April 21, 2026 • 38 mins
Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Mark Warren, Matt Bolger, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie McKay thanks to a Suzu Get demo
deals on the tough Dmax Today.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
You Don't Care, I.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Measureway, Cana and zelland Welcome to the Country, brought to
you by Farmlands and is Caesar. I'm Jamie McKay America Today,
courtesy of our special in studio guest who's not in
the studio at the moment, but he'll be here shortly,
Greg Miller, National Fundraising Manager for the IHC. He's on
(00:45):
his annual trip to come and say hello, and he's
heading up to christ Church. We're based in Dunedin to
join up with the wonderful team from PGG Rights and
who absolutely are wonderful supporters of this great course. We're
going to kick the show off with the Prime Minister,
Chris of a lux and tough day at the office yesterday.
Mark Warren as a coastal Central Hawks Bay farmer farming
(01:07):
dew east of Ypookeroo. He says because this rain has
been intense and very localized, He said the reign of
the past two days has been worse than what he
experienced in Cyclone Gabrielle. We know what's happened down the
road in Wellington. Well Hawk's Bay got at big time
yesterday Matt Bolger will join us Fonterra's managing director of
(01:29):
co op Affairs. We'll have a look at last night's
global dairy trade auction down two point seven percent. The
powder's fared a wee bit better. Was this a disappointing result?
Or in these times of termoil, do we just take
it with grab it with both hands. Doctor Jacquelin Roweth.
It's World Earth Day, one of New Zealand's leading primary
sector academics taking the opportunity to celebrate the roles or
(01:54):
the role farmers play and keeping our soil and us healthy.
It's all on the country. Got lots of two between
now in one. Let's get on with the show. Christopher
luxon up next. You are going to get on as
(02:16):
well when Wednesdays on the Country. The Prime Minister and
I'm glad I can still call them. Matt kicks off
the show Prime Minister. During the lead up to this interview,
I've never known you to be so fired up.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Like I'm fired up. Don't you worry. We've got a
bet job to do, and we've got an awesome country
and we're in difficult times, but damn it, we're going
to get to the other side in good shape.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Well, I wasn't even going to talk to you about
the famous five and the leadership votes and all that
sort of stuff. But whether you like it or not,
you're dependent on Winston Peters. You can't form a government
without them.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Look, I mean, as I said at the beginning of
the year. You know we have the election November seven.
We think the best way if you want a center
right government is you've got to vote National t two picks,
two ticks Blue, no doubt about it. Yes I can
work with Winston. Yes I can work with ACT. I've
proven that I've got strong, stable government under my leadership
as Prime Minister. But we are different parties. You know,
(03:11):
Winston as a party in New Zealand, first that ended
the oil and Gas band, which caused huge pain and
suffering for New Zealanders. He won't support an Indian FTA.
Winston's in New Zealand first want to plant a billion trees,
which all your listeners talk about the farm to forest conversions. Well,
the Barber guys that did that and they still won't
support in the NFTA, you know, darbi As it came
to be socially conservative and then put us into ourderna
(03:32):
into power. So you know, I'm just saying we are differences,
and we have our differences. We have you know, things
that we can align on and can work very constructively around,
and we will if that's needed down the future. But
you know the real answer is, if you're sitting out
there thinking about what kind of government you want to
take New Zealand forward with, you need a national lead government. Period.
Is that simple?
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Is the undermining you?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
No, he's got a different set of agendas and policies.
You know, he believe wrongly and he has did wrong.
On the Indian FTA. He is trying to scare monger,
He's trying to crank it up. We've seen him do it,
whether it's on you know, the Fronterira brand sale, whether
it's the Alliance sale, whether it's been the China FTA,
the Indian FTA. He has, for one of a better word,
an anti immigrants sort of bias, and his party and
(04:18):
his constituency and his belief system. We don't buy that.
We've got smart targeted immigration settings in his Zeale that
have served us well, we change them. We er extempsone
an excellent job of hardening those up over the last
two years and going about it in a smart way.
But we differ on that area, but we also agree
very strongly on it. You know, we've got to grow
the economy, we've got to restore law and order, we've
(04:38):
got to deliver better health and education, and we have
huge areas of alignment there. I'm just saying to you,
welcome to MMP. Parties have different stands. There's six parties
in Parliament today. They have different constituents, they have different policies.
Some aligne, some don't. And at the end of the day,
on election night, we try and make it work as
an MMP environment with from New Zealand people have given us.
You want to answers, if you want to to write government.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Yes we've heard that. We've heard that, Prime Minister, But
do you worry about deja vu all over again? If
twenty seventeen comes to pass, Winston decides on a whim
that you're not offering a good enough deal and away
he goes with Chippy, even though he said publicly he
won't go into coalition with Labor with Chris Hipkins as
a leader. And we know that Chris Sipkins is going
to be the Labor leader. Heading into this election, he's
(05:23):
polling well well.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
I don't think a lot of people would have thought
he would have gone with Labor in twenty seventeen, right.
I think that shocked the country. I think it shocked
a lot of his own supporters frankly, but ultimately that's
his decision. You know what we'll do is you know,
we've had a very constructive working relationship. In this comment,
I'm actually very proud of the strong stable government the
three parties have been able to deliver in this coalition.
(05:46):
Many people, you remember, Jamie, when I first became promise,
I said it wouldn't last ten months, it would fall apart,
would be an election again, just like the European countries
do when they fall apart. We haven't done that. So
I'm proud of that. But I'm also just saying to
you we are different parties and we have different takes.
The Indian FTAs are classic. We just think that is
just all upside for news Elanders. When you get a
(06:07):
fifty percent cut to your tariff for apples and it's
twice as much as what we sell to them today.
That's a good thing, you know, when you actually get
your seafood, which actually a lot of those seafood guys
support in his own first party, a lot of muscle
Salmon's going a duty free over the next seven years.
Pretty good deal. So you know, same on forestry, same
on wine, same on Manuka honey, same on kii. These
are places that create jobs for News Islanders in regional
(06:29):
News Islands, So why wouldn't you get on board and
support it. So he and I can vehemently disagree on
our positions on the Indian FTA, and he's entitled to
have a different view from me, for sure, but we're
also very align on a lot of other things.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Is it economic trees and the flavor doesn't support this.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Well, Look, we've been working with them in good faith.
We had another meetings with them your south afternoon. I
think it's another set of meetings going down today. I
think we had over twenty different engagements with labor, whether
it's been letters, meeting our officials, meeting our ministers, helping
them understand the detail of it all. But look, you know,
trade should be bipartisan. It's not political because I'm telling you, Jamie,
(07:05):
in a very troubled world, to have an option like India,
the third biggest economy in the world, you know they
I can't think of another five million people country that
the Indians have bothered to spend time with trying to
build an Indian NFTA arrangement worth They want to work
with the big guys. They've done it with you know,
the next you know, they've done it with EU just
after us. We want to get the deal signed, which
(07:26):
is normal protocol, so that we can get the most
Favored nation status for wine out of the European deal,
so that we get the best deal always for wine
and some other sectors as well.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Well, you'll get no argument from me on that one.
I think it's a no brainer. Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
Look what's been I think what's been good though, Jamie,
is you know, even the last week we saw up
to one hundred companies, one hundred businesses come out and
actually say, yeah, actually, this Indian FTA is a good thing.
It should be beyond politics. It's a bipartisan thing. So yeah,
I think you know, we're we're working and engaging with
labor and good faith. You know, I heard Chris Sipkins
yesterday say he's trying to do the same thing. I
generally hope we will get there, and I think that's
(08:02):
an interest of MW zualm.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Do you wake up on a cold sweat in the
middle of the night, awakening missus Luxon, just thinking what
a bum deal I've got. You know, in terms of
becoming Prime minister, you inherited an economic mess Trump's tariffs
in twenty four, should I say in twenty five and
then Trump's war in twenty six? You can't buy a break.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
No, I wake up, mate, honestly, just fight up. I mean,
I really do, because yet I agree with you. The
world is at an inflection point. It has changed and
it is not going back to how it was. It
is about big countries with power exercising that power. And
we are a small country and we have interests and values,
but we don't have power. And so how we navigate
(08:45):
that world is the way that I've been doing over
the last two years is preparing for that by having
broader relationships with the Singaporeans, with the South Koreans, with
the Japanese, with the Chinese, the Indians, the Middle Easterns
are the Europe, UK, Europe, all of that stuff right,
and the Americans And we may not like I think
Trump's tariffs are wrong. We think we know how that
movie ends. It doesn't end well. You know, this war
(09:07):
in the Middle East is absolute chaos and it needs
you know, it's no idea where it's going, and every
day it gets bounced around, and yet it's causing huge
economic pain and suffering for people around the world and
here at home. I joined a call at midnight on Friday,
two am on Saturday morning with other world leaders. There
was fifty one of us on the call. You know,
I spoke there very strongly about how the impact is
(09:27):
having with New Zealand but also across the Pacific region
as well, and they're developing countries in Asia, and you know,
that crisis needs to have a cease far and needs
to get a proper negotiated settlement in place. And we
need the free flowing on freedmom navigation of ships moving
through that strait so we can lower the price of
diesel at the pump. That's what it's going to be
about again. But you know, I get it. The country
(09:50):
and everyone around the world We've been through COVID, We've
been through inflation and recession, We've been through Trump's tariffs,
We've been through weather events, We've now got Trump's war.
