The Country-Wide Podcast

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:

...

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...

In this episode, Jo Scott speaks with Paul Williams of Turihaua Angus, one of New Zealand’s oldest Angus studs. Paul shares how the stud balances traditional stockmanship with modern genetic tools, focusing on fertility, structural soundness, and temperament. He discusses the importance of selecting cattle suited to their environment, maintaining genetic diversity, and producing predictable, resilient animals for commercial f...

In this episode Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with the Country-Wide Autumn 2025 homeblock columnists on how they’re adapting to different changes in their corner of New Zealand and Australia.

Kate McBride, farming in remote western New South Wales, reflects on isolation for women in agriculture, and the fallout of live export reforms on Aussie farmers. 

King Country’s Dani Darke is tackling dry conditions on farm whil...

In this episode, host Jo Scott speaks with Jono Reed, stud master and owner of Grampians Angus, to discuss the history and breeding philosophy behind their Angus operations. Grampians Angus is known for its focus on functional, fertile cattle bred to perform under tough environmental conditions and shifting market demands.

Jono shares how Grampians Angus combines traditional stockmanship with modern genetic tools to guide their sel...

In this episode, as part of the Country-Wide Beef Country series, host Jo Scott speaks to Tim Brittain from Storth Oaks Angus ahead of their annual bull sale. Storth Oaks has grown into a progressive Angus stud breeder with a strong focus on performance-driven cattle and forward-thinking genetic decisions.

Tim shares how Storth Oaks integrates tools such as whole herd DNA testing and the latest estimated breeding values (EBVs), inc...

In this episode of the Country-Wide Autumn Special Report: Pathways to Farm Ownership, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with Sarah Barr from Rural Coach and Brent Irving from PGG Wrightson. Sarah Barr discusses how aligning values, building trust, and planning for the unexpected can create strong, long-lasting farming partnerships. 

Brent, drawing on his rural banking and real estate background, shares insights on how equity partner...

In this episode, as part of the Country-Wide’s Beef Country series Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks to Leefield Station Farm Manager, Greg Crombie. As one of the oldest stations in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley region, Leefield Station Angus has grown and expanded its Angus stud sourcing genetics from a range of well known Angus dispersal sales and bull selection under the management of Greg.

He shares how the integration of ...

In this episode,  as part of our Country-Wide Autumn Special Report: Pathways to Farm Ownership, we explore the journey of establishing a successful equity partnership at Inveray, a historic family sheep and beef farm in Mount Somers, Canterbury.

John Chapman and Bert Oliver share how they transitioned from a traditional ownership model to a collaborative business structure, underpinned by trust, aligned values, and a shared l...