July 29, 2025 • 38 mins
Hamish McKay talks to Christopher Luxon, Mike McIntyre, Todd Charteris, and Richard Loe.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Catch you're the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mgue Thanks to Brent You're specialist in
John Dee machinery.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Good afternoon, This is the Country, Avis mguy in for
Jamie mckue today and tomorrow as well. Trust today is
going well wherever you are, whatever you may be doing
on the farm, in the town, wherever. Great to have
(00:43):
your company kids. I hope you collected the eggs okay
from the ferocious Chucks this morning. More on the realities
of farm life. When we talked to the Prime Minister.
Shortly feedback give it to us text five double zero
nine five double night. Also coming up Rabobank CEO Todd
charteris Farmer Confidence with Richard Lowe and Darry expert analyst
(01:06):
Mike McIntire from Jarden. But next up the Prime Minister,
but not before a little dag in the Dickheads from
nineteen eighty one. Prime Minister Christaph Luxen joins us on
The Country. Prime Minister, welcome on. Did you spend a
(01:28):
bit of time just on this realities of farm life?
Did you spend a bit of time as a youngster
on the land.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
I had a little I had an uncle who actually
had his uncles that were in horse racing actually in
CHRISTI channel Westmelton back in the day, and so I'd
go down from Auckland and August school holidays and go
spend a bit of time a couple of weeks with them, which.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Is always great.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
So yeah, I think it's quite different now. I don't
think kids across in the cities actually have connections to
rural communities as much as they once did.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
But I also have this view that I don't think the.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Rural urban divides as big as everyone makes out at
times when you see shows like Nardia's Farm and Clarkson's
Farm and Country Calendar being so successful, and it's people
in the city's watching those shows, and I think it's
a huge appreciation for what our farmers are doing.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
So yeah, yeah, I've always had a bit of a
view that the rural urban divide isn't is quite as
big as the rural divibe which is. But thankfully I
think we're making progress on that front. I just think
the brock van Veld got a bit of a hard
time with a pink jacket to chat around the you know,
the dangers of collecting the eggs. I know, we shouldn't
take it lightly because things like your four wheel motorbikes
(02:31):
and things like that, there are serious issues. But yeah,
I thought there was a little slight big Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
I think the big thing there is, you know, she's
got to find the balance of we've got to make
sure we've got smart, sensible regulation. Obviously that keeps people safe,
but we also know that there's been a whole heap
of over compliance that's actually adding huge costs and that's
what drives in flesh and does a bunch of other things.
So it's always trying to find the balance. So she's
got a big review of that going on. She's looking
across all the different sectors of the economy. I think,
(02:57):
you know, she's talked about manufacturing and farming and construction and.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Other sectors as well. So yeah, but I know what
you mean.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
On the ex yip, Yeah, Christopher, you'll be pretty happy.
I guess the farmer confidence levels around this weekend and
across the dairy beef lamb sect and pretty good. But
more challenging the old in the old arable world.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Look, I mean it is there's a few things going
on in that sector and obviously it's tied to the
other sectors as well within the rural community. But you
know what was really good is you know, farmer confidence.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
That was the most.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Positive school we've seen since twenty seventeen.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
I was pleased. You know, it's the highest level of
profitability ever we've seen them farming.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Two thirds of farmst reporting that they're going to be
profitable and they're going to and a think court of
them increasing production next year. So and also what I'm
interested in also is a few of farmers actually reporting
stress compared to last year, So mental health and a
much better place, which is a good thing. And you know,
this is the government genuinely that is trying to stabilize
the economy and get the platform in place for future growth.
And I think you've got a very supportive government for agriculture.
(03:57):
But I mean what's amazing Hamish is that you know,
once again, and that's why I think people in the
cities do appreciate agriculture and farming, is that it's our
farmers and our growers that are leadings you on out
of the recession.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
We will.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
If you think about the dairy exports up sixteen percent,
I think meat was up eight I think a horticulture
can be huge, it's son great, but up nineteen percent,
forestry up nine, sea food up two. So I mean
like there's been really good export revenue that's coming out
of the primary sector, which is really good.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
And we've just got to keep getting rid of the
red tape for.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
People opening up the new market five. The FDAs and
things like investment boost which encourage farmers to invest in
new plant and capital and equipments.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Is all good stuff the backbone of the country. Prime
Minister exactly, yes, exactly, I like it. Hey, the surcharge
on payway, I mean this is a right across the board.
It hits is going to hit those small business own
It's pretty hard, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Well.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
The thing that people maybe not have understood is the
reason why we acted on it this week is that
last week the Commerce Commission came out and actually reduced
the fees that you know, Visa after Card can charge
merchants or businesses, and that was down by about ninety
million dollars. We also know that actually what sometimes is
the sticker on the on the terminal that is more
(05:10):
than over recovering the actual cost associated with the transaction
to the tune of about sixty five million dollars what's
called excessive overcharging.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
So all in all, we're just saying lot.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
You know, we we we've got to make sure that
all of that actually goes through to the consumer. And
that's you know, and that's what you see in big businesses.
If you go to the supermarket, you know, people don't
add a surcharge on top. You don't have a searcharge
for your energy or electricity costs or other components as well.
So the bottom line is that it's about getting getting
rid of it so that actually people know exactly what
(05:42):
they're doing. And also that those transaction costs, we know
that we've pulled those down. They've got to get passed
through to consumers. Are rather than leading to that sort
of excessive overcharging.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Increased directness phase that's been on the news this week.
What drove that is there a need for greater talent
so to speak.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, look, I mean the thing that we're looking for
is performance from the public sector. Right, they need to
improve outcomes for New Zealanders. And to help do that,
you actually need to get really experienced and attract good
people to come on to public sector boards. The problem
is that the public sector boards are paid so poorly
relative to the private sector boards. Now, we are never
ever going to pay what you get in a company
(06:23):
in a private sector obviously, you know, we probably only
ever get the best.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Maybe we get to eighty percent of that if we're lucky.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
But the basic thing is that fees haven't mentally moved
for a decade, apart from a very small increase under
labor under high inflation. But if we can get the
right people, they then turn can save us millions or
billions of dollars in public sit spending and get better
out comes from New Zealanders, which is what we've got
to do. So if you think about a healthcare sector,
we spend thirty two billion dollars. One out of every
(06:50):
five dollars of the government spends is on healthcare. Now
you know it doesn't if you get a good quality
board on health New Zealand, and you know that can
make a huge difference to making sure it's a better
performing organization. It's delivering the surgeries, the rule are on
the wait lists and getting more value for that money
that's going into that system, which is a massive amount
of cash.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
So you know it's just making.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Sure that we are you know, we're making sure that
we're never going to be we're private sector board directors
getting paid, but we've got to be in a place
where we can at least get some good people to say, Okay,
I'll do this as public service for New Zealand, but
it's not so offensive that it's not worth their time
not to do it.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Hard to argue with that. Okay, one last thing I
want to touch on, and I know you love your sport,
but the netball the other night, I couldn't. I look,
I felt for you that doing sort of thing before.
I mean, sometimes is you know, do you have to
have a bit of a rethink about whether some of
those events are worth being act or or how do
you sud.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
I look honestly, like in the actual auditorium, it was fantastic.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
I was really well received. People are very kind to me.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
There's a couple of people, yep, as you'd expect. That's
quite normal for politicians moving around the country doing town halls,
doing public meetings. But I have to be honest, I
think the way it's been represent us quite different from
how it felt inside. I wasn't I didn't feel aggrieved
about that at all. And it was a very small
group of people and you know, and I get it,
(08:12):
and it's fine, so but no, so no, for me,
it was like a fantastic game. And I wanted to
support netball because actually I think it's an awesome sport
and I think, you know, I watch all the young
girls and moms and their dads that come along. It's
a really family sort of occasion and it's a really
good event. And and so Amanda and I've tried to
go so, you know, a netbook game each each year
(08:33):
at least to.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Sort of sort of give our support.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
So and what was quite cool, as you know, was
obviously tactics who hadn't one ended up coming through. And
I think that's all good for football. And you know,
it's a sport that's got some challenges, you know, because
if you think about the growth of female sport in
New Zealand, often it's been built out off the back
of a male code that then has gone on so
crouding huge growth and a female code. You know, rugby
(08:57):
cricket it's been fantastic to what we've seen there, and
netball's trying to compete with all those other codes, and
I just think it's a fantastic game as a.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Result, fantastic primise. I won't try and compete being a
rugby commentator with being Prime minister, but we're both slow
moving targets, aren't we. That's that's the reality of it.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
We've got a great country and we go get in
the arena and we've got to get it fixed and
sort of for people.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
So we've got to keep going, keep.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Going, too right, Prime Minister, Thank you very much, all.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
There, famous, take care there.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
We've got a great country and we've got a great
episode of the country. Mike McIntire, Jarden coming up, dairy
expert and analyst Richard Low later on the show, Todd
charteris of course a little bit of farmer confidence and
various things with the Rabobanks CEO. That's all coming up here.
