June 2, 2026 • 40 mins
Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Matt Bolger, Mia Ryan, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.
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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 Aisuzu, Get Demo, deals
on the Tough Dmax Today, Love.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Us and Yeah everywhere I look around lovers in Yeah
every Satan love sound.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
And good afternoon, New Zealand. Welcome to the Country. I'm
Jamie McKay. Lovers in the Air. Yeah. We're going to
talk to a young Australian woman, Mea Ryan, who's created
a rural dating app. She's launching it in New Zealand
this week. She's going to be at Field Days and
Association with Young Farmers. More about that. If you're loveless
(00:52):
and lonely out in rural New Zealand and it is
a serious issue, I should take it more seriously. We're
going to kick off the show with the Prime Minister,
Christopher Luxon. Will he feel the love at Field Days?
We'll ask him are we free loading? Should we be
nuclear free? And why would we even contemplate bailing out
(01:13):
Moanna pacifica from the Prime Minister to a former Prime
Minister's son, Matt Boulger out of Fonterra. We'll have a
look at the first GDT auction of the new dairy season,
and I might ask him if he's read Berry Soaper's
book about his late father, jim mea ryan as I said,
a new South Wales farmer and university student with her
(01:33):
new dating app It's called Howdy and doctor Jack willnroweth
seven sleeps until field Days and the big rural industry
leaders debate raising money for the Rural Support Trust and
is diversification overrated in farming? Michelle will be in here
with the latest in rural news. I think darien Z's
(01:55):
come out with its annual numbers on the ECON tracker
a break even point for dear farmers. Will have a
look at that one, and I'll have a look at
sport for you as well. But the Prime Minister as
always on a Wednesday to kick off the Country.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And you're a reach love tell you where.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Are Wednesdays on the Country. The Prime Minister kicks off
the show Christopher Luxe and budget last week, Field Days
next week? What are your plans for the biggest egg
gathering of the year.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Well, I love it. I mean I've been going for
a long time, even before I came to politics, and
I'm going to have a full two days there and
it's really the best. But that I get value from
is obviously I have to deal with the good and
great of the industry and sector, which is always good.
But the most important thing for me is getting out
and seeing the stalls and just chatting to farmers and
people associated with the industry and what they're doing and
(02:53):
how they're selling and so it be full on two days.
It'll be great. Actually, very looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Do you think it can be like your predecessor John Keith,
who was almost a pied pipe mind you, Jacinda was
for a while too. There was hordes of teenage girls
screaming at him and her. Have you got that sort
of pulling power?
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Well, we've got a good reception. People are really good
to us at field days, but thankfully across the country
actually I find that but it's but no, it's just
it's just good to get out, Jamie. And you actually,
you know, like I can look at the numbers and
agriculture and say, yep, we're on fire. We've had a
twelve two billion dollar trade surplus in April despite the
fuel crisis. You know, we know, dairy, sheet meat, red meat,
(03:33):
well water cultures all doing well. But Actually, it's to
get a feel from the from the actual small businesses
that are there. That's what I get a lot of
value from. So now really looking forward to it'll be
a great day, great two days. Actually, was the.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Whispered coup against you a month or so ago the
best thing that ever happened to you. You changed tact,
You got Rachel Smally in, you became like you became
luckso Rambow like the terminator, you went all aggressive against you. Seriously, Well,
while I'm looking at the latest Roy Morgan pole and
I'm seeing a swing you. I don't know whether you
(04:07):
believe the Roy Morgan pole, but you're almost back to
election night numbers center, right, center, left.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Look, I just think New Zealanders understand what's at stake
as they go into this election this year is that,
you know, we've been working really hard to fix the
basics that labor broke. We've been working really hard at
the same time to also build the foundations that we
need for a future, whether that's expanded trade arrangements, RMA reform,
education reform, trying to get savings and investment lifted across
(04:34):
the country. Those are the things we're going to set
us and our kids and our grandkids up well for
the future. So you know, I think New Zealaners kind
of get it. They know it's been difficult times. We're
all frustrated with this series of crises we've been dealing with.
But New Zealand's come through this budget and fairly good
shape with good levels of growth. The economy is predicted
to grow two point seven in the next four years,
(04:55):
two hundred and twenty thousand new jobs being created over
the next four years, and relative to other countries, I
think our performance is going to be really good.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Yeah, but sorry, we're not performing quite as well. When
it comes to defense spending. Pete HeiG Seth, the Minister
of whatever he calls himself War. It's a strange title,
isn't it. He says we're free loading. We need to
be spending three and a half percent of GDP on defense.
And I heard you talking to Heather Duplasy Allen about
(05:24):
this about the nuclear free stance. Why are we not
reconsidering this? Is this I'm going to hang hang on.
Here's my question.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Is this a hearkback to I wonder when you're getting
to a question, Well.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Well, no, it was a statement it was a statement,
and it's going to be followed by a question. I
need to learn to use a full stop now. Is
this a hark back to the romanticism of the long
ee I can smell the uranium on your breath days
of the nineteen eighties.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
No, no, No, there's two things going on. Look first
and foremost. You know, we make our own decisions about
defense spending. I'm really proud of what we've done. You know,
we've got the biggest commitment of defense spending going forward
of any previous government. We've had under investment in our
defense assets for probably the last thirty years. We've got
a doubling of defense spending. We've got a fifteen year plan.
We know we need new resources, equipment, support, We need
(06:12):
to hire I think another two thousand plus personnel. That
takes time as we work our way through getting ships
built and aircraft ordered and people recruited. But we should
be really proud of the fact we're doing that. And
we have to do that because we've moved from a
very benign part of the world where there hasn't been
much threats or risks to our futures, to a more
challenged part of the world now, and so it's important
(06:34):
when you belong to different alliances that you actually step
up and contribute. Don't just belong to the alliances and
get the membership. You've actually got to show up and
bring something to the party. So I think we've done
a very good job and a very sensible program of
investment and defense assets on the nuclear free position that
remains unchanged. And you know, I talk to our partners
and are very clear about our position, and they know
(06:55):
our stands and they respect it. And frankly, all sides
of the political spectrum will be people extremes of both
sides of that debate obviously, like there's for every debate,
But the vast majority of Kiwis don't see a reason
for us to change our position at all.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
What are you going to do when the Aussies want
to bring then the nuclear subs and for an oil
and agrees on oil change.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Well, let's be clear, the Australians are going to spend
possibly the numbers I thought I saw close to four
hundred billion or three hundred and eighty billion in Australian
dollars on subs. They don't get them until the mid
twenty forties. And they delivered through the twenty fifties and
the twenty sixties. But even in our conversations with Australia,
they understand our position and all our partner's doing. We're
very clear about it. So you know, as I said,
(07:36):
it's not going to change while I'm promising.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
What's wrong in a time where we've got a fuel
crisis and potentially many more popping up in the future,
what's wrong with nuclear power? The Europeans are happy enough
with it.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
Well, we've actually got what we need for our fuel.
I mean, we in our energy. We're just on a
very poor job of managing it. That's the real crux
of the issue. You know, you basically had this oil
and gas and it then has chilling effect on the
thermal energy that we need to offset us on the
dry year risk when our renewables don't work. So it's
a pretty simple problem, man. We just haven't fixed it
(08:09):
because we've been very fixated on emissions and climate change
rather than energy and dependence. And I'm saying with respect
to energy strategy, it's not about long term climate change goals,
it's actually about energy and dependence. That New Zealand is
less knocked around by global crisis that we're experiencing now.
So that's what I'm focused on. That's why we've got
the coal reserve now for four months supply essentially at
(08:30):
the back of Huntley. That's why we're building the diesel
reserve and nine days extra stock and that's coming into
at the orders the fields on the boat now and
will be ready in a couple of weeks. You know,
we're making sure we're following up investments in thermal energy
as well as doubling the amount of renewables that we've
got up and down the country, you know, down your
way down south. You know we've approved a fast tracked
(08:52):
wind farm that will power up one hundred thousand homes. Well,
you know that was rejected under the previous government. We
did that in a matter of you know, probably one
hundred and ten days or so. So you know, we're
doubling renewables and it's an and an strategy not or
we actually need to also do the investments in oil
and gas.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Night. Okay, final question for your Prime minister, why are
you contemplating putting money into saving a rugby team, namely
Moana PACIFICA not great optics A week after a tough budget.
Is this just to plicate grumpy old Winston.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Look, Whinston, you can go have a look at it,
and maybe there are things we can do in the
non financial space around facilitation and a bunch of stuff
like that. But I think the bar is pretty high.
I don't think the taxpayer has much appetite for supporting
professional sports team. I think secondly, you know, labor put
four million dollars into my own Pacific and it's all
gone and alone we won't be getting back. And finally,
(09:45):
you know, any decision to support my episodes would have
to come through the cabinets, and I think there would
be a challenging conversation. So once it's more than free
to go look at it. But I think when it
comes to putting money on the table, that's a very
difficult decision in a very high bardi to meet.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I'll see you, same time, same place, next Wednesday. No
doubt you'll be surrounded by a screaming horde of teenage
girls just like Key and Jacinda.
Speaker 4 (10:11):
Well, Jamie, when you show up there with your radio show,
isn't it sort of you like a beetle penny? It
sort of goes off around you at the time.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
It's more like a gathering of the pension is around me.
But anyhow, you can young the crowd up a week.
But thank you very much for your time.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
All right, Jamie, you have a great week. See you mate,
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Prime Minister is seventeen. We'll make it sixteen after twelve. Yeah,
I'm sure there'll be plenty of that swarming around Mystery Creek.
I wonder how many of the Greens and to party, Mauri,
we'll see. I know Labor's there. We're going to be
chatting to Chippy next week. Joe Luxon will be there.
Damien will be there. He's always up for a bit
(10:50):
of a scrap, so they'll be there. What sort of
presence will New Zealand First and the act Party have.
I'd say a pretty substantial one. Well, our lover is
in the air because a week bit later in the
show we're going to chat to a young Australian woman
by the name of Maya Ryan who has set up
a rural dating app. It's been going in Australia since
(11:12):
March of twenty twenty four. She's launching it this week
in New Zealand and it's an Association with Young Farmers
and she's coming over for field Days, so we'll have
a yarn to Maya about the serious topic of loneliness
in rural New Zealand. Doctor Jacquelin Roweth seven sleeps until
field Days. We've got the big rural industry leaders debate
(11:36):
at the Wonderful Fundraise fundraising evening run by Mike Green
and his team to raise money for the Rural Support Trust.
But up next from the Prime Minister, we chat to
a former Prime Minister's son, Fonterra's MD for co Op Affairs,
Matt Bolger. We will have a look at the first
global dairy trade auction for the new dairy season.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Of your small Again.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
From Matt Bulger, is the Managing director of co Op
Affairs for Fonterra. We're going to have a look at
the first auction of the new season. Down zero point
six percent, the cream portfolio, starting the season well and
skim feeling the ill effects of the US unwind. Mike
(12:32):
McIntire's words not mine, But before we do, Matt Bulger,
you're the son of the late Jim Bulger Prime Minister.
Have you read Barry Soaper's new book yet?
Speaker 5 (12:41):
No?
Speaker 4 (12:41):
I haven't actually Jamie and Gerdega to talk to you now.
A frien dropped it off with me last week. Actually
starts sitting on the bedside cabinet. So yeah, I'll look
forward to getting into that one.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Well, there was a story in there, and I haven't
read all the Jim Bolger chapter, but a story about
an election night party in Tekaweeddi that went all night
and the Bulger chill were all there, all eight or
nine of you, or however many of them was, and
you were very musical and you played instruments and it
was a jolly old sing song till the sun came up?
Can you remember that.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
I was at some of those parties. I was fairly young,
so I probably wasn't there till the sun came up?
But no, that does sound like how a few nights
A few nights when so we've always always enjoyed getting
together with the family.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Just we better talk some dairy or you and I
will both get sacked. But where do you sit in
the pecking order of the Bulger clan because there was
a fair few of you, Well, there are a fair
few of you.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
Yeah, yeah, nine of us, nine of us in the family.
Nine number eight, so never tailied.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
So what is it about these Catholic prime minister families?
The English is there was ten or a dozen of them.
But anyhow, we better get onto the GDT auction. Was
this pretty much as expected? Matt Bulger?
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Well, it's I say recently, they're hard auctions to pick
at this stage. But again it's down slightly but relatively flat.
And when you look at the big macro factors, New
Zealand's up in milk production US and Europe three four
four and a half percent in the last three or
four months. In all that demand, all that extra supplies
still being consumed and bought with a relatively flat result.
(14:14):
So interesting last night Southeast Asia actually came through as
the strongest buyer of product. Middle East is still buying,
China is still buying, but Southeast Asia was a big
buyer last night.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
So just on the Middle East. How much trouble you
are you having getting the stuff there?
Speaker 4 (14:31):
It's challenging, but we are still landing product. In credit
to the team, the supply chain folks in Kataki who
were making that happen. So all of the product we
had more than thirty thousand tons on the water in
the straits were nearby when the conflict broke out. All
of that's being landed has got to its customers and
West continuing to ship product and then support our customers
(14:53):
up there, which is good. So things are taking longer.
In a nutshell, we might be going into a smaller port,
we might be having to truck over land, but we're
still getting product and to support those customers.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
So, as I said, the cream portfolio, the fats starting
the season well, A skim milk and whole milk powder
a down, whole milk powder down two point two percent,
skim milk powder down three percent. I thought skim was
where it's at at the moment because everyone wanted those
products because of the protein boom.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Yeah, it is interesting. I think protein is still a
fantastic I guess it's got a fantastic brand at the moment.
And you know you're going to be careful not to
talk about that is if it's a fair or a trend,
it's because it's a great product. It's great for your health,
great for your your muscles and all the rest of it.
So of course, when you've got milk growth like you've
(15:43):
got out of the US because US is probably leading
the charge on protein demand and you've got that supply
coming on. You can get a few bumps around that.
I wouldn't say that we're concerned about the long term
outbook for protein. They're really good to see the fats too.
I mean, but are an aim if trading its significant
premiums to US and European prices, and that's positive as well.
And I guess to have both of those large product
(16:04):
streams going well as great. From New zealandairy farmers, we've.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Talked about the milk volume for the season just finished
up about four percent. We're staring down the barrel and
I don't want to be the harbanger of get the
word right of doom on this one, but we're staring
down the barrel. It would appear of a super al Nino,
which is going to mean dry conditions for a good
portion of the country. Albeit those portions of the country
(16:30):
do have irrigation, but you probably never catch up on
what Mother Nature doesn't always deliver. Are you predicting perhaps
a drop of milk volume this year off the back
of our nino or will irrigation fill in the missing pieces?
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Look, we think it's more likely to be steady because
there are some forces up and some down, and of
course a lot of this does tie into how prices go.
So you know, I'll just emphasize that we've come out
with a pretty wide range for next year because it
is very early, rare, only just starting to contracts out
next season. That will effect prices, that'll affect how farmers
are thinking about things like supplementary feed and all the rest.
(17:07):
So look, we think it's more likely to be steady
on this year, of course, which was up a lot
on last year. Interestingly, when you look at things like
the Middle East, there's cost inflation, and certainly that's going
to be hard on farmers here and on all New
Zealanders actually, but some of those other large dairy producing
regions like the United States and Europe, their higher input
(17:29):
systems than us, used more fuel, more fertilizer, and so
that matter might actually taper off some of their supply
as well.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
Just to finish on And this may not be your department.
Do you have do you have anything to do with
the hedging department, the currency hedging department? Are you going
to duck the cover on this one?
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Make bolt, I'm heavy to have a crack, but I
wouldn't say I'm a currency.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
No, no, I'm just picking up on Mike McIntire's commentary from Jardin.
He said Fonterra noted that just over half of its
US dollar exposure remains unhedged, meaning the final milk price
will be sensitive to where that New Zealand US dollar settles.
And that's a bit of a pig and a poke,
isn't it. We don't know where it's going to settle
due to what's happening in the US.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
I'll leave that one might make and Tyron, I'll chet
to Andrew Murray when I see him tomorrow and see
where we're at.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
You're happy to be the MP for Toweronga and the
son of a former Prime minister A Matt Boulger. Thanks
for some of your time and thanks for sharing some
stories about your dad.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Good on, all right, Thanks Tommy, Thanks Matt.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
Twenty seven after twelve. It is a very good read.
I've just started reading it. I got sick of waiting
for cousin Barry to send me a review copy like
he's meant to, so I had to go and buy one.
But never mind, He's promised me a review copy and
I might give it away to you folks out there,
and Radio Landed is a good read. One last question,
(18:52):
Prime Minister. I've read the Muldoon chapter. I've read the
long each chapter. I'm onto the Bulger chapter. Very resting
observations from Barry Soper, who's been around in Parliament since
Muldoon was there. The only one who's been around as
long as Barry is you know who Winston. Some of
(19:12):
your feedback the PM needs to move on. Times have changed.
Most people I know don't give a rats rare something around.
Else about nuclear ships, I'm with you on that one.