You know, all of that has implication, but it's happening
to all one hundred and ninety five countries in the world.
And the question is, how do you make sure you
position New Zealand to come out of that, to pop
up on its foils and to be able to go
forward with a positive vision of where we get to. Okay,
(10:11):
I think we can.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
The final question for you, because you're all fired up,
are you getting a fair crack from Jenna, Mikey and Tova.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
Well, that's the point I was making yesterday to the media,
and you know, I had had media speculation going on
for days about you know, the National Party, and I
want to pull a stop on it. And the answer is,
I think the media need to get connected with the
issues that actually New Zealanders are really dealing with in wrestling,
and by all means, let's have that debate about the
(10:39):
hard issue that actually meta to New Zealanders rather than
the Beltway. From the basement of the press gallery in Willington.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Here Krystper Luxelon all fired up. Thanks for your time
on the country tonight. You and missus Luckson are the
wonderful Amanda a joy a butter chicken tonight. How about that?
See you later.
Speaker 5 (10:55):
Thanks, jam you have a good way.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Take care of our Prime minister. And Greg Miller has
just wandered into the studio going over the top of
the Prime Minister, who was obviously pre recorded. You've ruined
my hoax. Greg, Hey, listen, some of your feedback is
coming in great to hear the PM pushing back against
(11:19):
Winston publicly. Christopher Luxon is a very talented guy and
we are lucky to have him. Cheers Chris. No, I'm
just joking, cheers Tony. Yes, mister Luxon. Immigration has worked
well so far, hasn't it. Just look at the state
of New Zealand with infrastructure which just can't cope. Yes,
mister Luxon, bring them all in, not five million kei.
(11:40):
We need to know what are the stumbling blocks between
Winston and Luckson. Why won't Luckson tell us, well, he
sort of has. They totally disagree on things like immigration
and the Indian Free Trade Deal, and for what it's
worth them on Luson's side on the FTA. We need
to get that locked and loaded. Umm National should have
(12:03):
taken Damien to him there at like Helen Clark did
when signing the free trade deal with China, not like
John Key. I didn't quite get that one. And you
said the twenty seventh, twenty seventeen election, Jamie, what about
two thousand and eight pre election john Key stepped up
to the media christ Church Porthals and ruled out working
(12:24):
with Peters. It was over immediately, Yes, but john Key
was in a position in two thousand and eight where
he could do that. He was polling in the forties.
He didn't need Winston Luxeon. Christopher Luxen cannot in any shape,
form or other form a government without Winston. End of
end of argument. Okay, Greg, you've wandered in here, You've
(12:46):
chosen the music. Did I get that? Micaelwebit closer to
your mouth? America Venture a Highway very good. We were
just having a coffee before midday and we got talking
about Pine Tree Meads, who was the former ambassador for
the IHC car Rural Scheme. What a great bloke he
was because he sort of got muscled into chair the
local Tikiwitty branch. And then he went on to give
(13:07):
years and years of service.
Speaker 6 (13:09):
I think Jamie he was only going to give one
year and maybe not even that. And he was asked
by he says, a lovely woman local to come and
chair the local committee in Tikawity, and he just did.
And he gave so much and he was such an
inspiration to so many people.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
He was the guy behind the first I HC Farm.
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Yeah yep, but he got out, bought it, sold lots
of raffle tickets for his horses, and you know, he
was amazing. You know, he never had a lot of
money himself. He gave a lot to people in his community.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Mind you, if you're in the pub and Colin Meads
comes in with a pig and a barrow, you're hardly
going to say no, I don't want to buy a
raffle ticket.
Speaker 6 (13:54):
That was a wonderful thing about having colon needs on
your side.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
Well, absolutely, just on the rugby paddock and off the
rugby paddock. Hey, just quickly excuse me. You told me
a wonderful story about Pine Tree bringing a boy with
an intellectual disability all the way from Livin to Tech
Awitty where he based him and he would bring him
to the rugby every Saturday.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
It was a young boy called Dino who's passed away since.
But he was in Kimberly and it was an institution
and he pine Tree realized he was from tek Awitty
and he drove all the way down, picked him up,
brought him back, put him in an h home and
took him out every Saturday he was in town because
(14:38):
at that time he was also managing all Black rugby teams.
But imagine the change in Dino's life because of pine
Tree and him just coming and saying, you want to
be we want you in our community, Dino.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
Okay, so you've heard from Christopher Luxelm. We've got Winston.
His fate would have it on the show tomorrow. That'll
be interesting. To be honest, Greg, I always try and
pre record Winston, so I've got a degree of control
because he can be a challenging interview. He's quite dogmatic.
But he's live tomorrow at twelve, so I guess it's
just gloves off and away we go. I agree. I
(15:14):
like a lot of the stuff him and Shane do,
but just this Indian fta grandstanding absolutely right up. Next,
we're going to go to Central Hawks, Bay, Mark Warren.
Worse weather than cyclone, Gabrielle. When we've seen what's happened
in Wellington astonishing, and you're in Wellington, aren't you?
Speaker 6 (15:33):
How did you fare pretty well? Actually, but a lot
of people didn't.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Yeah, it was brutal, seventy seven mills in one hour. Okay,
Mark Warren, next on the Country around Okay, welcome back
to the country. Sorry about the momentary dead air. Just
(16:00):
trying to keep our next guest quiet and told him
no swearing on the radio today, because you can be
a bit rough around the edges on occasions. Mark Warren,
very clever and intellectual man, Central Hawks, Bay Farmer. Mark,
Just before I get onto the hammering you've had from
the weather, did you listen to Christopher Luxen?
Speaker 5 (16:20):
Yes, I certainly do.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
So.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Where do you sit? Are you on Luxton's side or
winston side? What where do you sit?
Speaker 5 (16:28):
I've got one league on each side of the fence
and the balls on the wire on that one. But
I'm sorry, Luxe's a bit a bit needs a bit
more Monger and Winston needs to body learn the concept
of being honest and keep it keep to his word.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
Now, I've just got a text in from a high
ranking National Party member. I won't name or shame this person.
If Winston has a choice of a three party coalition
with actin National or two party with Labor, New Zealand
first will go left. What do you think of that?
Even though he said he won't go into coalition with Chippy.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
I love Winsdon, but I don't trust him.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
Probably a few of us think along those lines. On
a more serious note, although the election of an ex
government is pretty serious, especially for the farmers of New Zealand.
You're farming on coastal central Hawk's Bay, Deweys from ypooke Row.
The rain that you've had over the past two days,
Mark Warren, two hundred and forty mils is worse than
(17:29):
what you experienced in cyclone.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Gabrielle, Yeah, well, gabriel wasn't too bad for us. We've
got about one hundred and ten mile on the front country,
about four hundred on the bank country. But this lot
we've had a variation around our district. I did a
ring around this morning between ten hundred and fifty and
three hundred and sixty mils of rain. You know, it
was pretty hard to pick on the weather map. And
you know we're all ready for the cyclone. That was
(17:52):
a fizzer under saying the cyclone arrived about a week late. Interesting,
my son Henry, who does a weekly plan on a
Sunday night, I locked back in history. I looked on
I mentioned and he said, yeah, he said, we're planning
for a week week. So I think he might have
better with the reading skills that I've got. But yeah,
there's been a bit of damage. It's been to two
meters over our road, a lot of damage. And of
(18:14):
course in the all days, I'd get out in the
tractor and care some of it myself. But I'm sick
of doing that under these current the current conservative body
governmental ready ice bullshit. Bovine waste, I say, And yeah,
that's something.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
That I said. I said, No, I said no swearing.