And so I think we've got a bit of feedback,
have we, Michelle, We've got a bit of feedback early on.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
Yeah, that's right. So I had someone ask text to hello,
text to hello listeners. Every listener is a prisoner, as
Jamie would say, you know, hopefully they're enjoying a show.
The feedback I've got is what is the rural rural divide.
Of course you were talking about that with Christopher Lux
and so how do you explain that one.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Because you know what, the biggest some of the biggest
supporters of rural in New Zealand are urban they know who.
As I said to the Prime Minister, the backbone of
the country is it's an attitudinal thing where you get
some very very different views within the rural community. Some
are positive and get on with it and we've just
got to do what we've got to deal with what's
(10:29):
in front of us. Others are just doom and gloom
and they're okay to see cattle in you know, up
to their knees in mud and Southland as we saw
for all those times. And they're the same ones who
get all good, all up at you when you see
Jeff Ross and his farm down south having Lake harwe
a station, having the mattress. Who cares if he has
a mattress at the bottom of the sharing you know
(10:51):
when the sheep go down the porthole. And then a
week later we've got beautiful, beautiful Ruinaly station with the
carpenters at ty Happy, a totally different farm, but ultimately
all with the same goal. So that's how that's how
I see it. That's where that you know, that rural
rule just you know, too much picking and choosing, but
a bit of positivity and get on with it versus
(11:12):
the doom and gloomers. That's and at the moment with
those farm gate prices, there isn't apart from the arable boys,
too much room for doom and gloom.
Speaker 6 (11:22):
There you go, that's a very good explanation.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
I did like you're just about have to go on
and have a cup of tina lie down after that.
Speaker 6 (11:30):
I feel like I learned a lot in that and
that short conversation. So have we got it coming up next?
Mike McIntyre, I got you.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
That's all. This is the Country. Hamish McKay in for
Jamie for a couple of days. This week's actually been
three or four by the time it gets through it
about thesday Jamie Becker, Friday Radio, Mike McIntyre, dairy thoughts,
Jardon dairy expert analyst and some interesting commentary in Mike's
(12:06):
last I think piece joins us. Now, okaday, Mike, how
are you?
Speaker 4 (12:10):
How much? How are you?
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Yeah? Good? Thank you? Good good? Now I'm drawing a
bit of a you know, the yellow Jersey corn corn
farmers in the US, and a bit of long bow
stuff going on here. Tell us about that. Tell us
about that, because I love the Tour de France. By
the way, we could have a ten minute interview about
that without even getting on to dairy prices and corn
and the like.
Speaker 7 (12:32):
Oh, I guess it's just a wide range of listeners
and readers. So we try and keep it as interesting
as possible. And you know, some of the data gets
a little bit dry, so we try and tie a
few interesting things together. But you know, in the note
last time, I spoke about the impact that corn's going
to have on global production, and corn prices continue to fall,
and so that is obviously the big feed of stock
for the US cows. About seventy percent of the diet
(12:55):
comes from corn. And with the bushall below for dollars,
it's a key marker. And you know, we axpect a
lot more milk to come out of that part of
the world.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Okay, So what does that mean when a lot more
milk comes out of that world the bushels are down
below four dollars? What does that look like? What is that?
What does that doing to us?
Speaker 7 (13:12):
Yeah, well, so now they've sort of twice the herd size,
so ten million cows versus our five but they produce
close to five times of the milk just obviously bigger
cows and more intensive feeding. So when their feed over
income sorry income over feeds levels get up to where
they are currently, then obviously they're incentivized to produce more milk.
(13:32):
What that means to us is we'll likely see more
skim milk come out into the market. And that's something
that I think we saw play out last night with
a softer skim pulse, skim price and the pulse. You know,
it's early doors, so you know, we can't read too
much into it, but it's just something we keep an
eye on.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Okay right here, So we'll keep a bit of an
eye on that. And of course we've found out our
own good weather here too, have we, I mean, which
is leading to to plenty of production as well.
Speaker 7 (14:00):
We have, so we had a lot of rain here
in the North pind and especially which put an end
to that dry weather that we saw through the latter
part of summer an earlier part of autumn, and so
I think you know, water table has been replenished, and
then in the last week eight days we saw a
fantastic drying out period and also timperature has got a
bit cooler. I mean, obviously that stops grass growth, but
(14:21):
what it does is kills all the bugs and gives
a chance with some of the fields to dry out,
because obviously it's important that you know, while the ware
there is assisting in the grass growths, you know that
it gives a period for the fields to recover. And
so we hit the ground running because you know from
observations and from speaking to farmers, cows are coming earlier
and carving well, and people have got plenty of feet
(14:44):
on hands. So we think the season is going to
continue the momentum we saw through June, which was a
stupendous amount of growth eighteen descent up on the previous year.
And so we think the New Zealand season and light
have a really good milk price is going to start
well yep.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Okay, So okay, So what's the stimulus, I mean, what
are we getting from from China and the likes?
Speaker 7 (15:07):
Yeah, that's the big un nine. So China always plays
it quite their cards quite close to their chest, and
anyone who says they have a really good idea as
to what's going on there. You know, I'd regard with
a bit of skepticism. You know, they've built up a
very strong domestic to supply themselves and that's been impediment
to US exporting product into there. But I think now
(15:27):
with the fairly well deleveraged from exposure to the US,
both in terms of imports a dairy but also imports
a grain, that there's an opportunity there for New Zealand
to really further cement our competitive advantage in that market.
That comes both from our free trade agreement and also
by the fact that we sent a very good trading
relationship with that part of the world.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Yeah, the ten dollars payout ten dollars plus payout world.
I mean, give you a short to mid term. How
do you see that hanging in there?
Speaker 7 (15:59):
Well, you know, you look to the twenty seven season.
Now the future is there. They're at high nines, so
nine sixty odd. So again it's all you know, smelling
of roses at the moment, so you know it's not
it doesn't have to last. So if people are relying
on these numbers, would certainly look them to manage that risk.
(16:20):
But it's not a new paradigm or anything like that.
These are commodities that we are selling to the world,
and so we will very much be at the whim
of what an international demand looks like. And you know,
at the moment it's pretty good, but there are tists
on the horizon, so we just have to make sure
that we're aware of those, and you know, we're quick
a memble around them.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Okay, the many jump at those futures at that nine
sort of six.
Speaker 7 (16:41):
Yeah, we're seing Yeah, that's right. We're seeing growing interest
in the future. So the twenty seventh season, which is
something that doesn't sizzle until September October twenty twenty seven,
so you know, a couple of years away from now,
you know, and then years gone by there weren't farmers
looking at that sort of horizon. But we're seeing greater
interest now as people become more sophistic way in which
they manage the risk.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
I suppose somebody who's got pretty well controlled production costs
under that five dollar mark or some would look at
that pretty and you know, maybe maybe the other ones
who look more strategically at that kind of future dollar Yeah.
Speaker 7 (17:16):
If you're locking in your cost.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
You're locking your revenue. It's pretty simple, sort.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Of pretty simple strategy A Mike, thanks very much. There
we go, Mike Jarden there of course they're expert and analyst.
Amos McKay on the country. We're going to hear from
Rabobank's CEO, Todd charteris looking forward to chatting to Todd
around the Catchment community some work, great work going on
(17:41):
there and Catchment Community's altel Roa. Also Richard Lowe. Lowe,
he's a great one, the former all Black prop forty
nine tests, although he says, you're the guys that play
one hundred tests now play less minutes than he did
back in the day. Still a farm of these day
lower and he keeps it. He sort of keeps his
finger on the pulse. We'll get his sort of take
(18:01):
on farmer confidence, you know that on the street beating
the feat kind of empirical research from Richard Lowe. I
know you struggle to think of empirical research and an
all black front row and the same sentence, but I
can assure you Lowey is one of the most learned
gentlemen I know. Michelle. Of course we'll have our rural
news and we'll have a bit of sport as well
(18:22):
that is coming up here on the country. This is
the country, Hamish Mackay and for Jamie for a few
days this week. A great devy company right across the country.
Review whatever you might be doing. One of the last
(18:43):
times I caught up with this gentleman, he actually had
the footy boots on mouth Garden. Yeah, it was a
game of footy played at NAT the Nardapa Rugby Club
and the mighty Tyrafiti part of the country. See Rabobank
Todd chatter Tod, how are you?
Speaker 4 (19:01):
I'm good?
