Ag in Conversation

082 | In this episode, Emily and Myfanwy sit down with Ross Neal to discuss the complexities of farm succession, emphasising the importance of communication, financial viability, and building a strong team. We dig into the challenges faced by farming families, the significance of equity in ownership transitions, and the role of succession facilitators.

Ross also shares some great practical tips for building equity and preparing for succession are shared, along with insights into navigating non-traditional succession scenarios.

https://ruralleaders.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Ross-Neal_Achieving-successful-family-farm-succession-dairy-industry_Kellogg-Report-2022.pdf

Big...

081 | In this insightful episode, we delve into the complexities of farm succession with Jacqui Owen. She shares her legal expertise and discusses generational attitudes, financial barriers, and the importance of early planning in ensuring a smooth transition. As well as practical advice on maintaining fairness among farming children and the unique challenges faced by those who choose to stay on the farm.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

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HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

080 | This we week dove into the complexities of farm succession planning, highlighting the importance of communication, family dynamics, and the challenges faced by families in transitioning their farms. Ashley discussed the need for a structured approach to succession, the emotional aspects involved, and the opportunities available for those without a family farm. The discussion emphasised the significance of starting early and aligning values among family members to ensure a smooth transition.

You can find Ashley here - https://www.mdp.co.nz/about-us/meet-the-team/ashley-burdon/ or connect with Rural Coach here - https://www.ruralcoach.co...

EP 79 | Cows, Calves, Lasers and Butter!!

In this episode, Emily and Myfi discuss various topics related to dairy farming, including personal updates, the rising price of butter, innovations in farming technology, and the growth of the venison market in North America. They also delve into the critical calving season, sharing insights into the processes involved and the challenges faced by farmers. The conversation wraps up with a light-hearted discussion about a new business venture involving personalised gumboot stickers for kids.

Important links

Jazz up your boots here! - https://gumbitz.com/<...

078 | Em asks a thought provoking question - should processors play a role in professional development for farmers, supporting them to develop their business and leadership skills. Would this be a win win?

In the news we cover everything from the drought in NSW to getting wool on the heads of the All Blacks.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

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HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

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Epi 77 | Coaching the next big thing in Ag?

Myfi and Emily discuss their recent experiences, including a community event and the weather's impact on farming. They delve into significant developments in agri-tech, highlighting a New Zealand startup achieving unicorn status. The discussion also covers the acquisition of Nexon Group by PGG Wrightson and the importance of local solutions for farmers. They explore the role of social media in dispelling dairy myths through expert voices and emphasize the shift from traditional expert advice to a coaching approach in agriculture, fostering empowerment and long-term thinking among farmers.

076 | Bayer exits NZ on the R&D front, globally the weather is all over the show, having huge impacts on food security, NZ dairy farmers finish a record season with a record month.

Rabobank recently published their white paper for 2025, Changing of the Guard (available here) all about farm succession. It really presents the scale of the issue we, as an industry, will be facing in the coming years.

Unlocking the Power of Soil: International Soil Educator Leads 3-Day Waikato Workshop 19–21 August 2025

Internationally renowned soil systems educator, Nicole Masters, is returning to...

EP 75 | Think like a Forest

In this conversation, Myfi and Emily discuss various topics ranging from the unexpected snowfall in their region to insights gained from the Primary Industry Conference. They delve into the future of food security, the complexities of free trade agreements, and the importance of environmental standards. The discussion also covers the emerging trends in green hydrogen production and the intersection of agriculture and technology. Additionally, they address the challenges posed by pests in agriculture and the need for collaborative solutions to manage these issues sustainably.

https://zip.org.nz/<...

074 | Its a mixed bag this week, we discuss everything from the price of butter to US bombing in Iran. Dig in for an update on global current events and a taster of the KPMG agribusiness agenda.

We also discuss the RWNZ grants, which are closing on July 1. Have a look here - https://www.ruralwomennz.nz/our-funds-and-grants

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

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Myfi Returns from moving farms and the ladies catch up on all thats been happening since.

News items this week focus on the Wool carpets in social housing, Apples on a Canterbury Dairy farm and protecting rare breeds of cattle in the UK with a short dive into a past Farmers weekly readers poll on Export opportunities.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

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072 | This week Emily sits down with Sandra Matthews, Rural Women New Zealand President to talk about their upcoming Centenary year, we cover the past, present and future of the organisation.

To sign up ti Rural Women NZ click here

To purchase one of the beautiful centenary roses click here

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

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071 | A fascinating conversation with Conan Moynihan from Force of Nature Consulting about his recent travels to the USA and completion of CREATE - a course by Integrity soils - https://integritysoils.com/

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

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070 | A bumper episode this week covering the 2025 Budget and what that means for ag in NZ and we have an epic interview with Amy Priest from Growing Future Farmers.

If you know anyone who is looking to start their career in the sheep, beef or deer industry please share this episode or their website with them https://www.growingfuturefarmers.co.nz/ or likewise, if you have the ability to be a training farm please reach out to the team.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for...