I haven't got a problem with them coming here as
long as long as they're not firing a weapon. I
think we are stuck in the eighties. Here's another one.
Luxon is so much better to talk to than Hipkins.
(19:34):
Hipkins wouldn't know what a bloody spade looks like. That's
from muzz Jamie. Is Luxon or any or any of
these other naive politicians aware that China, Korea and the
USA already have container ships under construction with nuclear propulsion.
My point exactly, It might be the way we power
(19:56):
things in the future. Future. Go Jamie, you and luxe
and rock. Sure whether to take that as a compliment
or not anyhow, Look, thanks for your feedback on a
five double O nine Up next, Michelle, I think we've
got the latest numbers out of dairy en Z on
the break even milk price. We'll do sport for you
before the end of the hour. Yes, looking forward to
(20:18):
chatting to me or Ryan. A new rural dating app
being launched this week and at field Days next week.
Jack Will and Roweth th wrap the Country. Welcome back
(20:40):
to the Country. The show's brought to you by Farmlands
and I Suzu. Ask most farmers where money disappears on
farm and it's really one big thing. Usually it's the
little inefficiencies that add up over time. A bit of
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fuel disappearing faster than it should and across the season
(21:02):
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Because on farm it's often not the obvious costs that
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Class machinery built to perform and support it by Class
(21:45):
Harvest Center.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
The Country's Rural News with cub Cadet. It's one thing
to talk innovation, another to back it up drive it.
We dare you visit steel for dot cot on NZ
for your local star.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Guest almost catches me out every time, but like not
turning your mic on. Michelle's loaded up the love songs
for today. This is a beach one of the best,
my probably my favorite Beach Boys song. I think God
only knows. It's my favorite from the movie Love Actually.
Oh great, great finishing scene. Ah, We've got some more
(22:29):
love songs before the end of the hour because there's
a new rural dating app out there young Australian woman
by the name of mea Ryan. Very shortly on the country.
But I think you've got the latest break even milk
price from Dairy and Z and Rural News.
Speaker 6 (22:43):
That's right. Dairy farmers continue to enjoy record milk prices,
improved production and stronger capital values, with the rate of
increase of expenses for the twenty twenty six twenty seven
season the biggest concern. The latest Dairy in Zed annual
survey of New Zealand dairy farmers confirms the twenty twenty
four five season was one of the strongest financial years
recorded for dairy farmers over the past decade, driven by
(23:05):
increased milk production and high milk prices. The final numbers
are still being forecast, but the recently concluded twenty twenty
five to twenty twenty six season is shaping up to
be another strong one for dairy farmers, with production reaching
record levels and the milk price staying up above nine
dollars for a second season in a row. Dairy in
z are forecast for the twenty twenty six twenty twenty
seven season break even rises of thirty six cents up
(23:28):
to eight dollars seventy nine per kg of milk solids.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
So there you go. The break even milk price for
the coming season or the season we've just started up
thirty six cents to eight dollars seventy nine.
Speaker 6 (23:39):
And another fact in here, did you know that for
the first time, I think milk solids are set to
reach around two point two billion kg per for milk solids,
the first time that New Zealand has passed two billion
mark on the apparently, is.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
That set an annual season or production? Is it?
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (23:55):
So that's from the Dairy and Zed national database.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Alrightyo, there you go. That's rural. And he says, sport.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Sports on the country with AFCO one hundre percent. We
owned and trusted it. That's rare.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Paris Olympic double gold medalist Leise andrew A Lease Andrews
heads the nineteen strong track cycling team name for the
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow starting next month, and Brendan McCullum
assists what's being dubbed bas ball three point oh will
be still recognizable when his England side face the black
(24:29):
Caps across three Tests. McCullum barely clung onto his job
as England coach after review into the Ashes defeat to Australia,
but has promised to evolve the style of the side.
Basball three point oh up next might be the highlight
of the show. Mea Ryan the rural dating app coming
out of Australia. So you're finding it difficult to meet
(25:00):
people in rural and New Zealand while there's a new
dating app out called Howdy and it's launching in New Zealand.
They're partnered with New Zealand Young Farmers. It's going to
be all on at field Days next week. To tell
us more about it, A twenty four year old farmer
and university student and Miya Ryan Miya, how did you
come about the app Howdy? Was this for personal use
(25:23):
for you?
Speaker 7 (25:23):
Who was it? It's surprising how many people ask me
that exact question, So I guess it was. It was
really for personal use to start with, because I'm a
young person living in a rural area. And yeah, I
found it really tough to meet new people. And I
guess dating is hard for everyone in this day and age.
(25:46):
But as you start to get into more remote areas, yeah,
it gets a little bit tricky. So I thought it
would be a pretty easy process just to start a
rural dating app, and I didn't quite realize that.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
Yeah, it's a big How does.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
Your rural dating app how doy differentiate itself from other
dating apps that are out there because there are a
few of them.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
Yeah, there definitely are. And I guess the biggest thing
is that Howdy is genuinely run by me and it
has been created specifically for people.
Speaker 4 (26:20):
Living in rural areas.
Speaker 7 (26:21):
So other dating apps are sort of multinational companies and
they are in it to make a profit, and the
psychology behind it is very similar to gambling, So it's
all about having these huge dopamine hits and then you
have these lows, so it ends up making you feel
a lot worse about yourself, Whereas I wanted to make
(26:42):
Howdy in such a way that it makes you feel
more connected and it makes you feel better. So rather
than having like the normal swiping function where you can
sit on your lunch break and just you know, quickly
swipe through yes and no to keep the people and
they not being people, they become just a profile picture.
(27:03):
I've tried to slow that whole process down, and I've
made it so you sort of take your time and
you actually read about the person, and you know, you
start to look at them as actual people and not
just not just a photo on your screen. And I
think the biggest thing as well is that I have
been able to completely abolish the radius settings. So if
(27:27):
you can choose to meet someone nice and close to home,
but you also have the option to meet someone across
all of New Zealand, and if you so choose, you
can meet someone across all of Australia as well.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
So how do you limit those just to rural people?
So it really.
Speaker 7 (27:43):
Isn't limited just a rural so our I mean three
quarters of our members are completely rural or regional. But
I've also opened it up that you can go on
the app and one of the first questions it asks
is are you rural or would you like to meet
someone that is Because I'm also aware that there's a
lot of people that are sort of yearning for that
(28:03):
lifestyle and that sort of I don't know, it's quite wholesome,
and as you know, country people are just different, so
I didn't want to restrict it and not include the
people that.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Are yearning to have that I see on your pressure
release and I'm just quoting from it here. It opens
up a much wider pool than the local rugby club.
Some of us back in the day MEA did our
finest work at the local rugby club, taking cheek a
wee bit there, But I know what you're saying, but
so so you're opening up a wider gen. Paul, to
use a clumsy terminology, talk to me about the partnership
(28:37):
with New Zealand Young Farmers, and I know you're going
to be at field Days next week. Yeah.
Speaker 7 (28:42):
I am so excited to be partnered with New Zealand
Young Farmers. They have just been so helpful throughout this
whole process, and I just feel like we are so
aligned in what we're trying to do. You know, we're
just trying to connect our young farmers and I mean,
how it is not just for young people, but it
is a really big portion for us. And I just
(29:05):
think that it's a really fun way that we can
do it, and we can sort of partner on all
different things. And I guess Phiel Days is our first
opportunity to do that. I'm going to fly over there
and we're just going to have a little bit of
fun and see what we can achieve.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Also from your press release, and I found this a
rather telling piece of commentary. Really, how do is not
just about romance. It's about combating loneliness when you live
out in the middle of nowhere, and that is a
real issue.
Speaker 7 (29:34):
It's massive, It is really massive. So people living in
rural areas are twice as likely to struggle with their
mental health.
Speaker 6 (29:42):
And I don't know.
Speaker 7 (29:44):
I just think that it's great if you can meet
the love of your life on Howdy. I am all
about that, obviously, but for me, it's the other interactions
that actually matter more. So if you're sitting in the
tractor all day and you just get a mess from
a friend, that can be the difference between a good
day and a bad day. So everyone, I think in
(30:06):
the whole dating game are just trying to always weed
everyone out and just trying to find the one, and
they sort of forget that along the way you get
to meet some really incredible people. So the biggest thing
about Howdy is that you're just creating a bit of
a community. And yeah, you might not end up with
that person, but they've been a great person to get
(30:29):
to know.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Well, you've got to kiss a few frogs, haven't you
to meet your prince? They just to finish on to
mark your New Zealand launch. Anyone who signs up during June,
we'll get their first thirty days free. Howdy is available
on Apple and Google App Stores, which is wonderful. Just
about you. You are a farmer, you're also a university student,
but you live in the middle of nowhere.