Speaker 5 (19:01):
Thanks famous, you're good to catch up again.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Yeah, you haven't pulled the footy boots on again or
done anything crazy like that.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
No, no, no, And I regretted that actually for a
few days after. But it was it was a great cause.
So I was privileged to be there, but I'm not
hurry to do it again for a number of.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Reasons understandable, righty. Let's say get into it. The you
would have been pleased, You would have been pleased at
Rabobank with the Federated Farmer's Banking Survey top of the
class there.
Speaker 4 (19:28):
Yeah, no, we were.
Speaker 5 (19:29):
I mean at the end of the day. I mean,
it's what our clients say directly to a set that
really counts. But it's great to have that sort of
third party endorsement and yeah, yeah that the key is
for us is around that communication and overall satisfaction. So yeah,
it really pleased with that. And of course there's always
more work to do and we don't always get it right,
but it's good endorsement all the same.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Look, I was I spent I spent my time these
days between the matter were two and Auckland and I
was talking and I won't name her, but a member
of the Rabobank team, and she was off to a
very very high tech mana we're two dairy farm, you know,
And I just love the way she was going about
her business, you know, and you know, excited to be
going up there and seeing what this outstanding property was
(20:13):
a farming setup was doing. I mean, I just love
that sort of you know, boots and the mud stuff.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
Look, we've got a great team that is hugely dedicated
and I think just so well aligned to our purpose.
You know, they get up head every morning, they know
exactly what we're doing, and they just get into it
and it's a real pleasure for me to be part
of leading that team. And yeah, we've got a really
dedicated team that's that's in boots and all.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
As you say, Yeah, okay, part of what you do
is the good stuff and this the catchment community alt
tell us about that and the involvement of that. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (20:51):
Look, we're really delighted to partner with catchment communities are
and we're doing that in conjunction with MPI, and I
think it's another great armful of private and public partnership.
You know, the catchment community is doing great work coordinating
you know what is about two hundred catchment groups across
(21:11):
the country and I'm really excited about We've actually got
their board and our officers today, so we're hosting them,
which is great for us to be able to do that.
I'm just really looking forward to getting in behind what
the great work they are doing and how we actually
promote that right across the country side and have a
sort of coordinated voice, if you like, for all of
(21:31):
our wonderful catchment groups that as I sat, doing fantastic stuff.
There's lots to do, of course, but it's really ground,
ground up stuff. And I think that's really really great
and so yeah, we're really pleased with the partnership.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
In a couple of words, from an urban perspective, that's
about water. Is making our water better?
Speaker 5 (21:50):
You know, Yeah, yeah, yeah it is. And if you
think about New Zealand, it's just a collection of catchments,
you know, water catchments, you know, because the catchments obviously
we're all the lands comes out of sky and where
does it end up? And so it's it's broader than
just farming. It's it's whole community stuff. It's different businesses, ewe, you,
(22:11):
a whole lot of things. And I think that's what
it's about. It's about understanding, you know, what makes up
the sort of ecology of our landscape and this is
a big part of it. So you're super excited.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
The Fart of Confidence survey has been out and some
good results across the dairy, sheep and beef, but a
bit more challenging for the for the arable boys at
the ladies at the moment.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
Yeah, it is tough in that sector for sure, and
so they've been going through a couple of tough seasons
and hopefully, you know, as we look forward into the
next twelve months, things will improve in that regard, but
he has certainly been some pressure on grain prices and
hopefully there's some relief there because it has been tough
and they haven't been able to enjoy some of those
(22:56):
higher commodity process in those other sectors which you can
need to look really really strong. And it's great to
see because that's what we need is a wider economy
across New Zealand. We need that agricultural based really pumping
because the money goes round and we need that to continue.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
Todd chatter see rubber Bank before you go. I've been
doing the survey this week early September, South Africa spring
box at Eden Park? Does Fortress Eden Park survive? Are
we going well enough to keep that record in tect Oh?
Speaker 5 (23:30):
Look, I think it's going to be a hunting a
homerfits for sure. I think it's a bit early to
say if we're going well enough, but look, I hope, so,
I really do. I think it's going to be an
outstanding game and I really look forward to it and
it's what we all get excited about, right Yeah, and
let's hope.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
So the next best thing to a Rugby World Cup
Final there, Tod thank you very much for joining us.
Todd Chatters, their CEO of rubber Bank here on the country.
Speaker 5 (23:58):
Jeers Amus, good on you.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Top man. They're sitting a bit on the fence side
tight in terms of that rugby resolved against the spring
Box early September at Edon Park and they're going to
be a rapper twenty four minutes away from one twelve
to thirty six, depending on how you look at it,
what part of the how you judge that whole spectrum
of reading the time. I'm sure there's a correct way
to do it. And Michelle will possibly tell me and
give me a wrapper over the knuckles. Anyway we're going
to come up with We'll be back with rural news
(24:22):
and sport coming up coming up on the country. Richard
low will be getting low you sort of feel on
what is the mood around the traps. He might be
(24:44):
he might be lying the sites up at Dairy Farmers
standby in a nice kind of way from Lowe. Yes,
any feedback, Michelle, any more feedback than we should be
referring to it.
Speaker 6 (24:56):
You know, actually I had some good comments on that
rural divide thing. I mean, I know are rolling mars here,
so people like, what is she saying? Yeah, saying them
together is hard for me, but a lot of people
love this accent. By the way, I just want to
throw that out there. But yeah, it's interesting. A lot
of people didn't know it existed. And for me personally,
I think of like the tall poppy syndrome type thing
as well when I think of that rural divide a
(25:18):
little bit. Yeah, but you know your comments on that
text us on five double O nine. Let us know
what you feel about the rural rural divide. Do you
feel it's a thing where you are, you know, living
out in the countryside. Let us know. But we've got
rural news up next.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
The Country's World News with Cop Cadet, New Zealand's leading
right on lawn Bower Bread Is It's steel for dot Co,
dot said, for your local stockist.
Speaker 6 (25:45):
And in rural news, it's all about the weather. Hamersh
So really terrible weather up the country, especially up north
ukond is under an orange heavy rain warning until ten
pm tonight, with people warn to expect a further sixty
to ninety millimeters of rain. And I know that you
told me this morning that the weather was pretty terrible
up there, and a severe thunderstorm watch is in place
(26:05):
for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Bay of Plenty in
the Coromantal Peninsula until midnight to night at the latest.
There's also more bad weather coming unfortunately for places who
really don't need it. Orange heavy rain warnings are in
place for Tasman, Nelson and Western Marlborough until late this evening,
so make sure you check those weather warnings out, keep
an eye on them, keep following them and make sure
(26:25):
that you know what's happening in your area. Just to
stay safe out there. But yeah, not too nice out there.
We've got sports news though. Next here we go Hamish Sport.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Were then af Go Kiwi to the bone since nineteen
oh four.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
I've been a little bit surprised that this one's taken
so long to come out, given his success in twenty
twenty five with the Crusaders, Rob Penny on for another
season next year. Good to see after their championship winning
year this year in Super Rugby and an awful twenty
twenty four, I suspect they weren't quite as bad as
some of those results showed then, and certainly they earned
it around this season, so Rob Penny back at the
(27:02):
helm of the Crusaders coach. Now this one interests me.
The Phoenix Woman have a coach. Their new coach is
Bev Pressman. You might know that name. Bef Pressman was
the coach of the Canadian women's football team at the
last Olympics when they sent up a drone to check
on New Zealand in training ahead of their match. I
(27:24):
did a little bit of homework with a drone. Other words,
it's known as cheating. But it seems like all is
forgiven and Bev Pressman will take on as the job
as a coach of the Phoenix Woman. It's a bit
like when the Baddie, when the naughty boy gets to
year thirteen or the seven form and gets made a
prefect because they know all the they know all the
stuff to look out for. See, there you go, Beef Priestsman,
(27:45):
coach of the Phoenix that's our sport. Your first and
find ahead while the country alrighty he down Canterbury Way,
sort of out towards the Port Hills, I think these days,
(28:07):
and checking on some farmer confidence because this blake gets
around the traps a bit. Richard low Lowie how are you?
I'm good, ha mush, thank you good good good? How
would you? I mean, obviously things are across many sectors
pretty pretty positive, pretty bright. Is that the sort of
is that what you're finding out as you go about
(28:28):
and do your research around the various traps that.
Speaker 7 (28:31):
You go to, Yeah, traps or social establishments.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
I think, yeah, that is.
Speaker 7 (28:38):
And you know, returns on red meat sector are great.
You know, to buy a store cattleb's beef one now
you're probably looking at four and a half dollars plus
for kg. And so that's good lamb is you know,
lambs getting up the same way, so you know the
returns what they can turn them into and called sales here,
(29:01):
I know they've been up to twenty plus for good lambs.
