The CountryWide Podcast

Dr Jordi Hoult’s interest in leadership grew from her military family upbringing and her own experiences navigating the food and fibre sector. Her Kellogg research shows that many mid-career people in their 30s to 50s are ready to lead but face barriers that stop them from taking opportunities, leaving a “missing middle” in sector leadership.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Jordi about what’s creating thi...

Witnessing the stress of sheep farming in Southland as a child led Steve Clarke to a career as a helicopter pilot before returning home to the dairy farm. He and wife Hayley are on a mission to ensure that farming creates a balance of work and life for their family and staff.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Steve about his journey from sheep and beef to dairy, the lessons learned through early challenges, and how smart infrastru...

How can farmers get the most from irrigation without wasting water or damaging equipment? IrrigationNZ Principal Technical Advisor Stephen McNally explains how preparation, planning, and smart decisions make all the difference as the season begins.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Stephen about practical steps from anchoring and mechanical checks to developing a wind plan and understanding consent conditions. They discuss a &ldqu...

How can sheep and beef farmers see forestry as more than a binary choice between full plantation and traditional farming? New Zealand Institute of Forestry consultant Peter Handford explores how integrating trees can enhance overall farm management, improve profitability, and deliver environmental and animal welfare benefits.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Peter about the practical and economic aspects of forestry on sheep and ...

As new wearable technologies for animals have surged in popularity, specific advice on the use of them within the dairy sector is to be included in an imminent review of the Animal Welfare Code: Dairy Cattle.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Dr Matthew Stone, veterinarian and Chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), about the review of the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare and how rapid technological change is ...

Silver Fern Farms, MIA and OSPRI have partnered with Prism Earth’s innovative technology to provide unprecedented insights into farmers’ natural capital that will provide continued market access to the European Union as well as potential new revenue streams.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with Matt Lythe, managing director of Prism Earth, about using AI and satellite imagery to map carbon, biodiversity, and...

Setting up cell grazing systems on their Te Pahu hill-country farm has transformed more than just Heather Gilbert and Elliot Kent’s bottom line.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Waikato farmers Heather Gilbert and Elliot Kent about their shift to cell grazing and the transformation of their 325-hectare bull beef operation. They discuss challenges and learnings, how the system has lifted production while supporting environme...

CountryWide has partnered with the Institute of Rural Professionals to strengthen support, knowledge-sharing, and innovation across the agricultural sector.

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Jo Finer, CEO of the newly renamed Institute of Rural Professionals (IRP) (formerly NZIPIM) about CountryWide’s new strategic partnership with the organisation. They discuss the role of rural professionals, the institute’s history ...

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Ivan Lawrie, General Manager at the Foundation for Arable Research, about the New Zealand Grown Grains initiative. Ivan explains how growers, millers, and bakers are collaborating to create a traceable, certifiable brand, strengthen the domestic wheat industry, and open opportunities in premium markets, while sharing lessons on value chains and building a resilient local food sector.

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In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp visits Leefield Station in the Waihopai Valley to talk with Brent Marris, owner of Marisco Vineyards, and Greg Crombie, the station’s farm manager. 

Brent and Greg explain how the property integrates vineyards, sheep, pigs and cattle into a profitable and sustainable operation, and how careful planning, brand-building and intergenerational leadership create authentic products, from aw...

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with Lincoln University’s Professor Hamish Gow about the Value Chain Innovation Programme, run by Rural Leaders.

Hamish explains how the programme takes participants inside New Zealand’s dairy, kiwifruit, apple and red meat sectors to understand how value is created, captured and shared, and why the real learning happens on the bus as farmers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders...

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: