to common sense laws, what works, what doesn't, who bears
the cost of all this nonsense, and the fact that
the government has now said, you know, to the banks,
you have to do all this stuff. The banks don't
want it to be frank they're heavily regulated as we know.
So let's restore some competition that will drive down interest rates,
(08:08):
that will un help the farmers and the rural buyers
and that lending relationship. All's good out of this, I think,
And yep, there might be some alignment with n ZID
first on being what are the rookery, you might say,
and I can't, for the life and me see why
that's a bad thing.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Finally, are you worried that we only have twenty three
point six million sheep in New Zealand as of twenty
twenty four. When I was a young farmer in the eighties,
Mark Cameron, we had over seventy million sheep.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Anti question. Yes, this country and its wealth is made
on the back of a kwcockie and a wolgra And
I hate to be myopic or risk being myopic, but
bugger me, this is the truth of the matter. You know,
farmer owner operators and all the people that are in
the industry. Three four hundred thousand people of more that
(08:59):
keep the economic wealth absolutely worried about the sheep numbers.
It is a reflection of I think poor public policy
and many many instances, and you see climate change now
being the bugbear of all things. Well, I just make
a couple of observations. For over a decade now the
(09:21):
national herd across both the flock and the sheep meat
sector entirely and different for that matter, that most of
the animal ruminants has been in decline. Now, that says
to me a couple of things, and beariably we have
a narrowing window of opportunity. Well, one damnable thing we're
so good at in New Zealander is converting green grass
(09:43):
into product, and the best product I would wagh during
the world. So let's keep doing it. And I think
the sheep numbers and the cattle numbers need some healthy returns.
And it wouldn't surprise me out the other side of
this conversation of our listen would agree with me.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Well, dairy cattle down thirteen percent, nearly a million over
the past decade, bucking the trend. As beef cattle it's
remained steady there, they're down twenty five percent over a
ten year period. So yes, here in New Zealand, Mark Cameron,
we've got less ruminants than we had ten years ago
or thirty years ago, emitting less methane. I'll leave you
(10:23):
with that one. I hope part of the farming seasons
treating you well on your Northland farm.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Oh look, I'm languishing in sunlight, my friend, at the moment.
My kidneys have given me a bit of grief. I've
taken a week off Parliament. I'm lowing farm and growing
a bit of grass and being a rural New Zealand.
That couldn't be better.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
God on you, and good to catch up with you
in the good old crowdon Lodge and Gore on Friday night.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Cheers you two, make you take here cheerio.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Good on you, Mark Cameron, Act Eggs spokesperson. Very shortly
the new chief executive of Field Days. Is it five
or six weeks? Sleeps?
Speaker 6 (11:00):
I think it will be first six days, Jamie.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
What's that?
Speaker 6 (11:03):
Thirty six days away field Days?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
So that's five weeks and one day there we go.
We'll work with that one. Every day seems the same
these days, groundhole day in a lot of ways. Okay,
looking forward to chatting to the new chief executive. More importantly,
giving you a chance to win a double pass to
field Days June eleven to fourteen. Off the top of
my head, I need to do some more homework on that.
(11:25):
During the commercial break, did you find out yesterday this
is key we popp divers from the nineteen eighties. Did
you discover whether the Deep Obsession girls from the I
think were they the late nineties early two thousands? Were
these sisters?
Speaker 6 (11:39):
No, they weren't. They looked very much alike though both
blonde Zara Clark and Vanisa Kelly were their names. Of course,
producer was Chris Banks. They did do very well with
a couple of songs.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Actually, okay, so there we go, your chance to win
the field Day's tickets. Next a keynote interview that, by
the way, today is with doctor Frank a mid Lerner.
Everything you ever wanted to know about me, Thane, but
we're afraid to ask. And reck Lad the name. What
a great name. I wish I had a name like
(12:08):
rec Lad when I was a young guy. It would
have just made life a whole lot easier. I Reckon,
but reck Lad from Brand He's on the show before
the end of the year, we'll have rural news for
you and sports news as well. Were Yes, welcome back
(12:42):
to the country. If you hate the music, blame Michelle Watt, producer.
She's gone with pop divas from the eighties and nineties.
I think this is like nineteen what are we nineteen
ninety nine? A True Bliss? Remember True Bliss, the made
for TV girls band, pop band. Some of them became
quite famous another arenas in their life. But anyhow, I
(13:06):
wonder if our next guest remembers True Bliss. He's the
new chief executive of Field Days. He's been in the
job just a month. His name is Richard Lindrews. Hello, Richard,
Welcome to the country. Great to catch up with you,
looking forward to meeting you at field Days. Do you
remember True Bliss?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Absolutely, Jamie Trueblis so cotton On stay there, late nineties?
Thanks for the intro.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Well, Meghan Alatini was in there. Who else? Who was
the one that married matthew Ridge? Was that Carly Binding?
Was that Erica? I can't remember. I don't know. I
don't know True Bliss as well as I know the
Spice Girls. Anyhow, Look, I want to congratulate the marketing
department Richard at field Days because this year's theme, I think,
(13:52):
as a cracker, you've gone with the ultimate mullet strategy
for field Days this year. Business in the front in
the back, and that's all about informing and entertaining people
at field Days.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Absolutely the team of Mail. I think it's an Australia
that everyone can understand. So we we do have business
at the front, serious business, as you know, and then
also for the party at the back with lots of
new innovations and entertainment areas for everyone.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
So you taking credit for this wonderful marketing initiative.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
I love to, but not going to because it's well
before my time. But you know, I'm really pleased that
we have such an innovative team here to lead that strategy.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Yeah, okay, well it's all about it is business at
the front or in the front as you say, and
party at the back the old mullets sort of thing.
But it is all about and I know it's a
sort of a tired cliche, it's all about innovation, technology
and new shiny things for farmers, even if they're only
tire kicking to have a look at. But I think
the most valuable part of field Days, regardless of what
(14:57):
you're there to buy or not to buy, is the
networking opportunity.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
Absolutely. I mean, fiew Days is a long term event.
It's a legis event, so you have to keep innovating
and improving and in terms of what you're delivering for everyone.
But it's the agribusiness platform for New Zealand. Selling new
Zone to the world to getting the networking done annually
(15:22):
is the key for us, and so we're really proud
to keep doing that. With me coming on board, hopefully
I could take it to another level.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Well, let's look at some of the new innovations at
field Days this year. I like this one.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
The drone zone absolutely, the drone zone we've got also
the Field Days ten Talks association with the University of Okano.
Also you've got the spotlight on wall this here, so
we're all new in terms of that in the front
of the haircut. But added to that, you know, we
come back again to our Field Day's hubs and our
real advocacy and forestry and careers. So lot's going on
(15:58):
four days Wednesday, the limit the drink right through the
full length to d and so book, you buy your tickets,
come and I see.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Us tickets officially on sale was today, They've come out today. Yeah,
so I'm assuming it'll be like cashless again. You literally
have to buy your tickets before you get there.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
Well yeah, I think that's what we want people to do.
So there's no we don't have a problem for curing here.
