This episode features Craig "Dairyman" Hickman & Willie Bell discussing the issues and developments currently on the minds of farmers.

 

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

 

Apple:https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ

This episode features Craig "Dairyman" Hickman &amp; Willie Bell discussing the issues and developments currently on the minds of farmers.
&nbsp;
WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command &lsquo;Play CountryWide Connect&rsquo; on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
&nbsp;
Apple: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881">https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ</a>

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

CountryWide CONNECT is an 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 an 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

Farmer Panel - Is more information on farm making for better farmers?

New report shows dairy sector delivers twenty-eight-point-eight billion in export earnings 


NZ wine shows resilience as global market contracts


Virtual farm visits connecting more than a thousand students with real farmers

 

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

 

Apple:https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ

 

New report shows dairy sector delivers twenty-eight-point-eight billion in export earnings 

New Zealand's dairy sector remains the country's largest export earner and one of its most important economic contributors, according to updated analysis released today by Sense Partners.

Commissioned by DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association, the report confirms dairy exports reached twenty-eight-point-eight billion dollars in the year to December 2025 — and since 2021, the sector has delivered eight-point-three billion dollars in additional export revenue, contributing nearly half of New Zealand's total goods export growth over that period.

The sector directly employs more than fifty-one-thousand people, with its impact felt most strongly in regional New Zealand. One in four jobs in South Taranaki is a dairy job, dairy delivers twelve percent of West Coast GDP, and nearly fifty percent of wages paid in Waimate district come from the sector.

DairyNZ head of economics Mark Storey says backing dairy means backing regional communities and a more productive New Zealand — well beyond the farm gate.

 

NZ wine shows resilience as global market contracts

New Zealand wine exports are holding their ground in a tough global environment, with volumes growing to more than three-hundred-and-six million litres in the year to June — though average prices have softened to six-eighty-eight per litre, down from seven-twenty-seven the previous year.

Export value was essentially flat at two-point-one billion dollars, up just half a percent, as the industry navigates what NZ Winegrowers general manager Charlotte Read describes as a period of significant reset.

Across the Tasman, Australia's wine exports sank to a twenty-two-year low, falling below six-hundred million litres for the first time since 2004.

New Zealand is outperforming key competitors in several markets — UK volumes rose sixteen percent while Australia's fell six percent, and China was a standout with New Zealand volumes up seventy-two percent to sixty-nine million dollars.

US tariff uncertainty and softening consumer demand remain headwinds, with New Zealand's US exports down five percent in volume.

 

Virtual farm visits connecting more than a thousand students with real farmers

More than a thousand primary school students are getting regular live farm visits — without leaving their classrooms — through the Beef and Lamb New Zealand-funded Farmer Time for Schools programme.

In 2025, one-thousand-and-seventy-five students and forty-three teachers connected with thirty-nine farmers across New Zealand through live online field trips covering sheep, beef, dairy, vegetables, bees, deer and more.

Beef and Lamb New Zealand is calling for agriculture to be included in the Year zero to eight curriculum.