Speaker 5 (18:30):
I didn't swear. I didn't swear. I didn't swear. You
didn't hear it. Probably it was bovine waste.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Okay, So why can't you get out, Why can't you
get out with the fronteen loader and clear the road?
Speaker 5 (18:40):
No, because I'm sick of doing it. And then down
has come past an hour later, changing one thousand dollars
a truck and drive past what I've done with their
dagger and go back to town and get paid for it.
Some I'm over that. What we need to get voters
to lobby central government to get the rules changed about
the bloody stupid osh law which they used to hide
(19:01):
behind down has made eleven billion dollar profit last year.
Look at what the scott has do when they have
big snowstorm. They contract farmers to go out and help
tear the roads. That's what needs to be done. I
see I've put a post on that on my Facebook.
I think it's had seven hundred comments or something this morning.
It's going viral. But I'm getting bloodies. I'm getting slightly
sick of them.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Well, you're going viral you. Some people would say you've
always been a bit viral, Mark, but you do have
some really interesting posts on your Facebook page. So go
and look up Mark Warren and have a look at
some of the videos you've got there of the flooding.
And of course we've got Greg Miller in the studio.
He's from the AH He's the national fundraiser for the IHC,
CARF and Rural scheme based in Wellington. You've been about
(19:42):
a long time. Mark. Some of those scenes in Wellington
are of biblical proportions floodwise.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Yeah, heart goes out to them and all those cars
flooded and yeah it's not good. We're just going to
allow common sense more in this game. The problem is
everyone thinks that somebody else's problem and they don't plan accordingly.
I was horrified to see our good local school bus
parked by side the Mercury Hall and they didn't get
(20:10):
to the time and they've probably been written off by floodwaters.
I mean in the old days we'd grab a tractor
and shifted, but I know too much bureaucracy now. So
we've lost the school bus in the flood.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
How long is the cleanup going to take you and
farmers in your district? Because it was very localized this flooding,
as opposed to Gabrielle, Well, you know long, but.
Speaker 5 (20:31):
Of bloody wet rope, I would think it'd take about
a week before the next flood. We were celebrating we
had a big four drive fundraising trek for the dennerk
Hunt run our place about a couple of weeks. Agel
a month ago now, and we just had the last
bridge rebuilt to allow the trek through, and we're celebrating
that we basically tidied up from Gabrielle by the end,
but only lasted a month. And that's all month.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
And again, hey, are you are you confident in this
Middle East situation? We'll sort it out, sort itself out
sooner rather than later. I'm not.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Well.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
I think no one really knows. But I go and
look at OilPrice dot Com and look at the oil
futures market two years ahead and those traders and they
analyze a lot of information to make their money. They're
still they're still putting forward contracts on at around eighty
five dollars a barrel for oil. So it's probably a
good thing to look at for the poorhole cropping farmers
(21:22):
like David Clark, who's just grinding away, throwing money into
a big hole and not getting anything back out of it.
You are hard for those guys. I mean, I seek
cattle farmers long as the stockers along the creek and
the wet but we just let them go and let
mother nature take their course here. But no, it's it's
going to put the price of food up, which for
those of us for the low cost structure will be great.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
Mark Warren, thanks for some of your time, good luck
and the cleanup.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Are you eat?
Speaker 3 (21:49):
There we go? Yeah? What what you see is what
you get with Mark. Yeah. Down to earth, bresh, breath
of fresh air here on the country it is. What
is the time? Twelve? I'm having trouble telling the time?
Where's my screen? God? Let's try this. Let's try twenty
eight away from one? Up next, Matt Bolger and we'll
(22:12):
have a look at the global dairy trade auction overnight.
Was it a disappointing result or you know, with the
word on turmoil, should we grab it with both hands?
He's up next, last night's Global dairy trade auction. Let's
(22:34):
have a look at the numbers and crunch them down
two point seven percent? The powder's performed a wee bit better.
Whole milk powder down zero point six percent, skim milk
powder down or up? Should I say three point two percent?
The fats didn't fare so well? To tell us all
about it, Matt Bolger, MD of co Op Affairs four Fonterra.
Do we describe this, Matt as a disappointing auction? Or
(22:57):
do we say during these times of two all that
we're currently and will take.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
This thanks, Jamie. Look, I think it's probably the latter.
Obviously we would have would have liked prices to go
up in some of the futures markets. We're looking a
little bit more positive, but when you look at the
amount of uncertainty out in the world, it was you know,
I think we do take this one. Remembering too, we're
very We've contracted a lot of the season's milk now
(23:24):
we're we're are p eighty five ninety percent contracted probably
at this stage. So I think a few movements around
here now in the context of our of the global
situation will be okay.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Okay, nine seventy. It's pretty much locked and loaded for
this season. It's all about twenty six twenty seven. You
haven't released your forecast or opening forecast milk price yet
for the coming season. I note that the futures markets,
certainly earlier in the week, had the number at about
nine dollars forty, which is a pretty solid sort of number.
(23:55):
The only problem with that number is, Matt, the cost
of production is soaring? Are the word for it?
Speaker 4 (24:01):
Yeah, I think you're on the money, Jamie, So futures
markets are picking a range that We've got a few
commentators out there and we'll come out in late May
with our outlook for next season. But your right, costs
are up. The conflict in the Middle East is having
ripples right across the world, whether that be fertilizer, packaging,
(24:23):
resins and so on, and of course fuel is the
big one. One one positive thing is, you know, the
signals out of government and out of others is that
you know, there's there's a high degree of confidence that
we will still have fuel supply. You know, it seems
seems very likely we'll still have diesel coming in, et cetera.
It's but we have to be conscious of those costs
(24:46):
because it is going to We have to expect the
costs are going to go up. And as you say that,
all that'll hit on farm as well.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
Yeah, well, the fuel is very much like the fertilizer.
It's not a supply issue as much as as a
price issue. But never mind dairy fat. The dairy farmers
of New Zealand who are keeping this country afloats, Matt
Boulger are doing there. But certainly in the month of
March March collections hit a record high up nine point
four percent. Can we find a home for all this milk?
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Yeah, it's remarkable, isn't it. I guess, you know, just
warm weather and plenty of rain. So yes, we can
look us chatting to the team earlier today, and there's
been a lot of extra milk coming across the season.
And look a credit to the team through the factories
and right out through the sales networks. They've gone hard
(25:36):
all season and have been able to sell that. So
we're not sitting on big stockpiles of inventory or anything
like that. And you know, it's there's a there's still
great demand for our New Zealand milk out there in
the market. So I think we will keep going and hopefully,
you know, we're very confident with their contracting to get
out and finish the season strong.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Why skim milk powder swimming against the tide?
Speaker 4 (26:00):
It was an interesting result for Skim up a little bit.
And I think the real thing is probably the US
demand for protein so non fat dry milk is they
call it up there, ski will be out of for us.
That's been going pretty well, and we've been talking about
this a lot, but really there is a great consumer
demand and I guess consumer story about the value of
(26:21):
protein and then more attention being paid to different kinds
of protein. So dairy protein is a fantastic product, and
it is more bioavailable, meaning you know, it can be
absorbed into muscles and so on, much more than other
sorts of protein. And so I guess you know that
science is getting better, no, and there's great demand for
those products out there, particularly in the States.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
The dairy farmers of New Zealand can be very thankful
for our ZEMBLK.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Yes, it's an interesting one, isn't it. These GLP one
injections and so on. So while you know, while notionally
people are eating less, and if you're in the job
of selling food, you might think that might be a
bad thing. As people are starting to take those sort
of weight management products, they tend to focus a lot
more on the quality of nutrition that they're getting in.
(27:07):
So that's really tying in with a spike for things
like natural foods and particularly for protein and as I say,
dairy protein.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
Oh, it's well for dairy farmers. Matt Bolger out of Fonterra,
thanks for your time as always, Dank Sammy, thank you,
Matt Hey some lots of feedback coming in on Luxon
and Peters. Nice to hear Luxon on your show today.
I wish the TV media would let him talk and
say what he did on your show today. They only
ever run negative and waste of time snippets of him
(27:35):
makes them look useless, but he's not. Thank you, Farmer Texter.