As we know it's a big event. We have the
Wednesday Thursdays a lot of internal meetings, but to go
towards the weekend, so we're really keen for you to
pre purchase or make you this things a bit easier
and you're talked about party at the back before we
have the field Day's Family fund z own opening up
(16:41):
the Heritage Village again, we have Super Sad Day. We
campaign with exhibits to deliver some good pricing in those
field days excuse of office. But also we have the
legacy programs such as the fifty year anniversary of the
Tractible association with PDS Logistics, So all the good things
that we've come to mind over time, but innovating continually.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
PTS Logistics, that's a great key week company, if you
don't mind me saying so, fiftieth anniversary of field Day's
tractor pulls. So that wasn't there obviously on day one.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
No it wasn't, but such a nice and obviously last
year was an a TENV with my sons and your
partner selves up there and that was great fun, so
good commentary as well. That's I enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Now as a bit of a carrot, not a stick,
as a bit of a carrot. When it comes to
field Days, every ticket purchase goes in the drawer the
chance to win the ultimate field Day's Gate prize of
a Jact nine yout worth fifty grand. And if that's
not good enough, there's also ten thousand dollars of Stony
Creek gear to one.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Very generous. You want to get into that. That is
a fantastic opportunity there. I've been driving to Jack t
nine and its serious for the kit all with those
AI and technology and it's a fantastic drive be into one.
With every ticket purchased to the event.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Is field Day's full? Can you take any more exhibitors
or is it too late?
Speaker 4 (18:08):
We're pretty full, but let's take a few more exhibits.
Let's let's make sure we get a fell more people
in there. So if you're still can reach out to
our team online, we can we can do something for you.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Hey, just are we before we give away the tickets?
What's your background? Because I know you literally beat a
cast of thousands for this role. Big shoes to fill,
peen nations.
Speaker 4 (18:30):
Well, a big suites to film. But I think you know,
I saw the opportunity. I put my hand up, and
I think a bit of courage goes to the field
Day's board on I'm not from ague business background. I
come from a major event background, and you know your
listeners will be familiar with Fie for Supercars, America's Cup.
I mean those events, aren't there complex stakeholders yet to
(18:54):
have shareholder return whatever that may be. So for us
at their field of society, I've got a big shoes
to phil but I'm a lot of ambition for the society.
I think you know we're in a good place. We
need to continuously improve and showcase the agg business form
in New Zealand. That's for the world and that's the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Okay. Richard Lindras, congratulations on your new role. You've only
been in it a month. Look forward to meeting you
in person in about five weeks time.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Thanks Jamie.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
There we go with a new chief executive of field
Days and as I said, just in case he's listening,
Peter Nation, what a great job he did as chief
executive of field Days during his tenure. Right, We've got
two double passes to field Days and they can be
used on any day. So Field Days is your place
(19:46):
to get a good deal. It's the biggest egg event.
As Richard said in the Southern Hemisphere, why Katto Mystery
Creek June fourteenth or sorry, eleven to fourteen tickets as
of today are on sale. I want to win two
double passes that we've got to give away today. Text
Field Days and spell it correctly. Remember it's only one word.
(20:08):
We're not going to accept incorrect spelling. So text Field
Days with your name and where you're listening from to
five double oh nine to be in to one. There
you go, So we'll announce the winners of our double
passes on tomorrow. Show Up next, Michelle with the latest
and rural news Beef and Lamb. Are we talking about
(20:30):
Beef and Lamb? Yeah? We are. What a gwey story
from Beef and Lamb. New Zealand up next after that,
will be a keynote interview of the day. His name
is doctor Frank mitt Lerner. You're going to be interested
in what he has to say. Rick Lad from Brant
to rapp.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
It feel.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Welcome back to the country twenty seven away from one.
I loved Sharon O'Neill back in the day. Hello Sharon,
if you're listening, she's Sharon's probably not listening. But Peter
Nation was so he heard about all the nice things
I said about him. I think that's worth a bear
at field days from him. Here's Michelle Watt with the
latest and rural news. Well, I hurriedly pre read the
(21:24):
sports news so I don't butcher it completely to.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
The country's world news with cop Cadet. New Zealand's leading
right on lawnlower brand. Visit steel Ford dot co dot
nzim for your local stockist.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
And that's just out from Beef and Lamb this morning.
So Beef and Lamb New Zealand is urging the government
to close loopholes and the guidance around limits on carbon forestry.
As concerning news of further whole farm sales emergers, cheer
Kate Ackland says that while Beef and Lamb New Zealand
welcome the announcement of limits on carbon forestry in December
twenty twenty four and light of subsequent whole Sheep and
(21:58):
Beef Farm South since then. It's clear lack of specific
specificity it quickly and undermining the intent of the limits
and we're going to be chatting to Cake tomorrow hopefully.
And also it follows on from Toby from Fad Farmer's
discussion yesterday. If you want to catch that, go to
our podcast on ihunh Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
And more about it shortly with doctor Frank Middleerner. It's
a great name too. He is our keynote interview for today.
That is rural and you should I say he's sport.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Sport were an AFCO keiw to the bone Since nineteen
oh four.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
New Born New Zealand have yet to secure the future
of the A and Z Premiership, but remain resolute about
the sixteen competition. In twenty twenty six, the governing bodies
assured players and coaches a local competition will be in
the offering. Nottingham Forest remain in contention for a Champions
League football place after a one all Premier League drawer
(22:56):
away at Crystal Palace and Blues midfielder I Seem has
announced his retirement after after a nomadic That means he's
been lots of places rugby career, and that's your sports
news Up. Next, before he leaves the country, we're going
to track down doctor Frank mitt Lerner. He is a
(23:26):
world renowned expert on livestock, methane and climate. His name
is doctor Frank mitt Lerner. He's been in New Zealand
for a seminar and Q and A hosted by Beef
and Lamb New Zealand. I guess Frank, one of your
real messages is that ruminants can actually add to a
net cooling effect on the planet.
Speaker 5 (23:47):
Well, yeah, I mean it's complicated. What really can help
reduce warming is us to reduce methane, and that is
something that we can do through feed, through breeding, through
newer management, and that really gets us into a position
where we can be part of a climate solution if
we handle this gas right.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
See I'm no scientists, far from it, but my take
on this is that there are no more ruminants on
the planet, as I understand that there was saying nineteen
ninety the real problem around climate change and global warming
comes from man burning fossil fuels, the ruminants the innocent
victims here.
Speaker 5 (24:29):
Yeah, it's not quite as easy. I mean, yes, the
burning of fossil fuel makes up the line share of
greenhouse gases leading to climate change. But rumored livestock also
plays a role because our four legged friends are producing
that gas is produced in the digestive tract, it's spelched
out and some of it comes from the manure, and
(24:51):
once it's in the air, it lenders around for about
a decade. The good thing about it is if we mitigate,
if we reduce that gas, and if we do so
in a meaningful way, and we can reduce methane concentration
in the air, and that reduces warming. And that is
something our industry can do that other industries cannot. And
(25:11):
that's why, yes, for the fuel is the number one
cultrit Livestock plays the role as well, and so can
we as the ones having custody over those animals.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
What about the biogenic carbon cycle? Doesn't that neutralize in
everything ultimately at the end of.
Speaker 4 (25:28):
The day, No, it doesn't.
Speaker 5 (25:31):
It's true that the carbon that becomes methane originates in
the atmosphere as CO two carbon dioxide. Carbon diox are
from the atmosphere is taken on by plants that our
animals eat, The carbon is converted into carbohydrates and it's
made into methane and then another ten years later going
(25:52):
back to COEO two. So that's the cycle we're talking about.
And while we are not adding new additional carbon to
a constant herd of cattle, while that methane is in
the form of methane, it is a significant warming agent
and that's why we need.
Speaker 4 (26:07):
To mitigate it.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
What are the base wise to mitigate mathine emissions? Were
talking fade, editives, vaccines. What's the holy grail here, doctor Frank.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
Yeah, it really depends on where we are talking. So
I live in California, and in California where we have
more intensity housed animals, manure management is number one, and
here particularly the use of anaerobic digesters feed additives is
also important. But here under your conditions in New Zealand,
where you have more grazing animals, it might come down
(26:38):
more to breeding. There is now knowledge about methane being
a heritable trade, so it's passed on for the month
to the offspring and we can breed accordingly. So breeding
is one aspect. Another one is potentially a vaccine. A
third one might be a solution sets a bonus that
(27:01):
slowly releases an active ingredient that reduces methane, and then
there also changes to our forage management that can help
reduce this gas. There is not one silver bullet, but
there are multiple ways we can reduce methane, and if
we do it to the order of ten, fifteen to
twenty percent, then we can be a significant part of
(27:23):
a climate solution.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
You're a big fan of using a carrot not a
stick when it comes to farming.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
Yes, I am, because I know the carrot works and
the stick does not. And what I mean by that
is the stick is an approach way where a government
uses rules and regulations, find and or taxes to force
farmers to do a certain thing that has been tried
all over the world with very limited success. In California,
we use the opposite approach, the carrot approach, which means
(27:54):
we financially incentivize the reduction of methane, and that has
been shown to work. We are asked to reduce forty
percent of our methane from the livestock and dairy sector
in California, and using this voluntary incentive based approach has
led our farmers to already by now achieve a very
(28:17):
large percentage of these reductions. So we need to reduce
seven million metric tons, we already have reduced five million
metric tons. And that's a huge accomplishment that is the
result of the government working with instead of against, our farmers.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
I'm with you there, Frank, because I've always been of
the opinion that the market will always determine farmer behavior
or business behavior. If there's a premium for lower missions products,
farmers will be into it, boats and all.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
Yeah, the market is very important. And yes, the reason
why this whole current approach works in California is because
there is a carbon market, and if they were incentives
to reduce methane, farmers would readily respond to it. If
there were penalties, let's say, then that response would be
(29:11):
much less and much harder. Changes would be much harder
to achieve as.
Speaker 2 (29:16):
The current carbon market around etsumissions trading scheme. Is it
a bit like the Emperor's new clothes? Are we going
about it the wrong way here in New Zealand? Getting
good productive farmland and planting it in pine trees. We're
trying to stop the rot as it were, but surely
that's not the solution when we've got nine or ten
billion people to feed.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
Yeah, you know, I don't like to meddle with other localities,
policies and so on. But since you ask, I mean,
I don't really think that this is a good idea.
I think there's a lot of rethinking now in New
zeal respect to whether or not monoculture pine trees were
a good idea. I don't think it's a good idea.
(29:59):
I think that we need to work with our farming
sector to make it the best it can be. We
need to work with our farmers to give tools into
their hands that help them optimize not just productivity, but
also their environmental performance. Because we do have societal goals,
society's asking for us to work with them. But somebody
(30:21):
also has to flit the bill.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Doctor Frank Mittlerna, thank you very much for your tom
and I look at the wildfires that you guys have
recently suffered in California. Is that going to be our
future here in New Zealand and twenty or thirty years time?
Speaker 5 (30:36):
You know, I really hope it's not it won't be.
It is a result in California of insufficient land management.
They have a long time ago stopped really managing forests
and that means we have a lot of fuel build
up and that then catches on fire.
Speaker 4 (30:54):
We call.
Speaker 5 (30:56):
The fire season the fifth season of the year. And
I hope you'll be yes for me.
Speaker 2 (31:01):
Doctor Frank Mittlerner. I would ask you about Trump, but
then you might get in trouble and someone might be
listening in the US and you might not be allowed
back home. So I will love you and leave you.
Thank you very much for your time, and thanks for
spreading some of your expertise to the New Zealand farming
industry chairs.
Speaker 5 (31:18):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
Thanks leaving me.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
Great to have you on the show, doctor Frank Mittlerner. Right,
it is fourteen away from one now, some of you
are shocking spellers. Shocking spellers. I'm a bit anal on spelling, Michelle.
So remember the old rule I before E except after
C right, Oh, I before E accept after see. And
also I'll give you. I'll give you the tip. Field
(31:42):
days is one word, so remember those two things, and
you need to text field days are with your name
and where you're listening from to five double O nine
and to five double O nine to be and to
win one of those two double passes we've got up
for grabs today. Up next, Rick lad at a Gisbon.
(32:11):
Trump and Tariff's two words we just can't escape from
these days. How's it going to affect New Zealand farmers
when it comes to imported farm machinery. Well, let's ask
Rick lad I love that name, director of sales at
Branda naming sponsors here on the country. Of course, the
countdown to field days has begun. It is business at
(32:31):
the front, party at the back. More about that later.
But Rick Ladd, talk to me about the cost of
tractors because of Trump's tariffs? Are they getting more expensive?
Good afternoon, by the way.
Speaker 7 (32:44):
Yeah, good jamie. The short answer is are they going
to get more expensive? Yes, you know, and directly from
the tariffs here and now we're not seeing that flow
through to pricing right now, but we believe that there
will be on the horizon, There's no doubt in it.
And you know, only thirty percent of our tractors that
(33:07):
we do source, which are the high will spar attractive,
are actually imported out of our US factory in Waterloo,
the sevens eighth nine series tractors. However, the other seventy
percent are coming out of our German European factory Mannheim.
So right now what's on the on the floor is
(33:27):
not going to get affected, and what's on the water
as mark pre sold. But there will be price increases coming,
there's no doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
And of course you of course you sell green tractors,
John Dair tractors. As you said, thirty percent out of
the US, seventy percent out of Germany. I'm assuming the
German tractors won't be affected by the tariffs or indirectly
are they affected as well?
Speaker 3 (33:50):
Well?
Speaker 7 (33:51):
Yeah, I guess in terms of the tariff no, the
stage however, you know, it's just really how that tariff
packs the effects, you know, in terms of foreign exchange.
So you know, that's that's the bit that's daunting. You know,
that's the that's very volatile and unpredictable right now for US,
and and that's our biggest concern right now.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Has John Dare been moving factories back or production back
into the States as Trump.
