Rabobank’s chief executive says that, following a dip in the final quarter of 2025, farmer confidence has reversed course and inched higher in the first Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey of the year. The latest result extends a lengthy run of elevated farmer confidence, with net positive readings recorded across the last seven quarters dating back to September 2024.

Rabobank&rsquo;s chief executive says that, following a dip in the final quarter of 2025, farmer confidence has reversed course and inched higher in the first Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey of the year. The latest result extends a lengthy run of elevated farmer confidence, with net positive readings recorded across the last seven quarters dating back to September 2024.

Jamie Mackay delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics. The Country from Newstalk ZB, Hokonui and Gold Sport.

Jamie Mackay delivers your daily fix of everything going on in NZ's biggest industry, along with a generous side-serve of news, sports and politics. The Country from Newstalk ZB, Hokonui and Gold Sport.

The Country

The Country 18/03/26: Todd Charteris talks to Jamie Mackay

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e5f93975-8c00-4985-87a7-b41100049d4f/transcript

Jamie Mackay talks to Todd McClay, Mike McIntyre, Todd Charteris, Eric Gorlier, and Hunter McGregor.

Jamie Mackay talks to Todd McClay, Mike McIntyre, Todd Charteris, Eric Gorlier, and Hunter McGregor.

The Country Full Show: Wednesday, March 18, 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/d8d3ec6e-d3cb-4799-8cff-b4110005eac8/transcript

The Minister of Agriculture and Trade agrees that the disruption in the Middle East makes an FTA with India even more important. Does he have an update, and how much of our trade is currently stalled? Are there alternative trade routes and markets, and how bad could the cost of fuel and fertiliser get? Do we have a Plan B for Kapuni and Marsden Point to make us more resilient? And finally, what about Winston Peters slamming Miles Hurrell?

The Minister of Agriculture and Trade agrees that the disruption in the Middle East makes an FTA with India even more important. Does he have an update, and how much of our trade is currently stalled? Are there alternative trade routes and markets, and how bad could the cost of fuel and fertiliser get? Do we have a Plan B for Kapuni and Marsden Point to make us more resilient? And finally, what about Winston Peters slamming Miles Hurrell?

The Country 18/03/26: Todd McClay talks to Jamie Mackay

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6e544dfb-accc-4c9b-a8b0-b4110005931d/transcript

Jarden analyst reviews last night’s GDT auction, up 0.1%, the sixth consecutive rise. While the result remained basically unchanged, “unders and overs” were all over the place. Whole milk powder down 4%, skim milk powder up 5.2%, anhydrous milk fat up 6.4%, butter down 0.9%, and cheddar up 0.1%. 

Jarden analyst reviews last night&rsquo;s GDT auction, up 0.1%, the sixth consecutive rise.&nbsp;While the result remained basically unchanged, &ldquo;unders and overs&rdquo; were all over the place.&nbsp;Whole milk powder down 4%, skim milk powder up 5.2%, anhydrous milk fat up 6.4%, butter down 0.9%, and cheddar up 0.1%.&nbsp;

The Country 18/03/26: Mike McIntyre talks to Jamie Mackay

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4d0fb06c-13ce-40d8-adf9-b41100051886/transcript

The Country 18/03/26: Todd Charteris talks to Jamie Mackay

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