This episode features Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather discussing a developing El Niño, June cold risks, and potential spring drought.


CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.

This episode features Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather discussing a developing El Ni&ntilde;o, June cold risks, and potential spring drought.
 CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson &amp; Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit <a href="http://country-wide.co.nz">country-wide.co.nz</a> on how to watch / listen.

CountryWide CONNECT is the latest innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am – 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.


The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah’s Country & Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).


Over two hours, Sarah & Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!

For more information & to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT is the latest innovative daily livestreamed rural video/radio show broadcast at lunchtime 11am &ndash; 1pm Monday-Friday from Christchurch, New Zealand.
 The show is hosted by respected award-winning agribusiness broadcasters, Sarah Perriam-Lampp (formerly Sarah&rsquo;s Country &amp; Rural Exchange) and Andy Thompson (formerly The Rural Round-Up).
 Over two hours, Sarah &amp; Andy cover the latest in New Zealand rural news, views, politics but most importantly in-depth technical farming advice to help improve farmers bottom lines!
For more information &amp; to subscribe to CountryWide, visit www.country-wide.co.nz

CountryWide CONNECT

Cold June first, then drought? El Niño signals trouble ahead // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather

Pāmu's Record Profit Year

State-owned farming company Pāmu has confirmed a $10 million special dividend to the

Crown, funded partly through a $9.5 million capital repayment from Fonterra following the sale of its Mainland consumer brands business.

The payment brings Pāmu's total dividends to the Crown to $25 million for the 2025/26 financial year.

Chief Executive Mark Leslie says the payment reflects three years of focused work lifting on-farm performance and running a more disciplined business.

Pāmu recorded a net operating profit of $26 million at the half year and is on track for a record full-year profit of between $97 million and $107 million.

Leslie says as a State-Owned Enterprise, strong commercial performance goes hand in hand with people, environmental, and animal welfare outcomes, as well as responsibility to the communities Pāmu operates in.

 

Dairy Workers Back Sector

DairyNZ's 2025 Dairy Farm Employee Survey shows over 80 percent intend to stay in dairy, with animals, the outdoors and lifestyle the top drawcards. Senior People Specialist Jane Muir says workers of all ages remain committed to the sector long-term.

But the data flags real pressure points.

Nearly a third of those who leave cite insufficient pay, 28 percent point to poor management relationships, and working hours average 53 to 54 hours a week during calving.

Younger workers are notably more positive about dairy as a sector than about their specific farm, signalling that on-farm leadership and rosters need urgent attention.

The 2026 survey is underway and open until Monday the 4th of May at dairynz.co.nz.

 

War Hits Farm Costs

New Zealand farmers are being warned to brace for higher fertiliser and input costs as both the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund sound the alarm over the Middle East conflict's impact on global agricultural supply chains.

Between 20 and 45 percent of key inputs — including urea — rely on passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and with oil prices already 40 percent above pre-war levels, pressure on farm budgets is building.

The IMF has cut its 2026 global growth forecast and warns food prices will rise regardless of how quickly the conflict de-escalates, with disrupted shipping and higher energy costs hitting ahead of the planting season.

 

Pāmu's Record Profit Year
State-owned farming company Pāmu has confirmed a $10 million special dividend to the
Crown, funded partly through a $9.5 million capital repayment from Fonterra following the sale of its Mainland consumer brands business.
The payment brings Pāmu's total dividends to the Crown to $25 million for the 2025/26 financial year.
Chief Executive Mark Leslie says the payment reflects three years of focused work lifting on-farm performance and running a more disciplined business.
Pāmu recorded a net operating profit of $26 million at the half year and is on track for a record full-year profit of between $97 million and $107 million.
Leslie says as a State-Owned Enterprise, strong commercial performance goes hand in&nbsp;hand with people, environmental, and animal welfare outcomes, as well as responsibility to&nbsp;the communities Pāmu operates in.
&nbsp;
Dairy Workers Back Sector
DairyNZ's 2025 Dairy Farm Employee Survey shows over 80 percent intend to stay in dairy,&nbsp;with animals, the outdoors and lifestyle the top drawcards. Senior People Specialist Jane&nbsp;Muir says workers of all ages remain committed to the sector long-term.
But the data flags real pressure points.
Nearly a third of those who leave cite insufficient pay, 28 percent point to poor management&nbsp;relationships, and working hours average 53 to 54 hours a week during calving.
Younger workers are notably more positive about dairy as a sector than about their specific&nbsp;farm, signalling that on-farm leadership and rosters need urgent attention.
The 2026 survey is underway and open until Monday the 4th of May at dairynz.co.nz.
&nbsp;
War Hits Farm Costs
New Zealand farmers are being warned to brace for higher fertiliser and input costs as both&nbsp;the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund sound the alarm over the Middle East conflict's impact on global agricultural supply chains.
Between 20 and 45 percent of key inputs &mdash; including urea &mdash; rely on passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and with oil prices already 40 percent above pre-war levels, pressure on&nbsp;farm budgets is building.
The IMF has cut its 2026 global growth forecast and warns food prices will rise regardless of&nbsp;how quickly the conflict de-escalates, with disrupted shipping and higher energy costs hitting&nbsp;ahead of the planting season.
&nbsp;

15th April 2026 // Rural News in partnership with Farmlands

This episode features James Allen, CEO, AgFirst discussing how artificial intelligence is starting to shape farm decisions and productivity.


CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.

This episode features James Allen, CEO, AgFirst discussing how artificial intelligence is starting to shape farm decisions and productivity.
 CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson &amp; Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit <a href="http://country-wide.co.nz">country-wide.co.nz</a> on how to watch / listen.

AI on Farm: How Technology Is Changing Decisions and Productivity // James Allen, CEO, AgFirst

This episode features Pete Morgan, Waikato discussing how artificial intelligence is being used to improve on-farm decisions and performance.


CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch / listen.

This episode features Pete Morgan, Waikato discussing how artificial intelligence is being used to improve on-farm decisions and performance.
 CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson &amp; Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit <a href="http://country-wide.co.nz">country-wide.co.nz</a> on how to watch / listen.

Cold June first, then drought? El Niño signals trouble ahead // Tony Trewinnard, Blue Skies Weather

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