Up Next, Rural news and sports News. Welcome back to
the country eighteen away from one Michelle's. And here we're
going to have a look at rural news and sports news.
But first, working the land never slows down. Nature waits
(27:58):
for no one, especially in autumn. Farmers and growers need
a partner thinking ahead, and that's where Farmlands can help.
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(28:42):
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offers in store online through the armlands Pro app. We'll
talk to your farmland strap. There's Michelle What's Rural News.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
The country's rural news with Cob Cadet, New Zealand's leading
right on lawn bower brand. Visit steel Ford dot co
dot in set for your locals Doggist.
Speaker 7 (29:15):
An Australian lead project could see Southland's lignite or brown
coal reserves developed into your rear fertilizer. Victoria Hydrogen is
proposing a three billion dollar plant to be located thirty
comedies northeast of in Vicago. The company says it could
deliver one point five million tons a year of your
rear fertilizer, making New Zealand's agricultural sector fully self sufficient.
(29:36):
And that's rural news.
Speaker 3 (29:37):
Jamieuson, Well, I'm right behind that I bet you Shane
Jones all love that. Dig it up, dig up the
coal and turn it into your ear. We need to
be more self sufficient in fertilizer. Let's have a look
at sport.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
Sport on the country with Athco invested in your foaming success.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
And because I want to talk about the IHC calf
and rural scheme and pine Tree meads. That's enough sport.
But Chelsea manager Leon Rozenner has lambasted as players after
a fifth straight goalless Premier League football defeat, this time
three nil two Brighton. If you want a more extensive
sports news bulletin, best to listen to the one o'clock news.
(30:16):
Up next, it is World Earth Day. Jacqueline roweths Baregators.
Welcome back to the country today. If you didn't know,
it is World Earth Day, to talk about how to
(30:39):
grow food from said earth doctor Jacqueline Roeth, who writes
a fortnightly column for us here on the Country. We're
going to tie a fertilizer and food and earth into
your column. Jacqueline, Let's start with fertilizer. You also wear
a hat as a Ravensdown director. How much trouble are
we in?
Speaker 2 (31:00):
We are securing supplies, so the important thing. And I'm
not the Ravenstein spokesperson, so I'm saying from the soil
science and my PhD was in super posstrate by the way,
looking at the supplies the balance and ravensdown. Organizations have
supply chains, good relationships, and they are doing everything they
can and are pretty confident at the moment that they've
(31:21):
got fertilizer required for their customers their shareholders. We can't
guarantee anything about price, of course, but we have secured
supplies and we are putting information, both companies information on
their websites all the time to try and reassure farmers
that we have what they need. Because food requires nutrients
(31:43):
and those nutrients are termed fertilizer.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Well, you're very much in the same position, I guess
as fuel. It looks like we've got the supply. Okay,
it's just going to be a price issue. Will fertilize
the price itself off the market because one of the
great learnings I hate that word check, one of the
great learnings from the nineteen eighties was the last thing
you should cut as fertilizer.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
Yeh.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
And most farmers recognize this, despite some of the anteams
or alternative people saying we don't need fuel and fertilizer
to produce food, Well, we produce them at half what
we can at the moment. So if we've got half
the supply and the demand remains the same, then clearly
the prices of food would escalate even more. So I say,
(32:29):
let the farmers get on with what they know is
best for their system, for their soil, for their environment,
and their good quality food production, and support them through
this and it is I've been prepared to use the
term crisis here. Support them through this fuel crisis because
fuel affects the fertilizer price as well. And be grateful
(32:53):
to them because sometimes it's a difficult job.
Speaker 3 (32:56):
So I've been told, and you can confirm or deny this,
that for the world's food is produced by nitrogen fertilizer.
Is that correct? Just yes or no? Okay, So here's
probably more. It's probably more. So here's the other worrying
stat About a third of the world's urea or a
wee bit more than that comes through the strait of humus.
We are in trouble.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Well, that's why the importance of the supply chains and
the good relationships is paramount, and so the traditional companies
have been working for years with companies make it go overseas,
making sure that we do have the understanding that we
always pay on time, that we use similar amounts every
year because it's New Zealand and we have good understanding
(33:38):
of what our soils and our export markets require, remembering
that an awful lot of what we produce goes overseas
and that brings in the money that supports New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (33:49):
Do you think you would ever have a bipartisan sort
of relationship relationship and the fertilizer industry where the two
big players balance and Ravens Down got together. I'm the
strolling flying a kite here and perhaps Bill to kick
our surea plant.
Speaker 2 (34:03):
Well, we all balance in Ravensdown talk all the time,
but the gurus are.
Speaker 3 (34:08):
That's only that's only when they're setting the price check one.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Oh no, no, no, we talk. I'm joking various right, Okay,
moving on. Then we al we have good relationships, and
the important thing is we have good relationships because of
our farmers, and we all care about our shareholders and
many shareholders have shares in both companies.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
What are you doing Finally, for World Earthday.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
I'm celebrating farmers as I always do. The good farmers
support the economy, they look after the environment. And this
idea that anybody would use anything on the soil that
wasn't actually required and wasn't going to assist with soil
quality and indeed good food production is dreaming because all
(34:53):
those chemical things are expensive and sows and the environment
is a treasure, so we always look after it.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Good on you, Dr Jacqueline Roweth. People can read all
about it on our website, The Country dot co dot nz.
Thanks for your time. Thank you, seven away from one.
Thank you, Jacqueline. He's a nice text coming in gee.
I bet the greens will love that proposal. Dig up
cole lignite in this case to make your ear to
grow grass to feed dairy cows. Let's use it for cheap,
(35:22):
reliable power generation while we're at it.
Speaker 6 (35:24):
Eureka.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
Maybe you've got an idea there, Greg Miller, to wrap
the country. You're good wrapping the country with the national
fundraising manager for the IC calls near and dear to
my own heart as ambassador for the IC National Calf
(35:46):
and Rural Scheme, Greg Miller, I love that you've chosen America.
Well done. Before I forget, I want to say hello
to Michael Holdsworth who works in your library, the IC
Library in Wellington. Hello Michael, you're a great listener. Every
listener is a prisoner. You've mentioned Pine Tree Meads. It's
from miss and I did allude to it. PGG Rights
(36:06):
and you're off to see Steve Gern and Peter Nubolt
on the team to resign the annual contract.
Speaker 6 (36:12):
They're fantastic. Every year they deliver and do great work
for a sea and really make sure the money goes
to where we want it to go to, which is
having an impact on people with intellectual disability in those
rural communities. And just circling back, Jamie, a huge, huge
thanks to every farmer that has contributed and donated through
(36:37):
good times and not so you know, in difficult times.
They've stuck with the Calft scheme and we are so
so grateful.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
You're up to one point four million dollars of donations
this year, which is the second highest ever. The previous
high was one point five and that's back in the
pre COVID, pre m B overstays, so things have got
a bit trickier since then, so that is fantastic. I
think the challenge to the Farmers of New Zealand and
US other fundraisers is to get above one point five
(37:05):
next year or this coming year.
Speaker 6 (37:07):
That would be wonderful. Jamie and just there are so
many people are so generous, and it is humbling, and
it has such an impact on our work in those
rural communities and we are so grateful.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
Well all we're all inspired by Pine Tree Means is
one of my favorite New Zealanders of all time. If
you want people who aren't farmers to vote donate, should
I say to the IHC Calf and Rural Scheme or
to the IHC full stop? What do they do? I've
got thirty seconds.
Speaker 6 (37:35):
You just go look up HC and putt in calf
on Google and you'll get there and there's a place
you can donate, and it's anyone can donate. You don't
have to be a farmer.
Speaker 3 (37:46):
Okay, there you go. Thanks to PGG Rights and thanks
to all flex, Thanks to all tech as well, and
all you farmers out there who are supporting the IHC
Calf and Rural Scheme. That's us done for today is
on tomorrow. Wednestone catch all the latest from the land.
Speaker 1 (38:09):
It's the Country Podcast with Jamie Mackay. Thanks to Aisuzu,
get demo deals on the tough Dmax Today
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
Podcast with Jamie McKay thanks to a Suzu Get demo
deals on the tough Dmax Today.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
You Don't Care, I.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Measureway, Cana and zelland Welcome to the Country, brought to
you by Farmlands and is Caesar. I'm Jamie McKay America Today,
courtesy of our special in studio guest who's not in
the studio at the moment, but he'll be here shortly,
Greg Miller, National Fundraising Manager for the IHC. He's on
(00:45):
his annual trip to come and say hello, and he's
heading up to christ Church. We're based in Dunedin to
join up with the wonderful team from PGG Rights and
who absolutely are wonderful supporters of this great course. We're
going to kick the show off with the Prime Minister,
Chris of a lux and tough day at the office yesterday.
Mark Warren as a coastal Central Hawks Bay farmer farming
(01:07):
dew east of Ypookeroo. He says because this rain has
been intense and very localized, He said the reign of
the past two days has been worse than what he
experienced in Cyclone Gabrielle. We know what's happened down the
road in Wellington. Well Hawk's Bay got at big time
yesterday Matt Bolger will join us Fonterra's managing director of
(01:29):
co op Affairs. We'll have a look at last night's
global dairy trade auction down two point seven percent. The
powder's fared a wee bit better. Was this a disappointing result?
Or in these times of termoil, do we just take
it with grab it with both hands. Doctor Jacquelin Roweth.
It's World Earth Day, one of New Zealand's leading primary
sector academics taking the opportunity to celebrate the roles or
(01:54):
the role farmers play and keeping our soil and us healthy.
It's all on the country. Got lots of two between
now in one. Let's get on with the show. Christopher
luxon up next. You are going to get on as
(02:16):
well when Wednesdays on the Country. The Prime Minister and
I'm glad I can still call them. Matt kicks off
the show Prime Minister. During the lead up to this interview,
I've never known you to be so fired up.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Like I'm fired up. Don't you worry. We've got a
bet job to do, and we've got an awesome country
and we're in difficult times, but damn it, we're going
to get to the other side in good shape.
Speaker 1 (02:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Well, I wasn't even going to talk to you about
the famous five and the leadership votes and all that
sort of stuff. But whether you like it or not,
you're dependent on Winston Peters. You can't form a government
without them.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
Look, I mean, as I said at the beginning of
the year. You know we have the election November seven.
We think the best way if you want a center
right government is you've got to vote National t two picks,
two ticks Blue, no doubt about it. Yes I can
work with Winston. Yes I can work with ACT. I've
proven that I've got strong, stable government under my leadership
as Prime Minister. But we are different parties. You know,
(03:11):
Winston as a party in New Zealand, first that ended
the oil and Gas band, which caused huge pain and
suffering for New Zealanders. He won't support an Indian FTA.
Winston's in New Zealand first want to plant a billion trees,
which all your listeners talk about the farm to forest conversions. Well,
the Barber guys that did that and they still won't
support in the NFTA, you know, darbi As it came
to be socially conservative and then put us into ourderna
(03:32):
into power. So you know, I'm just saying we are differences,
and we have our differences. We have you know, things
that we can align on and can work very constructively around,
and we will if that's needed down the future. But
you know the real answer is, if you're sitting out
there thinking about what kind of government you want to
take New Zealand forward with, you need a national lead government. Period.
Is that simple?
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Is the undermining you?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
No, he's got a different set of agendas and policies.
You know, he believe wrongly and he has did wrong.
On the Indian FTA. He is trying to scare monger,
He's trying to crank it up. We've seen him do it,
whether it's on you know, the Fronterira brand sale, whether
it's the Alliance sale, whether it's been the China FTA,
the Indian FTA. He has, for one of a better word,
an anti immigrants sort of bias, and his party and
(04:18):
his constituency and his belief system. We don't buy that.
We've got smart targeted immigration settings in his Zeale that
have served us well, we change them. We er extempsone
an excellent job of hardening those up over the last
two years and going about it in a smart way.
But we differ on that area, but we also agree
very strongly on it. You know, we've got to grow
the economy, we've got to restore law and order, we've
(04:38):
got to deliver better health and education, and we have
huge areas of alignment there. I'm just saying to you,
welcome to MMP. Parties have different stands. There's six parties
in Parliament today. They have different constituents, they have different policies.
Some aligne, some don't. And at the end of the day,
on election night, we try and make it work as
an MMP environment with from New Zealand people have given us.
You want to answers, if you want to to write government.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Yes we've heard that. We've heard that, Prime Minister, But
do you worry about deja vu all over again? If
twenty seventeen comes to pass, Winston decides on a whim
that you're not offering a good enough deal and away
he goes with Chippy, even though he said publicly he
won't go into coalition with Labor with Chris Hipkins as
a leader. And we know that Chris Sipkins is going
to be the Labor leader. Heading into this election, he's
(05:23):
polling well well.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
I don't think a lot of people would have thought
he would have gone with Labor in twenty seventeen, right.
I think that shocked the country. I think it shocked
a lot of his own supporters frankly, but ultimately that's
his decision. You know what we'll do is you know,
we've had a very constructive working relationship. In this comment,
I'm actually very proud of the strong stable government the
three parties have been able to deliver in this coalition.
(05:46):
Many people, you remember, Jamie, when I first became promise,
I said it wouldn't last ten months, it would fall apart,
would be an election again, just like the European countries
do when they fall apart. We haven't done that. So
I'm proud of that. But I'm also just saying to
you we are different parties and we have different takes.
The Indian FTAs are classic. We just think that is
just all upside for news Elanders. When you get a
(06:07):
fifty percent cut to your tariff for apples and it's
twice as much as what we sell to them today.
That's a good thing, you know, when you actually get
your seafood, which actually a lot of those seafood guys
support in his own first party, a lot of muscle
Salmon's going a duty free over the next seven years.
Pretty good deal. So you know, same on forestry, same
on wine, same on Manuka honey, same on kii. These
are places that create jobs for News Islanders in regional
(06:29):
News Islands, So why wouldn't you get on board and
support it. So he and I can vehemently disagree on
our positions on the Indian FTA, and he's entitled to
have a different view from me, for sure, but we're
also very align on a lot of other things.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Is it economic trees and the flavor doesn't support this.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Well, Look, we've been working with them in good faith.
We had another meetings with them your south afternoon. I
think it's another set of meetings going down today. I
think we had over twenty different engagements with labor, whether
it's been letters, meeting our officials, meeting our ministers, helping
them understand the detail of it all. But look, you know,
trade should be bipartisan. It's not political because I'm telling you, Jamie,
(07:05):
in a very troubled world, to have an option like India,
the third biggest economy in the world, you know they
I can't think of another five million people country that
the Indians have bothered to spend time with trying to
build an Indian NFTA arrangement worth They want to work
with the big guys. They've done it with you know,
the next you know, they've done it with EU just
after us. We want to get the deal signed, which
(07:26):
is normal protocol, so that we can get the most
Favored nation status for wine out of the European deal,
so that we get the best deal always for wine
and some other sectors as well.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Well, you'll get no argument from me on that one.
I think it's a no brainer. Absolutely.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
Look what's been I think what's been good though, Jamie,
is you know, even the last week we saw up
to one hundred companies, one hundred businesses come out and
actually say, yeah, actually, this Indian FTA is a good thing.
It should be beyond politics. It's a bipartisan thing. So yeah,
I think you know, we're we're working and engaging with
labor and good faith. You know, I heard Chris Sipkins
yesterday say he's trying to do the same thing. I
generally hope we will get there, and I think that's
(08:02):
an interest of MW zualm.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Do you wake up on a cold sweat in the
middle of the night, awakening missus Luxon, just thinking what
a bum deal I've got. You know, in terms of
becoming Prime minister, you inherited an economic mess Trump's tariffs
in twenty four, should I say in twenty five and
then Trump's war in twenty six? You can't buy a break.
Speaker 4 (08:23):
No, I wake up, mate, honestly, just fight up. I mean,
I really do, because yet I agree with you. The
world is at an inflection point. It has changed and
it is not going back to how it was. It
is about big countries with power exercising that power. And
we are a small country and we have interests and values,
but we don't have power. And so how we navigate
(08:45):
that world is the way that I've been doing over
the last two years is preparing for that by having
broader relationships with the Singaporeans, with the South Koreans, with
the Japanese, with the Chinese, the Indians, the Middle Easterns
are the Europe, UK, Europe, all of that stuff right,
and the Americans And we may not like I think
Trump's tariffs are wrong. We think we know how that
movie ends. It doesn't end well. You know, this war
(09:07):
in the Middle East is absolute chaos and it needs
you know, it's no idea where it's going, and every
day it gets bounced around, and yet it's causing huge
economic pain and suffering for people around the world and
here at home. I joined a call at midnight on Friday,
two am on Saturday morning with other world leaders. There
was fifty one of us on the call. You know,
I spoke there very strongly about how the impact is
(09:27):
having with New Zealand but also across the Pacific region
as well, and they're developing countries in Asia, and you know,
that crisis needs to have a cease far and needs
to get a proper negotiated settlement in place. And we
need the free flowing on freedmom navigation of ships moving
through that strait so we can lower the price of
diesel at the pump. That's what it's going to be
about again. But you know, I get it. The country
(09:50):
and everyone around the world We've been through COVID, We've
been through inflation and recession, We've been through Trump's tariffs,
We've been through weather events, We've now got Trump's war.
You know, all of that has implication, but it's happening
to all one hundred and ninety five countries in the world.
And the question is, how do you make sure you
position New Zealand to come out of that, to pop
up on its foils and to be able to go
forward with a positive vision of where we get to. Okay,
(10:11):
I think we can.
Speaker 5 (10:12):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
The final question for you, because you're all fired up,
are you getting a fair crack from Jenna, Mikey and Tova.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
Well, that's the point I was making yesterday to the media,
and you know, I had had media speculation going on
for days about you know, the National Party, and I
want to pull a stop on it. And the answer is,
I think the media need to get connected with the
issues that actually New Zealanders are really dealing with in wrestling,
and by all means, let's have that debate about the
(10:39):
hard issue that actually meta to New Zealanders rather than
the Beltway. From the basement of the press gallery in Willington.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
Here Krystper Luxelon all fired up. Thanks for your time
on the country tonight. You and missus Luckson are the
wonderful Amanda a joy a butter chicken tonight. How about that?
See you later.
Speaker 5 (10:55):
Thanks, jam you have a good way.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Take care of our Prime minister. And Greg Miller has
just wandered into the studio going over the top of
the Prime Minister, who was obviously pre recorded. You've ruined
my hoax. Greg, Hey, listen, some of your feedback is
coming in great to hear the PM pushing back against
(11:19):
Winston publicly. Christopher Luxon is a very talented guy and
we are lucky to have him. Cheers Chris. No, I'm
just joking, cheers Tony. Yes, mister Luxon. Immigration has worked
well so far, hasn't it. Just look at the state
of New Zealand with infrastructure which just can't cope. Yes,
mister Luxon, bring them all in, not five million kei.
(11:40):
We need to know what are the stumbling blocks between
Winston and Luckson. Why won't Luckson tell us, well, he
sort of has. They totally disagree on things like immigration
and the Indian Free Trade Deal, and for what it's
worth them on Luson's side on the FTA. We need
to get that locked and loaded. Umm National should have
(12:03):
taken Damien to him there at like Helen Clark did
when signing the free trade deal with China, not like
John Key. I didn't quite get that one. And you
said the twenty seventh, twenty seventeen election, Jamie, what about
two thousand and eight pre election john Key stepped up
to the media christ Church Porthals and ruled out working
(12:24):
with Peters. It was over immediately, Yes, but john Key
was in a position in two thousand and eight where
he could do that. He was polling in the forties.
He didn't need Winston Luxeon. Christopher Luxen cannot in any shape,
form or other form a government without Winston. End of
end of argument. Okay, Greg, you've wandered in here, You've
(12:46):
chosen the music. Did I get that? Micaelwebit closer to
your mouth? America Venture a Highway very good. We were
just having a coffee before midday and we got talking
about Pine Tree Meads, who was the former ambassador for
the IHC car Rural Scheme. What a great bloke he
was because he sort of got muscled into chair the
local Tikiwitty branch. And then he went on to give
(13:07):
years and years of service.
Speaker 6 (13:09):
I think Jamie he was only going to give one
year and maybe not even that. And he was asked
by he says, a lovely woman local to come and
chair the local committee in Tikawity, and he just did.
And he gave so much and he was such an
inspiration to so many people.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
He was the guy behind the first I HC Farm.
Speaker 6 (13:33):
Yeah yep, but he got out, bought it, sold lots
of raffle tickets for his horses, and you know, he
was amazing. You know, he never had a lot of
money himself. He gave a lot to people in his community.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Mind you, if you're in the pub and Colin Meads
comes in with a pig and a barrow, you're hardly
going to say no, I don't want to buy a
raffle ticket.
Speaker 6 (13:54):
That was a wonderful thing about having colon needs on
your side.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
Well, absolutely, just on the rugby paddock and off the
rugby paddock. Hey, just quickly excuse me. You told me
a wonderful story about Pine Tree bringing a boy with
an intellectual disability all the way from Livin to Tech
Awitty where he based him and he would bring him
to the rugby every Saturday.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
It was a young boy called Dino who's passed away since.
But he was in Kimberly and it was an institution
and he pine Tree realized he was from tek Awitty
and he drove all the way down, picked him up,
brought him back, put him in an h home and
took him out every Saturday he was in town because
(14:38):
at that time he was also managing all Black rugby teams.
But imagine the change in Dino's life because of pine
Tree and him just coming and saying, you want to
be we want you in our community, Dino.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
Okay, so you've heard from Christopher Luxelm. We've got Winston.
His fate would have it on the show tomorrow. That'll
be interesting. To be honest, Greg, I always try and
pre record Winston, so I've got a degree of control
because he can be a challenging interview. He's quite dogmatic.
But he's live tomorrow at twelve, so I guess it's
just gloves off and away we go. I agree. I
(15:14):
like a lot of the stuff him and Shane do,
but just this Indian fta grandstanding absolutely right up. Next,
we're going to go to Central Hawks, Bay, Mark Warren.
Worse weather than cyclone, Gabrielle. When we've seen what's happened
in Wellington astonishing, and you're in Wellington, aren't you?
Speaker 6 (15:33):
How did you fare pretty well? Actually, but a lot
of people didn't.
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Yeah, it was brutal, seventy seven mills in one hour. Okay,
Mark Warren, next on the Country around Okay, welcome back
to the country. Sorry about the momentary dead air. Just
(16:00):
trying to keep our next guest quiet and told him
no swearing on the radio today, because you can be
a bit rough around the edges on occasions. Mark Warren,
very clever and intellectual man, Central Hawks, Bay Farmer. Mark,
Just before I get onto the hammering you've had from
the weather, did you listen to Christopher Luxen?
Speaker 5 (16:20):
Yes, I certainly do.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
So.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Where do you sit? Are you on Luxton's side or
winston side? What where do you sit?
Speaker 5 (16:28):
I've got one league on each side of the fence
and the balls on the wire on that one. But
I'm sorry, Luxe's a bit a bit needs a bit
more Monger and Winston needs to body learn the concept
of being honest and keep it keep to his word.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
Now, I've just got a text in from a high
ranking National Party member. I won't name or shame this person.
If Winston has a choice of a three party coalition
with actin National or two party with Labor, New Zealand
first will go left. What do you think of that?
Even though he said he won't go into coalition with Chippy.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
I love Winsdon, but I don't trust him.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
Probably a few of us think along those lines. On
a more serious note, although the election of an ex
government is pretty serious, especially for the farmers of New Zealand.
You're farming on coastal central Hawk's Bay, Deweys from ypooke Row.
The rain that you've had over the past two days,
Mark Warren, two hundred and forty mils is worse than
(17:29):
what you experienced in cyclone.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
Gabrielle, Yeah, well, gabriel wasn't too bad for us. We've
got about one hundred and ten mile on the front country,
about four hundred on the bank country. But this lot
we've had a variation around our district. I did a
ring around this morning between ten hundred and fifty and
three hundred and sixty mils of rain. You know, it
was pretty hard to pick on the weather map. And
you know we're all ready for the cyclone. That was
(17:52):
a fizzer under saying the cyclone arrived about a week late. Interesting,
my son Henry, who does a weekly plan on a
Sunday night, I locked back in history. I looked on
I mentioned and he said, yeah, he said, we're planning
for a week week. So I think he might have
better with the reading skills that I've got. But yeah,
there's been a bit of damage. It's been to two
meters over our road, a lot of damage. And of
(18:14):
course in the all days, I'd get out in the
tractor and care some of it myself. But I'm sick
of doing that under these current the current conservative body
governmental ready ice bullshit. Bovine waste, I say, And yeah,
that's something.
Speaker 3 (18:28):
That I said. I said, No, I said no swearing.
