Ag in Conversation

EP 138 | 🎙️ So… What Did We Miss?

We’re back! After a few weeks buried in calving, we’ve finally emerged to discover that global agriculture certainly didn’t take a break while we did.

This week, we’re catching up on some of the biggest ag stories from around the world.

🌾 Europe has been cooked by heat and drought — while farmers face the ugly combination of falling output prices and risi...

Ep 137 | Join us in this episode, Myfi and Emily reflect on their experiences with the Agri-Women's Development Trust Escalator Program, discussing its impact on leadership, confidence, and community. They share personal stories, lessons learned, and the importance of supporting women in agriculture and governance.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

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136 | Emily and Myfi catch up with first repeat guest Deanne Parks for a wide-ranging conversation about rural women’s mental health, her Inside Out workshops, and how life has changed over the past two years. Deanne also shares a deeply personal update about her son’s severe spinal injury, and the tools, support, and mindset that helped her family through it.

In this episode, we hear how advocacy, community, and sim...

135 | Emily sat down with Kate Cullwick, one half of Foxtrot Home, about how a side hustle between sisters became a thriving homewares business rooted in rural New Zealand. Kate shares the early decisions that shaped the brand, from choosing an online model and visual products for Instagram to prioritising natural fibres, sustainability, and giving back. We also dig into the process of how Kate and her husband have brought wool fro...

00X | show notes

Kerry Johnson on AWDT, quiet leadership, and the future of rural women in agriculture

This episode looks at Keri Johnston's journey from farming near Geraldine to governance, engineering, and co-chairing AWDT. It is a practical and thoughtful conversation about leadership, imposter syndrome, women’s development in rural communities, and how environmental stewardship and productive farming can work toge...

EP 133 |  How Rural Communities Stay Strong When Everything Is Changing : Kathryn Wright

The advice people give rural communities about mental health is often built for the wrong world.

Kathryn reveals why New Zealand’s rural struggles are different, why young men are not always facing the stressors you expect, and why land-use change can feel less like economics and more like grief.

If you live rural, work with r...

132 | In this episode, we’re joined by Lindy Nelson, a sheep and beef farmer, former emergency nurse, governance leader, and the driving force behind major change in New Zealand agriculture. Lindy shares the story behind founding the Agri Women’s Development Trust, why she believed women needed stronger pathways into leadership and decision-making, and how that work has influenced rural communities across the country.We...

131 | Get a comprehensive look at the latest trends and innovations shaping modern farming, from autonomous machinery to farm data management. Whether you're a farmer, industry professional, or just curious about the future of agriculture, this episode offers valuable insights.

Main Topics:

• The impact of autonomous farm machinery and robotic technology
• Innovations in farm data collection and utilisation for sustainability
• Shift...

Ep | 130 Birds, Burps & Wolves

This week on Ag in Conversation, we're unpacking New Zealand's first bird flu cases and what they mean for farmers and consumers, diving into Europe's changing stance on methane emissions, exploring fascinating new research on wolves and livestock, and looking at what the NZ–Switzerland trade talks could mean for agriculture.

Plenty of insight, a few laughs, and all the rural news you nee...

EP129 | The only constant is change - methane, desert farming and capital

This week we cover a wide-ranging mix of farming, policy, and industry updates, with a strong focus on what’s changing across agriculture in New Zealand and beyond.

We wrap up with a chat about the REDA internship through Zentra - have a look!! https://www.zenterawool.com/careers/2027-zentera-reda-internship

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Ins...

EP | 128 The Pig, The Pitch & The Power of Wool

Christchurch has been missing the All Blacks live games for years, but Christchurch’s new stadium is changing not only that but also changing the game — not just for sport, but for engineering, climate-smart design, and turf innovation.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the stadium’s remarkable indoor grass system, exploring how perfect playing...

EP | 127 How New Zealand’s Indigenous Values Lead the World in Rights of Nature

This week on the podcast, we’re covering everything from sleep-deprived parenting and freezing winter mornings to big industry headlines and a surprisingly fascinating deep dive into why nature might need legal rights of its own.

We kick things off with the latest from the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards, celebrating the people ...

126 |  Emily and Myfi explore current geopolitical trade issues, innovative sports nutrition strategies, potential conservation land forms in New Zealand, is the primary sector still the backbone of the NZ economy?

If your a women in farming - please take a look at this survey - https://lincoln.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ki2yj3KW6pfLgy

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast...

Ep | 125 Trigger warning for fans of Babe!

Join us as we delve into the latest updates from Field Days, explore animal welfare issues in meat production, and discuss rural community initiatives. This episode offers insights into agricultural innovations, animal welfare debates, and rural support efforts, all vital for understanding the current landscape of rural New Zealand.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag As...

24 | We dive deep into the massive shifts transforming Aotearoa’s primary industries—from the cutting-edge science rewriting the rules of Kiwi wine production to a historic win for global farming advocacy on television.

In This Episode:

• The Main Discussion | The Wine Industry’s Evolution: We break down why global drinking habits are forcing winemakers to adapt. From the "climate-alcohol paradox" to inno...

EP 123 | Rugby chat with a side order of budget!

This week on Ag in Conversation, we kick things off with a chat about rugby, the Crusaders, and the excitement surrounding Christchurch's new stadium before turning our attention to the issues shaping rural New Zealand. We unpack what the 2026 Budget means for farmers, explore the latest dairy payout forecasts, and discuss why many arable growers are facing a particularly challeng...

122 |  This episode covers New Zealand's wilding pine control funding, insights from recent agricultural conferences, and the impact of global trends on beef and lamb markets. It offers valuable perspectives on environmental management, market dynamics, and technological innovations in agriculture.

• Wilding pine infestation and government funding
• Highlights from recent agricultural conferences
• Market outlook for beef and lamb
• T...

EP 121 | This episode covers recent news in New Zealand, including a taste test of supermarket butter, the glyphosate legal challenge, the winding down of the Agri-Women's Development Trust, and an in-depth discussion on local government amalgamation and efficiency. The hosts share insights on science-based decisions, community impact, and the future of local governance.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist fo...

120 | Join us as we reconnect, diving into the latest innovations in sustainable farming, cutting-edge agricultural tech, and reflections on global travel experiences. We share insights into how New Zealand’s farming industry is advancing with new environmental measurement tools, explore the impact of recent free trade agreements, and compare food and shopping experiences from the US, UK, and beyond.

Main topics include: