The Country-Wide Podcast

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Jasper van Halder, Ravensdown’s General Manager of Innovation, about how Agnition is connecting global agri-tech with New Zealand farmers. 

Jasper explains how the Farm Innovation Network is testing technologies like drones, satellite imagery and soil testing, and why proving real value on farm is key to building a more connected, data-driven future for agriculture.

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In a quiet valley, just 20 minutes from downtown Wellington, farmer Hamish Best is marrying his passion for farming with his marketing which he hopes will become the red meat of choice for discerning Wellingtonians.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Hamish Best from Conscious Valley about building a premium local red meat brand just outside Wellington. Hamish shares how combining strong agronomy, selective breeding, a...

From data-driven decision making to environmental monitoring and compliance, Richard and Annabelle Subtil have reaped the rewards of lucrative supply contracts by being able to prove any claim by using technology while maintaining traditional high-country values.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Richard Subtil from Omarama Station about how full mobile coverage is unlocking and boosting efficiency and compliance in t...

In the gullies of Clinton in South Otago, the Campbells have developed an innovative new approach to native planting and maintenance that’s more affordable, has a higher success rate and could be scalable nationally.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with South Otago dairy farmer Sandra Campbell about transforming steep, unproductive gullies into thriving native ecosystems using drones, direct seeding and a DIY nurse...

Despite the tariff war, New Zealand’s venison industry is making bold strides into the North American market – and it’s already paying off, exceeding three-year targets in the first nine months.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp chats with Rhys Griffiths, CEO of Deer Industry New Zealand, about how a government-backed program is boosting venison sales in North America. They discuss shifting focus to retail, gro...

We improved horsepower by fuelling it with diesel rather than hay. We mechanised blade-shearing and hand-milking with electricity in the woolshed and milking shed. Every advancement in farming history has resulted in a productivity gain from a new source. The next shift is fully connected farms.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Melissa Andrews from Connected Farms and Craig Young from TUANZ about bridging rural conne...

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp chats with 2025 FMG Young Farmer of the Year, Hugh Jackson about the preparation, support and motivation behind his winning campaign - and what’s next for the fourth-generation farmer at home on the farm at Te Akau.

Guest:

• Hugh Jackson, 2025 FMG New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year

Host:

• Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Cou...

Imagine if a crop could be both productive and improve environmental outcomes in a cold and wet climate? Plant & Food Research have been working with several Canterbury catchment groups to ground the science to see how winter forage oats can reduce nitrate leaching losses even in the toughest conditions.

Guest:

• Dr Brendon Malcolm, Senior Scientist, Plant & Food Research

Host:

James Kellow has taken an unconventional path into farming with the purchase of Lighthouse Station on the Āwhitu Peninsula in 2017 for a deep connection to his rural roots and a desire to create something enduring.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with James Kellow about transforming Lighthouse Station Farm from a former dairy farm into a regenerative beef and gamebird estate. 

Guest:

• James K...

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with 2024 Nuffield Scholar Peter Templeton about alternative pathways to farm ownership and succession. 

Drawing on global models, Peter explores solutions like lease-to-buy and equity partnerships to help young farmers overcome rising land costs and secure New Zealand’s farming future.

Guest:

• Peter Templeton, Nuffield Scholar

Host:

Are your ewes performance ready this season? 

In this must-listen vodcast, NZVA Sheep & Beef Cattle Branch president Alex Meban of VetEast joins Sarah to unpack everything trace elements pre-lamb — why they matter, how they help, and the benefits he’s seen from supplementing with trace elements like Multimin ® Plus Copper for Sheep. 

Tune in for a practical, expert-led discussion to help you set your f...

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with Nuffield Scholar Jenna Smith about her research into managing peatlands to reduce emissions while maintaining productive land use. Travelling through Europe and the UK, Jenna explored wetland farming and highlighted sphagnum moss as a promising opportunity for New Zealand. 

Guest:

• Jenna Smith, Nuffield Scholar and CEO of Pouarua Farms, based in the Haurak...

In this episode, Jo Scott speaks with George and Penny Johns of Kaiwara Angus. They discuss breeding structurally sound, resilient bulls for dryland systems, with type and functionality prioritised alongside data. 

The pair highlight the importance of matching genetics to farming systems, managing milk for fertility, and balancing phenotype with performance to deliver practical, commercially relevant cattle. 

Guests:

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In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Nuffield Scholar Rachel Baker about her research into the potential future of gene editing in New Zealand’s primary industries which formed the basis of her 2024 Nuffield scholarship. Rachel explored how New Zealand could responsibly adopt the technology while protecting its global reputation. 

She highlights international models, like Norway’s, and sees early potenti...

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp interviews Nuffield Scholar Carlos Bagrie about New Zealand’s economic future beyond agriculture and tourism. Carlos highlights the need for long-term planning and diversification to address the limits of mature industries. 

Drawing on global experiences, he urges building new value streams and deeper collaboration across sectors. Carlos calls for a national conversation on New Zealan...

In this episode, Jo Scott speaks with Will Wilding of Te Mania Angus. Will shares how their herd structure balances maternal strength with innovation in terminal and dairy-focused genetics. He explains a new AI tender system replacing stud transfers, designed to prioritise commercial buyers and share value. 

Will also discusses finishing their own calves to validate genetics, the importance of weighing for growth, and growing ...

In this episode, Jo Scott speaks with Tom Sanson, Vice President of Simmental New Zealand. Tom highlights why Simmental bulls are ideal terminal sires, citing growth, carcass yield, and docility. He explains hybrid vigour and its benefits in crossbreeding systems. 

The discussion includes tips for bull buyers, the importance of aligning with like-minded breeders, and updates on the IGES evaluation system. Tom also points liste...

In this episode, Jo Grigg speaks with Steve Satterthwaite, who farms Muller Station in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley with his family. Their low-input, environmentally focused approach has created a resilient high country system balancing fine wool, meat with their dual-purpose merino and biodiversity values.

Sarah Perriam-Lampp also speaks with ecologist David Norton, who helped develop Muller’s integrated farm managemen...

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with Graeme Gleeson, a Waikato sheep and beef farmer, and Helen Hughes, CEO of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, about farming’s growing role in helping preserve New Zealand’s biodiversity through conservation. Graeme reflects on the community’s involvement in kiwi recovery and environmental stewardship, while Helen discusses the urgent need for funding to support the co...