Speaker 7 (30:52):
Yes, yeah, well middle of nowhere or middle of everywhere.
It depends on how you want to look at that.
But yes, yeah, I can absolutely relate to everyone using Howdy,
because yeah, it's tricky.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
What are you starting at university?
Speaker 7 (31:08):
I am doing a double degree in agriculture and international business.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
Well, you might be a good catch at field Days
for some of those young farmers.
Speaker 7 (31:17):
Maya well, look, you never know, you never know. I
do love a kywee.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
I think we'll leave it at that. Hey, look, thank
you very much for your time. Looking forward to meeting
you at field Days. Howdy is the new rural dating
app and as I said, you sign up in June.
You get your first thirty days free. Enjoy your trip
over safe travels to New.
Speaker 5 (31:36):
Zealand, appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (31:38):
Thank you, good on your MEU. Okay. The app is
called Howdy Some Texan forty six mills and take away
last two days. Very welcome. It's been very dry around
parts of the country and Jamie that beach boys hit.
God only knows needs more airtime. We'll see what we
can do for you. Don up next, Jack will and
row Us. Her name is doctor Jacqueline Rowa Fortnightly. She
(32:10):
writes an excellent column on our website, The Country dot
co dot nz and I can tell you, folks, she's
excelled herself this time around. More about that in a moment.
But Jacqueline, do you realize it's only seven sleeps until
you and I are turning up at the Rural Industry
Leaders Debate at field Days. The Wednesday night of field Days.
(32:30):
It's sold out within an hour or so. There's going
to be more than six hundred people at the Crawdlands
Events Center, and we have a star studded debating teams
or two of them lined up to pitt wits. How
are you going to control that lot? Especially Shane Jones?
Speaker 5 (32:47):
Ah, well, I've got the odd thing up my sleeve
because what can I say? This is not my first dat.
So we were really lucky to have this wonderful lot
of teams. People going to get and tribute Shane Jones,
Sue's Redmain, Jessica much McKay and in opposition, Kieren m McNulty,
Radar Hamish MacKaye. It is going to be really interesting
(33:10):
because they don't actually get very long each and so
the control factor, Well maybe I should take my whip.
Speaker 3 (33:17):
Well maybe you should, Jacqueline our cousin, Hamish MacKaye, the
fill in host here on the Country. He's a late addition.
He'll be great because he is very good. But I
think he's filling in for Tovah O'Brien, who was meant
to be going up against Jessica much mckaye, and it's
ruined one of my gags for the night. You know,
the next question Tovah Jessica, Jessica Tovah to quote a
(33:39):
former Prime Minister of ours. So that's a bit of
a shame. But Hamers shall do a great job the
Star last year, even though you gave the best speaker
to the young former Young Farmer of the Year George Dodson,
who followed the rules. But Sue's redmain the national MP
for Rangoticky was a real surprise package for me and
Grant McCullum. Grant mcnasal spent telling me that all the
(34:00):
National Caucus are dropping their best one liners en Sues
so she can deliver them next Wednesday Night. Lovely.
Speaker 5 (34:08):
Then we'll have a lot of hilarity and hope to
raise a lot of money for the Rural Support Trust,
because that's what this debate is fine to do. So
it's going to be great. We're all looking forward to
it in our best chic mystery creek gear.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
You've written a really interesting column diversification or here's the
question that's posed by the column. Is diversification always better
for New Zealand farming the trade offs explained by doctor
jaquallin Rowath, Because diversification isn't always the answer.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
No, it actually costs quite a lot and we have
to decide whether the costs are actually worth it. And
when we think about the traditional farm with its diversification,
it was really serving quite a lot or preparing giving food,
selling food to the local community and it was mixed
ender prize. But for New Zealand, with only five point
(35:03):
three million people, we have to serve what's overseas and
the only way we get there at something that people
are prepared to afford is by having the economies of scale,
which is why our cooperatives work so well and why
they've actually got bigger and bigger. You think of fonterra
forming from what at one point was three hundred and
thirty four local cooperatives. It's a really interesting conundrum because
(35:28):
people are talking about food security, but some of the
things they want as staples we simply don't grow. So
do we try and say we will grow them in future?
But as long as the government subsidizes the farmers to
grow something that they know will not be as economically
viable as other, say crops or animal protein through daring,
(35:51):
or beef and sheep, it is a conundrum.
Speaker 3 (35:55):
The latest survey of rural people by some outfit that
I can't name.
Speaker 5 (36:01):
The BSI what used to be land care, all right.
Speaker 3 (36:04):
Okay, so says there are already three commercial activities on
most farms, which I guess you've got sheep, beef and
a better crop and that going on. But it does
surprise me when you've got like a dairy farm, because
most dairy farms that I know literally only have one
commercial activity.
Speaker 5 (36:21):
Well, they might be selling bull beef, it's true, developers.
They might be selling heifers to other farms. They might
be growing maize and selling off. So what isn't very
clear to me is exactly how Pike Brown, the lead
author here, actually clarifies a different income stream how far away.
(36:44):
But what we know, and this was an agribusiness report
something like twenty fourteen from Lincoln, is that they were
saying that on the Canterbury planes, if you are beef
and sheep, so they's footpills. I think tourism, think honey.
Well some of that's gone and some of it hasn't.
But if your dairy focused, so the focus is what's
(37:07):
given us an economic advantage in international markets, and that
becomes the cost. Because right at the moment the Cangary
planes are really struggling in their arable growers. And we
know that some famous arable people, and HaMishmar is one
of them, past Special Envoy for Agriculture, he has actually
(37:28):
brought in their family's brought into a dairy fund, so
he sees that he can't make enough money for the
family to be viable in just arable so and he
actually had fattening lands as well over winter. So farmers
are making economic decisions, but they're not always being approved
(37:50):
by society who actually still once canned peaches or processed
vegetables on May plains of the Hawks Bay area.
Speaker 3 (37:59):
We manage this, okay, Just to finish on because I'm
running out of time. You mentioned famous farmers and you
mentioned Hamish Maa there, but I thought you were going
to throw to them. Perhaps the most famous farmer in
the UK, Jeremy Clarkson from Didley Scott Farms. You've managed
to weave him into your column. How did you do that?
Speaker 5 (38:16):
Because he is showing and he's been awarded farming awards
for raising the profile and how extraordinarily difficult it actually
is to make money from agriculture. Now, a real farmer
looks at Jeremy and shakes their head because of the
dune things he does, including buying Ferrari tractors.
Speaker 3 (38:35):
Or was it Lamborghini Lamborghini.
Speaker 5 (38:37):
I think at Lamborghini the Italians should stick to fashion
and fast cars. Accept the fast cars done fee. Also,
moving away from that, he shows the difficulties. Not everybody
can farm. You just can't come in at sixty years old.
And so I'm going to be a farmer now. And
he's got cheerful Charlie and Caleb helping him, and he
(38:58):
just each week we see him shaking his head saying,
so you mean I've lost eighty four thousand dot pounds
any four pounds on working very hard all year to
try and get the grains they were weaken It's pretty depressive.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
You can read all about it on our website, The
Country dot co dot in Zea's diversification always better for
New Zealand farmers. Doctor Jackwellin Roweth. I'll see you at
Field Days next Wednesday and also at the big Rural
Industry Leaders debate on Wednesday evening at Claudland's Events Center.
Congratulations to Mike Green and all the team behind it.
(39:34):
It's a wonderful effort are fundraising for the Rural Support Trust.
See you then.
Speaker 5 (39:38):
See you there.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
Thanks Lovers and Year.
Speaker 3 (39:46):
And Dr Jaquelin Roweth wraps the Country. Thanks for listening today,
really appreciate it. We'll be back tomorrow. Shane Jones live
from Marsden Point. Chris Russell, our Australian correspondent in Jen Corchran,
had a rabobank on the wonderful prospects for red meat.
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday. We'll catch it tomorrow.
(40:08):
Take care. I'm out of here and it's their.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
Window catch all the latest from the land. It's The
Country Podcast with Jamie mackay. Thanks to Aisuzu, get demo
deals on the tough Dmax today
Catch all the latest from the Land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie McKay. Thanks to Aisuzu, Get Demo, deals
on the Tough Dmax Today, Love.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
Us and Yeah everywhere I look around lovers in Yeah
every Satan love sound.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
And good afternoon, New Zealand. Welcome to the Country. I'm
Jamie McKay. Lovers in the Air. Yeah. We're going to
talk to a young Australian woman, Mea Ryan, who's created
a rural dating app. She's launching it in New Zealand
this week. She's going to be at Field Days and
Association with Young Farmers. More about that. If you're loveless
(00:52):
and lonely out in rural New Zealand and it is
a serious issue, I should take it more seriously. We're
going to kick off the show with the Prime Minister,
Christopher Luxon. Will he feel the love at Field Days?
We'll ask him are we free loading? Should we be
nuclear free? And why would we even contemplate bailing out
(01:13):
Moanna pacifica from the Prime Minister to a former Prime
Minister's son, Matt Boulger out of Fonterra. We'll have a
look at the first GDT auction of the new dairy season,
and I might ask him if he's read Berry Soaper's
book about his late father, jim mea ryan as I said,
a new South Wales farmer and university student with her
(01:33):
new dating app It's called Howdy and doctor Jack willnroweth
seven sleeps until field Days and the big rural industry
leaders debate raising money for the Rural Support Trust and
is diversification overrated in farming? Michelle will be in here
with the latest in rural news. I think darien Z's
(01:55):
come out with its annual numbers on the ECON tracker
a break even point for dear farmers. Will have a
look at that one, and I'll have a look at
sport for you as well. But the Prime Minister as
always on a Wednesday to kick off the Country.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And you're a reach love tell you where.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
Are Wednesdays on the Country. The Prime Minister kicks off
the show Christopher Luxe and budget last week, Field Days
next week? What are your plans for the biggest egg
gathering of the year.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Well, I love it. I mean I've been going for
a long time, even before I came to politics, and
I'm going to have a full two days there and
it's really the best. But that I get value from
is obviously I have to deal with the good and
great of the industry and sector, which is always good.
But the most important thing for me is getting out
and seeing the stalls and just chatting to farmers and
people associated with the industry and what they're doing and
(02:53):
how they're selling and so it be full on two days.
It'll be great. Actually, very looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Do you think it can be like your predecessor John Keith,
who was almost a pied pipe mind you, Jacinda was
for a while too. There was hordes of teenage girls
screaming at him and her. Have you got that sort
of pulling power?
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Well, we've got a good reception. People are really good
to us at field days, but thankfully across the country
actually I find that but it's but no, it's just
it's just good to get out, Jamie. And you actually,
you know, like I can look at the numbers and
agriculture and say, yep, we're on fire. We've had a
twelve two billion dollar trade surplus in April despite the
fuel crisis. You know, we know, dairy, sheet meat, red meat,
(03:33):
well water cultures all doing well. But Actually, it's to
get a feel from the from the actual small businesses
that are there. That's what I get a lot of
value from. So now really looking forward to it'll be
a great day, great two days. Actually, was the.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Whispered coup against you a month or so ago the
best thing that ever happened to you. You changed tact,
You got Rachel Smally in, you became like you became
luckso Rambow like the terminator, you went all aggressive against you. Seriously, Well,
while I'm looking at the latest Roy Morgan pole and
I'm seeing a swing you. I don't know whether you
(04:07):
believe the Roy Morgan pole, but you're almost back to
election night numbers center, right, center, left.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Look, I just think New Zealanders understand what's at stake
as they go into this election this year is that,
you know, we've been working really hard to fix the
basics that labor broke. We've been working really hard at
the same time to also build the foundations that we
need for a future, whether that's expanded trade arrangements, RMA reform,
education reform, trying to get savings and investment lifted across
(04:34):
the country. Those are the things we're going to set
us and our kids and our grandkids up well for
the future. So you know, I think New Zealaners kind
of get it. They know it's been difficult times. We're
all frustrated with this series of crises we've been dealing with.
But New Zealand's come through this budget and fairly good
shape with good levels of growth. The economy is predicted
to grow two point seven in the next four years,
(04:55):
two hundred and twenty thousand new jobs being created over
the next four years, and relative to other countries, I
think our performance is going to be really good.
Speaker 3 (05:04):
Yeah, but sorry, we're not performing quite as well. When
it comes to defense spending. Pete HeiG Seth, the Minister
of whatever he calls himself War. It's a strange title,
isn't it. He says we're free loading. We need to
be spending three and a half percent of GDP on defense.
And I heard you talking to Heather Duplasy Allen about
(05:24):
this about the nuclear free stance. Why are we not
reconsidering this? Is this I'm going to hang hang on.
Here's my question.
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Is this a hearkback to I wonder when you're getting
to a question, Well.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Well, no, it was a statement it was a statement,
and it's going to be followed by a question. I
need to learn to use a full stop now. Is
this a hark back to the romanticism of the long
ee I can smell the uranium on your breath days
of the nineteen eighties.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
No, no, No, there's two things going on. Look first
and foremost. You know, we make our own decisions about
defense spending. I'm really proud of what we've done. You know,
we've got the biggest commitment of defense spending going forward
of any previous government. We've had under investment in our
defense assets for probably the last thirty years. We've got
a doubling of defense spending. We've got a fifteen year plan.
We know we need new resources, equipment, support, We need
(06:12):
to hire I think another two thousand plus personnel. That
takes time as we work our way through getting ships
built and aircraft ordered and people recruited. But we should
be really proud of the fact we're doing that. And
we have to do that because we've moved from a
very benign part of the world where there hasn't been
much threats or risks to our futures, to a more
challenged part of the world now, and so it's important
(06:34):
when you belong to different alliances that you actually step
up and contribute. Don't just belong to the alliances and
get the membership. You've actually got to show up and
bring something to the party. So I think we've done
a very good job and a very sensible program of
investment and defense assets on the nuclear free position that
remains unchanged. And you know, I talk to our partners
and are very clear about our position, and they know
(06:55):
our stands and they respect it. And frankly, all sides
of the political spectrum will be people extremes of both
sides of that debate obviously, like there's for every debate,
But the vast majority of Kiwis don't see a reason
for us to change our position at all.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
What are you going to do when the Aussies want
to bring then the nuclear subs and for an oil
and agrees on oil change.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
Well, let's be clear, the Australians are going to spend
possibly the numbers I thought I saw close to four
hundred billion or three hundred and eighty billion in Australian
dollars on subs. They don't get them until the mid
twenty forties. And they delivered through the twenty fifties and
the twenty sixties. But even in our conversations with Australia,
they understand our position and all our partner's doing. We're
very clear about it. So you know, as I said,
(07:36):
it's not going to change while I'm promising.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
What's wrong in a time where we've got a fuel
crisis and potentially many more popping up in the future,
what's wrong with nuclear power? The Europeans are happy enough
with it.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
Well, we've actually got what we need for our fuel.
I mean, we in our energy. We're just on a
very poor job of managing it. That's the real crux
of the issue. You know, you basically had this oil
and gas and it then has chilling effect on the
thermal energy that we need to offset us on the
dry year risk when our renewables don't work. So it's
a pretty simple problem, man. We just haven't fixed it
(08:09):
because we've been very fixated on emissions and climate change
rather than energy and dependence. And I'm saying with respect
to energy strategy, it's not about long term climate change goals,
it's actually about energy and dependence. That New Zealand is
less knocked around by global crisis that we're experiencing now.
So that's what I'm focused on. That's why we've got
the coal reserve now for four months supply essentially at
(08:30):
the back of Huntley. That's why we're building the diesel
reserve and nine days extra stock and that's coming into
at the orders the fields on the boat now and
will be ready in a couple of weeks. You know,
we're making sure we're following up investments in thermal energy
as well as doubling the amount of renewables that we've
got up and down the country, you know, down your
way down south. You know we've approved a fast tracked
(08:52):
wind farm that will power up one hundred thousand homes. Well,
you know that was rejected under the previous government. We
did that in a matter of you know, probably one
hundred and ten days or so. So you know, we're
doubling renewables and it's an and an strategy not or
we actually need to also do the investments in oil
and gas.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Night. Okay, final question for your Prime minister, why are
you contemplating putting money into saving a rugby team, namely
Moana PACIFICA not great optics A week after a tough budget.
Is this just to plicate grumpy old Winston.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
Look, Whinston, you can go have a look at it,
and maybe there are things we can do in the
non financial space around facilitation and a bunch of stuff
like that. But I think the bar is pretty high.
I don't think the taxpayer has much appetite for supporting
professional sports team. I think secondly, you know, labor put
four million dollars into my own Pacific and it's all
gone and alone we won't be getting back. And finally,
(09:45):
you know, any decision to support my episodes would have
to come through the cabinets, and I think there would
be a challenging conversation. So once it's more than free
to go look at it. But I think when it
comes to putting money on the table, that's a very
difficult decision in a very high bardi to meet.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
I'll see you, same time, same place, next Wednesday. No
doubt you'll be surrounded by a screaming horde of teenage
girls just like Key and Jacinda.
Speaker 4 (10:11):
Well, Jamie, when you show up there with your radio show,
isn't it sort of you like a beetle penny? It
sort of goes off around you at the time.
Speaker 3 (10:18):
It's more like a gathering of the pension is around me.
But anyhow, you can young the crowd up a week.
But thank you very much for your time.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
All right, Jamie, you have a great week. See you mate,
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
Prime Minister is seventeen. We'll make it sixteen after twelve. Yeah,
I'm sure there'll be plenty of that swarming around Mystery Creek.
I wonder how many of the Greens and to party, Mauri,
we'll see. I know Labor's there. We're going to be
chatting to Chippy next week. Joe Luxon will be there.
Damien will be there. He's always up for a bit
(10:50):
of a scrap, so they'll be there. What sort of
presence will New Zealand First and the act Party have.
I'd say a pretty substantial one. Well, our lover is
in the air because a week bit later in the
show we're going to chat to a young Australian woman
by the name of Maya Ryan who has set up
a rural dating app. It's been going in Australia since
(11:12):
March of twenty twenty four. She's launching it this week
in New Zealand and it's an Association with Young Farmers
and she's coming over for field Days, so we'll have
a yarn to Maya about the serious topic of loneliness
in rural New Zealand. Doctor Jacquelin Roweth seven sleeps until
field Days. We've got the big rural industry leaders debate
(11:36):
at the Wonderful Fundraise fundraising evening run by Mike Green
and his team to raise money for the Rural Support Trust.
But up next from the Prime Minister, we chat to
a former Prime Minister's son, Fonterra's MD for co Op Affairs,
Matt Bolger. We will have a look at the first
global dairy trade auction for the new dairy season.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
Of your small Again.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
From Matt Bulger, is the Managing director of co Op
Affairs for Fonterra. We're going to have a look at
the first auction of the new season. Down zero point
six percent, the cream portfolio, starting the season well and
skim feeling the ill effects of the US unwind. Mike
(12:32):
McIntire's words not mine, But before we do, Matt Bulger,
you're the son of the late Jim Bulger Prime Minister.
Have you read Barry Soaper's new book yet?
Speaker 5 (12:41):
No?
Speaker 4 (12:41):
I haven't actually Jamie and Gerdega to talk to you now.
A frien dropped it off with me last week. Actually
starts sitting on the bedside cabinet. So yeah, I'll look
forward to getting into that one.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Well, there was a story in there, and I haven't
read all the Jim Bolger chapter, but a story about
an election night party in Tekaweeddi that went all night
and the Bulger chill were all there, all eight or
nine of you, or however many of them was, and
you were very musical and you played instruments and it
was a jolly old sing song till the sun came up?
Can you remember that.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
I was at some of those parties. I was fairly young,
so I probably wasn't there till the sun came up?
But no, that does sound like how a few nights
A few nights when so we've always always enjoyed getting
together with the family.
Speaker 3 (13:22):
Just we better talk some dairy or you and I
will both get sacked. But where do you sit in
the pecking order of the Bulger clan because there was
a fair few of you, Well, there are a fair
few of you.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
Yeah, yeah, nine of us, nine of us in the family.
Nine number eight, so never tailied.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
So what is it about these Catholic prime minister families?
The English is there was ten or a dozen of them.
But anyhow, we better get onto the GDT auction. Was
this pretty much as expected? Matt Bulger?
Speaker 4 (13:50):
Well, it's I say recently, they're hard auctions to pick
at this stage. But again it's down slightly but relatively flat.
And when you look at the big macro factors, New
Zealand's up in milk production US and Europe three four
four and a half percent in the last three or
four months. In all that demand, all that extra supplies
still being consumed and bought with a relatively flat result.
(14:14):
So interesting last night Southeast Asia actually came through as
the strongest buyer of product. Middle East is still buying,
China is still buying, but Southeast Asia was a big
buyer last night.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
So just on the Middle East. How much trouble you
are you having getting the stuff there?
Speaker 4 (14:31):
It's challenging, but we are still landing product. In credit
to the team, the supply chain folks in Kataki who
were making that happen. So all of the product we
had more than thirty thousand tons on the water in
the straits were nearby when the conflict broke out. All
of that's being landed has got to its customers and
West continuing to ship product and then support our customers
(14:53):
up there, which is good. So things are taking longer.
In a nutshell, we might be going into a smaller port,
we might be having to truck over land, but we're
still getting product and to support those customers.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
So, as I said, the cream portfolio, the fats starting
the season well, A skim milk and whole milk powder
a down, whole milk powder down two point two percent,
skim milk powder down three percent. I thought skim was
where it's at at the moment because everyone wanted those
products because of the protein boom.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
Yeah, it is interesting. I think protein is still a
fantastic I guess it's got a fantastic brand at the moment.
And you know you're going to be careful not to
talk about that is if it's a fair or a trend,
it's because it's a great product. It's great for your health,
great for your your muscles and all the rest of it.
So of course, when you've got milk growth like you've
(15:43):
got out of the US because US is probably leading
the charge on protein demand and you've got that supply
coming on. You can get a few bumps around that.
I wouldn't say that we're concerned about the long term
outbook for protein. They're really good to see the fats too.
I mean, but are an aim if trading its significant
premiums to US and European prices, and that's positive as well.
And I guess to have both of those large product
(16:04):
streams going well as great. From New zealandairy farmers, we've.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Talked about the milk volume for the season just finished
up about four percent. We're staring down the barrel and
I don't want to be the harbanger of get the
word right of doom on this one, but we're staring
down the barrel. It would appear of a super al Nino,
which is going to mean dry conditions for a good
portion of the country. Albeit those portions of the country
(16:30):
do have irrigation, but you probably never catch up on
what Mother Nature doesn't always deliver. Are you predicting perhaps
a drop of milk volume this year off the back
of our nino or will irrigation fill in the missing pieces?
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Look, we think it's more likely to be steady because
there are some forces up and some down, and of
course a lot of this does tie into how prices go.
So you know, I'll just emphasize that we've come out
with a pretty wide range for next year because it
is very early, rare, only just starting to contracts out
next season. That will effect prices, that'll affect how farmers
are thinking about things like supplementary feed and all the rest.
(17:07):
So look, we think it's more likely to be steady
on this year, of course, which was up a lot
on last year. Interestingly, when you look at things like
the Middle East, there's cost inflation, and certainly that's going
to be hard on farmers here and on all New
Zealanders actually, but some of those other large dairy producing
regions like the United States and Europe, their higher input
(17:29):
systems than us, used more fuel, more fertilizer, and so
that matter might actually taper off some of their supply
as well.
Speaker 3 (17:37):
Just to finish on And this may not be your department.
Do you have do you have anything to do with
the hedging department, the currency hedging department? Are you going
to duck the cover on this one?
Speaker 4 (17:46):
Make bolt, I'm heavy to have a crack, but I
wouldn't say I'm a currency.
Speaker 3 (17:50):
No, no, I'm just picking up on Mike McIntire's commentary from Jardin.
He said Fonterra noted that just over half of its
US dollar exposure remains unhedged, meaning the final milk price
will be sensitive to where that New Zealand US dollar settles.
And that's a bit of a pig and a poke,
isn't it. We don't know where it's going to settle
due to what's happening in the US.
Speaker 4 (18:13):
I'll leave that one might make and Tyron, I'll chet
to Andrew Murray when I see him tomorrow and see
where we're at.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
You're happy to be the MP for Toweronga and the
son of a former Prime minister A Matt Boulger. Thanks
for some of your time and thanks for sharing some
stories about your dad.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
Good on, all right, Thanks Tommy, Thanks Matt.
Speaker 3 (18:32):
Twenty seven after twelve. It is a very good read.
I've just started reading it. I got sick of waiting
for cousin Barry to send me a review copy like
he's meant to, so I had to go and buy one.
But never mind, He's promised me a review copy and
I might give it away to you folks out there,
and Radio Landed is a good read. One last question,
(18:52):
Prime Minister. I've read the Muldoon chapter. I've read the
long each chapter. I'm onto the Bulger chapter. Very resting
observations from Barry Soper, who's been around in Parliament since
Muldoon was there. The only one who's been around as
long as Barry is you know who Winston. Some of
(19:12):
your feedback the PM needs to move on. Times have changed.
Most people I know don't give a rats rare something around.
Else about nuclear ships, I'm with you on that one.
I haven't got a problem with them coming here as
long as long as they're not firing a weapon. I
think we are stuck in the eighties. Here's another one.
Luxon is so much better to talk to than Hipkins.
(19:34):
Hipkins wouldn't know what a bloody spade looks like. That's
from muzz Jamie. Is Luxon or any or any of
these other naive politicians aware that China, Korea and the
USA already have container ships under construction with nuclear propulsion.