069 | Like everything the number and choices of vehicles available on the market has grown almost exponentially - but what is out there that really suits the NZ rural lifestyle that can help us save big our pockets and be kinder to the environment. This week we dig into the hybrid and EV options available and answer the questions from our community.

In the news this week we look into the US/UK trade negiotiations, World Food Prize winner and the new partnership between AgriZero and InnovateUK.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights...

EP 65 | Where next for the NZ Economy

Join us for a dive into a talk Myfanwy was lucky enough to listen to by Cam Bagrie this week. We also chat all things Farm Bill in the US, Urban Rural divide a myth, UK study praising outdoor grass fed stock...who knew?! Also huge congratulations to the winners at the Dairy Industry awards.

Big thanks to Ag Assist for supporting the podcast this week.

To visit Ag Assist

https://www.agassist.co.nz/

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Chocolate prices, Babies and Shipping routes!

She's back!!! Emily returns with special guest Ted this week. Join us while we catch up on all they have been getting up to, life with two under two and a very interesting titbit Emily found, proving we weren't all going mad, Easter Egg prices were higher this year. We also discused the knock on effect of the Trump tariffs on shipping, change in legislation in NSW allowing Halter and a stark reminder that all in management positions on farm need to make sure the gear used is fit for...

EP 65 | Contract Milking Survey with the Sharefarming Consultants

This week we are joined by Louise Gibson from The Sharefarming Consultants to chat all things Contract milking and the results of a recent survey they ran. The results show there is a lot of work to be done in the Contract milking space to ensure a thriving industry. Louise shares her thoughts on where next for the industry.

Follow Louise and the The Share farming consultants on all socials and at the website below

https://www.thesharefarmingconsultants.com/

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EP 64 | Lean Farming with Jana Hocking

This week we are joined by the fab Jana who talks to us about all things 'Lean' management and how it can be applied on farm to make our days far more productive and free up lots of time through the use of simple systems and planning.

Find out more about all Jana is doing at the following places.

https://www.leanfarm.nz/

Join her online school here

https://theleanfarmproject.com/leanfarmschool/

Or join the Lean Farmer...

EP 63 | Tariffs for everyone...even the Penguins!

This week we are joined by the amazing Becks from The Whole Story to co-host the podcast. We chat bees, Clarkson's Farm and obviously the topic of the hour...Tariffs.

Check out some of Becks work at the following places

https://www.thewholestory.co.nz/

https://www.solayer.co.nz/

Big thanks to Comfi and Ag Assist for supporting the podcast this week.

To visit Ag Assist

https://www.agassist.co.nz/

EP 62 | Wine in Conversation

Join us this week to chat all things wine. Learning all about what is front of mind for our wine growers and what the future looks like for them.

Thanks to Michelle for joining me this week and providing all the knowledge while I just focused on my skill area and drank the wine!

Big thanks to Comfi and Cinta for supporting the podcast this week.

To take part in the survey with Cinta please follow the following link

EP 61 | Wool the Queen of Sleep

This week we have an episode we recorded for you with the fab Vicki from Comfi, the New Zealand company who make Beds and Mattresses. She talks us through the importance of a good nights sleep, the end of life plan for your current mattress and how they are using wool in their beds to help us all get the best nights sleep.

Lots to learn this week and Myfi is quite convinced it's and intervention!!

Head to https://comfi.co.nz/pages/ag-in-conversation-podcast...

EP 60 | The big 6-0

Our 60th episode this week we cover the latest news in the world of Ag, we celebrate the winner of the Zanda McDonald award and dive into the cuts to US services and an impact on local farmers there as well as reflecting on Wanaka show

Our deep dive this week is a look back on some highlights to mark the 60th episode but also to wish Emily all the best as she heads off to have her baby it seemed a good chance to reflect!

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059 | Emily headed along to the Wanaka A&P Show last week and was lucky enough to join in on the fun at the Agri Exchange tent including interview three amazing panels across Science, Environment and Tech sections from those exhibiting in the tent. Tune in this week to learn more about whats fresh off the press in each of those spaces!

Science Panel - Pablo Gregorini from Lincoln University, Lucy Brown from the University of Otago, Annabel McAleer from Shared Science

Environment Panel - Louise Albury from Wai Wanaka, Carly Green from Environmental Accounting...

058 | Kangaroos, vegetables, eatable bale netting - we cover it all on this weeks episode. Digging into how other countries manage their native animals, why our local vegetable production is at risk and a cool new invention - eatable bale netting.

We also cover the important topics of mis and dis information, why we need to have a critical eye over the information we consume each day and ask questions.

Finally, this Saturday is international women's day!

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for...

Join us this week as we discuss a range of topics and news from Animal Sentience to Kiwi Berries along with interesting news items and a positive finding from our partners at CINTA.

Thanks to this weeks partner Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

HOSTS | Emily Walker and Myfanwy Alexander

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Track: "Sunrise Instr"

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056 | We can't keep up with what is going on in the US at the moment, but we do try to cover some of the shocking head lines coming up and the flow on impacts that will have an affect on us here in NZ.

Our main discussion is focused on the climate change targets the NZ governemnt released on 5 Feb, and the impacts on rural communities.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our...

EP 55 | This week we dive into the full range of topics from the latest emissions reductions targets and the impact that will have on the landscape of New Zealand to the latest musical offering from the Wiggles, listen to hear how we make the leap between topics and follow on socials for our recommendations of country artists to follow from around NZ, send us your favs too!

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

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HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

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054 | Finally! Some lamb in the conversation. This week we are joined by Emma Crutchley, one of the committee members organising the celebration around National Lamb Day 2025 - which is really a celebration of our entire food system.

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

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HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

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Track: "Sunrise Instr"

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Ep 53 | We're Back!!

This week we hit the ground running with the first normal episode of the year with news back and a dive into our takeaways from the holiday series along with a good dose of catching up.

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EP 52 | Join us for highlights from our summer podcast episodes where we travel the globe connecting with farmers and learning all about what is front of mind for them and the markets they sell to.

Hosts Emily Walker and Myfanwy Alexander

Intro/outro copyright info

Track: "Sunrise Instr"

Music provided by Slipstream Music - Over 650,000 Songs for Your Creative Projects

Free Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr | Slipstream

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EP 51 | Join us this week as we chat to David Cotton a Dairy Farmer from the South West of England. David talks to us about a number of issues and challenges facing English dairy farmers as well as giving some very sound advice for farmers no matter where you are in the world. David also talks to us about his experiences on the International Dairy Federation and the things he has learned from other global farmers along the way.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EP 50 | This week we are joined by Wilco Brouwer de Koning bringing us the Dutch perspectives and filling us in on what they are facing in the Ag industry on that side of the globe. Safe to say we both learnt a lot!

We also discuss Wilco's amazing farm...right in the heart of a 'Village' the size of Queenstown!

Wilco is also heading our way soon for his Nuffield, let us know if you have any contacts for him, discussing the topic of Bio-diversity on farm.

Check out the...

EP 49 | Joining us this week is Anna Bowen, a Welsh dairy farmer and advisor. Anna walks us through her farming practices, which are well-known to New Zealand Dairy Farmers but different to the majority of UK Dairy Farmers, and she discusses some of the most significant agricultural topics currently in the spotlight in the UK.

Find Anna at @thecowcalfcontactconsultant on Insta or on her website https://www.annabowenmedia.com/ to read her back catalog of articles and learn more about what she does.

HOSTS | Emily Walker and Myfanwy Alexander

048 | Week one of our special International Summer series finds us chatting to Neal Wallace from The Farmers Weekly. He shares his insights from his Meeting the Markets tour earlier this year, giving us a global perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Find all his articles from the tour here: https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/tag/meeting-the-market/

HOSTS | @emilygualter @myfanwyalexander

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Track: "Sunrise Instr"

Music provided by Slipstream Music - Over 650,000 Songs for Your Creative Projects

Free Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr...

047 | Our Christmas Special and last "real time" episode for 2024! Thank you for all your support this year, we really appreciate every minute you have spent listening to us, sharing us and being an amazing support crew for our first year podcasting.

This week we cover off some interesting news articles before diving deep down the rabbit hole that is Christmas Trees!

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

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046 | Emily headed along to the NZ Agriculture and Climate Change Conference to get the scope for all of you on whats happening! Listen in to this weeks episode to find out more.

To learn more about MPI's farm emissions calculator - https://www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-rural-support/environment-and-natural-resources/estimating-on-farm-emissions/

To learn more about Fonterra's Carbon Footprinter - https://www.nzmp.com/carbon-footprinter

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

045 | Myfanwy went on a trip last week - up to Wellington for the AWDT Esculator Alumni Personal Development Day (Em missed out) and then onto the Future Farmers Hui in the Bay of Plenty. In this weeks episode she shares her learnings from the trip and a few insights into the future of our industry and globe.

Check out the upcoming Beef and Lamb field days here - https://beeflambnz.com/events/ministry-primary-industries-sustainable-food-and-fibre-futures-project-field-day-hawkes-bay

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

<...

044 | Its a random assortment of topics this week. We traverse the globe discussing American and British politics, Kiwisaver updates for the rural community and Brazilian Beef - are they actually competitors to our NZ beef markets?

Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.

Sign up to our newsletter HERE

HOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander

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Track: "Sunrise Instr"

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043 | With December around the corner and Christmas on our doorstep we asked the question - what is the actual impact of our sneaky (sometimes guilty) Temu purchases on the small business landscape of NZ, particularly rural NZ?

We also covered off Fonterra's latest happenings - rising milk prices and what's happening with the consumer brands and back over to banking - the wild profits coming out of the big banks!!

Link to Cinta Insights survey - Calling all dairy farmers - https://surveys.cinta.co.nz/wix/p644891547783.aspx

Big...

042 | Jumping on the bandwagon of all anyone everywhere is talking about we dive into the outcomes of the US Election - Donald Trump was annouced president for his second term. What does that mean for the world of ag both in the US and around the globe?

There are a few recommendations and links throughout the podcast this week

Meat the Need Auction - https://meattheneed.org/trademe-auction/

Discover Ag episode on glyphosate - https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/discover-ag/id1615443750?i=1000673428581

Em's recommendations

The Girl...