Special Reports and Podcasts

Farm succession is one of the toughest challenges for farming families, with many young farmers struggling through the process. Rural counselor Kathryn Wright discusses the emotional complexities of succession, strategies for managing family dynamics, and tips for approaching these crucial conversations. Sheryl Haitana also speaks with Sandy Van Den Heuvel, Director of BlackmanSpargo Rural Law, about the legal aspects of succession, highlighting who the stress often falls on and when. Additionally, Greytown farmer Hamish Hammond chats about the season in Wairarapa and the importance of water efficiency and the upgrade they’re doing to their irrigation.

In this episode, Sheryl Haitana interviews Braden Coates and Hayley Ireland, dairy farmers from South Waikato, who share their inspirational journey overcoming Braden’s life-changing rugby injury and journey to farm ownership. They discuss their resilience, teamwork, and commitment to sustainable farming, as well as their success in the Te Ara Miraka Excellence Programme. Additionally, Ben Davidson, veterinarian and CEO of Dairy Smart, talks about antibiotic stewardship and how AI is revolutionising mastitis detection. He highlights how this technology helps farmers reduce antibiotic use, improve herd health, and make more targeted treatment decisions.

In this episode, we hear from experts at the Australasian Dairy Science Symposium, discussing the latest in dairy innovation, from benchmarking farm performance to using DNA technology for pest management. Plus, Glenn Jones shares insights from the Australian Dairy Conference and what’s coming up for farmers at this year’s SIDE event.

With a record milk price in farmers’ sights, the idea of hanging up the clusters and switching off the milking plant in favour of carrying out some other activity on their land seems nonsensical for all but a couple of higher-risk yet high-returning horticultural activities. Words Anne Lee.

Bay of Plenty dairy farmer and kiwifruit orchard owner David Jensen has experienced the ups and downs of both industries and shares some insights for those farmers who are thinking about investing in horticulture. Words David Jensen.

Canterbury is known for going it big when it comes to dairy – the same now looks true for apples. Words Anne lee.

Canterbury and Otago are on the radar for horticulture companies with access to water and flat land along with the right climate and soil characteristics making the regions attractive. Word Anne lee.

Solar farming is a fast-growing part of New Zealand’s energy sector and could be an opportunity for farmers to diversify their income. A Massey University presentation at AgInnovation explored the possibilities for solar farming to co-exist with sheep grazing, providing two sources of income per unit of land area, and crunched the numbers on the returns. Words Rebecca Greaves.

When the summer dry dents milk production on the unirrigated river flats, a solar farm on the upper terrace is making good use of the sun’s rays for a Golden Bay family. Words Anne Hardie.

In this episode, we discuss pregnancy scanning results across the country, with some farmers reporting low not-in-calf rates. We also explore the importance of planning for next season’s mating, selecting the right bull team, and how advancements in breeding technology, including sexed semen, are helping farmers improve herd efficiency and productivity.

This episode we take a deep dive into the changes affecting rising insurance premiums and advice on how to navigate the changes including a new insurance model called parametric insurance that will help farmers insure in the face of extreme weather events.

In this episode, we explore the rise in global dairy prices underpinned by China’s expanding appetite for our dairy products with growing demand for high-protein foods. We also discuss the economic impact of trade tensions and how farmers can navigate this market volatility. Plus, the importance of future policy settings in the face of an unpredictable global landscape.