My point exactly, It might be the way we power
(19:56):
things in the future. Future. Go Jamie, you and luxe
and rock. Sure whether to take that as a compliment
or not anyhow, Look, thanks for your feedback on a
five double O nine Up next, Michelle, I think we've
got the latest numbers out of dairy en Z on
the break even milk price. We'll do sport for you
before the end of the hour. Yes, looking forward to
(20:18):
chatting to me or Ryan. A new rural dating app
being launched this week and at field Days next week.
Jack Will and Roweth th wrap the Country. Welcome back
(20:40):
to the Country. The show's brought to you by Farmlands
and I Suzu. Ask most farmers where money disappears on
farm and it's really one big thing. Usually it's the
little inefficiencies that add up over time. A bit of
wheel slip hair, a tractor working a bit harder there,
fuel disappearing faster than it should and across the season
(21:02):
that can quietly cost plenty. That's where class machinery is built. Differently,
Machines like the Class Arian are designed to put power
to the ground properly, are with a long wheel based balance,
weight distribution and systems working together to reduce wasted effort.
The sematic transmission keeps the tractor working and the ideal
(21:24):
power range, while the Class Power Systems integrates the engine,
hydraulics and transmission for efficient performance in real paddic conditions.
Because on farm it's often not the obvious costs that
hurt productivity, it's the small things that build up over time.
Class machinery built to perform and support it by Class
(21:45):
Harvest Center.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
The Country's Rural News with cub Cadet. It's one thing
to talk innovation, another to back it up drive it.
We dare you visit steel for dot cot on NZ
for your local star.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Guest almost catches me out every time, but like not
turning your mic on. Michelle's loaded up the love songs
for today. This is a beach one of the best,
my probably my favorite Beach Boys song. I think God
only knows. It's my favorite from the movie Love Actually.
Oh great, great finishing scene. Ah, We've got some more
(22:29):
love songs before the end of the hour because there's
a new rural dating app out there young Australian woman
by the name of mea Ryan. Very shortly on the country.
But I think you've got the latest break even milk
price from Dairy and Z and Rural News.
Speaker 6 (22:43):
That's right. Dairy farmers continue to enjoy record milk prices,
improved production and stronger capital values, with the rate of
increase of expenses for the twenty twenty six twenty seven
season the biggest concern. The latest Dairy in Zed annual
survey of New Zealand dairy farmers confirms the twenty twenty
four five season was one of the strongest financial years
recorded for dairy farmers over the past decade, driven by
(23:05):
increased milk production and high milk prices. The final numbers
are still being forecast, but the recently concluded twenty twenty
five to twenty twenty six season is shaping up to
be another strong one for dairy farmers, with production reaching
record levels and the milk price staying up above nine
dollars for a second season in a row. Dairy in
z are forecast for the twenty twenty six twenty twenty
seven season break even rises of thirty six cents up
(23:28):
to eight dollars seventy nine per kg of milk solids.
Speaker 3 (23:31):
So there you go. The break even milk price for
the coming season or the season we've just started up
thirty six cents to eight dollars seventy nine.
Speaker 6 (23:39):
And another fact in here, did you know that for
the first time, I think milk solids are set to
reach around two point two billion kg per for milk solids,
the first time that New Zealand has passed two billion
mark on the apparently, is.
Speaker 3 (23:53):
That set an annual season or production? Is it?
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (23:55):
So that's from the Dairy and Zed national database.
Speaker 3 (23:58):
Alrightyo, there you go. That's rural. And he says, sport.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Sports on the country with AFCO one hundre percent. We
owned and trusted it. That's rare.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
Paris Olympic double gold medalist Leise andrew A Lease Andrews
heads the nineteen strong track cycling team name for the
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow starting next month, and Brendan McCullum
assists what's being dubbed bas ball three point oh will
be still recognizable when his England side face the black
(24:29):
Caps across three Tests. McCullum barely clung onto his job
as England coach after review into the Ashes defeat to Australia,
but has promised to evolve the style of the side.
Basball three point oh up next might be the highlight
of the show. Mea Ryan the rural dating app coming
out of Australia. So you're finding it difficult to meet
(25:00):
people in rural and New Zealand while there's a new
dating app out called Howdy and it's launching in New Zealand.
They're partnered with New Zealand Young Farmers. It's going to
be all on at field Days next week. To tell
us more about it, A twenty four year old farmer
and university student and Miya Ryan Miya, how did you
come about the app Howdy? Was this for personal use
(25:23):
for you?
Speaker 7 (25:23):
Who was it? It's surprising how many people ask me
that exact question, So I guess it was. It was
really for personal use to start with, because I'm a
young person living in a rural area. And yeah, I
found it really tough to meet new people. And I
guess dating is hard for everyone in this day and age.
(25:46):
But as you start to get into more remote areas, yeah,
it gets a little bit tricky. So I thought it
would be a pretty easy process just to start a
rural dating app, and I didn't quite realize that.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
Yeah, it's a big How does.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
Your rural dating app how doy differentiate itself from other
dating apps that are out there because there are a
few of them.
Speaker 7 (26:09):
Yeah, there definitely are. And I guess the biggest thing
is that Howdy is genuinely run by me and it
has been created specifically for people.
Speaker 4 (26:20):
Living in rural areas.
Speaker 7 (26:21):
So other dating apps are sort of multinational companies and
they are in it to make a profit, and the
psychology behind it is very similar to gambling, So it's
all about having these huge dopamine hits and then you
have these lows, so it ends up making you feel
a lot worse about yourself, Whereas I wanted to make
(26:42):
Howdy in such a way that it makes you feel
more connected and it makes you feel better. So rather
than having like the normal swiping function where you can
sit on your lunch break and just you know, quickly
swipe through yes and no to keep the people and
they not being people, they become just a profile picture.
(27:03):
I've tried to slow that whole process down, and I've
made it so you sort of take your time and
you actually read about the person, and you know, you
start to look at them as actual people and not
just not just a photo on your screen. And I
think the biggest thing as well is that I have
been able to completely abolish the radius settings. So if
(27:27):
you can choose to meet someone nice and close to home,
but you also have the option to meet someone across
all of New Zealand, and if you so choose, you
can meet someone across all of Australia as well.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
So how do you limit those just to rural people?
So it really.
Speaker 7 (27:43):
Isn't limited just a rural so our I mean three
quarters of our members are completely rural or regional. But
I've also opened it up that you can go on
the app and one of the first questions it asks
is are you rural or would you like to meet
someone that is Because I'm also aware that there's a
lot of people that are sort of yearning for that
(28:03):
lifestyle and that sort of I don't know, it's quite wholesome,
and as you know, country people are just different, so
I didn't want to restrict it and not include the
people that.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Are yearning to have that I see on your pressure
release and I'm just quoting from it here. It opens
up a much wider pool than the local rugby club.
Some of us back in the day MEA did our
finest work at the local rugby club, taking cheek a
wee bit there, But I know what you're saying, but
so so you're opening up a wider gen. Paul, to
use a clumsy terminology, talk to me about the partnership
(28:37):
with New Zealand Young Farmers, and I know you're going
to be at field Days next week. Yeah.
Speaker 7 (28:42):
I am so excited to be partnered with New Zealand
Young Farmers. They have just been so helpful throughout this
whole process, and I just feel like we are so
aligned in what we're trying to do. You know, we're
just trying to connect our young farmers and I mean,
how it is not just for young people, but it
is a really big portion for us. And I just
(29:05):
think that it's a really fun way that we can
do it, and we can sort of partner on all
different things. And I guess Phiel Days is our first
opportunity to do that. I'm going to fly over there
and we're just going to have a little bit of
fun and see what we can achieve.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Also from your press release, and I found this a
rather telling piece of commentary. Really, how do is not
just about romance. It's about combating loneliness when you live
out in the middle of nowhere, and that is a
real issue.
Speaker 7 (29:34):
It's massive, It is really massive. So people living in
rural areas are twice as likely to struggle with their
mental health.
Speaker 6 (29:42):
And I don't know.
Speaker 7 (29:44):
I just think that it's great if you can meet
the love of your life on Howdy. I am all
about that, obviously, but for me, it's the other interactions
that actually matter more. So if you're sitting in the
tractor all day and you just get a mess from
a friend, that can be the difference between a good
day and a bad day. So everyone, I think in
(30:06):
the whole dating game are just trying to always weed
everyone out and just trying to find the one, and
they sort of forget that along the way you get
to meet some really incredible people. So the biggest thing
about Howdy is that you're just creating a bit of
a community. And yeah, you might not end up with
that person, but they've been a great person to get
(30:29):
to know.
