Sarahs Country
Farming food & fashion for a discerning world is serious business in Aotearoa New Zealand. The challenge has been laid before us to embrace a changing world and balance business that is sensitive to people, profit and the environment. Sarah’s Country connects knowledge and shines the light on the matters that matter most to New Zealand’s biggest industry, the primary sector. “There are opportunities everywhere just waiting for open-minded people to take bold and brave leadership and support farming and growing in New Zealand for a positive future,” says Sarahs Country host Sarah Perriam. Sarah has created a movement w...
CHANGE MAKER I 7th April 2021
Jo Palmer, founder of Pointer Remote explains how encouraging remote working environments can help grow rural towns.
Lisa Booth, chief Executive of Kete Kai shares how she is helping to redesign an affordable food system through technology.
Is it possible to farm regeneratively and profitably ? Russell Heald, owner of The Brow Dairies shares his experience with Calm the Farm.
Aratu Forests announce a 90-year Riparian Native Forestry Scheme. ElandNZ, CEO Hugh Riddiford explains.
To watch the show, visit www.sarahscountry.com
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Farming regeneratively & profitably | Russell Heald
Russell and Charlotte Heald have been on a journey for the last 4 years converting their farm to regenerative and now organic which has led to a wide range of positive change from staff, soil & animal health whilst remaining profitable.
As a case study for Calm the Farm, an organisation that supports NZ farmers to change to farming with a regenerative mindset, Russell explains how having pasture diversity is what is enabling them to have more pasture growth and create more resilience in dryer months.
More info at https://www.calmthefarm.nz/case-study-1?utm_source...
Remote working ready rural towns | Jo Palmer
Is the trailing spouse or partner the handbrake when attracting workers into remote rural areas?
Jo Palmer founded Pointer Remote four year ago to provide a job platform connecting businesses with remote workers in rural Australia to the country from corporate careers.
More info at https://www.pointerremoteroles.com.au/
To watch the show, visit www.sarahscountry.com
Subscribe to Sarah’s Country on the podcast and if you love us, please leave a review!
Contact the show: sarah@sarahscountry.com
90-year Riparian Native Forestry Scheme | Hugh Riddiford
What is a commercial solution that will encourage forest owners to plant native riparian buffer zones?
ElandNZ’s chief executive, Hugh Riddiford unpacks the economic opportunities for forest owners to improve economic returns as well as helping farmers diversify their operations, therefore, becoming more sustainable, following the announcement of their 90- year Riparian Native Forestry Scheme with Aratu Forests in Gisborne.
More info at https://www.elandnz.com/
To watch the show, visit www.sarahscountry.com
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Redesigning an affordable food system | Lisa Booth
Kete Kai‘s goal is to work together to end hunger in Aotearoa by 2030 using the technology of bringing a community around a meal kit and ultimately provide accessible food for all.
With funding by herself and other investors, CEO Lisa Booth is building a social enterprise that not only provides a more simple, nutritious meal with less packaging, but a more affordable way of connecting those in need with the skills they need to feed their whanau.
More info at http://ketekai.co.nz/
To watch the...
From waste to wealth | Anna Yallop
Anna Yallop, General Manager at Bioresource Processing Alliance explains how we can utilise our secondary by-products from our primary industries in order to lower the amount of food that is wasted.
For more information on the Bioresource Processing Alliance:
https://bioresourceprocessing.co.nz/
This interview was featured as part of this week’s Opinion Maker programme brought to you by Farmlands, New Zealand's largest farmer owned rural supplies co-operative.
Visit them at farmlands.co.nz
To watch the show, visit www.sarahscountry.com
...Government investigate food waste in NZ | Angie Warren Clark
What started out as a small members bill led to the New Zealand government creating a $32 million fund to support nationwide food distribution initiatives, rescuing food waste and feeding our most needy.
For more read the report of the Environment Committee:
https://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-NZ/SCR_96164/cebeaf7cf20b40245fdf5c60601d83a2ac5b105f
This interview was featured as part of this week’s Opinion Maker programme brought to you by Farmlands, New Zealand's largest farmer owned rural supplies co-operative.
Visit them at farmlands.co...
Upcycling food | Francesca Goodman-Smith & Prof. Miranda Mirosa
Associate Professor Miranda Mirosa from Otago University has been the author of what is now known as ‘The Mirosa Report’ advising the NZ government on what is needed to not only fix, but first find out how big and where the problem lies.
To read the Mirosa Report, the briefing to investigate food waste in New Zealand to the Parliamentary Environment Committee:
https://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-NZ/SCR_96164/cebeaf7cf20b40245fdf5c60601d83a2ac5b105f
This interview was featured as part of this week’s Opinion Maker pr...
OPINION MAKER I 6th April 2021
Did you know that 30% of food produced in New Zealand does not make it from our paddocks to our plates?
Today's Opinion Maker features four passionate women working to take post-harvest food waste and capture more value that is better for our environment.
Angie Warren Clark: member of parliament, New Zealand Labour Party
Anna Yallop : general manager, Bioresource Processing Alliance
Francesca Goodman-Smith: waste minimisation manager, Food Stuffs.
Professor Miranda Mirosa : associate Professor, University of Otago & co-chair, New Zealand Food Waste Champions 12.3
This interview w...
Katie Barr I Making better decisions on pasture covers
Dry matter readings for your feed budgeting taking too long? GrassCo Canterbury's, Katie Barr provide an innovative paddock measurement of your pasture levels weekly.
Katie got into the franchise that started up in Southland that specialises in measuring dry matter and Farm Mapping, providing detailed information regarding pasture covers and growths, so you can make an informed decision regarding how you manage your farm.
For more info head to http://www.grassco.co.nz/
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
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CHANGE MAKER I 31 March 2021
Change Maker: South Island Field Days 2021 special edition
💧Carrfields NZ Business Development Manager, Jeff Denley showcases the game changer of subsoil irrigation.
⛓️ Summit Steel & Wire’s key account manager, Ben Anderson demonstrates the ease of using the “solo net” fencing implement.
✅ Dry matter readings for your feed budgeting taking too long? GrassCo Canterbury 's, Katie Barr provide an innovative paddock measurement of your pasture levels weekly.
🐄 Halter's, Steve Crowhurst, business development manager explains the development in the leading virtual fencing technol...
Steve Crowhurst I Reduce workload with virtual fencing
The winners of this year's Agri Magic Smart Farming award at the South Island Agricultural Fieldays was virtual fencing technology, Halter. Steve Crowhurst, business development manager caught up with Sarah to explain how much time it is saving dairy farmers in shifting fences.
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
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Contact the show: sarah@sarahscountry.com
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Ben Anderson I Net fencing sped up with solo net
One of the key fencing implements that was catching many farmers eyes at the South Island Agricultural Fieldays was the Summit Steel & Wire’s SoloNet.
Key account manager, Ben Anderson explained to Sarah how the tractor implement helps to roll out and strain the netting with it’s quick, mechanised netting dispensing and straining system that hydraulically clamps and strains net taking the hard slog out of the job and saves on labour costs!
For more info head to https://www.solofencingsystems.com/solonet
To watch the...
Jeff Denley & Gary Robinson I Subsoil irrigation drives water efficiency
An irrigation system that saves 25 to 40 percent in water use irrigating the same amount of land by pushing the water underground is taking off here in New Zealand.
Farmer Gary Robinson, Oxford and Carrfields NZ Business Development Manager Jeff Denley explain subsurface drip irrigation to Sarah at the South Island Agricultural Fieldays how the environmental and efficiency benefits.
For more info head to https://www.carrfields.co.nz/
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
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Andrew Luddington I Time for a NZ Emissions Trading Scheme to include native trees
Driving carbon credits as the only way forward has seen a monoculture mindset in New Zealand forestry and a Canterbury farmer is calling for our Emissions Trading Scheme to include agriculture must be adapted to include native trees to improve biodiversity outcomes.
UK-born, Rakaia-based crop & sheep farmer and passionate conservationist, Andrew Luddington, shared his opinion on how we need to make native trees a priority in policy making.
For more info: https://farmersweekly.co.nz/topic/opinion/view/pulpit-native-trees-should-be-a-priority
To...
Ian Brennan & Sam Mander I Biodiversity credits to incentive native trees?
The age old saying ‘you need to be in the black, to be green’ certainly applies to the ability for New Zealand land-owners to bankroll the Climate Change Commission’s target to plant 300,000 hectares by 2035, or is it time for government policy to put a premium biodiversity credit to deter the easy money of carbon farming radiata pine’s?
Trustee of the Tane Tree Trust & Cambridge farmer, Ian Brennan, who’s journey is shared on the new documentary, O Tātou Ngāhere joins The Agribusiness Group’s environmental consultant Sam Mander on the panel to s...
Adrian Loo I Permanent native forests revenue opportunity for landowners
New Zealand land-owners who wish to plant permanent native tree forests in their marginal, steep country and to provide filtration buffer zones for waterways often are doing so at the expense of the long-term financial sustainability of their farming operation.
Forever Forest’s is an initiative that forest manager, Adrian Loo, explains helps line up the dollars to plant from retail emitters to off-set with land-owners looking to find the capital to plant native trees and in-turn the premium carbon credits that promote biodiversity.
To watch the interview, visit ww...
OPINION MAKER I 30th MARCH 2021
In this week’s “Opinion Maker” on Sarah’s Country, the Climate Change Commission has a target of 300,000ha of new native forests by 2035. How will this be incentivised the same way pine plantation has been under the Billion Trees programme?
Guests :
Evan & Linda Potter I Farm environment heroes says it's not rocket science
Looking after the environment on the farm has proven to be more than doing the right thing, it has also made good economic sense for the Hawke’s Bay farmers that took home the national environment trophy this month.
Evan & Linda Potter, farming at Waipapa in Central Hawke’s Bay, were named the 2021 National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing awarded the Gordon Stephenson Trophy by the NZFarm EnvironmentTrust at Te Papa in Wellington.
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
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Prof. Grant Edwards & Jeff Curtis I Destroying our research genetics is devastating
Lincoln University has had to depopulate and re-stock it’s farms after discovering M. Bovis in it’s herd, now pushing important climate change research back nearly a decade.
Following their two farms testing positive for the cattle disease Mycoplasma Bovis, Lincoln University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Grant Edwards and farm manager, Jeoff Curtis share their devastating journey of how they will need to start research projects from scratch.
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
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Phil Duncan I More to thunderstorms than headlines
RuralWeather.co.nz commentator, Phil Duncan provides the facts behind the weather headlines of the loaming thunderstorms and whether it will actually eventuate to rain for our most driest regions.
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
Subscribe to Sarah’s Country on the podcast and if you love us, please leave a review!
Contact the show: sarah@sarahscountry.com
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Kate Acland I Pace & change of policy-driven low confidence levels
A south island high country farmer suggests it is time our industry groups work collaboratively to provide farmers with the improved certainty they need to thrive.
Mt Somers Station co-owner, Kate Acland has recently been appointed as the new farmer director for Beef + Lamb NZ after serving as an associate director on the board since 2018.
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
Subscribe to Sarah’s Country on the podcast and if you love us, please leave a review!
Contact the show: sarah@sarahscountry.com
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NEWS MAKER I 29 MARCH 2021
In this weeks “News Maker” show of Sarah’s Country :
CHANGE MAKER | 24 March 2021
In this week’s Change Maker show of Sarah’s Country:
How is New Zealand’s horticulture technology placed internationally and what are some of the major scientific challenges technology can help solve into the future?
PlantTech Research Director Ian Yule explains.
Jars of NZ-made honey with a unique manuka factor (UMF) of 33 have been selling for almost $5000 in the UK. True Honey Chief Executive, Jim McMillan, shares why it’s some of the highest valued Manuka honey ever produced.
NZ farmers are continuing to look for ways to ensure the environmen...
Lisa Mabe-Konstantopoulos | US consumers perception of New Zealand post-covid
As part of this week’s Change Maker show of Sarah’s Country, Lisa Mabe-Konstantopoulos from Green Purse explains what the US consumers’ perception of NZ is post-covid, and what NZ food and fibre brands are taking advantage of e-commerce.
Consumer habits have changed due to covid-19, with a focus increasingly on buying local, so how can NZ exporters to the US compete against this trend?
For more information on Green Purse, visit their website: https://www.greenpursepr.com/
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
Subscribe to Sarah’s Country...
Jim McMillan | Sweet deal: Manuka honey sells for $5k a jar
As part of this week’s Change Maker show of Sarah’s Country, Jim McMillan from The True Honey Co shares why jars of NZ-made honey are some of the highest valued Manuka honey ever produced.
230g gram jars of NZ-made honey with a unique manuka factor (UMF) of 33 have been selling for almost $5,000 in the UK.
With only 200 jars available, The True Honey Co’s range of high-quality Manuka honey has been snapped up by Harrods in London.
To read more, visit the article on Farmers Weekly: https://farmersweekly.co.nz/section/agribus...
Donna Cram | Farmers leading transition to a more sustainable future
As part of this week’s Change Maker show of Sarah’s Country, Donna Cram from Taranaki Catchment Communities shares how NZ farmers are making a difference to ensure the environmental, economic and social wellbeing of their communities.
For generations, farming and primary production have been key pillars of the Taranaki economy, with a thriving and diverse rural sector that sustains over 10,000 jobs.
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
Subscribe to Sarah’s Country on the podcast and if you love us, please leave a review!
Sarah’s Country is produ...
Dr Ian Yule | Scientific challenges in New Zealand’s horticulture industry
As part of this week’s Change Maker show of Sarah’s Country, Dr Ian Yule from PlantTech explains how New Zealand’s horticulture technology is placed internationally and some of the major scientific challenges technology can help solve into the future.
As a speaker at E Tipu 2021: The Boma NZ Summit, Ian will explain how the NZ-based research and development organisation is specialising in cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions to produce a competitive advantage for growers.
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
Subscribe to Sarah’s Country on the podcast and if you l...
Mark Cameron | “Pastoral farming rights ‘at risk’”
As part of this week’s “Opinion Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Mark Cameron from the ACT Party discusses the issues and implications around the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill.
The Bill clearly aims to put an end to farming in the high-country, and farmers are facing one of the biggest battles of their lifetime as the reform Bill is proving the best chance of casting aside pastoral farming rights over the environment.
To read more, visit the article on Farmers Weekly: https://farmersweekly.co.nz/section/agribusiness/view/pastoral-farming-rights-at-risk
To watch the inter...
Ian Mackenzie | “ECAN councillor on high-country reform”
As part of this week’s “Opinion Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Environment Canterbury councillor Ian Mackenzie discusses the issues and implications around the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill.
The Bill clearly aims to put an end to farming in the high-country, and farmers are facing one of the biggest battles of their lifetime as the reform Bill is proving the best chance of casting aside pastoral farming rights over the environment.
To read more, visit the article on Farmers Weekly: https://farmersweekly.co.nz/section/agribusiness/view/pastoral-farming-rights-at-risk
To watch the interview...
Kate Cocks & Emily Murray | “Concern over proposed land reform changes”
As part of this week’s “Opinion Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Kate Cocks of Mt Nicholas Station and Glenmore Station’s Emily Murray discuss the issues and implications around the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill.
Changes proposed in the Bill threaten the viability of high-country farming for pastoral lessees.
The Bill proposes to amend the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998 and the Land Act 1948, to end tenure review and redesign the regulatory system to deliver improved Crown pastoral outcomes.
But farmers say the Bill is poorly drafted, placing unreasonable limitations on day-to-day farming ac...
OPINION MAKER | 23 March 2021
In this week’s “Opinion Maker” show of Sarah’s Country:
One government policy amendment making headlines is the future of the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill, which has submissions before Parliament at the moment.
Joining Sarah to discuss the issues and implications around the Bill are featured guests Environment Canterbury councillor Ian Mackenzie and ACT Party rural spokesperson Mark Cameron. On the panel, we have Kate Cocks of Mt Nicholas Station and Glenmore Station’s Emily Murray.
To watch to the full-length show and to contact the show, visit www.sarahscountry.com
Subs...
NEWS MAKER | 22 March 2021
In this week’s “News Maker” show of Sarah’s Country:
In light of concerns over ACC subsidy for quad bike roll-over protection, Motor Industry Association chair Simon Meade gives his opinion and insights around providing a subsidy on a non-regulated standard.
Pip Cameron shares her frustrations on country school buses with no seatbelts, saying it’s a fatal accident waiting to happen.
RuralWeather’s Phil Duncan provides an outlook on showers for Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Coromandel, through to eastern Northland.
Following the Government deferring winter grazing rules for another 12 months, Nati...
David Bennett | “Winter grazing rules on hold”
As part of this week’s “News Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, David Bennett from the National Party explains why Minister David Parker had no choice but to defer the winter grazing rules for another 12 months.
Primary industry groups have welcomed the Government’s decision to defer proposed intensive winter grazing (IWG) regulations for a year and instead rely on farm plans to help deliver the changes in farming practices sought.
Environment Minister David Parker says the decision was made after the farming sector agreed to make immediate improvements to intensive winter grazing practices for the co...
Phil Duncan | “Rural Weather”
As part of this week’s “News Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Phil Duncan from Rural Weather provides an outlook on showers for Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne and Coromandel, through to eastern Northland.
An anticyclone lies over the South Island at the moment, while a south to south-easterly airflow is moving around with high flows over the North Island.
For your local hourly or 10-day forecast, visit www.ruralweather.co.nz
To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com
Subscribe to Sarah’s Country on the podcast and if you love us, ple...
Philippa Cameron | “Calls for seatbelts on school buses after multiple crashes”
As part of this week’s “News Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Waitaki Valley resident Philippa Cameron shares her frustrations on country school buses with no seatbelts, saying it’s a fatal accident waiting to happen.
After letters to the Prime Minister, Transport Minister and her local MP, Philippa has only received generic replies back saying that there's not much they can do about it.
To read more on this topic, visit: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300252508/mother-calls-for-seatbelts-on-school-buses-after-multiple-crashes?fbclid=IwAR2aME8qRP0s5tbtD4Kwdx0LOavfoFpjfP-nnfB26jgrSkxgACZY1MoXIb4
To watch the interview...
Simon Meade | “ACC subsidy for crash protection”
As part of this week’s “News Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Simon Meade from the Motor Industry Association gives his opinion and insights around providing a subsidy on a non-regulated standard in light of concerns over ACC subsidy for quad bike roll-over protection.
Of the 154 deaths on New Zealand farms between 2011 and 2018, quad bikes accounted for 25% of them. Following ACC receiving 822 claims for quad bike injuries, costing $5.7 million, they are now subsidising the cost of crash protection such as roll bars on quad bikes.
But will the roll bars save lives or are farmers c...
CHANGE MAKER | 17 March 2021
In this week’s “Change Maker” show of Sarah’s Country:
Clevedon Buffalo founder Helen Dorresteyn shares what it's like owning and operating a buffalo farm.
We also delve into the world’s first solution for verifying regenerative meat, dairy and wool. US-based Land to Market Programme Manager, Chris Kerston, explains.
There’s a new discovery that may give honey bees a fighting chance against varroa mites. Emeritus Professor Alison Mercer explains.
Finally, meeting environmental challenges and supporting each other through change will top their AGM agenda, Dairy Environment Leaders chair Melissa Slatt...
Melissa Slattery | “Dairy Environment Leaders”
As part of this week’s “Change Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Melissa Slattery from Dairy Environment Leaders discusses how rising to meet environmental challenges and supporting each other through change will top the agenda when Dairy Environment Leaders meet in Wellington for their annual forum today.
Dairy Environment Leaders are leading farmers from across the country, who work with other farmers, their communities and decision-makers to drive positive change.
Dairy Environment Leaders Chair, Melissa Slattery, says the forum is timely as the sector responds to climate change and water quality regulations, and farmers are supp...
Alison Mercer | “Bees get a fighting chance”
As part of this week’s “Change Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Alison Mercer from Otago University Department of Zoology explains a new discovery that may give honey bees a fighting chance against varroa mites.
Scientists have identified naturally occurring compounds which induces a cleaning response among some worker bees, killing juvenile varroa mites.
The University of Otago researchers are now looking at how to replicate the six relevant compounds they have discovered, and a way to deliver them to hives from which beekeepers can selectively breed bees that have this trait.
To read...