So yeah, that tells you how the head that is,
tells you how good that is going. But and of course,
as well documented the dairy fellas going very well.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
He's going to say, mister and missus our farmers from
Rebecca Greaves and husband Richard and out of Polario they
got lambs on the truck and got two hundred dollars
and four cents. That's not too bad out of that
country is it a cheese.
Speaker 7 (29:32):
It's great and it's good to see that's going on.
They're probably only downside for the sector at the moment
is probably arable farmers and you know the costs of
getting a crop and what they get for them. And
we've done the work we've done Hamish over the years.
You know, grain has been imported from Australia for our bread.
(29:53):
Even potatoes have been imported for our church because it's
cheaper to buy them in from overseas than i'm here.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's all that. That one always gets me,
although it's probably not as bad as the one that
we always used to talk about, which was the bacon
from Spain and Portugal and Romania and Poland and everything, wasn't.
Speaker 7 (30:12):
It Yeah in Canada, Yeah it did, right, Yeah, Yeah,
there's no need for us important when we can grow
out here.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
Yeah. One or two other dairy boys and I say this, well,
you know, I mean, you've got to run your business
and you've got to and you've got to put the
hammer down. But I understand they're all, you know, doing
pretty well with the ten dollars plus plus payout, but
one or two are sort of being when it comes
to paying the grazing, not wanting to sort of overpay,
(30:40):
if you know what I mean.
Speaker 7 (30:42):
Yeah, it's probably a hard one to put a line
on the sand because these crops are all grown last spring,
them summer for this winter, and the deals are done.
The farmers, probably very farmers, probably getting a good dollar
plus more a kg now. But it's cost the chaps
putting in those crops, whether they be swedes, pale beat,
(31:04):
you name it. They're big pots and growing those crops,
and you know, the contract grazing is probably not keeping
up with it as well as I could do.
Speaker 2 (31:16):
Right, I want about your own farming at the moment, Lowe,
you used to get your hand in the game even
though you sort of sold the ponderosa out. Why, Matt Gorgeway,
you're still you're still farming.
Speaker 7 (31:25):
Yeah, we saw a few sheep and the other week
and had the great job of button holding before we did.
So that easy piece got to run, you know, the
one you got me out.
Speaker 2 (31:35):
Of your oh yeah, the handy piece, David Short's handy piece.
Rab Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, Oh good that you're good,
that you're putting up the good use.
Speaker 7 (31:44):
Yes, it was good and just just yesterday actually we
got the use and at the Canterary Amp because it's
a bit wet there and what have you, heavy and lamb.
We put them into the sale and I think they've
got about two twenty straight off the sheer.
Speaker 4 (32:00):
So that's good money.
Speaker 7 (32:01):
You know, if you're on the other end, you bought that,
you for two twenty at least one and a half
lambs out of it worldn't you?
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Yes, you would, Yeah, you'd want you'd want a minimum
of that. I would have thought, hey ya loo. I
put it out there earlier in the show when I
was talking to the Prime Minister, mister Luction about there
being a rural rural divide more than a rural urban divide.
It's something you and I used to talk about and
that you know, it's an attitudinal thing where you talk
about those that are positive and just get on with
it versus the doom and gloommeisters who can never can
(32:33):
never see the sort of the future or the brighter picture.
I don't think there's that much room for doom and
gloom at the moment, but you're still sense a bit
of a rural divide.
Speaker 7 (32:44):
Just a few, but they are the people that probably
think food comes from the supermarket. They don't really understand
where it comes from before then. And it's quite interesting.
I've got a phone call from my daughter and grandkids
were down the other month and the highlight of the
trip was going and clickting the eggs out of the
chruck house.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Well, no, no, no, you didn't let your grandchildren do that,
did you, low You are irresponsible.
Speaker 4 (33:09):
The pet lamb.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Oh yeah, no, you can't have that. The milk might
be too hot, the teeth might come off. Come on.
Speaker 4 (33:17):
I think back.
Speaker 7 (33:17):
I think back to when my kids were that age
and went out in their treat. If they behaved themselves
and help shift the fence, et cetera, I would let
them have a turner, and once they got a bit older,
they were allowed to peel their own turner. Then when
the little bugger's got a bit older, I'd be still
hooking up the fence and put the bulldog clip on
the hot wire and get the message down the wire somehow.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Yeah, Lowly, I think back to when I was about
eight and I discovered that pedal on the massy thirty
five to the back for you, the back of your
either side of you, But you had to reach out
and get on it to so you could spin on
a dime lock one wheel and the old man, I'd
go in the pad, I can do that, and I'd
be about eight and the old men if you put
that bloody tractor away, boy.
Speaker 7 (34:01):
There would be telltale signs if he didn't know you're
doing it. And it was on the shed. So yes,
I think the young people called them donuts and donuts.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
Yes, yeah, the old Massy thirty five donut. Yeah, there
year go. Well he did teach me how to deal
with ice, but black ice, and that was the old
nineteen eighty three Hold in commodore on flat out in
a greasy paddock and pull the handbrake on and that'll
show you what will happen if you hit black ice.
There you go. That's Richard Lowe joining us here on
the country back shortly. Well. Gee. One thing I forgot
(34:36):
to do there with Richard lower moment or two ago
was a book in a place at the Flash New
Pad from the thirteenth to the fifteenth of November. Here's
the reason why the Canterbury Show is back as the
Royal Amp Show of New Zealand for twenty twenty five.
That I'd to see your business there put it across
your rural calendars across the nation. The Royal amp Show
of New Zealand, hosted by the Calterbury am P Show,
(34:57):
is the largest of its kind of the country, the
pinnacle of agricultural achievement and now with Royal status at
stans as the premier showcase of excellence in New Zealand's
rural sector. Held over three action pack days thirteenth to
the fifteenth of November, the show features non stop entertainment,
the country's largest equestrian competition, thrilling sharing events, Keep the
(35:19):
Bottom Tooth Down and international wood shopping, dog trials, lawnmarle racing,
live music and over four hundred trade sites for seventy
thousand plus strong attendees expected to check it all out.
There are some exciting new initiatives for twenty twenty five,
including a Farmer's VIP breakfast on the Friday and a
nationally recognized wine competition with over one hundred wineries competing.
(35:43):
Might if they have a sip of two grow your
brand at New Zealand's largest AMP show. Visit the show
dot co dot nz for more information. There you go,
the great event that it always is well, Michelle, have
we got what we got in the old feedback steaks?
I see, we've got a couple of minutes. We may
as well sort of rattle through a bit of that.
Speaker 6 (36:04):
Yes, so we've got a little bit of feedback here.
Of course, I've got something about the children helping out
the farm. My twelve year old is helping me now
rolling out silent bars on the tractor. Working on the
farm has given our kids an advantage in the workplace,
way ahead of other teens starting in the workforce. And
now talking about swedes, I was telling you this off here.
I remember our neighbor taking us lambing on the four
wheeler in the middle of winter in the mud and air.
(36:25):
Treat was also a swede?
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Did a sweet Did you get to take a swede?
Did you get to take it and cook it and
put it with pepper and butter and.
Speaker 6 (36:33):
Nah, we just peeled them on the back of the
trailer and ate them on the trailer.
Speaker 2 (36:36):
I suppose if you're hungry, you're hungry, aren't you.
Speaker 6 (36:38):
We probably were wondering we were hungry, and it's what happened.
And also people enjoying the news about us talking more
about the arable sector as well, giving a bit of
love this sweet.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Yeah, and it deserves it too because it's a tough
I'll go in your profits and straw. That's when you
know that you're facing a few challenges, aren't you. Well?
Great chat? Did I good to talk to the Prime minister?
First up, mister Luction He was in a buoyant old
mood as well. Mike McIntyre from Jardin I love has
sort of drawing the long blow between the two of
(37:08):
France July fourth and the corn Belt and what's coming
out of America. But you know, still the future looks
pretty bright on that on that side of things, as
we've mentioned oraborttle bit of a challenge, a bit of
a challenge there. And always good to catch up too
with our man from Rabobanks as well. That's Todd Charters
(37:30):
of course, CEO, and that also that business with the
catchment communities alter some good support for them. Let's just
get out with a bit more dag in the Deckcads,
get the Bretna Hotel Type TIAPPI ninety one.
Speaker 1 (38:06):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mckue. Thanks to Brent. You're specialist in
John Deere construction equipment,
Catch you're the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mgue Thanks to Brent You're specialist in
John Dee machinery.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Good afternoon, This is the Country, Avis mguy in for
Jamie mckue today and tomorrow as well. Trust today is
going well wherever you are, whatever you may be doing
on the farm, in the town, wherever. Great to have
(00:43):
your company kids. I hope you collected the eggs okay
from the ferocious Chucks this morning. More on the realities
of farm life. When we talked to the Prime Minister.
