27 JUN 2024 · With our regular host Bryan Gibson still laid low with covid this week, senior journalist Richard Rennie talks to Joanne Todd, director of the high value food and beverage National Science Challenge, talks about the Challenge's funding round coming to an end this week, with no prospect of any immediate funding to fill the gap. While a review is underway on the country's entire science funding programme, this will take months and leaves scientists and researchers without any grant income in the meantime. Regulations are seen by farmers as one of the major constraints upon farm operations today. Federated Farmers board member and arable farmer David Birkett outlines some specific concerns with Health and Safety regulations. Despite their best intentions, farmer fatalities and injuries have not declined in the past decade, prompting calls for a review and practical revamp of regulations. David outlines his firsthand experiences with the regulations and how pressure on farmer employers could be better shared when it comes to regulations by placing more expectation on employees and contractors to acknowledge the part they play in looking after themselves on farm. Richard also chats with veteran agri journalist and colleague, senior reporter, Hugh Stringleman, on two stories Hugh has been following in past weeks. They talk about the annual stud bull sale results which, after relatively flat values this season, have finished with some top prices being paid for bulls sold by East Coast's Tangihau Angus. Then they take a look at the trials of Synlait dairy company, due to repay $130 million within two weeks and holding a special meeting to agree on funding.

26 JUN 2024 · With our regular host Bryan Gibson still laid low with covid this week, senior journalist Richard Rennie talks to Joanne Todd, National Science Challenge director for high value food and beverage research. After a decade of ground breaking research, four patents, 137 products researched and 60 business partnerships funding comes to an end this week, along with funding for the country's other 11 National Science challenges. Todd outlines the work done to date, and the impact the end of funding is likely to have, bringing a period of major uncertainty to the scientific community, and to a key plank in the government's goal of doubling NZ's exports within the next 10 years.

26 JUN 2024 · With our regular host Bryan Gibson still laid low with covid this week, senior journalist Richard Rennie talks to senior journalist Hugh Stringleman. Stringleman unpacks some of the recent record prices paid for Angus stud bulls at this late point in the selling season, coming after a relatively lacklustre round of stud sales in past weeks. He also talks in detail about the challenge facing Synlait as it seeks to raise $130 million to pay off loans due in early July.

26 JUN 2024 · With our regular host Bryan Gibson still laid low with covid this week, senior journalist Richard Rennie talks to Federated Farmers board member and Leeston farmer David Birkett. Birkett outlines concerns he has as a farmer, and as a spokesperson, about Health and Safety regulations that despite creating headaches for farmers needing to comply, have done little to bring down the incidence of on farm fatalities and injuries in the past decade. With a review now underway, he is calling for more practical, shared rules and responsibilities around any new regulations arising from a government roadshow soon underway.

21 JUN 2024 · Senior Farmers Weekly journalist Richard Rennie is subbing in for Bryan this week.  He talks to Harriet Mellish, general manager for Australia's AgriFutures GrowAG initiative based in Wagga Wagga. Harriet outlines the opportunities GrowAg provides for Kiwi agritech startups to tap into,opening them up to a far wider funding and partnership arena at a time when NZ's own funding environment is tight. Then, the problem of trying to balance human welfare and animal welfare when it comes to livestock trucking has been highlighted by Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick. He talks to Richard about how the regulations can leave drivers, and their animals, stranded when alloted driving hours have been used up before a mandatory rest is required. Jason outlines the problems this presents, and how some practical, clear-eyed thinking could help solve it. And, he catches up with fellow senior journalist Neal Wallace on a couple of the stories he has been covering this week. Neal takes a look at the dire shortage of livestock available for processing this winter, what it means for plant shutdowns and markets. He also reports on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's terse words for environmentalists, calling for solutions not problems when it comes to realistic development to help NZ pay its way in the world.

20 JUN 2024 · Senior Farmers Weekly journalist Richard Rennie is subbing in for Bryan this week.  He caught up with Harriet Mellish, the GM for Australia's AgriFutures GrowAG initiative. It provides a platform for researchers, startups and innovators here to identify and meet up with potential partners through an comprehensive online digital platform. Harriet made a brief visit to NZ this week, to address the E Tipu food and fibre conference in Palmerston North. She talks about how the initiative has managed to support over $160 million in startup investments, and the opportunities it offers for Kiwis to tap into Australian opportunities.

20 JUN 2024 · Senior Farmers Weekly journalist Richard Rennie is subbing in for Bryan this week.  He speaks to fellow senior journalist Neal Wallace, who takes  a look at the dire shortage of livestock available for processing this winter, what it means for plant shutdowns and markets. He also reports on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's terse words for environmentalists, calling for solutions not problems when it comes to realistic development to help NZ pay its way in the world.

20 JUN 2024 · Senior Farmers Weekly journalist Richard Rennie is subbing in for Bryan this week. He speaks to Federated Farmers Southland provincial president Jason Herrick has raised concerns farmers and stock truck drivers have about rules around driving hours, rest times and the problems this poses for the inexact task of transporting livestock. Drivers are required to take a 30-minute rest break after a five and a half hour stint, and if they don't electronic monitoring will see them automatically fined. 

14 JUN 2024 · Bryan reports from National Fieldays where there has been a flurry of government announcements including Minister for Regulation David Seymour telling farmers he’s going to cut the red tape that’s holding them back from doing what they do best.  Food and fibre export revenue is tipped to reach $54.6 billion this year and hit a record $66.6bn in 2028, according to the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report.He caught up with MPI director-general Ray Smith about how agricultural exports have performed over the past year.  The Government also announced an inquiry into rural banking, something Federated Farmers has been calling for, and dairy chair Richard McIntyre says the aim now is to make sure terms of reference are set in a way that addresses the issues that really concern them. And, senior reporter Richard Rennie is also on the ground at Mystery Creek. He shares some of the highlights from the first two days, including the launch of the Science for Farmers hub and the visiting Brazilian delegation.

14 JUN 2024 · Bryan reports from National Fieldays where there has been a flurry of government announcements including Minister for Regulation David Seymour telling farmers he’s going to cut the red tape that’s holding them back from doing what they do best. Farming will be the second sector the Ministry turns its attention to and Seymour says farmers will be given the chance to highlight what roadblocks they’d like cleared.