Speaker 5 (18:30):
I didn't swear. I didn't swear. I didn't swear. You
didn't hear it. Probably it was bovine waste.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Okay, So why can't you get out, Why can't you
get out with the fronteen loader and clear the road?
Speaker 5 (18:40):
No, because I'm sick of doing it. And then down
has come past an hour later, changing one thousand dollars
a truck and drive past what I've done with their
dagger and go back to town and get paid for it.
Some I'm over that. What we need to get voters
to lobby central government to get the rules changed about
the bloody stupid osh law which they used to hide
(19:01):
behind down has made eleven billion dollar profit last year.
Look at what the scott has do when they have
big snowstorm. They contract farmers to go out and help
tear the roads. That's what needs to be done. I
see I've put a post on that on my Facebook.
I think it's had seven hundred comments or something this morning.
It's going viral. But I'm getting bloodies. I'm getting slightly
sick of them.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Well, you're going viral you. Some people would say you've
always been a bit viral, Mark, but you do have
some really interesting posts on your Facebook page. So go
and look up Mark Warren and have a look at
some of the videos you've got there of the flooding.
And of course we've got Greg Miller in the studio.
He's from the AH He's the national fundraiser for the IHC,
CARF and Rural scheme based in Wellington. You've been about
(19:42):
a long time. Mark. Some of those scenes in Wellington
are of biblical proportions floodwise.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Yeah, heart goes out to them and all those cars
flooded and yeah it's not good. We're just going to
allow common sense more in this game. The problem is
everyone thinks that somebody else's problem and they don't plan accordingly.
I was horrified to see our good local school bus
parked by side the Mercury Hall and they didn't get
(20:10):
to the time and they've probably been written off by floodwaters.
I mean in the old days we'd grab a tractor
and shifted, but I know too much bureaucracy now. So
we've lost the school bus in the flood.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
How long is the cleanup going to take you and
farmers in your district? Because it was very localized this flooding,
as opposed to Gabrielle, Well, you know long, but.
Speaker 5 (20:31):
Of bloody wet rope, I would think it'd take about
a week before the next flood. We were celebrating we
had a big four drive fundraising trek for the dennerk
Hunt run our place about a couple of weeks. Agel
a month ago now, and we just had the last
bridge rebuilt to allow the trek through, and we're celebrating
that we basically tidied up from Gabrielle by the end,
but only lasted a month. And that's all month.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
And again, hey, are you are you confident in this
Middle East situation? We'll sort it out, sort itself out
sooner rather than later. I'm not.
Speaker 1 (21:01):
Well.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
I think no one really knows. But I go and
look at OilPrice dot Com and look at the oil
futures market two years ahead and those traders and they
analyze a lot of information to make their money. They're
still they're still putting forward contracts on at around eighty
five dollars a barrel for oil. So it's probably a
good thing to look at for the poorhole cropping farmers
(21:22):
like David Clark, who's just grinding away, throwing money into
a big hole and not getting anything back out of it.
You are hard for those guys. I mean, I seek
cattle farmers long as the stockers along the creek and
the wet but we just let them go and let
mother nature take their course here. But no, it's it's
going to put the price of food up, which for
those of us for the low cost structure will be great.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
Mark Warren, thanks for some of your time, good luck
and the cleanup.
Speaker 4 (21:48):
Are you eat?
Speaker 3 (21:49):
There we go? Yeah? What what you see is what
you get with Mark. Yeah. Down to earth, bresh, breath
of fresh air here on the country it is. What
is the time? Twelve? I'm having trouble telling the time?
Where's my screen? God? Let's try this. Let's try twenty
eight away from one? Up next, Matt Bolger and we'll
(22:12):
have a look at the global dairy trade auction overnight.
Was it a disappointing result or you know, with the
word on turmoil, should we grab it with both hands?
He's up next, last night's Global dairy trade auction. Let's
(22:34):
have a look at the numbers and crunch them down
two point seven percent? The powder's performed a wee bit better.
Whole milk powder down zero point six percent, skim milk
powder down or up? Should I say three point two percent?
The fats didn't fare so well? To tell us all
about it, Matt Bolger, MD of co Op Affairs four Fonterra.
Do we describe this, Matt as a disappointing auction? Or
(22:57):
do we say during these times of two all that
we're currently and will take.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
This thanks, Jamie. Look, I think it's probably the latter.
Obviously we would have would have liked prices to go
up in some of the futures markets. We're looking a
little bit more positive, but when you look at the
amount of uncertainty out in the world, it was you know,
I think we do take this one. Remembering too, we're
very We've contracted a lot of the season's milk now
(23:24):
we're we're are p eighty five ninety percent contracted probably
at this stage. So I think a few movements around
here now in the context of our of the global
situation will be okay.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
Okay, nine seventy. It's pretty much locked and loaded for
this season. It's all about twenty six twenty seven. You
haven't released your forecast or opening forecast milk price yet
for the coming season. I note that the futures markets,
certainly earlier in the week, had the number at about
nine dollars forty, which is a pretty solid sort of number.
(23:55):
The only problem with that number is, Matt, the cost
of production is soaring? Are the word for it?
Speaker 4 (24:01):
Yeah, I think you're on the money, Jamie, So futures
markets are picking a range that We've got a few
commentators out there and we'll come out in late May
with our outlook for next season. But your right, costs
are up. The conflict in the Middle East is having
ripples right across the world, whether that be fertilizer, packaging,
(24:23):
resins and so on, and of course fuel is the
big one. One one positive thing is, you know, the
signals out of government and out of others is that
you know, there's there's a high degree of confidence that
we will still have fuel supply. You know, it seems
seems very likely we'll still have diesel coming in, et cetera.
It's but we have to be conscious of those costs
(24:46):
because it is going to We have to expect the
costs are going to go up. And as you say that,
all that'll hit on farm as well.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
Yeah, well, the fuel is very much like the fertilizer.
It's not a supply issue as much as as a
price issue. But never mind dairy fat. The dairy farmers
of New Zealand who are keeping this country afloats, Matt
Boulger are doing there. But certainly in the month of
March March collections hit a record high up nine point
four percent. Can we find a home for all this milk?
Speaker 4 (25:16):
Yeah, it's remarkable, isn't it. I guess, you know, just
warm weather and plenty of rain. So yes, we can
look us chatting to the team earlier today, and there's
been a lot of extra milk coming across the season.
And look a credit to the team through the factories
and right out through the sales networks. They've gone hard
(25:36):
all season and have been able to sell that. So
we're not sitting on big stockpiles of inventory or anything
like that. And you know, it's there's a there's still
great demand for our New Zealand milk out there in
the market. So I think we will keep going and hopefully,
you know, we're very confident with their contracting to get
out and finish the season strong.
Speaker 3 (25:56):
Why skim milk powder swimming against the tide?
Speaker 4 (26:00):
It was an interesting result for Skim up a little bit.
And I think the real thing is probably the US
demand for protein so non fat dry milk is they
call it up there, ski will be out of for us.
That's been going pretty well, and we've been talking about
this a lot, but really there is a great consumer
demand and I guess consumer story about the value of
(26:21):
protein and then more attention being paid to different kinds
of protein. So dairy protein is a fantastic product, and
it is more bioavailable, meaning you know, it can be
absorbed into muscles and so on, much more than other
sorts of protein. And so I guess you know that
science is getting better, no, and there's great demand for
those products out there, particularly in the States.
Speaker 3 (26:41):
The dairy farmers of New Zealand can be very thankful
for our ZEMBLK.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Yes, it's an interesting one, isn't it. These GLP one
injections and so on. So while you know, while notionally
people are eating less, and if you're in the job
of selling food, you might think that might be a
bad thing. As people are starting to take those sort
of weight management products, they tend to focus a lot
more on the quality of nutrition that they're getting in.
(27:07):
So that's really tying in with a spike for things
like natural foods and particularly for protein and as I say,
dairy protein.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
Oh, it's well for dairy farmers. Matt Bolger out of Fonterra,
thanks for your time as always, Dank Sammy, thank you,
Matt Hey some lots of feedback coming in on Luxon
and Peters. Nice to hear Luxon on your show today.
I wish the TV media would let him talk and
say what he did on your show today. They only
ever run negative and waste of time snippets of him
(27:35):
makes them look useless, but he's not. Thank you, Farmer Texter.