Speaker 7 (34:17):
Wants, not for more of heard as yet you know
that said, what what what? What has happened. And this,
you know COVID really brought us to the table, is
the volatility at the moment when it comes to supply
chains of componentry. So you know, we are very reliant
on Ie China bringing in some of this the componentry
(34:38):
into the US. Now where John, what John de have
done is really spread that risk more domestically. So now
starting to rely more on US suppliers to to get
that component try to take out that risk of shipping
of course, and also the tariff. Now it's all well
and good Jamie, but unfortunately that does come at a
(34:59):
cock as well. So yeah, I don't think that's been
brought through correctly myself personally, but it does committed of cost.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
I reckon field days is going to be good this year,
and I say that because the returns for a lot
of the farming sectors are good. But there's also a
built up or a pent up demand because farmers haven't
been in a position in the last probably since COVID
for a lot of them to upgrade or update farm machinery.
(35:27):
What do you reckon?
Speaker 3 (35:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (35:29):
No, I agree, Like, hey, when we last spoke Jammie
or we saw that first wave early in the year
that came through after January.
Speaker 5 (35:35):
That was really cool to see.
Speaker 7 (35:36):
You know, as soon as that multi ten dollars payout happened,
we saw that react.
Speaker 5 (35:39):
In the industry.
Speaker 7 (35:41):
You know, we're not going to shy away from the fact.
You know, we understand that things have been pretty tough.
Speaker 5 (35:45):
You know, there's a bit of debt recovery there that's needed.
Speaker 7 (35:48):
And for us as a as a as a tractor
or machinery supply, what can we do to really soften
that blow? You know, how can we give a bit
of consistency for them and budgeting.
Speaker 3 (35:59):
For the next few years.
Speaker 7 (36:00):
So, you know, we're going to get frelly aggressive at
the field days this year. We've got to look attracted
the five oh ninety five m and we're going to
be and hey, I'll sat here right now. If someone
walks through the door today and wanted a field day
special and a five oh ninety five M, we'll do it. So, yeah,
we're going to have a point ninety five percent finance
on that tractor for five years, and we're going to
(36:20):
put a five year warranty together as well to support
that tractor. So that's going to give the farmer some
consistency for the next five years, helping out through a
pretty tough time and keep back to them what they're
what they're good at, and what they enjoyed.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
Good on you, Rick, lad. I won't say what I
was going to say because I always call you the
seventies porn star, and I know you get a bit
of stick from your mates when I say that, but
it just keeps going round in this head of mine,
which has no filter. Hey, great to catch up. Actually
you could have been from Days of Our Lives or
Dallas or Dynasty, one of those sort of seventy soap
operas with a name like that.
Speaker 7 (36:54):
Thank I'm going that, mate, what I'm doing?
Speaker 2 (36:56):
Good you stick to selling John Days. I'll behave myself
to be on my best behavior at field Days. Remember
it is business at the front, party at the back.
Speaker 7 (37:05):
This year good stuff, law, wasn't Jamie.
Speaker 4 (37:08):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
We're going to tell you how you can win some
field days passes and a tick. But some of your
feedback coming and I like this one. I'm listening to
your showers. I watch pristine Tussock Country getting blankets sprayed
for pine trees. What the if are we doing? Good?
Text and here's another one. The only reason foreign owners
are buying farms for carbon credits is because they have
stopped it in their own country. On the other hand,
(37:31):
we are dumb enough and virtue signal enough to allow
it to happen. It's criminal, I agree with you. Up next,
we tell you how to win the double pass to
field Days Wrapping the Country with brand Great to catch
up with Rick lad director of Sales. Now, if you
want to win one of two double passes to the
(37:53):
field Day's text field Days, spell it correctly hi before
e accept After see one word X field Days with
your name and where you're listening from two five double
nine to be into one and we will announce the
winners on tomorrow's show. Looking forward to your company. Then
take care we're out of here.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mcgae. Thanks to Brent, You're specialist in
John Deere machinery.
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie McKay thanks to Brent the starkest of
the leading agriculture brands.
Speaker 2 (00:29):
Cane zelland Welcome to the Country. It's brought to you
by Brandt. My name is Jamie McKay. Eighties Key we
pop divers the music theme for today. We're going to
kick it off with Northland Kowcock ACTAGG spokesperson Mark Cameron,
who's or the ACT party is joining New Zealand first
(00:51):
war on woke against the banks and we touched on
this one yesterday. The decline, the continuing decline and New
Zealand live stock numbers not flash at all, especially when
it comes to sheepdown six point two twenty one percent
to just twenty three point six million from a decade ago.
(01:12):
Where we'll talk to him about that. One Field days
are coming up. I reckon they're only about five or
is it six weeks away? Tomorrow we will chat to
the new chief executive. He took up the position in
early April. His name is Richard Lindrews. We will have
a yard to him. Most importantly for you guys, we've
got a chance to win a couple of double passes
(01:33):
to Field Days. Today's keynote interview is doctor Frank mitt Lerner.
He's a world renowned expert on live stock, methane and
climate change and global warming and all that sort of stuff.
He's in high demand globally for his clear science based communication.
He's been in New Zealand for a seminar and Q
(01:54):
and A with Beef and Lamb New Zealand. He's heading
out today, I think, so we're going to catch him
before he departs. Our shores and our correspondent with my
favorite name, Rick Laird, Brand's director of sales, talking Trump,
tariffs and tractors, will have rural news for you in
sports news as well. But up next it is Mark
(02:17):
Cameron X, a spokesperson and Northland kowkake. It is funny
(02:43):
who you run into in the pub and Gore on
a Friday night. I raned to this bloke. He is
AX Agriculture spokesperson Mark Cameron Mark. I was down there
for duck shooting and socializing. You were having an act
meeting in a pub on Friday.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Night, Jamie.
Speaker 4 (03:02):
Good to talk to you, mate.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
How good is Gore and the people of Gore? I mean,
fantastic to go down and talk to everyday. Key weeks,
that's the thing, right, you know, duck shooting the next day.
But I had a great meeting in Gore, and we
started in Wymatty further north of there and worked our
way down the island and man alive. There's some good
people out in rural New Zealand and it was good
(03:23):
to talk to them and get the ideas of where
things are going well and where things are not. And yeah,
I thoroughly enjoyed their company.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
And I see the ACT party and led by you
because you've submitted the members bill. You've joined the war
on woke against the banks with Winston and Shane.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
Yeah, yeah, Look absolutely, Jamie. The banks have gone to
Bulgary and I can't, for the life of me reconcile
how banks seem to think that they can put a
veiled overlay over how they submit bank information on half
of you the boro should I say, on all things
(04:03):
to do with the missions. We've got an ETS for
goodness sakes, and now we've got the banks and financial
organization saying, you know, look, let's disclose what your climate
the climate emissions are and by virtue you might or
may not get the same interest rate as your nabor
next door. This is the kind of nonsense that we've
(04:24):
got to be riddle. And I think you know at
risk of overplaying my hand, Jamie. A country with no
money can't afford to be this price. We've got an
ets if it works pretty well, you've got a cap
on emissions. That should be the sum of it, rather
than have banks getting into social engineering.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
I absolutely agree with you. It's the government's job, not
the banks. And we've seen the example of some banks,
and I'll name and shame the bn Z because I
think they're the most work of the banks are reducing
their lending to the fossil fuel industry. We still need
fuel stations around that country to keep the country moving
one hundred.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
I mean it's a nonsense. I would say that the
banks think that by virtue that they should set the precedence.
