The Country

Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Jane Smith, Matt Bolger, and Mike Petersen.

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Win, lose, or hung parliament on Saturday, we have a nice little anecdote to tell about the Prime Minister’s early days on The Country. We also discuss the Federated Farmers Voter Guide 2026 and why National only got a bronze medal behind NZ First and Act. And while farmers are going to vote for a centre-right government, there aren’t enough of them, so will Auckland decide the election?

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A North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist talks about “El Greeno” and why the Greens aren’t real environmentalists.

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Fonterra’s managing director of co-operative affairs reviews last night’s GDT Auction, which saw another positive lift (+3%), with WMP 5.9%, SMP 3.1%, AMF -3.2%, Butter -4.7%,  BMP -4.4% and Cheese 8.6%. Plus, we preview the World Dairy Summit coming up in Auckland on Nov 15 - 20.

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The former chairman of Beef+Lamb NZ, former special agricultural trade envoy, Scales chairman, and Hawke’s Bay farmer talks about El Niño, red meat, horticulture, trade, and disarray on the right.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Colin Hurst, Damien O'Connor, Todd Clark, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.

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The President of Federated Farmers presents the Feds’ Voter Guide, and NZ First comes out on top with a clean slate. Plus, we talk about agriculture being back in schools and the farming season on his arable and dairy farms in South Canterbury.

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In the absence of some from the centre-left, at least Labour’s trade spokesman fronts with some fight on The Country. Today we talk about the Feds’ Voter Guide, strategic split voting, and whether Kiwis are over this election.

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We catch up with our US farming correspondent post-Halloween and pre-midterm elections (and ask which is scarier). Plus, we talk about the fall farming season, fuel prices and thoroughbred horse racing on Melbourne Cup Day.

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One of our leading primary sector academics salutes agriculture being back in schools and says choosing an academic path to follow is not all about following your dreams and passions. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Erica Stanford, Pita Alexander, Blair McLean, David Seymour, and Phil Duncan.

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The Minister of Education walks back the decision to remove agriculture and horticulture from the Year 11 curriculum.

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A Christchurch-based farm accountant runs his financial eye over the state of the rural economy and the state of NZ Rugby.

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We talk wine, golf and cherries with our viticulture correspondent as a new facility opens, Caythorpe Green, in Marlborough.

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The Act Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister on agriculture in Year 11, strategic split voting, and his vision for New Zealand.

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Monday’s resident weatherman on the increasing dry in North Island.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Luxon, Kane Brisco, Rowena Duncum and Riley Kennedy, and Shane Jones. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Richard Allen, Shane Jones, Chris Brandolino, Rachel Shearer, Sean Daly, and Barry Soper. 

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The chief executive of Fonterra today announced an increase of the midpoint of the 2026/27 season forecast Farmgate Milk Price from $9.50 per kgMS to $9.75 per kgMS. The Co-operative has also lifted and narrowed the forecast range from $8.50 - $10.50 per kgMS to $9.00 - $10.50 per kgMS. The Co-operative has also today increased the Organic Milk Price, with the midpoint lifting from $14.30 per kgMS to $15.25 per kgMS!

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The self-proclaimed Prince of the Provinces, the Mighty Matua, says his controversial comments on his wives (plural) and shopping was on brand, even if his one wife Dot had to sternly correct him. We also traversed strategic split voting, fast track consenting, bottom trawling, youth unemployment and whether he has a Plan B?

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We take a look at Earth Sciences NZ's Seasonal Climate Outlook for November 2026 - January 2027 where El Niño is expected to remain the primary driver of New Zealand's climate patterns over the coming three months.

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The GM of PGG Wrightson Wool takes a look at a "steady as she goes" wool market where reduced supply is a key driver. 

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A Southland Vet who says drench resistance in our sheep industry is costing farmers hundreds of millions of dollars. But a solution is at hand!

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Our political correspondent calls the election one week out!

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Jamie Mackay talks to Rowena Duncum, Riley Kennedy, Emma Poole, Tim Dangen, Chris Russell, and Farmer Tom Martin.

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Today’s first panel features a couple of Aucklanders (FMG and BusinessDesk) with rural roots as we debate agriculture in schools, skin cancer checks for farmers, a wonderful golf fundraiser for Farmstrong and strategic split voting for rural New Zealand.

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Today’s brother and sister farmer panel ponder dairy farming seasons at opposite ends of the country, Ag in Schools, and getting your head around the election at the busiest time of the year for farmers.

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Our Australian correspondent says, “El Niño? What El Niño?” as new cattle records are set as the rain pours. Plus, we talk about problems for cropping farmers, a gold rush in Broken Hill and a new airport in western Sydney. 

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Our UK farming correspondent comments on a good autumn planting campaign, not such a good Autumn Budget, water restrictions after the summer drought and  Harry Kane. 

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Waikato dairy farmer and DairyNZ Environment Specialist Johan van Ras joins Michelle Watt to share his journey of transforming unproductive areas of his farm into thriving native wetlands and bush. He discusses the environmental and on-farm benefits he's seen firsthand and explains how a whole-farm approach to biodiversity can support both farm performance and sustainability.

To learn more about DairyNZ's work in precision dairying and biodiversity improvement, visit www.dairynz.co.nz.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Richard McIntyre, Toby Williams, Ben Picton, and Kane Brisco.

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The Prime Minister comments on the OCR, the One News poll, Chloe Swarbrick as Finance Minister, and why true-blue National Party supporters should not split their votes to get a centre-right coalition across the line.

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Two former Federated Farmers, a Horowhenua dairy farmer and an East Coast sheep and beef farmer, reflect on why they’ve both confidently reinvested in their respective farms. Plus, we ask them if they will strategically split their votes.

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Rabobank’s senior market strategist (chief economist) offers his OCR preview ahead of this afternoon’s announcement, where a .25% rate increase is a lock in. But where is neutral, and where will the OCR peak?

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A Taranaki dairy farmer tells us why Farmstrong has teamed up with NZ Young Farmers to support everyone who enters this year’s competition.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Cameron Bagrie, Nancy Crawshaw, Olivia Caldwell, Phil Duncan, and Andrew Whiley.

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Independent economist previews tomorrow’s OCR announcement, where a .25% rise is on the cards. Plus, do we have an issue with our exchange rate?

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Time is running out to enter the Zanda McDonald Award for 2027. We ask the 2024 winner why young Australasian Ag leaders (ages 21-35) should enter.

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A freelance rural agricultural journalist steps up to the plate after Jo Luxton goes AWOL on the election campaign trail. Today we discuss the “aggressive urbanisation of rural New Zealand”.

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Monday’s resident weather man on a Tuesday with a temperature feast-to-famine scenario.

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