Speaker 3 (30:30):
Well, you've got to kiss a few frogs, haven't you
to meet your prince? They just to finish on to
mark your New Zealand launch. Anyone who signs up during June,
we'll get their first thirty days free. Howdy is available
on Apple and Google App Stores, which is wonderful. Just
about you. You are a farmer, you're also a university student,
but you live in the middle of nowhere.
Speaker 7 (30:52):
Yes, yeah, well middle of nowhere or middle of everywhere.
It depends on how you want to look at that.
But yes, yeah, I can absolutely relate to everyone using Howdy,
because yeah, it's tricky.
Speaker 3 (31:06):
What are you starting at university?
Speaker 7 (31:08):
I am doing a double degree in agriculture and international business.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
Well, you might be a good catch at field Days
for some of those young farmers.
Speaker 7 (31:17):
Maya well, look, you never know, you never know. I
do love a kywee.
Speaker 3 (31:23):
I think we'll leave it at that. Hey, look, thank
you very much for your time. Looking forward to meeting
you at field Days. Howdy is the new rural dating
app and as I said, you sign up in June.
You get your first thirty days free. Enjoy your trip
over safe travels to New.
Speaker 5 (31:36):
Zealand, appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (31:38):
Thank you, good on your MEU. Okay. The app is
called Howdy Some Texan forty six mills and take away
last two days. Very welcome. It's been very dry around
parts of the country and Jamie that beach boys hit.
God only knows needs more airtime. We'll see what we
can do for you. Don up next, Jack will and
row Us. Her name is doctor Jacqueline Rowa Fortnightly. She
(32:10):
writes an excellent column on our website, The Country dot
co dot nz and I can tell you, folks, she's
excelled herself this time around. More about that in a moment.
But Jacqueline, do you realize it's only seven sleeps until
you and I are turning up at the Rural Industry
Leaders Debate at field Days. The Wednesday night of field Days.
(32:30):
It's sold out within an hour or so. There's going
to be more than six hundred people at the Crawdlands
Events Center, and we have a star studded debating teams
or two of them lined up to pitt wits. How
are you going to control that lot? Especially Shane Jones?
Speaker 5 (32:47):
Ah, well, I've got the odd thing up my sleeve
because what can I say? This is not my first dat.
So we were really lucky to have this wonderful lot
of teams. People going to get and tribute Shane Jones,
Sue's Redmain, Jessica much McKay and in opposition, Kieren m McNulty,
Radar Hamish MacKaye. It is going to be really interesting
(33:10):
because they don't actually get very long each and so
the control factor, Well maybe I should take my whip.
Speaker 3 (33:17):
Well maybe you should, Jacqueline our cousin, Hamish MacKaye, the
fill in host here on the Country. He's a late addition.
He'll be great because he is very good. But I
think he's filling in for Tovah O'Brien, who was meant
to be going up against Jessica much mckaye, and it's
ruined one of my gags for the night. You know,
the next question Tovah Jessica, Jessica Tovah to quote a
(33:39):
former Prime Minister of ours. So that's a bit of
a shame. But Hamers shall do a great job the
Star last year, even though you gave the best speaker
to the young former Young Farmer of the Year George Dodson,
who followed the rules. But Sue's redmain the national MP
for Rangoticky was a real surprise package for me and
Grant McCullum. Grant mcnasal spent telling me that all the
(34:00):
National Caucus are dropping their best one liners en Sues
so she can deliver them next Wednesday Night. Lovely.
Speaker 5 (34:08):
Then we'll have a lot of hilarity and hope to
raise a lot of money for the Rural Support Trust,
because that's what this debate is fine to do. So
it's going to be great. We're all looking forward to
it in our best chic mystery creek gear.
Speaker 3 (34:25):
You've written a really interesting column diversification or here's the
question that's posed by the column. Is diversification always better
for New Zealand farming the trade offs explained by doctor
jaquallin Rowath, Because diversification isn't always the answer.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
No, it actually costs quite a lot and we have
to decide whether the costs are actually worth it. And
when we think about the traditional farm with its diversification,
it was really serving quite a lot or preparing giving food,
selling food to the local community and it was mixed
ender prize. But for New Zealand, with only five point
(35:03):
three million people, we have to serve what's overseas and
the only way we get there at something that people
are prepared to afford is by having the economies of scale,
which is why our cooperatives work so well and why
they've actually got bigger and bigger. You think of fonterra
forming from what at one point was three hundred and
thirty four local cooperatives. It's a really interesting conundrum because
(35:28):
people are talking about food security, but some of the
things they want as staples we simply don't grow. So
do we try and say we will grow them in future?
But as long as the government subsidizes the farmers to
grow something that they know will not be as economically
viable as other, say crops or animal protein through daring,
(35:51):
or beef and sheep, it is a conundrum.
Speaker 3 (35:55):
The latest survey of rural people by some outfit that
I can't name.
Speaker 5 (36:01):
The BSI what used to be land care, all right.
Speaker 3 (36:04):
Okay, so says there are already three commercial activities on
most farms, which I guess you've got sheep, beef and
a better crop and that going on. But it does
surprise me when you've got like a dairy farm, because
most dairy farms that I know literally only have one
commercial activity.
Speaker 5 (36:21):
Well, they might be selling bull beef, it's true, developers.
They might be selling heifers to other farms. They might
be growing maize and selling off. So what isn't very
clear to me is exactly how Pike Brown, the lead
author here, actually clarifies a different income stream how far away.
(36:44):
But what we know, and this was an agribusiness report
something like twenty fourteen from Lincoln, is that they were
saying that on the Canterbury planes, if you are beef
and sheep, so they's footpills. I think tourism, think honey.
Well some of that's gone and some of it hasn't.
But if your dairy focused, so the focus is what's
(37:07):
given us an economic advantage in international markets, and that
becomes the cost. Because right at the moment the Cangary
planes are really struggling in their arable growers. And we
know that some famous arable people, and HaMishmar is one
of them, past Special Envoy for Agriculture, he has actually
(37:28):
brought in their family's brought into a dairy fund, so
he sees that he can't make enough money for the
family to be viable in just arable so and he
actually had fattening lands as well over winter. So farmers
are making economic decisions, but they're not always being approved
(37:50):
by society who actually still once canned peaches or processed
vegetables on May plains of the Hawks Bay area.
Speaker 3 (37:59):
We manage this, okay, Just to finish on because I'm
running out of time. You mentioned famous farmers and you
mentioned Hamish Maa there, but I thought you were going
to throw to them. Perhaps the most famous farmer in
the UK, Jeremy Clarkson from Didley Scott Farms. You've managed
to weave him into your column. How did you do that?
Speaker 5 (38:16):
Because he is showing and he's been awarded farming awards
for raising the profile and how extraordinarily difficult it actually
is to make money from agriculture. Now, a real farmer
looks at Jeremy and shakes their head because of the
dune things he does, including buying Ferrari tractors.
Speaker 3 (38:35):
Or was it Lamborghini Lamborghini.
Speaker 5 (38:37):
I think at Lamborghini the Italians should stick to fashion
and fast cars. Accept the fast cars done fee. Also,
moving away from that, he shows the difficulties. Not everybody
can farm. You just can't come in at sixty years old.
And so I'm going to be a farmer now. And
he's got cheerful Charlie and Caleb helping him, and he
(38:58):
just each week we see him shaking his head saying,
so you mean I've lost eighty four thousand dot pounds
any four pounds on working very hard all year to
try and get the grains they were weaken It's pretty depressive.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
You can read all about it on our website, The
Country dot co dot in Zea's diversification always better for
New Zealand farmers. Doctor Jackwellin Roweth. I'll see you at
Field Days next Wednesday and also at the big Rural
Industry Leaders debate on Wednesday evening at Claudland's Events Center.
Congratulations to Mike Green and all the team behind it.
(39:34):
It's a wonderful effort are fundraising for the Rural Support Trust.
See you then.
Speaker 5 (39:38):
See you there.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
Thanks Lovers and Year.
Speaker 3 (39:46):
And Dr Jaquelin Roweth wraps the Country. Thanks for listening today,
really appreciate it. We'll be back tomorrow. Shane Jones live
from Marsden Point. Chris Russell, our Australian correspondent in Jen Corchran,
had a rabobank on the wonderful prospects for red meat.
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday. We'll catch it tomorrow.
(40:08):
Take care. I'm out of here and it's their.
Speaker 1 (40:12):
Window catch all the latest from the land. It's The
Country Podcast with Jamie mackay. Thanks to Aisuzu, get demo
deals on the tough Dmax today
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