I mean, this is the job of the clown. We
all agree that we have in emissions trading scheme that
put a cap on emissions, and how can we function
inside that cap is up to them. Now a couple
(05:20):
of observations. If markets decide there's emeritus outcome for them
to set a mission's profiling like Fontira with their scope threes,
then so be it, but it shouldn't be legally mandated.
So this bill would remove that climate disclosures that are
currently mandated that changed in twenty twenty one to become
(05:43):
a legal obligation is removed, and then banks and financial institutions,
who I would argue a regulated debuggery as well, can
stop the nonsense, go back to basics with that relationship
they used to have, which is dead as in credits
and the rest be gone.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Your bill is not government policy. It'll only be debated
if it's draw them from the biscuit.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Tin right, That is correct, Jomie, that is correct. So
to give you a bit of context, I wrote to
Scott Simpson, who's the new Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs,
and said, hey, mate, this is something you might want
to consider. He's a pretty energetic sort of MP and minister,
and I would think he sees the same numbers I do.
(06:26):
The countries in a pretty woeful economic environment at the moment.
This would sort of release the shackles off the banking
sector and their farmer relationships that they have. I would
like to think that he would adopt it as a
government bill rather than the Members bill as it says today,
(06:47):
and we can get back to business.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
Right.
Speaker 3 (06:49):
I mean, I think you and I and our listeners
all agree. Rural New Zealander is the backbone of this country.
And every time things get high and we have issues
like cod and a country goes into lockdown or the
next economic doldrums, God, our rural New Zealand just pulls
up its trousers and goes back to work. Well, let's
help them do it and introduce this bill as a
(07:11):
government bill.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
Hey, is this war on woke Mark Cameron Act a
spokesperson going to be a bit of a loving between
New Zealand First and the ACT Party because it'd be
fair to say in the past there hasn't been that
much love lost.
Speaker 3 (07:23):
Yeah, well, fair call. But I think the thing we
found common grunt and you know, I think we've got
to make the concession or acknowledgment. We listen to the punters,
and the punters being the constituency said they want to
get on with their lives. They want to be rid
of interference, especially government's interference where possible, and go back
(07:47):
to common sense laws, what works, what doesn't, who bears
the cost of all this nonsense, and the fact that
the government has now said, you know, to the banks,
you have to do all this stuff. The banks don't
want it to be frank they're heavily regulated as we know.
So let's restore some competition that will drive down interest rates,
(08:08):
that will un help the farmers and the rural buyers
and that lending relationship. All's good out of this, I think,
And yep, there might be some alignment with n ZID
first on being what are the rookery, you might say,
and I can't, for the life and me see why
that's a bad thing.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Finally, are you worried that we only have twenty three
point six million sheep in New Zealand as of twenty
twenty four. When I was a young farmer in the eighties,
Mark Cameron, we had over seventy million sheep.
Speaker 3 (08:38):
Anti question. Yes, this country and its wealth is made
on the back of a kwcockie and a wolgra And
I hate to be myopic or risk being myopic, but
bugger me, this is the truth of the matter. You know,
farmer owner operators and all the people that are in
the industry. Three four hundred thousand people of more that
(08:59):
keep the economic wealth absolutely worried about the sheep numbers.
It is a reflection of I think poor public policy
and many many instances, and you see climate change now
being the bugbear of all things. Well, I just make
a couple of observations. For over a decade now the
(09:21):
national herd across both the flock and the sheep meat
sector entirely and different for that matter, that most of
the animal ruminants has been in decline. Now, that says
to me a couple of things, and beariably we have
a narrowing window of opportunity. Well, one damnable thing we're
so good at in New Zealander is converting green grass
(09:43):
into product, and the best product I would wagh during
the world. So let's keep doing it. And I think
the sheep numbers and the cattle numbers need some healthy returns.
And it wouldn't surprise me out the other side of
this conversation of our listen would agree with me.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Well, dairy cattle down thirteen percent, nearly a million over
the past decade, bucking the trend. As beef cattle it's
remained steady there, they're down twenty five percent over a
ten year period. So yes, here in New Zealand, Mark Cameron,
we've got less ruminants than we had ten years ago
or thirty years ago, emitting less methane. I'll leave you
(10:23):
with that one. I hope part of the farming seasons
treating you well on your Northland farm.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Oh look, I'm languishing in sunlight, my friend, at the moment.
My kidneys have given me a bit of grief. I've
taken a week off Parliament. I'm lowing farm and growing
a bit of grass and being a rural New Zealand.
That couldn't be better.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
God on you, and good to catch up with you
in the good old crowdon Lodge and Gore on Friday night.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
Cheers you two, make you take here cheerio.
Speaker 2 (10:50):
Good on you, Mark Cameron, Act Eggs spokesperson. Very shortly
the new chief executive of Field Days. Is it five
or six weeks? Sleeps?
Speaker 6 (11:00):
I think it will be first six days, Jamie.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
What's that?
Speaker 6 (11:03):
Thirty six days away field Days?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
So that's five weeks and one day there we go.
We'll work with that one. Every day seems the same
these days, groundhole day in a lot of ways. Okay,
looking forward to chatting to the new chief executive. More importantly,
giving you a chance to win a double pass to
field Days June eleven to fourteen. Off the top of
my head, I need to do some more homework on that.
(11:25):
During the commercial break, did you find out yesterday this
is key we popp divers from the nineteen eighties. Did
you discover whether the Deep Obsession girls from the I
think were they the late nineties early two thousands? Were
these sisters?
Speaker 6 (11:39):
No, they weren't. They looked very much alike though both
blonde Zara Clark and Vanisa Kelly were their names. Of course,
producer was Chris Banks. They did do very well with
a couple of songs.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Actually, okay, so there we go, your chance to win
the field Day's tickets. Next a keynote interview that, by
the way, today is with doctor Frank a mid Lerner.
Everything you ever wanted to know about me, Thane, but
we're afraid to ask. And reck Lad the name. What
a great name. I wish I had a name like
(12:08):
rec Lad when I was a young guy. It would
have just made life a whole lot easier. I Reckon,
but reck Lad from Brand He's on the show before
the end of the year, we'll have rural news for
you and sports news as well. Were Yes, welcome back
(12:42):
to the country. If you hate the music, blame Michelle Watt, producer.
She's gone with pop divas from the eighties and nineties.
I think this is like nineteen what are we nineteen
ninety nine? A True Bliss? Remember True Bliss, the made
for TV girls band, pop band. Some of them became
quite famous another arenas in their life. But anyhow, I
(13:06):
wonder if our next guest remembers True Bliss. He's the
new chief executive of Field Days. He's been in the
job just a month. His name is Richard Lindrews. Hello, Richard,
Welcome to the country. Great to catch up with you,
looking forward to meeting you at field Days. Do you
remember True Bliss?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
Absolutely, Jamie Trueblis so cotton On stay there, late nineties?
Thanks for the intro.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
Well, Meghan Alatini was in there. Who else? Who was
the one that married matthew Ridge? Was that Carly Binding?
Was that Erica? I can't remember. I don't know. I
don't know True Bliss as well as I know the
Spice Girls. Anyhow, Look, I want to congratulate the marketing
department Richard at field Days because this year's theme, I think,
(13:52):
as a cracker, you've gone with the ultimate mullet strategy
for field Days this year. Business in the front in
the back, and that's all about informing and entertaining people
at field Days.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Absolutely the team of Mail. I think it's an Australia
that everyone can understand. So we we do have business
at the front, serious business, as you know, and then
also for the party at the back with lots of
new innovations and entertainment areas for everyone.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
So you taking credit for this wonderful marketing initiative.
Speaker 4 (14:25):
I love to, but not going to because it's well
before my time. But you know, I'm really pleased that
we have such an innovative team here to lead that strategy.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Yeah, okay, well it's all about it is business at
the front or in the front as you say, and
party at the back the old mullets sort of thing.
But it is all about and I know it's a
sort of a tired cliche, it's all about innovation, technology
and new shiny things for farmers, even if they're only
tire kicking to have a look at. But I think
the most valuable part of field Days, regardless of what
(14:57):
you're there to buy or not to buy, is the
networking opportunity.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
Absolutely. I mean, fiew Days is a long term event.
It's a legis event, so you have to keep innovating
and improving and in terms of what you're delivering for everyone.
But it's the agribusiness platform for New Zealand. Selling new
Zone to the world to getting the networking done annually
(15:22):
is the key for us, and so we're really proud
to keep doing that. With me coming on board, hopefully
I could take it to another level.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Well, let's look at some of the new innovations at
field Days this year. I like this one.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
The drone zone absolutely, the drone zone we've got also
the Field Days ten Talks association with the University of Okano.
Also you've got the spotlight on wall this here, so
we're all new in terms of that in the front
of the haircut. But added to that, you know, we
come back again to our Field Day's hubs and our
real advocacy and forestry and careers. So lot's going on
(15:58):
four days Wednesday, the limit the drink right through the
full length to d and so book, you buy your tickets,
come and I see.
Speaker 2 (16:06):
Us tickets officially on sale was today, They've come out today. Yeah,
so I'm assuming it'll be like cashless again. You literally
have to buy your tickets before you get there.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
Well yeah, I think that's what we want people to do.
So there's no we don't have a problem for curing here.
As we know it's a big event. We have the
Wednesday Thursdays a lot of internal meetings, but to go
towards the weekend, so we're really keen for you to
pre purchase or make you this things a bit easier
and you're talked about party at the back before we
have the field Day's Family fund z own opening up
(16:41):
the Heritage Village again, we have Super Sad Day. We
campaign with exhibits to deliver some good pricing in those
field days excuse of office. But also we have the
legacy programs such as the fifty year anniversary of the
Tractible association with PDS Logistics, So all the good things
that we've come to mind over time, but innovating continually.
Speaker 2 (17:01):
PTS Logistics, that's a great key week company, if you
don't mind me saying so, fiftieth anniversary of field Day's
tractor pulls. So that wasn't there obviously on day one.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
No it wasn't, but such a nice and obviously last
year was an a TENV with my sons and your
partner selves up there and that was great fun, so
good commentary as well. That's I enjoy it.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Now as a bit of a carrot, not a stick,
as a bit of a carrot. When it comes to
field Days, every ticket purchase goes in the drawer the
chance to win the ultimate field Day's Gate prize of
a Jact nine yout worth fifty grand. And if that's
not good enough, there's also ten thousand dollars of Stony
Creek gear to one.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Very generous. You want to get into that. That is
a fantastic opportunity there. I've been driving to Jack t
nine and its serious for the kit all with those
AI and technology and it's a fantastic drive be into one.
With every ticket purchased to the event.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
Is field Day's full? Can you take any more exhibitors
or is it too late?
Speaker 4 (18:08):
We're pretty full, but let's take a few more exhibits.
Let's let's make sure we get a fell more people
in there. So if you're still can reach out to
our team online, we can we can do something for you.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
Hey, just are we before we give away the tickets?
What's your background? Because I know you literally beat a
cast of thousands for this role. Big shoes to fill,
peen nations.
Speaker 4 (18:30):
Well, a big suites to film. But I think you know,
I saw the opportunity. I put my hand up, and
I think a bit of courage goes to the field
Day's board on I'm not from ague business background. I
come from a major event background, and you know your
listeners will be familiar with Fie for Supercars, America's Cup.
I mean those events, aren't there complex stakeholders yet to
(18:54):
have shareholder return whatever that may be. So for us
at their field of society, I've got a big shoes
to phil but I'm a lot of ambition for the society.
I think you know we're in a good place. We
need to continuously improve and showcase the agg business form
in New Zealand. That's for the world and that's the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Okay. Richard Lindras, congratulations on your new role. You've only
been in it a month. Look forward to meeting you
in person in about five weeks time.
Speaker 4 (19:25):
Thanks Jamie.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
There we go with a new chief executive of field
Days and as I said, just in case he's listening,
Peter Nation, what a great job he did as chief
executive of field Days during his tenure. Right, We've got
two double passes to field Days and they can be
used on any day. So Field Days is your place
(19:46):
to get a good deal. It's the biggest egg event.
As Richard said in the Southern Hemisphere, why Katto Mystery
Creek June fourteenth or sorry, eleven to fourteen tickets as
of today are on sale. I want to win two
double passes that we've got to give away today. Text
Field Days and spell it correctly. Remember it's only one word.
(20:08):
We're not going to accept incorrect spelling. So text Field
Days with your name and where you're listening from to
five double oh nine to be in to one. There
you go, So we'll announce the winners of our double
passes on tomorrow. Show Up next, Michelle with the latest
and rural news Beef and Lamb. Are we talking about
(20:30):
Beef and Lamb? Yeah? We are. What a gwey story
from Beef and Lamb. New Zealand up next after that,
will be a keynote interview of the day. His name
is doctor Frank mitt Lerner. You're going to be interested
in what he has to say. Rick Lad from Brant
to rapp.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
It feel.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Welcome back to the country twenty seven away from one.
I loved Sharon O'Neill back in the day. Hello Sharon,
if you're listening, she's Sharon's probably not listening. But Peter
Nation was so he heard about all the nice things
I said about him. I think that's worth a bear
at field days from him. Here's Michelle Watt with the
latest and rural news. Well, I hurriedly pre read the
(21:24):
sports news so I don't butcher it completely to.
Speaker 1 (21:27):
The country's world news with cop Cadet. New Zealand's leading
right on lawnlower brand. Visit steel Ford dot co dot
nzim for your local stockist.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
And that's just out from Beef and Lamb this morning.
So Beef and Lamb New Zealand is urging the government
to close loopholes and the guidance around limits on carbon forestry.
As concerning news of further whole farm sales emergers, cheer
Kate Ackland says that while Beef and Lamb New Zealand
welcome the announcement of limits on carbon forestry in December
twenty twenty four and light of subsequent whole Sheep and
(21:58):
Beef Farm South since then. It's clear lack of specific
specificity it quickly and undermining the intent of the limits
and we're going to be chatting to Cake tomorrow hopefully.
And also it follows on from Toby from Fad Farmer's
discussion yesterday. If you want to catch that, go to
our podcast on ihunh Yeah.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
And more about it shortly with doctor Frank Middleerner. It's
a great name too. He is our keynote interview for today.
That is rural and you should I say he's sport.
Speaker 1 (22:29):
Sport were an AFCO keiw to the bone Since nineteen
oh four.
Speaker 2 (22:33):
New Born New Zealand have yet to secure the future
of the A and Z Premiership, but remain resolute about
the sixteen competition. In twenty twenty six, the governing bodies
assured players and coaches a local competition will be in
the offering. Nottingham Forest remain in contention for a Champions
League football place after a one all Premier League drawer
(22:56):
away at Crystal Palace and Blues midfielder I Seem has
announced his retirement after after a nomadic That means he's
been lots of places rugby career, and that's your sports
news Up. Next, before he leaves the country, we're going
to track down doctor Frank mitt Lerner. He is a
(23:26):
world renowned expert on livestock, methane and climate. His name
is doctor Frank mitt Lerner. He's been in New Zealand
for a seminar and Q and A hosted by Beef
and Lamb New Zealand. I guess Frank, one of your
real messages is that ruminants can actually add to a
net cooling effect on the planet.
Speaker 5 (23:47):
Well, yeah, I mean it's complicated. What really can help
reduce warming is us to reduce methane, and that is
something that we can do through feed, through breeding, through
newer management, and that really gets us into a position
where we can be part of a climate solution if
we handle this gas right.
Speaker 2 (24:09):
See I'm no scientists, far from it, but my take
on this is that there are no more ruminants on
the planet, as I understand that there was saying nineteen
ninety the real problem around climate change and global warming
comes from man burning fossil fuels, the ruminants the innocent
victims here.
Speaker 5 (24:29):
Yeah, it's not quite as easy. I mean, yes, the
burning of fossil fuel makes up the line share of
greenhouse gases leading to climate change. But rumored livestock also
plays a role because our four legged friends are producing
that gas is produced in the digestive tract, it's spelched
out and some of it comes from the manure, and
(24:51):
once it's in the air, it lenders around for about
a decade. The good thing about it is if we mitigate,
if we reduce that gas, and if we do so
in a meaningful way, and we can reduce methane concentration
in the air, and that reduces warming. And that is
something our industry can do that other industries cannot. And
(25:11):
that's why, yes, for the fuel is the number one
cultrit Livestock plays the role as well, and so can
we as the ones having custody over those animals.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
What about the biogenic carbon cycle? Doesn't that neutralize in
everything ultimately at the end of.
Speaker 4 (25:28):
The day, No, it doesn't.
Speaker 5 (25:31):
It's true that the carbon that becomes methane originates in
the atmosphere as CO two carbon dioxide. Carbon diox are
from the atmosphere is taken on by plants that our
animals eat, The carbon is converted into carbohydrates and it's
made into methane and then another ten years later going
(25:52):
back to COEO two. So that's the cycle we're talking about.
And while we are not adding new additional carbon to
a constant herd of cattle, while that methane is in
the form of methane, it is a significant warming agent
and that's why we need.
Speaker 4 (26:07):
To mitigate it.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
What are the base wise to mitigate mathine emissions? Were
talking fade, editives, vaccines. What's the holy grail here, doctor Frank.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
Yeah, it really depends on where we are talking. So
I live in California, and in California where we have
more intensity housed animals, manure management is number one, and
here particularly the use of anaerobic digesters feed additives is
also important. But here under your conditions in New Zealand,
where you have more grazing animals, it might come down
(26:38):
more to breeding. There is now knowledge about methane being
a heritable trade, so it's passed on for the month
to the offspring and we can breed accordingly. So breeding
is one aspect. Another one is potentially a vaccine. A
third one might be a solution sets a bonus that
(27:01):
slowly releases an active ingredient that reduces methane, and then
there also changes to our forage management that can help
reduce this gas. There is not one silver bullet, but
there are multiple ways we can reduce methane, and if
we do it to the order of ten, fifteen to
twenty percent, then we can be a significant part of
(27:23):
a climate solution.
Speaker 2 (27:25):
You're a big fan of using a carrot not a
stick when it comes to farming.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
Yes, I am, because I know the carrot works and
the stick does not. And what I mean by that
is the stick is an approach way where a government
uses rules and regulations, find and or taxes to force
farmers to do a certain thing that has been tried
all over the world with very limited success. In California,
we use the opposite approach, the carrot approach, which means
(27:54):
we financially incentivize the reduction of methane, and that has
been shown to work. We are asked to reduce forty
percent of our methane from the livestock and dairy sector
in California, and using this voluntary incentive based approach has
led our farmers to already by now achieve a very
(28:17):
large percentage of these reductions. So we need to reduce
seven million metric tons, we already have reduced five million
metric tons. And that's a huge accomplishment that is the
result of the government working with instead of against, our farmers.
Speaker 2 (28:34):
I'm with you there, Frank, because I've always been of
the opinion that the market will always determine farmer behavior
or business behavior. If there's a premium for lower missions products,
farmers will be into it, boats and all.
Speaker 5 (28:50):
Yeah, the market is very important. And yes, the reason
why this whole current approach works in California is because
there is a carbon market, and if they were incentives
to reduce methane, farmers would readily respond to it. If
there were penalties, let's say, then that response would be
(29:11):
much less and much harder. Changes would be much harder
to achieve as.
Speaker 2 (29:16):
The current carbon market around etsumissions trading scheme. Is it
a bit like the Emperor's new clothes? Are we going
about it the wrong way here in New Zealand? Getting
good productive farmland and planting it in pine trees. We're
trying to stop the rot as it were, but surely
that's not the solution when we've got nine or ten
billion people to feed.
Speaker 5 (29:38):
Yeah, you know, I don't like to meddle with other localities,
policies and so on. But since you ask, I mean,
I don't really think that this is a good idea.
I think there's a lot of rethinking now in New
zeal respect to whether or not monoculture pine trees were
a good idea. I don't think it's a good idea.
(29:59):
I think that we need to work with our farming
sector to make it the best it can be. We
need to work with our farmers to give tools into
their hands that help them optimize not just productivity, but
also their environmental performance. Because we do have societal goals,
society's asking for us to work with them. But somebody
(30:21):
also has to flit the bill.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Doctor Frank Mittlerna, thank you very much for your tom
and I look at the wildfires that you guys have
recently suffered in California. Is that going to be our
future here in New Zealand and twenty or thirty years time?
