Federated Farmers Podcast

Scott Wishart from agricultural loan broker NZAB joins us to discuss how farmers can take more control of their banking outcomes. 

Scott shares practical advice on how to become “bank-ready,” what information to gather beyond budgets and financials, and how a well-prepared farmer can unlock a better deal. 

He also explains the value of engaging multiple lenders, the role of non-bank lenders, and common mistakes farmers make when appr...

Farmers rely on rural media to stay informed – but shrinking print runs, social media, and changing news habits are putting pressure on traditional outlets.  

In this episode, we sit down with Dean Williamson, CEO of AgriHQ and publisher of Farmers Weekly, to discuss the challenges facing rural media. 

We explore the changing media landscape, how younger farmers are consuming news differently, and why Dean believes connecting rural N...

Farmers have long been saying they’re getting a raw deal from the banks – higher interest rates, tougher lending rules, fewer options, and growing pressure around environmental reporting. That’s why Federated Farmers pushed so hard for a rural banking inquiry. 

Now, after months of hearings and submissions, the Finance and Expenditure Committee has released its final report. It calls for changes to capital requirements, new transpar...

Carbon forestry is spreading fast, and the impacts are becoming impossible to ignore for farmers in regions like Southland. In this episode, we’re joined by Dean Rabbidge, Southland Federated Farmers meat & wool chair, to talk about what he’s seeing on the ground. 

He describes the heartbreak of whole, highly productive farms being converted into pine plantations, and rural towns slowly hollowing out.  

He explains how the rise o...

In this episode, we dig into the mental health challenges facing farmers and rural communities, and ask: is the support on offer actually working?

Matt Doocey, New Zealand’s first dedicated Minister for Mental Health, joins us to discuss what’s changing, what still needs to, and whether rural voices are truly being heard.

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford shares what rural people are telling him they really need, the barrier...

A month since he won the prestigious NZ Young Farmer of the Year Award, we catch up with Hugh Jackson to find out how he’s feeling about the win and get to know a bit better. 

We dig into his background, his personal goals, his mental health story, his passion for the Young Farmers organisation, and what makes him tick. We also talk about winning the award, including some of the strategies he employed as part of his preparation, and...

In this episode we’re digging into a hot topic in the primary sector – regulation of agrichemicals and the role of the Environmental Protection Authority, or EPA.

David Birkett, Federated Farmers’ biosecurity spokesperson and arable chair, has been at the coalface of conversations around agrichemical approvals. We discuss what’s going wrong with the EPA process, how it’s affecting Kiwi farmers, and what needs to happen to ensure we ...

In this episode, we take a hard look at where things are at for the red meat and wool sectors right now, including what’s driving the strong red meat returns, but also pain points like processor viability, falling stock numbers, productive farmland going into carbon forestry, and the ongoing struggles for wool growers.  

Richard Dawkins, Federated Farmers meat and wool chair, brings insights from farmers on the ground, and Mel Croad...

Legal issues on the farm can be stressful — and often dealt with only when things go wrong. In this episode, you'll hear from lawyer Simon Middlemiss about the most common legal and employment problems farmers face, and how to avoid them. 

From staff contracts to handling disputes, Simon shares practical tips all farmers should know, plus the basics every good employer needs to get right. 

Whether you’re dealing with an issue no...

We’re continuing the theme of farm succession by chatting with Peter Templeton, a fifth-generation Southland dairy farmer, who spent five months travelling the USA and Europe as a Nuffield scholar, researching what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to farm succession.

He met with over 100 farmers, their advisors, and industry experts to paint a wide picture of ownership structures, financial strategies, and family dynamics that...

When we talk about assets on farm, we often think of land, livestock, and machinery. But there’s one asset that’s even more important — and that’s you, the farmer.  

Farming can be risky, physically and financially, and too often we overlook how vulnerable we are when we don’t have the right support in place for ourselves and our families.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ash Krishna from FMG to talk about the bigger picture when it ...

Farm ownership is becoming harder for young Kiwis, and traditional succession is no longer working for many farming families. 

In this episode, we hear from Sarah How, founder of Landify, about the challenges and opportunities in farm succession and ownership. 

Sarah explains why succession is getting tougher, explores alternative ownership models, and offers practical advice for both older farmers planning succession and young peopl...

Foot-and-mouth disease is one of the most serious animal diseases globally, and while New Zealand has never had an outbreak, the risk is very real. If the disease were to make it to our shores the consequences would be huge for our rural communities and the wider economy. 

To help us understand the risks, the plans in place, and what farmers need to know, we're joined by Dr. Mary van Andel, the Chief Veterinary Officer at the M...

Farm succession—it’s one of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand’s rural families. How do you pass the farm on to the next generation in a way that’s fair, makes financial sense, and keeps relationships intact? 

Our guest today is Joe Morgan, an accountant and director at GFA in Te Awamutu, who is back by popular demand. Joe's here to cover the main challenges farmers are facing with farm succession and the role of trusts ...

New Zealand’s sheep population has plummeted from over 70 million in the 1980s to just 25 million today—and the decline is accelerating. 

In this episode, we speak with Toby Williams, national meat and wool chair and a sheep farmer himself, about the alarming state of the red meat sector. 

What’s driving the loss—land use changes, climate policy, farmer confidence, or economics? What’s at stake for rural communities and the wider ind...

A recent contract milking survey has sparked debate across the dairy industry. In this episode, we speak with survey creator Louise Gibson, and Brendan Attrill, a long-time industry leader and Federated Farmers farm owner representative, to unpack the key findings.

We explore why the survey was conducted, what the results reveal, and how both sides of the industry are reacting. Brendan and Louise also share their thoughts on possibl...

One of the biggest days in the dairy farming calendar, Moving Day, is fast approaching.  

It’s a day full of change and challenge as thousands of farmers, workers, and their families head off to start a new chapter on a new farm. It’s a big logistical job, but there’s also the emotional, professional and relationship side to think about too. 

So, how do you do Moving Day well? How do you prepare, stay organised, and set yourself up f...

Global scrutiny of farming is rising — but how can farmers respond? Journalist and Nuffield Scholar Claire Taylor has travelled the world exploring how agricultural sectors are responding to criticism and shifting public perception. In this episode, she shares lessons from her journey and offers practical advice for New Zealand farmers seeking a stronger voice.

Links

Primary Industries New Zealand Summit and Awards 2025

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