Shortly feedback give it to us text five double zero
nine five double night. Also coming up Rabobank CEO Todd
charteris Farmer Confidence with Richard Lowe and Darry expert analyst
(01:06):
Mike McIntire from Jarden. But next up the Prime Minister,
but not before a little dag in the Dickheads from
nineteen eighty one. Prime Minister Christaph Luxen joins us on
The Country. Prime Minister, welcome on. Did you spend a
(01:28):
bit of time just on this realities of farm life?
Did you spend a bit of time as a youngster
on the land.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
I had a little I had an uncle who actually
had his uncles that were in horse racing actually in
CHRISTI channel Westmelton back in the day, and so I'd
go down from Auckland and August school holidays and go
spend a bit of time a couple of weeks with them, which.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
Is always great.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
So yeah, I think it's quite different now. I don't
think kids across in the cities actually have connections to
rural communities as much as they once did.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
But I also have this view that I don't think the.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Rural urban divides as big as everyone makes out at
times when you see shows like Nardia's Farm and Clarkson's
Farm and Country Calendar being so successful, and it's people
in the city's watching those shows, and I think it's
a huge appreciation for what our farmers are doing.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
So yeah, yeah, I've always had a bit of a
view that the rural urban divide isn't is quite as
big as the rural divibe which is. But thankfully I
think we're making progress on that front. I just think
the brock van Veld got a bit of a hard
time with a pink jacket to chat around the you know,
the dangers of collecting the eggs. I know, we shouldn't
take it lightly because things like your four wheel motorbikes
(02:31):
and things like that, there are serious issues. But yeah,
I thought there was a little slight big Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
I think the big thing there is, you know, she's
got to find the balance of we've got to make
sure we've got smart, sensible regulation. Obviously that keeps people safe,
but we also know that there's been a whole heap
of over compliance that's actually adding huge costs and that's
what drives in flesh and does a bunch of other things.
So it's always trying to find the balance. So she's
got a big review of that going on. She's looking
across all the different sectors of the economy. I think,
(02:57):
you know, she's talked about manufacturing and farming and construction and.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
Other sectors as well. So yeah, but I know what
you mean.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
On the ex yip, Yeah, Christopher, you'll be pretty happy.
I guess the farmer confidence levels around this weekend and
across the dairy beef lamb sect and pretty good. But
more challenging the old in the old arable world.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Look, I mean it is there's a few things going
on in that sector and obviously it's tied to the
other sectors as well within the rural community. But you
know what was really good is you know, farmer confidence.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
That was the most.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Positive school we've seen since twenty seventeen.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
I was pleased. You know, it's the highest level of
profitability ever we've seen them farming.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Two thirds of farmst reporting that they're going to be
profitable and they're going to and a think court of
them increasing production next year. So and also what I'm
interested in also is a few of farmers actually reporting
stress compared to last year, So mental health and a
much better place, which is a good thing. And you know,
this is the government genuinely that is trying to stabilize
the economy and get the platform in place for future growth.
And I think you've got a very supportive government for agriculture.
(03:57):
But I mean what's amazing Hamish is that you know,
once again, and that's why I think people in the
cities do appreciate agriculture and farming, is that it's our
farmers and our growers that are leadings you on out
of the recession.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
We will.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
If you think about the dairy exports up sixteen percent,
I think meat was up eight I think a horticulture
can be huge, it's son great, but up nineteen percent,
forestry up nine, sea food up two. So I mean
like there's been really good export revenue that's coming out
of the primary sector, which is really good.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
And we've just got to keep getting rid of the
red tape for.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
People opening up the new market five. The FDAs and
things like investment boost which encourage farmers to invest in
new plant and capital and equipments.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
Is all good stuff the backbone of the country. Prime
Minister exactly, yes, exactly, I like it. Hey, the surcharge
on payway, I mean this is a right across the board.
It hits is going to hit those small business own
It's pretty hard, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (04:50):
Well.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
The thing that people maybe not have understood is the
reason why we acted on it this week is that
last week the Commerce Commission came out and actually reduced
the fees that you know, Visa after Card can charge
merchants or businesses, and that was down by about ninety
million dollars. We also know that actually what sometimes is
the sticker on the on the terminal that is more
(05:10):
than over recovering the actual cost associated with the transaction
to the tune of about sixty five million dollars what's
called excessive overcharging.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
So all in all, we're just saying lot.
Speaker 3 (05:20):
You know, we we we've got to make sure that
all of that actually goes through to the consumer. And
that's you know, and that's what you see in big businesses.
If you go to the supermarket, you know, people don't
add a surcharge on top. You don't have a searcharge
for your energy or electricity costs or other components as well.
So the bottom line is that it's about getting getting
rid of it so that actually people know exactly what
(05:42):
they're doing. And also that those transaction costs, we know
that we've pulled those down. They've got to get passed
through to consumers. Are rather than leading to that sort
of excessive overcharging.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Increased directness phase that's been on the news this week.
What drove that is there a need for greater talent
so to speak.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, look, I mean the thing that we're looking for
is performance from the public sector. Right, they need to
improve outcomes for New Zealanders. And to help do that,
you actually need to get really experienced and attract good
people to come on to public sector boards. The problem
is that the public sector boards are paid so poorly
relative to the private sector boards. Now, we are never
ever going to pay what you get in a company
(06:23):
in a private sector obviously, you know, we probably only
ever get the best.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Maybe we get to eighty percent of that if we're lucky.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
But the basic thing is that fees haven't mentally moved
for a decade, apart from a very small increase under
labor under high inflation. But if we can get the
right people, they then turn can save us millions or
billions of dollars in public sit spending and get better
out comes from New Zealanders, which is what we've got
to do. So if you think about a healthcare sector,
we spend thirty two billion dollars. One out of every
(06:50):
five dollars of the government spends is on healthcare. Now
you know it doesn't if you get a good quality
board on health New Zealand, and you know that can
make a huge difference to making sure it's a better
performing organization. It's delivering the surgeries, the rule are on
the wait lists and getting more value for that money
that's going into that system, which is a massive amount
of cash.
Speaker 4 (07:08):
So you know it's just making.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Sure that we are you know, we're making sure that
we're never going to be we're private sector board directors
getting paid, but we've got to be in a place
where we can at least get some good people to say, Okay,
I'll do this as public service for New Zealand, but
it's not so offensive that it's not worth their time
not to do it.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Hard to argue with that. Okay, one last thing I
want to touch on, and I know you love your sport,
but the netball the other night, I couldn't. I look,
I felt for you that doing sort of thing before.
I mean, sometimes is you know, do you have to
have a bit of a rethink about whether some of
those events are worth being act or or how do
you sud.
Speaker 3 (07:44):
I look honestly, like in the actual auditorium, it was fantastic.
Speaker 4 (07:49):
I was really well received. People are very kind to me.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
There's a couple of people, yep, as you'd expect. That's
quite normal for politicians moving around the country doing town halls,
doing public meetings. But I have to be honest, I
think the way it's been represent us quite different from
how it felt inside. I wasn't I didn't feel aggrieved
about that at all. And it was a very small
group of people and you know, and I get it,
(08:12):
and it's fine, so but no, so no, for me,
it was like a fantastic game. And I wanted to
support netball because actually I think it's an awesome sport
and I think, you know, I watch all the young
girls and moms and their dads that come along. It's
a really family sort of occasion and it's a really
good event. And and so Amanda and I've tried to
go so, you know, a netbook game each each year
(08:33):
at least to.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Sort of sort of give our support.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
So and what was quite cool, as you know, was
obviously tactics who hadn't one ended up coming through. And
I think that's all good for football. And you know,
it's a sport that's got some challenges, you know, because
if you think about the growth of female sport in
New Zealand, often it's been built out off the back
of a male code that then has gone on so
crouding huge growth and a female code. You know, rugby
(08:57):
cricket it's been fantastic to what we've seen there, and
netball's trying to compete with all those other codes, and
I just think it's a fantastic game as a.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Result, fantastic primise. I won't try and compete being a
rugby commentator with being Prime minister, but we're both slow
moving targets, aren't we. That's that's the reality of it.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
We've got a great country and we go get in
the arena and we've got to get it fixed and
sort of for people.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
So we've got to keep going, keep.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Going, too right, Prime Minister, Thank you very much, all.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
There, famous, take care there.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
We've got a great country and we've got a great
episode of the country. Mike McIntire, Jarden coming up, dairy
expert and analyst Richard Low later on the show, Todd
charteris of course a little bit of farmer confidence and
various things with the Rabobanks CEO. That's all coming up here.
And so I think we've got a bit of feedback,
have we, Michelle, We've got a bit of feedback early on.
Speaker 6 (09:49):
Yeah, that's right. So I had someone ask text to hello,
text to hello listeners. Every listener is a prisoner, as
Jamie would say, you know, hopefully they're enjoying a show.
The feedback I've got is what is the rural rural divide.
Of course you were talking about that with Christopher Lux
and so how do you explain that one.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Because you know what, the biggest some of the biggest
supporters of rural in New Zealand are urban they know who.
As I said to the Prime Minister, the backbone of
the country is it's an attitudinal thing where you get
some very very different views within the rural community. Some
are positive and get on with it and we've just
got to do what we've got to deal with what's
(10:29):
in front of us. Others are just doom and gloom
and they're okay to see cattle in you know, up
to their knees in mud and Southland as we saw
for all those times. And they're the same ones who
get all good, all up at you when you see
Jeff Ross and his farm down south having Lake harwe
a station, having the mattress. Who cares if he has
a mattress at the bottom of the sharing you know
(10:51):
when the sheep go down the porthole. And then a
week later we've got beautiful, beautiful Ruinaly station with the
carpenters at ty Happy, a totally different farm, but ultimately
all with the same goal. So that's how that's how
I see it. That's where that you know, that rural
rule just you know, too much picking and choosing, but
a bit of positivity and get on with it versus
(11:12):
the doom and gloomers. That's and at the moment with
those farm gate prices, there isn't apart from the arable boys,
too much room for doom and gloom.
Speaker 6 (11:22):
There you go, that's a very good explanation.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
I did like you're just about have to go on
and have a cup of tina lie down after that.
Speaker 6 (11:30):
I feel like I learned a lot in that and
that short conversation. So have we got it coming up next?
Mike McIntyre, I got you.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
That's all. This is the Country. Hamish McKay in for
Jamie for a couple of days. This week's actually been
three or four by the time it gets through it
about thesday Jamie Becker, Friday Radio, Mike McIntyre, dairy thoughts,
Jardon dairy expert analyst and some interesting commentary in Mike's
(12:06):
last I think piece joins us. Now, okaday, Mike, how
are you?
Speaker 4 (12:10):
How much? How are you?
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Yeah? Good? Thank you? Good good? Now I'm drawing a
bit of a you know, the yellow Jersey corn corn
farmers in the US, and a bit of long bow
stuff going on here. Tell us about that. Tell us
about that, because I love the Tour de France. By
the way, we could have a ten minute interview about
that without even getting on to dairy prices and corn
and the like.
Speaker 7 (12:32):
Oh, I guess it's just a wide range of listeners
and readers. So we try and keep it as interesting
as possible. And you know, some of the data gets
a little bit dry, so we try and tie a
few interesting things together. But you know, in the note
last time, I spoke about the impact that corn's going
to have on global production, and corn prices continue to fall,
and so that is obviously the big feed of stock
for the US cows. About seventy percent of the diet
(12:55):
comes from corn. And with the bushall below for dollars,
it's a key marker. And you know, we axpect a
lot more milk to come out of that part of
the world.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Okay, So what does that mean when a lot more
milk comes out of that world the bushels are down
below four dollars? What does that look like? What is that?
What does that doing to us?
Speaker 7 (13:12):
Yeah, well, so now they've sort of twice the herd size,
so ten million cows versus our five but they produce
close to five times of the milk just obviously bigger
cows and more intensive feeding. So when their feed over
income sorry income over feeds levels get up to where
they are currently, then obviously they're incentivized to produce more milk.
(13:32):
What that means to us is we'll likely see more
skim milk come out into the market. And that's something
that I think we saw play out last night with
a softer skim pulse, skim price and the pulse. You know,
it's early doors, so you know, we can't read too
much into it, but it's just something we keep an
eye on.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Okay right here, So we'll keep a bit of an
eye on that. And of course we've found out our
own good weather here too, have we, I mean, which
is leading to to plenty of production as well.
Speaker 7 (14:00):
We have, so we had a lot of rain here
in the North pind and especially which put an end
to that dry weather that we saw through the latter
part of summer an earlier part of autumn, and so
I think you know, water table has been replenished, and
then in the last week eight days we saw a
fantastic drying out period and also timperature has got a
bit cooler. I mean, obviously that stops grass growth, but
(14:21):
what it does is kills all the bugs and gives
a chance with some of the fields to dry out,
because obviously it's important that you know, while the ware
there is assisting in the grass growths, you know that
it gives a period for the fields to recover. And
so we hit the ground running because you know from
observations and from speaking to farmers, cows are coming earlier
and carving well, and people have got plenty of feet
(14:44):
on hands. So we think the season is going to
continue the momentum we saw through June, which was a
stupendous amount of growth eighteen descent up on the previous year.
And so we think the New Zealand season and light
have a really good milk price is going to start
well yep.
Speaker 2 (15:00):
Okay, So okay, So what's the stimulus, I mean, what
are we getting from from China and the likes?
Speaker 7 (15:07):
Yeah, that's the big un nine. So China always plays
it quite their cards quite close to their chest, and
anyone who says they have a really good idea as
to what's going on there. You know, I'd regard with
a bit of skepticism. You know, they've built up a
very strong domestic to supply themselves and that's been impediment
to US exporting product into there. But I think now
(15:27):
with the fairly well deleveraged from exposure to the US,
both in terms of imports a dairy but also imports
a grain, that there's an opportunity there for New Zealand
to really further cement our competitive advantage in that market.
That comes both from our free trade agreement and also
by the fact that we sent a very good trading
relationship with that part of the world.
Speaker 2 (15:48):
Yeah, the ten dollars payout ten dollars plus payout world.
I mean, give you a short to mid term. How
do you see that hanging in there?
Speaker 7 (15:59):
Well, you know, you look to the twenty seven season.
Now the future is there. They're at high nines, so
nine sixty odd. So again it's all you know, smelling
of roses at the moment, so you know it's not
it doesn't have to last. So if people are relying
on these numbers, would certainly look them to manage that risk.
(16:20):
But it's not a new paradigm or anything like that.
These are commodities that we are selling to the world,
and so we will very much be at the whim
of what an international demand looks like. And you know,
at the moment it's pretty good, but there are tists
on the horizon, so we just have to make sure
that we're aware of those, and you know, we're quick
a memble around them.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Okay, the many jump at those futures at that nine
sort of six.
Speaker 7 (16:41):
Yeah, we're seing Yeah, that's right. We're seeing growing interest
in the future. So the twenty seventh season, which is
something that doesn't sizzle until September October twenty twenty seven,
so you know, a couple of years away from now,
you know, and then years gone by there weren't farmers
looking at that sort of horizon. But we're seeing greater
interest now as people become more sophistic way in which
they manage the risk.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
I suppose somebody who's got pretty well controlled production costs
under that five dollar mark or some would look at
that pretty and you know, maybe maybe the other ones
who look more strategically at that kind of future dollar Yeah.
Speaker 7 (17:16):
If you're locking in your cost.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
You're locking your revenue. It's pretty simple, sort.
Speaker 2 (17:18):
Of pretty simple strategy A Mike, thanks very much. There
we go, Mike Jarden there of course they're expert and analyst.
Amos McKay on the country. We're going to hear from
Rabobank's CEO, Todd charteris looking forward to chatting to Todd
around the Catchment community some work, great work going on
(17:41):
there and Catchment Community's altel Roa. Also Richard Lowe. Lowe,
he's a great one, the former all Black prop forty
nine tests, although he says, you're the guys that play
one hundred tests now play less minutes than he did
back in the day. Still a farm of these day
lower and he keeps it. He sort of keeps his
finger on the pulse. We'll get his sort of take
(18:01):
on farmer confidence, you know that on the street beating
the feat kind of empirical research from Richard Lowe. I
know you struggle to think of empirical research and an
all black front row and the same sentence, but I
can assure you Lowey is one of the most learned
gentlemen I know. Michelle. Of course we'll have our rural
news and we'll have a bit of sport as well
(18:22):
that is coming up here on the country. This is
the country, Hamish Mackay and for Jamie for a few
days this week. A great devy company right across the country.
Review whatever you might be doing. One of the last
(18:43):
times I caught up with this gentleman, he actually had
the footy boots on mouth Garden. Yeah, it was a
game of footy played at NAT the Nardapa Rugby Club
and the mighty Tyrafiti part of the country. See Rabobank
Todd chatter Tod, how are you?
Speaker 4 (19:01):
I'm good?
Speaker 5 (19:01):
Thanks famous, you're good to catch up again.
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Yeah, you haven't pulled the footy boots on again or
done anything crazy like that.
Speaker 5 (19:06):
No, no, no, And I regretted that actually for a
few days after. But it was it was a great cause.
So I was privileged to be there, but I'm not
hurry to do it again for a number of.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Reasons understandable, righty. Let's say get into it. The you
would have been pleased, You would have been pleased at
Rabobank with the Federated Farmer's Banking Survey top of the
class there.
Speaker 4 (19:28):
Yeah, no, we were.
Speaker 5 (19:29):
I mean at the end of the day. I mean,
it's what our clients say directly to a set that
really counts. But it's great to have that sort of
third party endorsement and yeah, yeah that the key is
for us is around that communication and overall satisfaction. So yeah,
it really pleased with that. And of course there's always
more work to do and we don't always get it right,
but it's good endorsement all the same.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
Look, I was I spent I spent my time these
days between the matter were two and Auckland and I
was talking and I won't name her, but a member
of the Rabobank team, and she was off to a
very very high tech mana we're two dairy farm, you know,
And I just love the way she was going about
her business, you know, and you know, excited to be
going up there and seeing what this outstanding property was
(20:13):
a farming setup was doing. I mean, I just love
that sort of you know, boots and the mud stuff.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Yeah, I know.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
Look, we've got a great team that is hugely dedicated
and I think just so well aligned to our purpose.
You know, they get up head every morning, they know
exactly what we're doing, and they just get into it
and it's a real pleasure for me to be part
of leading that team. And yeah, we've got a really
dedicated team that's that's in boots and all.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
As you say, Yeah, okay, part of what you do
is the good stuff and this the catchment community alt
tell us about that and the involvement of that. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (20:51):
Look, we're really delighted to partner with catchment communities are
and we're doing that in conjunction with MPI, and I
think it's another great armful of private and public partnership.
You know, the catchment community is doing great work coordinating
you know what is about two hundred catchment groups across
(21:11):
the country and I'm really excited about We've actually got
their board and our officers today, so we're hosting them,
which is great for us to be able to do that.
I'm just really looking forward to getting in behind what
the great work they are doing and how we actually
promote that right across the country side and have a
sort of coordinated voice, if you like, for all of
(21:31):
our wonderful catchment groups that as I sat, doing fantastic stuff.
There's lots to do, of course, but it's really ground,
ground up stuff. And I think that's really really great
and so yeah, we're really pleased with the partnership.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
In a couple of words, from an urban perspective, that's
about water. Is making our water better?
Speaker 5 (21:50):
You know, Yeah, yeah, yeah it is. And if you
think about New Zealand, it's just a collection of catchments,
you know, water catchments, you know, because the catchments obviously
we're all the lands comes out of sky and where
does it end up? And so it's it's broader than
just farming. It's it's whole community stuff. It's different businesses, ewe, you,
(22:11):
a whole lot of things. And I think that's what
it's about. It's about understanding, you know, what makes up
the sort of ecology of our landscape and this is
a big part of it. So you're super excited.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
The Fart of Confidence survey has been out and some
good results across the dairy, sheep and beef, but a
bit more challenging for the for the arable boys at
the ladies at the moment.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
Yeah, it is tough in that sector for sure, and
so they've been going through a couple of tough seasons
and hopefully, you know, as we look forward into the
next twelve months, things will improve in that regard, but
he has certainly been some pressure on grain prices and
hopefully there's some relief there because it has been tough
and they haven't been able to enjoy some of those
(22:56):
higher commodity process in those other sectors which you can
need to look really really strong. And it's great to
see because that's what we need is a wider economy
across New Zealand. We need that agricultural based really pumping
because the money goes round and we need that to continue.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
Todd chatter see rubber Bank before you go. I've been
doing the survey this week early September, South Africa spring
box at Eden Park? Does Fortress Eden Park survive? Are
we going well enough to keep that record in tect Oh?
Speaker 5 (23:30):
Look, I think it's going to be a hunting a
homerfits for sure. I think it's a bit early to
say if we're going well enough, but look, I hope, so,
I really do. I think it's going to be an
outstanding game and I really look forward to it and
it's what we all get excited about, right Yeah, and
let's hope.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
So the next best thing to a Rugby World Cup
Final there, Tod thank you very much for joining us.
Todd Chatters, their CEO of rubber Bank here on the country.
Speaker 5 (23:58):
Jeers Amus, good on you.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
Top man. They're sitting a bit on the fence side
tight in terms of that rugby resolved against the spring
Box early September at Edon Park and they're going to
be a rapper twenty four minutes away from one twelve
to thirty six, depending on how you look at it,
what part of the how you judge that whole spectrum
of reading the time. I'm sure there's a correct way
to do it. And Michelle will possibly tell me and
give me a wrapper over the knuckles. Anyway we're going
to come up with We'll be back with rural news
(24:22):
and sport coming up coming up on the country. Richard
low will be getting low you sort of feel on
what is the mood around the traps. He might be
(24:44):
he might be lying the sites up at Dairy Farmers
standby in a nice kind of way from Lowe. Yes,
any feedback, Michelle, any more feedback than we should be
referring to it.
Speaker 6 (24:56):
You know, actually I had some good comments on that
rural divide thing. I mean, I know are rolling mars here,
so people like, what is she saying? Yeah, saying them
together is hard for me, but a lot of people
love this accent. By the way, I just want to
throw that out there. But yeah, it's interesting. A lot
of people didn't know it existed. And for me personally,
I think of like the tall poppy syndrome type thing
as well when I think of that rural divide a
(25:18):
little bit. Yeah, but you know your comments on that
text us on five double O nine. Let us know
what you feel about the rural rural divide. Do you
feel it's a thing where you are, you know, living
out in the countryside. Let us know. But we've got
rural news up next.
Speaker 1 (25:34):
The Country's World News with Cop Cadet, New Zealand's leading
right on lawn Bower Bread Is It's steel for dot Co,
dot said, for your local stockist.
Speaker 6 (25:45):
And in rural news, it's all about the weather. Hamersh
So really terrible weather up the country, especially up north
ukond is under an orange heavy rain warning until ten
pm tonight, with people warn to expect a further sixty
to ninety millimeters of rain. And I know that you
told me this morning that the weather was pretty terrible
up there, and a severe thunderstorm watch is in place
(26:05):
for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Bay of Plenty in
the Coromantal Peninsula until midnight to night at the latest.
There's also more bad weather coming unfortunately for places who
really don't need it. Orange heavy rain warnings are in
place for Tasman, Nelson and Western Marlborough until late this evening,
so make sure you check those weather warnings out, keep
an eye on them, keep following them and make sure
(26:25):
that you know what's happening in your area. Just to
stay safe out there. But yeah, not too nice out there.
We've got sports news though. Next here we go Hamish Sport.
Speaker 1 (26:35):
Were then af Go Kiwi to the bone since nineteen
oh four.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
I've been a little bit surprised that this one's taken
so long to come out, given his success in twenty
twenty five with the Crusaders, Rob Penny on for another
season next year. Good to see after their championship winning
year this year in Super Rugby and an awful twenty
twenty four, I suspect they weren't quite as bad as
some of those results showed then, and certainly they earned
it around this season, so Rob Penny back at the
(27:02):
helm of the Crusaders coach. Now this one interests me.
The Phoenix Woman have a coach. Their new coach is
Bev Pressman. You might know that name. Bef Pressman was
the coach of the Canadian women's football team at the
last Olympics when they sent up a drone to check
on New Zealand in training ahead of their match. I
(27:24):
did a little bit of homework with a drone. Other words,
it's known as cheating. But it seems like all is
forgiven and Bev Pressman will take on as the job
as a coach of the Phoenix Woman. It's a bit
like when the Baddie, when the naughty boy gets to
year thirteen or the seven form and gets made a
prefect because they know all the they know all the
stuff to look out for. See, there you go, Beef Priestsman,
(27:45):
coach of the Phoenix that's our sport. Your first and
find ahead while the country alrighty he down Canterbury Way,
sort of out towards the Port Hills, I think these days,
(28:07):
and checking on some farmer confidence because this blake gets
around the traps a bit. Richard low Lowie how are you?
I'm good, ha mush, thank you good good good? How
would you? I mean, obviously things are across many sectors
pretty pretty positive, pretty bright. Is that the sort of
is that what you're finding out as you go about
(28:28):
and do your research around the various traps that.
Speaker 7 (28:31):
You go to, Yeah, traps or social establishments.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
I think, yeah, that is.
Speaker 7 (28:38):
And you know, returns on red meat sector are great.
You know, to buy a store cattleb's beef one now
you're probably looking at four and a half dollars plus
for kg. And so that's good lamb is you know,
lambs getting up the same way, so you know the
returns what they can turn them into and called sales here,
(29:01):
I know they've been up to twenty plus for good lambs.
So yeah, that tells you how the head that is,
tells you how good that is going. But and of course,
as well documented the dairy fellas going very well.
Speaker 2 (29:15):
He's going to say, mister and missus our farmers from
Rebecca Greaves and husband Richard and out of Polario they
got lambs on the truck and got two hundred dollars
and four cents. That's not too bad out of that
country is it a cheese.
Speaker 7 (29:32):
It's great and it's good to see that's going on.
They're probably only downside for the sector at the moment
is probably arable farmers and you know the costs of
getting a crop and what they get for them. And
we've done the work we've done Hamish over the years.
You know, grain has been imported from Australia for our bread.
(29:53):
Even potatoes have been imported for our church because it's
cheaper to buy them in from overseas than i'm here.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's all that. That one always gets me,
although it's probably not as bad as the one that
we always used to talk about, which was the bacon
from Spain and Portugal and Romania and Poland and everything, wasn't.
Speaker 7 (30:12):
It Yeah in Canada, Yeah it did, right, Yeah, Yeah,
there's no need for us important when we can grow
out here.
Speaker 2 (30:19):
Yeah. One or two other dairy boys and I say this, well,
you know, I mean, you've got to run your business
and you've got to and you've got to put the
hammer down. But I understand they're all, you know, doing
pretty well with the ten dollars plus plus payout, but
one or two are sort of being when it comes
to paying the grazing, not wanting to sort of overpay,
(30:40):
if you know what I mean.
Speaker 7 (30:42):
Yeah, it's probably a hard one to put a line
on the sand because these crops are all grown last spring,
them summer for this winter, and the deals are done.
The farmers, probably very farmers, probably getting a good dollar
plus more a kg now. But it's cost the chaps
putting in those crops, whether they be swedes, pale beat,
(31:04):
you name it. They're big pots and growing those crops,
and you know, the contract grazing is probably not keeping
up with it as well as I could do.
Speaker 2 (31:16):
Right, I want about your own farming at the moment, Lowe,
you used to get your hand in the game even
though you sort of sold the ponderosa out. Why, Matt Gorgeway,
you're still you're still farming.
Speaker 7 (31:25):
Yeah, we saw a few sheep and the other week
and had the great job of button holding before we did.
So that easy piece got to run, you know, the
one you got me out.
Speaker 2 (31:35):
Of your oh yeah, the handy piece, David Short's handy piece.
Rab Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, Oh good that you're good,
that you're putting up the good use.
Speaker 7 (31:44):
Yes, it was good and just just yesterday actually we
got the use and at the Canterary Amp because it's
a bit wet there and what have you, heavy and lamb.
We put them into the sale and I think they've
got about two twenty straight off the sheer.
Speaker 4 (32:00):
So that's good money.
Speaker 7 (32:01):
You know, if you're on the other end, you bought that,
you for two twenty at least one and a half
lambs out of it worldn't you?
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Yes, you would, Yeah, you'd want you'd want a minimum
of that. I would have thought, hey ya loo. I
put it out there earlier in the show when I
was talking to the Prime Minister, mister Luction about there
being a rural rural divide more than a rural urban divide.
It's something you and I used to talk about and
that you know, it's an attitudinal thing where you talk
about those that are positive and just get on with
it versus the doom and gloommeisters who can never can
(32:33):
never see the sort of the future or the brighter picture.
I don't think there's that much room for doom and
gloom at the moment, but you're still sense a bit
of a rural divide.
Speaker 7 (32:44):
Just a few, but they are the people that probably
think food comes from the supermarket. They don't really understand
where it comes from before then. And it's quite interesting.
I've got a phone call from my daughter and grandkids
were down the other month and the highlight of the
trip was going and clickting the eggs out of the
chruck house.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Well, no, no, no, you didn't let your grandchildren do that,
did you, low You are irresponsible.
Speaker 4 (33:09):
The pet lamb.
Speaker 2 (33:10):
Oh yeah, no, you can't have that. The milk might
be too hot, the teeth might come off. Come on.
Speaker 4 (33:17):
I think back.
Speaker 7 (33:17):
I think back to when my kids were that age
and went out in their treat. If they behaved themselves
and help shift the fence, et cetera, I would let
them have a turner, and once they got a bit older,
they were allowed to peel their own turner. Then when
the little bugger's got a bit older, I'd be still
hooking up the fence and put the bulldog clip on
the hot wire and get the message down the wire somehow.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Yeah, Lowly, I think back to when I was about
eight and I discovered that pedal on the massy thirty
five to the back for you, the back of your
either side of you, But you had to reach out
and get on it to so you could spin on
a dime lock one wheel and the old man, I'd
go in the pad, I can do that, and I'd
be about eight and the old men if you put
that bloody tractor away, boy.
Speaker 7 (34:01):
There would be telltale signs if he didn't know you're
doing it. And it was on the shed. So yes,
I think the young people called them donuts and donuts.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
Yes, yeah, the old Massy thirty five donut. Yeah, there
year go. Well he did teach me how to deal
with ice, but black ice, and that was the old
nineteen eighty three Hold in commodore on flat out in
a greasy paddock and pull the handbrake on and that'll
show you what will happen if you hit black ice.
There you go. That's Richard Lowe joining us here on
the country back shortly. Well. Gee. One thing I forgot
(34:36):
to do there with Richard lower moment or two ago
was a book in a place at the Flash New
Pad from the thirteenth to the fifteenth of November. Here's
the reason why the Canterbury Show is back as the
Royal Amp Show of New Zealand for twenty twenty five.
That I'd to see your business there put it across
your rural calendars across the nation. The Royal amp Show
of New Zealand, hosted by the Calterbury am P Show,
(34:57):
is the largest of its kind of the country, the
pinnacle of agricultural achievement and now with Royal status at
stans as the premier showcase of excellence in New Zealand's
rural sector. Held over three action pack days thirteenth to
the fifteenth of November, the show features non stop entertainment,
the country's largest equestrian competition, thrilling sharing events, Keep the
(35:19):
Bottom Tooth Down and international wood shopping, dog trials, lawnmarle racing,
live music and over four hundred trade sites for seventy
thousand plus strong attendees expected to check it all out.
There are some exciting new initiatives for twenty twenty five,
including a Farmer's VIP breakfast on the Friday and a
nationally recognized wine competition with over one hundred wineries competing.
(35:43):
Might if they have a sip of two grow your
brand at New Zealand's largest AMP show. Visit the show
dot co dot nz for more information. There you go,
the great event that it always is well, Michelle, have
we got what we got in the old feedback steaks?
I see, we've got a couple of minutes. We may
as well sort of rattle through a bit of that.
Speaker 6 (36:04):
Yes, so we've got a little bit of feedback here.
Of course, I've got something about the children helping out
the farm. My twelve year old is helping me now
rolling out silent bars on the tractor. Working on the
farm has given our kids an advantage in the workplace,
way ahead of other teens starting in the workforce. And
now talking about swedes, I was telling you this off here.
I remember our neighbor taking us lambing on the four
wheeler in the middle of winter in the mud and air.
(36:25):
Treat was also a swede?
Speaker 2 (36:27):
Did a sweet Did you get to take a swede?
Did you get to take it and cook it and
put it with pepper and butter and.
Speaker 6 (36:33):
Nah, we just peeled them on the back of the
trailer and ate them on the trailer.
Speaker 2 (36:36):
I suppose if you're hungry, you're hungry, aren't you.
Speaker 6 (36:38):
We probably were wondering we were hungry, and it's what happened.
And also people enjoying the news about us talking more
about the arable sector as well, giving a bit of
love this sweet.
Speaker 2 (36:48):
Yeah, and it deserves it too because it's a tough
I'll go in your profits and straw. That's when you
know that you're facing a few challenges, aren't you. Well?
Great chat? Did I good to talk to the Prime minister?
First up, mister Luction He was in a buoyant old
mood as well. Mike McIntyre from Jardin I love has
sort of drawing the long blow between the two of
(37:08):
France July fourth and the corn Belt and what's coming
out of America. But you know, still the future looks
pretty bright on that on that side of things, as
we've mentioned oraborttle bit of a challenge, a bit of
a challenge there. And always good to catch up too
with our man from Rabobanks as well. That's Todd Charters
(37:30):
of course, CEO, and that also that business with the
catchment communities alter some good support for them. Let's just
get out with a bit more dag in the Deckcads,
get the Bretna Hotel Type TIAPPI ninety one.
Speaker 1 (38:06):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie mckue. Thanks to Brent. You're specialist in
John Deere construction equipment,
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