Speaker 5 (30:36):
You know, I really hope it's not it won't be.
It is a result in California of insufficient land management.
They have a long time ago stopped really managing forests
and that means we have a lot of fuel build
up and that then catches on fire.
Speaker 4 (30:54):
We call.
Speaker 5 (30:56):
The fire season the fifth season of the year. And
I hope you'll be yes for me.
Speaker 2 (31:01):
Doctor Frank Mittlerner. I would ask you about Trump, but
then you might get in trouble and someone might be
listening in the US and you might not be allowed
back home. So I will love you and leave you.
Thank you very much for your time, and thanks for
spreading some of your expertise to the New Zealand farming
industry chairs.
Speaker 5 (31:18):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
Thanks leaving me.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
Great to have you on the show, doctor Frank Mittlerner. Right,
it is fourteen away from one now, some of you
are shocking spellers. Shocking spellers. I'm a bit anal on spelling, Michelle.
So remember the old rule I before E except after
C right, Oh, I before E accept after see. And
also I'll give you. I'll give you the tip. Field
(31:42):
days is one word, so remember those two things, and
you need to text field days are with your name
and where you're listening from to five double O nine
and to five double O nine to be and to
win one of those two double passes we've got up
for grabs today. Up next, Rick lad at a Gisbon.
(32:11):
Trump and Tariff's two words we just can't escape from
these days. How's it going to affect New Zealand farmers
when it comes to imported farm machinery. Well, let's ask
Rick lad I love that name, director of sales at
Branda naming sponsors here on the country. Of course, the
countdown to field days has begun. It is business at
(32:31):
the front, party at the back. More about that later.
But Rick Ladd, talk to me about the cost of
tractors because of Trump's tariffs? Are they getting more expensive?
Good afternoon, by the way.
Speaker 7 (32:44):
Yeah, good jamie. The short answer is are they going
to get more expensive? Yes, you know, and directly from
the tariffs here and now we're not seeing that flow
through to pricing right now, but we believe that there
will be on the horizon, There's no doubt in it.
And you know, only thirty percent of our tractors that
(33:07):
we do source, which are the high will spar attractive,
are actually imported out of our US factory in Waterloo,
the sevens eighth nine series tractors. However, the other seventy
percent are coming out of our German European factory Mannheim.
So right now what's on the on the floor is
(33:27):
not going to get affected, and what's on the water
as mark pre sold. But there will be price increases coming,
there's no doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
And of course you of course you sell green tractors,
John Dair tractors. As you said, thirty percent out of
the US, seventy percent out of Germany. I'm assuming the
German tractors won't be affected by the tariffs or indirectly
are they affected as well?
Speaker 3 (33:50):
Well?
Speaker 7 (33:51):
Yeah, I guess in terms of the tariff no, the
stage however, you know, it's just really how that tariff
packs the effects, you know, in terms of foreign exchange.
So you know, that's that's the bit that's daunting. You know,
that's the that's very volatile and unpredictable right now for US,
and and that's our biggest concern right now.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Has John Dare been moving factories back or production back
into the States as Trump.
Speaker 7 (34:17):
Wants, not for more of heard as yet you know
that said, what what what? What has happened. And this,
you know COVID really brought us to the table, is
the volatility at the moment when it comes to supply
chains of componentry. So you know, we are very reliant
on Ie China bringing in some of this the componentry
(34:38):
into the US. Now where John, what John de have
done is really spread that risk more domestically. So now
starting to rely more on US suppliers to to get
that component try to take out that risk of shipping
of course, and also the tariff. Now it's all well
and good Jamie, but unfortunately that does come at a
(34:59):
cock as well. So yeah, I don't think that's been
brought through correctly myself personally, but it does committed of cost.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
I reckon field days is going to be good this year,
and I say that because the returns for a lot
of the farming sectors are good. But there's also a
built up or a pent up demand because farmers haven't
been in a position in the last probably since COVID
for a lot of them to upgrade or update farm machinery.
(35:27):
What do you reckon?
Speaker 3 (35:28):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (35:29):
No, I agree, Like, hey, when we last spoke Jammie
or we saw that first wave early in the year
that came through after January.
Speaker 5 (35:35):
That was really cool to see.
Speaker 7 (35:36):
You know, as soon as that multi ten dollars payout happened,
we saw that react.
Speaker 5 (35:39):
In the industry.
Speaker 7 (35:41):
You know, we're not going to shy away from the fact.
You know, we understand that things have been pretty tough.
Speaker 5 (35:45):
You know, there's a bit of debt recovery there that's needed.
Speaker 7 (35:48):
And for us as a as a as a tractor
or machinery supply, what can we do to really soften
that blow? You know, how can we give a bit
of consistency for them and budgeting.
Speaker 3 (35:59):
For the next few years.
Speaker 7 (36:00):
So, you know, we're going to get frelly aggressive at
the field days this year. We've got to look attracted
the five oh ninety five m and we're going to
be and hey, I'll sat here right now. If someone
walks through the door today and wanted a field day
special and a five oh ninety five M, we'll do it. So, yeah,
we're going to have a point ninety five percent finance
on that tractor for five years, and we're going to
(36:20):
put a five year warranty together as well to support
that tractor. So that's going to give the farmer some
consistency for the next five years, helping out through a
pretty tough time and keep back to them what they're
what they're good at, and what they enjoyed.
Speaker 2 (36:31):
Good on you, Rick, lad. I won't say what I
was going to say because I always call you the
seventies porn star, and I know you get a bit
of stick from your mates when I say that, but
it just keeps going round in this head of mine,
which has no filter. Hey, great to catch up. Actually
you could have been from Days of Our Lives or
Dallas or Dynasty, one of those sort of seventy soap
operas with a name like that.
Speaker 7 (36:54):
Thank I'm going that, mate, what I'm doing?
Speaker 2 (36:56):
Good you stick to selling John Days. I'll behave myself
to be on my best behavior at field Days. Remember
it is business at the front, party at the back.
Speaker 7 (37:05):
This year good stuff, law, wasn't Jamie.
Speaker 4 (37:08):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (37:09):
We're going to tell you how you can win some
field days passes and a tick. But some of your
feedback coming and I like this one. I'm listening to
your showers. I watch pristine Tussock Country getting blankets sprayed
for pine trees. What the if are we doing? Good?
Text and here's another one. The only reason foreign owners
are buying farms for carbon credits is because they have
stopped it in their own country. On the other hand,
(37:31):
we are dumb enough and virtue signal enough to allow
it to happen. It's criminal, I agree with you. Up next,
we tell you how to win the double pass to
field Days Wrapping the Country with brand Great to catch
up with Rick lad director of Sales. Now, if you
want to win one of two double passes to the
(37:53):
field Day's text field Days, spell it correctly hi before
e accept After see one word X field Days with
your name and where you're listening from two five double
nine to be into one and we will announce the
winners on tomorrow's show. Looking forward to your company. Then
take care we're out of here.
Speaker 1 (38:21):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mcgae. Thanks to Brent, You're specialist in
John Deere machinery.
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