Up Next, Rural news and sports News. Welcome back to
the country eighteen away from one Michelle's. And here we're
going to have a look at rural news and sports news.
But first, working the land never slows down. Nature waits
(27:58):
for no one, especially in autumn. Farmers and growers need
a partner thinking ahead, and that's where Farmlands can help.
Whatever you need, when you need it. Farmlands has got
you sorted from break feeding gear for winter crops to
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(28:20):
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(28:42):
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Farmlands help you make smart investment choices with better price
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offers in store online through the armlands Pro app. We'll
talk to your farmland strap. There's Michelle What's Rural News.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
The country's rural news with Cob Cadet, New Zealand's leading
right on lawn bower brand. Visit steel Ford dot co
dot in set for your locals Doggist.
Speaker 7 (29:15):
An Australian lead project could see Southland's lignite or brown
coal reserves developed into your rear fertilizer. Victoria Hydrogen is
proposing a three billion dollar plant to be located thirty
comedies northeast of in Vicago. The company says it could
deliver one point five million tons a year of your
rear fertilizer, making New Zealand's agricultural sector fully self sufficient.
(29:36):
And that's rural news.
Speaker 3 (29:37):
Jamieuson, Well, I'm right behind that I bet you Shane
Jones all love that. Dig it up, dig up the
coal and turn it into your ear. We need to
be more self sufficient in fertilizer. Let's have a look
at sport.
Speaker 1 (29:48):
Sport on the country with Athco invested in your foaming success.
Speaker 3 (29:53):
And because I want to talk about the IHC calf
and rural scheme and pine Tree meads. That's enough sport.
But Chelsea manager Leon Rozenner has lambasted as players after
a fifth straight goalless Premier League football defeat, this time
three nil two Brighton. If you want a more extensive
sports news bulletin, best to listen to the one o'clock news.
(30:16):
Up next, it is World Earth Day. Jacqueline roweths Baregators.
Welcome back to the country today. If you didn't know,
it is World Earth Day, to talk about how to
(30:39):
grow food from said earth doctor Jacqueline Roeth, who writes
a fortnightly column for us here on the Country. We're
going to tie a fertilizer and food and earth into
your column. Jacqueline, Let's start with fertilizer. You also wear
a hat as a Ravensdown director. How much trouble are
we in?
Speaker 2 (31:00):
We are securing supplies, so the important thing. And I'm
not the Ravenstein spokesperson, so I'm saying from the soil
science and my PhD was in super posstrate by the way,
looking at the supplies the balance and ravensdown. Organizations have
supply chains, good relationships, and they are doing everything they
can and are pretty confident at the moment that they've
(31:21):
got fertilizer required for their customers their shareholders. We can't
guarantee anything about price, of course, but we have secured
supplies and we are putting information, both companies information on
their websites all the time to try and reassure farmers
that we have what they need. Because food requires nutrients
(31:43):
and those nutrients are termed fertilizer.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Well, you're very much in the same position, I guess
as fuel. It looks like we've got the supply. Okay,
it's just going to be a price issue. Will fertilize
the price itself off the market because one of the
great learnings I hate that word check, one of the
great learnings from the nineteen eighties was the last thing
you should cut as fertilizer.
Speaker 5 (32:06):
Yeh.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
And most farmers recognize this, despite some of the anteams
or alternative people saying we don't need fuel and fertilizer
to produce food, Well, we produce them at half what
we can at the moment. So if we've got half
the supply and the demand remains the same, then clearly
the prices of food would escalate even more. So I say,
(32:29):
let the farmers get on with what they know is
best for their system, for their soil, for their environment,
and their good quality food production, and support them through
this and it is I've been prepared to use the
term crisis here. Support them through this fuel crisis because
fuel affects the fertilizer price as well. And be grateful
(32:53):
to them because sometimes it's a difficult job.
Speaker 3 (32:56):
So I've been told, and you can confirm or deny this,
that for the world's food is produced by nitrogen fertilizer.
Is that correct? Just yes or no? Okay, So here's
probably more. It's probably more. So here's the other worrying
stat About a third of the world's urea or a
wee bit more than that comes through the strait of humus.
We are in trouble.
Speaker 2 (33:17):
Well, that's why the importance of the supply chains and
the good relationships is paramount, and so the traditional companies
have been working for years with companies make it go overseas,
making sure that we do have the understanding that we
always pay on time, that we use similar amounts every
year because it's New Zealand and we have good understanding
(33:38):
of what our soils and our export markets require, remembering
that an awful lot of what we produce goes overseas
and that brings in the money that supports New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (33:49):
Do you think you would ever have a bipartisan sort
of relationship relationship and the fertilizer industry where the two
big players balance and Ravens Down got together. I'm the
strolling flying a kite here and perhaps Bill to kick
our surea plant.
Speaker 2 (34:03):
Well, we all balance in Ravensdown talk all the time,
but the gurus are.
Speaker 3 (34:08):
That's only that's only when they're setting the price check one.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Oh no, no, no, we talk. I'm joking various right, Okay,
moving on. Then we al we have good relationships, and
the important thing is we have good relationships because of
our farmers, and we all care about our shareholders and
many shareholders have shares in both companies.
Speaker 3 (34:28):
What are you doing Finally, for World Earthday.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
I'm celebrating farmers as I always do. The good farmers
support the economy, they look after the environment. And this
idea that anybody would use anything on the soil that
wasn't actually required and wasn't going to assist with soil
quality and indeed good food production is dreaming because all
(34:53):
those chemical things are expensive and sows and the environment
is a treasure, so we always look after it.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
Good on you, Dr Jacqueline Roweth. People can read all
about it on our website, The Country dot co dot nz.
Thanks for your time. Thank you, seven away from one.
Thank you, Jacqueline. He's a nice text coming in gee.
I bet the greens will love that proposal. Dig up
cole lignite in this case to make your ear to
grow grass to feed dairy cows. Let's use it for cheap,
(35:22):
reliable power generation while we're at it.
Speaker 6 (35:24):
Eureka.
Speaker 3 (35:25):
Maybe you've got an idea there, Greg Miller, to wrap
the country. You're good wrapping the country with the national
fundraising manager for the IC calls near and dear to
my own heart as ambassador for the IC National Calf
(35:46):
and Rural Scheme, Greg Miller, I love that you've chosen America.
Well done. Before I forget, I want to say hello
to Michael Holdsworth who works in your library, the IC
Library in Wellington. Hello Michael, you're a great listener. Every
listener is a prisoner. You've mentioned Pine Tree Meads. It's
from miss and I did allude to it. PGG Rights
(36:06):
and you're off to see Steve Gern and Peter Nubolt
on the team to resign the annual contract.
Speaker 6 (36:12):
They're fantastic. Every year they deliver and do great work
for a sea and really make sure the money goes
to where we want it to go to, which is
having an impact on people with intellectual disability in those
rural communities. And just circling back, Jamie, a huge, huge
thanks to every farmer that has contributed and donated through
(36:37):
good times and not so you know, in difficult times.
They've stuck with the Calft scheme and we are so
so grateful.
Speaker 3 (36:44):
You're up to one point four million dollars of donations
this year, which is the second highest ever. The previous
high was one point five and that's back in the
pre COVID, pre m B overstays, so things have got
a bit trickier since then, so that is fantastic. I
think the challenge to the Farmers of New Zealand and
US other fundraisers is to get above one point five
(37:05):
next year or this coming year.
Speaker 6 (37:07):
That would be wonderful. Jamie and just there are so
many people are so generous, and it is humbling, and
it has such an impact on our work in those
rural communities and we are so grateful.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
Well all we're all inspired by Pine Tree Means is
one of my favorite New Zealanders of all time. If
you want people who aren't farmers to vote donate, should
I say to the IHC Calf and Rural Scheme or
to the IHC full stop? What do they do? I've
got thirty seconds.
Speaker 6 (37:35):
You just go look up HC and putt in calf
on Google and you'll get there and there's a place
you can donate, and it's anyone can donate. You don't
have to be a farmer.
Speaker 3 (37:46):
Okay, there you go. Thanks to PGG Rights and thanks
to all flex, Thanks to all tech as well, and
all you farmers out there who are supporting the IHC
Calf and Rural Scheme. That's us done for today is
on tomorrow. Wednestone catch all the latest from the land.
Speaker 1 (38:09):
It's the Country Podcast with Jamie Mackay. Thanks to Aisuzu,
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