<ul>
<li>
New report shows dairy sector delivers twenty-eight-point-eight billion in export earnings 
</li>
<li>
NZ wine shows resilience as global market contracts
</li>
<li>
Virtual farm visits connecting more than a thousand students with real farmers
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command &lsquo;Play CountryWide Connect&rsquo; on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
&nbsp;
Apple: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881">https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ</a>
&nbsp;
New report shows dairy sector delivers twenty-eight-point-eight billion in export earnings&nbsp;
New Zealand's dairy sector remains the country's largest export earner and one of its most important economic contributors, according to updated analysis released today by Sense Partners.
Commissioned by DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association, the report confirms dairy exports reached twenty-eight-point-eight billion dollars in the year to December 2025 &mdash; and since 2021, the sector has delivered eight-point-three billion dollars in additional export revenue, contributing nearly half of New Zealand's total goods export growth over that period.
The sector directly employs more than fifty-one-thousand people, with its impact felt most strongly in regional New Zealand. One in four jobs in South Taranaki is a dairy job, dairy delivers twelve percent of West Coast GDP, and nearly fifty percent of wages paid in Waimate district come from the sector.
DairyNZ head of economics Mark Storey says backing dairy means backing regional communities and a more productive New Zealand &mdash; well beyond the farm gate.
&nbsp;
NZ wine shows resilience as global market contracts
New Zealand wine exports are holding their ground in a tough global environment, with volumes growing to more than three-hundred-and-six million litres in the year to June &mdash; though average prices have softened to six-eighty-eight per litre, down from seven-twenty-seven the previous year.
Export value was essentially flat at two-point-one billion dollars, up just half a percent, as the industry navigates what NZ Winegrowers general manager Charlotte Read describes as a period of significant reset.
Across the Tasman, Australia's wine exports sank to a twenty-two-year low, falling below six-hundred million litres for the first time since 2004.
New Zealand is outperforming key competitors in several markets &mdash; UK volumes rose sixteen percent while Australia's fell six percent, and China was a standout with New Zealand volumes up seventy-two percent to sixty-nine million dollars.
US tariff uncertainty and softening consumer demand remain headwinds, with New Zealand's US exports down five percent in volume.
&nbsp;
Virtual farm visits connecting more than a thousand students with real farmers
More than a thousand primary school students are getting regular live farm visits &mdash; without leaving their classrooms &mdash; through the Beef and Lamb New Zealand-funded Farmer Time for Schools programme.
In 2025, one-thousand-and-seventy-five students and forty-three teachers connected with thirty-nine farmers across New Zealand through live online field trips covering sheep, beef, dairy, vegetables, bees, deer and more.
Beef and Lamb New Zealand is calling for agriculture to be included in the Year zero to eight curriculum.

26th August 2026 // Rural News

This episode features Chad Hoggard, Director of On Farm Support, MPI discussing new scholarships aimed at boosting on-the-ground support for farmers and growers.

 

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

 

Apple:https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ

This episode features Chad Hoggard, Director of On Farm Support, MPI discussing new scholarships aimed at boosting on-the-ground support for farmers and growers.
&nbsp;
WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command &lsquo;Play CountryWide Connect&rsquo; on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
&nbsp;
Apple: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881">https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ</a>

Chad Hoggard - MPI On Farm Support scholarships aim to grow farm advisers

Bank of New Zealand recognises the expanding role technology plays on farm, and Head of AgriTech & BioTech Nic Cameron says the bank is geared to support it. 

As farmers weigh efficiency and productivity, he explains how BNZ can help finance the right tools, from data systems to new revenue opportunities in natural capital.

For over 160 years, BNZ's Agribusiness Partners have worked alongside farmers, bringing the expertise to support them through the seasons. To see how that support can work for you, speak to your local partner. Search BNZ Agribusiness.

This podcast is solely for information purposes. It’s not financial or other professional advice. For help, please contact BNZ or your professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily of BNZ. No party, including BNZ, is liable for direct or indirect loss or damage resulting from the content of this interview.

 

WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command ‘Play CountryWide Connect’ on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

 

Apple:https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&hl=en_NZ

Bank of New Zealand recognises the expanding role technology plays on farm, and Head of AgriTech &amp; BioTech Nic Cameron says the bank is geared to support it.&nbsp;
As farmers weigh efficiency and productivity, he explains how BNZ can help finance the right tools, from data systems to new revenue opportunities in natural capital.
For over 160 years, BNZ's Agribusiness Partners have worked alongside farmers, bringing the expertise to support them through the seasons. To see how that support can work for you, speak to your local partner. Search BNZ Agribusiness.
This podcast is solely for information purposes. It&rsquo;s not financial or other professional advice. For help, please contact BNZ or your professional adviser. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily of BNZ. No party, including BNZ, is liable for direct or indirect loss or damage resulting from the content of this interview.
&nbsp;
WANT TO LISTEN TO THE SHOW LIVE (11am-1pm NZST) ON THE GO? Download CountryWide Connect mobile app to stream the show via Apple Car Play or Android Auto. Or try the voice command &lsquo;Play CountryWide Connect&rsquo; on Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
&nbsp;
Apple: <a href="https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881">https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/countrywide-connect/id6761033881</a>
Google Play: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ">https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.countrywide&amp;hl=en_NZ</a>

Farmer Panel - Is more information on farm making for better farmers?

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