Federated Farmers Podcast

East Coast farmer Blair Crawshaw has been using drones for eight years, putting them to work mustering stock, finding missing animals and pests, and checking for problems across his steep Motu farm, Tawa Hills Angus. In this episode, we get practical about how farmers can actually use a drone on farm — what it’s good for, what it can’t do, and what you need to know before buying one.

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When a friend asked Logan Wait to provide some meat for an event post-Covid, he realised there was a problem: he had the animals, but no easy way to get meat from the farm to the people who wanted it. That question led him to found Earth First, New Zealand’s first certified mobile abattoir of its kind. His big idea is simple: what if the meatworks came to the farm, instead of the animal going to the meatworks?

Logan joins us to talk about leaving a corporate job in Auckland, returning to the family farm and bui...

South Canterbury farmer Lesley Roy has taken more than 1,500 wallabies and 40 pigs off her farm this year – but despite that huge effort, the numbers are barely changing. With pigs destroying pasture and eating lambs, and wallabies continually damaging fences and fowling paddocks, Lesley says pest control has become an endless battle. And her experience highlights a much bigger problem facing farmers across New Zealand.

In this episode, Lesley and Federated Farmers pest management spokesperson Richard Dawkins discuss the scale of the pest problem, why farmers feel like they’re fighting the same battle year after year, and what...

Kate Acland has built a career out of figuring out what to do when the original plan stops working. From starting a wine business in her 20s and navigating the GFC, to moving into farming and building a diverse operation at Mt Somers Station, Kate has repeatedly had to adapt, take risks and back herself. Today, she’s chair of Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the inaugural Rural Woman of the Year.

In this candid conversation, Kate talks about the challenges that have shaped her, the moments that have pushed her forward, and the realities of leadership, imp...

For Taranaki sheep and beef farmer Nick Brown and his wife Sophie, farm ownership is definitely the goal – but they're taking a different route to get there. Rather than putting their capital into buying land, the couple are leasing 800 hectares and focusing their money on the productive assets that generate income.

In this episode, Nick explains why he thinks leasing is a great way for young farmers to build equity, why older farm owners should be open to the idea, and why longer leases and more ambitious bank lending could help more young farmers build a pathway in...

From warm cups of sheep milk in China to influencers livestreaming from New Zealand paddocks, the global demand for sheep milk is creating a surprising new opportunity for Kiwi farmers.

In this episode, Spring Sheep CEO Thomas Macdonald and Commercial Manager Operations Olivia Smith take us inside the rise of New Zealand’s sheep dairy industry. They explain how an unconventional experiment has developed into a growing industry built around Spring Sheep’s own Zealandia breed, a network of farmers and increasingly strong international demand.

We dig into what makes sheep dairying work, the economics for...

For Quinn and Samantha Morgan, farming is about much more than cows and grass. They’re in it to create more opportunities for their family and the people who work alongside them.

From helping their team build skills and get off-farm experience to involving them in the financial side of the business, their goal is to show people what a future in farming could look like.

In this episode, the dairy farming couple talk about their journey into farming, the mentors who helped shape their careers, and why they put such a strong focus on de...

In this special 100th episode of the Federated Farmers Podcast, the Prime Minister sits down for a personal, wide-ranging conversation about the experiences and people that shaped him long before politics.

From growing up in Christchurch and Auckland to building an international business career with Unilever and leading Air NZ, Luxon reflects on the lessons he's learned about leadership, family and resilience. 

He shares the influence of his parents, the advice from his grandfather that still guides his marriage, why he banned mobile phones around his children, and the habits that helped shape his career.

Running a 2000-cow dairy operation across 524 hectares is a big enough challenge, but Jared Crawford and his wife Sara decided to add another by buying a craft brewery and restaurant.

As lower-order sharemilkers for FarmRight near Geraldine, Jared and Sara have built a high-performing dairy business with a strong focus on people, earning a reputation for developing and retaining great staff. 

Beyond the farm gate, Jared also represents sharefarmers with Federated Farmers at both the South Canterbury and national level, giving him a unique perspective on the issues facing the sector.

In this e...

In a region where plenty of productive farmland has disappeared into pine trees, two farming couples are doing something uncommon – turning a forestry block back into a working farm.

Sam and Gemma Hain, and Matt and Kate Long, have just taken ownership of a 400ha property planted almost entirely in young pines. 

In this episode, Sam explains why they took on the challenge, how they plan to pull it off, and why sending cattle back onto the land was one of the best days of his life. 

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Technology is playing an increasingly important role in farm succession, helping families share knowledge, make better decisions and bring the next generation into the business sooner.

Someone seeing that firsthand is Caitlin Barnett, Gallagher's Regional Lead for eShepherd across Australasia, who works with farmers adopting virtual fencing and other on-farm technologies.

In this episode, Caitlin discusses how technology is changing the way farming knowledge is passed between generations, who's embracing it, whether it can ever replace decades of experience, and the parts of farming that simply can't be digitised.

She also takes on...

Sandra Faulkner has spent decades giving back to rural New Zealand. Now, she's stepping into one of the biggest leadership roles in farming as Federated Farmers' new vice president.

In this episode, Sandra talks about how growing up in an extremely isolated part of the East Coast shaped her passion for disaster preparedness and resilient rural communities. She reflects on her time working in the UK and Australia's Northern Territory before returning home to New Zealand to take over Wairakaia Station with her husband, Rob.

Sandra also shares what motivates her, the mentors who've shaped...

Who is Colin Hurst, the new president of Federated Farmers? How did he go from being the quiet kid at the back of the room to leading the country's largest farming advocacy organisation?

Colin joins the Federated Farmers Podcast to share his journey into farming and advocacy, what gets him fired up, the leadership style he wants to bring to the role, and his vision and priorities for the next three years.

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After growing up on a Manawatū dairy farm, Sam Whitelock became one of the most decorated All Blacks of all time, including winning two Rugby World Cups and a bunch of Super Rugby titles. 

Now retired, he's back farming with his wife Hannah and their three children.

In this episode, Sam reflects on life after rugby, his return to farming, and the leadership lessons he's learned from some of the world's best teams and players. We discuss performing under pressure, building strong team culture, his decade as a Farmstrong ambassador, and what farmers can learn fr...

Vangelis Vitalis is New Zealand's top trade negotiator. He's our man in the room securing better access for our exports, defending our interests overseas, and managing relationships with some of the world's biggest economies.

In this episode, Vangelis explains how New Zealand navigates an increasingly complex and unpredictable global trading environment. How does a small exporting nation compete for access to international markets? What happens behind closed doors during trade negotiations? And what does it all mean for farmers?

Find out from Vangelis.

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Many farmers say DOC’s grazing system has become so restrictive that it’s putting the very landscapes it aims to protect at risk. In this episode, West Coast farmer Simon Cameron and North Otago farmer James Hurst discuss the growing red tape around conservation grazing, the consequences of removing farmers from the land, and why they believe a common-sense reset is urgently needed. 

Got a podcast idea for us? Let us know, and give us your feedback on this episode.

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What do farmers need from the next government? Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford joins us to walk through the organisation's newly released election platform, a five-point plan to double farm productivity, cut costs, improve environmental outcomes, and strengthen rural New Zealand. 

Wayne explains the thinking behind each proposal, the challenges farmers are facing on the ground, and why Feds believes these changes would benefit the wider economy as well as the rural sector.

Links

Media release: 'Federated Farmers launches election priorities'

How do you separate solar facts from sales hype? Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa joins us to discuss not only the significant opportunities solar energy presents for farmers, but also how to make sure you're getting the right system.

With more farmers exploring solar to reduce power costs, improve on-farm resilience and gain greater control over rising electricity prices, Mike explains why careful research is essential before signing a contract. He shares the warning signs of a poor deal, the sales pitches that should raise questions, and the common mistakes farmers make when choosing a solar system...

Kerry Harmer and her husband Paul have recently won top environmental awards for their high-country stewardship work, while simultaneously fighting a $150,000 (so far) battle for consent to keep farming.

In this episode, the new Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers president talks about the brutal irony of being recognised for environmental leadership while being told they’re not doing enough. 

She shares the reality of the Harmers’ costly consent battle, the emotional toll of public scrutiny, and why she believes New Zealand’s consenting system is failing good farmers.

Kerry also reflects on her career in farm...

Neat Meat founder Simon Eriksen reflects on 25 years of building one of New Zealand’s best-known premium meat businesses, from running deliveries out of a 1986 Subaru Legacy to supplying supermarkets, restaurants and My Food Bag.

Simon shares how Neat Meat challenged the traditional meat supply chain, why he launched the SpeckleBeef programme, and what he’s learned from decades of backing himself in business through highs and lows.

We also discuss the future of red meat, pressure on rural communities, the spread of carbon forestry, whether Kiwis are being priced out of quality beef and lamb...

Manawatū contract milker Riley O’Neill shares his top tips for people going contract milking for the first time in the coming season, or for existing contract milkers moving farms. 

Riley also discusses his own progression through the dairy sector, and his recent experience of moving to a new farm and new part of New Zealand. 

This is good, solid advice that's relevant to most dairy farmers, but particularly new contract milkers. 

Riley's social media channel:
www.instagram.com/theeudderfarmers 

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Shanice Young didn’t grow up in farming, but she’s right in the mix now. From Wellington city kid to Bay of Plenty dairy farmer, Shanice shares how she found her way into farming and ended up leading her local Young Farmers Club, growing it rapidly from six members to around 30, while also running Surfing For Farmers and supporting her local Rural Support Trust.

We talk about her start in farming, what’s kept her in the industry, and what young farmers care about right now. She also reflects on wellbeing, community and the future of farmin...

To mark Anzac Weekend 2026, we’re bringing you a special episode that reaches back into one of New Zealand’s most remarkable wartime stories.

In November 1918, during the final days of World War I, New Zealand soldiers achieved the extraordinary by liberating the French town of Le Quesnoy without destroying it. Many of those soldiers were farmers, young Kiwis who'd left behind their land, livestock, and livelihoods to serve on the other side of the world.

More than a century later, their legacy still lives on not just here in New Zealand, but in Le Ques...

In this episode, we sit down with Manawatū farmer Ian Strahan, who runs 440 hectares of rolling country at Kiwitea, finishing around 16,000 lambs and up to 1000 cattle each year.

Ian, Manawatū–Rangitīkei Federated Farmers president, talks about growing up on the family farm, the influence of his father – legendary All Black Sam Strahan – and how a mix of old-school values and modern thinking has shaped his approach to farming today.

We dive into how his system's evolved into a highly efficient operation focused on strong margins, attention to detail and constant improvement. 

He also takes...

When you get an unexpected windfall as a farmer, what should you actually do with it? Is it just another payout to roll back into the farm, or a rare opportunity to reset your financial position?

With many Fonterra farmers waking up this week to a significant lump sum in their accounts, we asked Forsyth Barr investment adviser Michael Raynes to unpack the key decisions farmers should be thinking about.

Michael walks through five options, ranging from reinvestment and debt reduction to diversification and long-term planning. It’s all about making smart calls now that yo...

Labour’s agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton joins us for a candid chat about her upbringing, the tough chapters in her life, and her connection to farming.

She shares what she’s hearing from farmers, what she'd prioritise if she became Minister of Agriculture, and how she responds when farmers say Labour hates them.

Feds and Labour don’t always agree, but it’s important we have a relationship and can talk things through when we need to. Jo sits at the centre of that relationship, keeping lines of communication open on the issues that matter most to...

Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton joins us to break down the company’s 2025 turnaround, including what’s driving the strong results and whether better prices are here to stay. 

We dive into the challenges behind falling livestock numbers, the pressures on processors’ margins, and the role of global markets and geopolitics in shaping New Zealand red meat.

Dan also shares insights on the balance between value-add strategies and efficiency, the ongoing importance of sustainability claims, and what farmers can do on-farm to prepare for future opportunities. 

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Fuel supply is front of mind for farmers right now, with rising uncertainty around availability, pricing and logistics.

In this episode, Fern Energy CEO Chris Gourley joins us to cut through the noise and explain what’s really going on. Are we at risk of running short? What’s driving the pressure in the supply chain? And what does it mean for on-farm operations in the weeks and months ahead?

Got a podcast idea for us? Let us know, and give us your feedback on this episode.

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Do Kiwi farmers need to be concerned about getting their hands on fertiliser?

Ravensdown chief operating officer Mike Whitty joins us to explain how conflict in the Middle East is shaping the global fertiliser market right now.

He tackles the key question on farmers’ minds: how much fertiliser is actually on hand, and what’s being done to secure supply ahead of spring.

Whitty also explains where New Zealand’s fertiliser comes from, how exposed we are to international volatility, and what’s driving price movements across key products like urea and DAP.

Thi...

Stretching across nearly 68,000 hectares in northern Southland, Glenaray is a sheep, beef and deer station that’s quietly challenging assumptions about high-country farming.

In this episode, we’re joined by station manager Simon Lee and owner David Pinckney to explore the rich history of Glenaray, and how it operates today, including using innovative approaches like Halter. 

They also discuss the strong culture behind their team, and why they've agreed to host this year's High Country Field Day on March 27. 

This is a fascinating conversation about a type of farming, and part of New Zealan...

In this episode, Waikato lawyer Andrew Clements explains why farm succession can fail even when the balance sheet looks rock solid. He breaks down the five types of capital that really determine long-term success, and why focusing on just one can undermine the rest.

Andrews shares real examples of farming families that have learned this stuff the hard way, and he provides practical advice on how to build a farm business with something stronger than just a healthy bottom line. 

This episode will challenge how you think about wealth and farm succession.

Got a...

New Zealand's arable farmers are facing some of their toughest conditions in years, with margins collapsing and growers exiting the industry.

It's a "crisis" that will have flow-on effects for dairy, sheep and beef farmers, says David Birkett, Federated Farmers’ national arable chair. 

Birkett and Chris Dillon, an arable farmer in Southland and former Southland president, join us on this episode to explain what's going on, what the mood's like out there, and what needs to change for arable farmers to start making money again. 

This is a must-listen for all farmers. 

Got...

In this episode, we’re joined by Waikato dairy farmer Carla de Wet, who shares an honest look at building a career in farming as a young woman today.

Originally from South Africa, Carla talks about her journey to New Zealand just before Covid, settling into rural life, and finding her place in a family dairy business. As former chair of the Morrinsville–Ngarua Young Farmers club, she reflects on leadership, confidence, and the value of getting involved beyond the farm gate.

Being relatively new to this country, she has some really interesting perspectives on our...

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Siermans, the new CEO of Federated Farmers, to talk about what’s next for the organisation and for farmers.

Mike shares his journey from growing up around farming in rural South Auckland to a commercial career in the pharmaceuticals industry — including helping launch Viagra in New Zealand — and why he’s now taken on one of the most influential roles in rural New Zealand.

We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing farmers, how Federated Farmers can strengthen its advocacy, and how to modernise a 125-year-old organisation while staying...

This is the first episode in a new series where we sit down with good keen Kiwi farmers and simply have a chat – how they got into farming, what drives them, and what they’ve learned along the way. We’ll release one each month. 

For our first ‘Meet the farmer’, we’re joined by Jimmy Emmett, a South Canterbury dairy farmer who took an unconventional path into the industry. 

A self-confessed city boy, Jimmy swapped hospitality management for contract milking 17 years ago and hasn’t looked back. He’s now the South Canterbury dairy chair for Federate...

He’s the most recognisable voice in rural New Zealand but you’ll usually hear The Country host Jamie Mackay asking the questions rather than answering them. 

In this episode, Jamie sits on the other side of the mic to reflect on his early farming career, the twists and turns that led him into broadcasting, and how a rugby-mad bloke from Southland ended up shaping national conversations from the studio and the showgrounds.

He shares some of the stories he’s collected along the way, including his favourite guests over the years, some forgettable moments, that in...

What actually happens to wool after it leaves the sheep’s back? 

In this episode, Breanna Hayes, supply growth manager at The New Zealand Merino Company, and Nathan Watt, trading manager at New Zealand Wool Services International, explain how the wool industry works, why strong wool in particular faces challenges, and what farmers can do to improve outcomes. 

They unpack who the players are in the supply chain, share insights on the future of wool, and discuss why they're feeling confident that wool prices will continue to lift. 

Useful links

New...

What does the rise of artificial intelligence mean for Kiwi farmers? Where does gene technology fit into New Zealand’s farming future — and what are the real opportunities and risks? And which global trends should farmers be paying close attention to right now?

In this episode, we’re joined by Jarred Mair, chief insights officer at MPI. Jarred has spoken at a number of Federated Farmers events around the country, sparking plenty of interest and discussion, and we sat down with him to unpack the big picture.

We cover emerging technologies farmers need on their radar...

Homekill is booming in New Zealand, and Edgecumbe butcher Toby Barkla is right at the centre of it. In this episode, Toby explains why more Kiwis are choosing homekill, the pressures facing rural meat processors, and why he believes regulated mobile and micro abattoirs could be the future of local meat. 

He also shares his own business journey with Plains Butchery, the challenges around waste and by-products, and how innovation could help rural communities keep feeding themselves. 

Plains Butchery

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In this episode, we speak with two farmers who’ve taken different approaches to diversification as a way to build resilience, create new income, and keep life interesting.

King Country dairy farmer Michael Woodward has added Angora goats to his system to tap into global demand for mohair, alongside a marketing and exporting business. Sheep and beef farmer Laura Morrison has diversified into agritourism, running a farm-based B&B near Marton.

Both are Federated Farmers leaders, and they share practical, real-world advice for farmers thinking about diversification – what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how the bene...