Federated Farmers Podcast

Want some practical advice on how to hit the ground running as a contract milker? Our guests Danielle Hovmand, Federated Farmers Waikato dairy vice chair, and Sam Ebbett, our Taranaki dairy chair and national sharefarmer chair, share what they learned as contract milkers, including how to do your homework, manage the money, not burn yourself out, and deal with challenges in the partnership. 

What steps can farmers take right now, and over the next few years, to get a lower interest rate from the banks? ASB’s Rural GM Aidan Gent joins us to explain how farmers can strengthen their position with the banks, including showing up with a clear budget and strategy, knowing your business’s strengths and weaknesses, and demonstrating how you behave in a downturn.

Useful links:

Federated Farmers Podcast Ep 3: Rural banking inquiry: 'Let's get it underway'

https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/news/banking-inquiry-lets-get-it-underway/

Farm confidence has bounced back from last year’s record lows, but is this the start of a genuine lift in confidence or a 'dead cat bounce'? Auckland farmer Tim Dangen and Federated Farmers national president Wayne Langford join us to discuss our latest Farm Confidence Survey results. They talk about what's driving the shift in mood, what's concerning farmers, and how to see the positive in what's been a tough few years.

Useful links:
https://fedfarm.org.nz/FarmConfidence
Rural confidence rises from rock bottom (farmersweekly.co.nz)

Why are farmers feeling under pressure from the banks, who's to blame, and what needs to happen to fix the issue? In this episode, our guests are Federated Farmers national board member Richard McIntyre and New Zealand Agri Brokers director Scott Wishart. They’ll discuss why we need a banking inquiry, but also what farmers can do now to negotiate lower interest rates. 

To mark the one-year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle, Gisborne farmer Sam Hain and Federated Farmers national board member Sandra Faulkner join us to recount their experiences of the event, how the rebuild has unfolded in the past 12 months, and what still needs to happen with the recovery.  

Useful links: 

www.commencetherefence.co.nz

 www.farmyarmy.co.nz

www.farmersweekly.co.nz/opinion/one-year-on-rising-stronger-from-the-cyclone

www.farmersweekly.co.nz/people/farmers-navigate-road-to-recovery

To kick off the new Federated Farmers Podcast, we hear from national president Wayne Langford, who discusses his journey from Golden Bay dairy farmer to taking the helm at Feds. 

Wayne reflects on recent policy wins for farmers, challenges faced, and outlines his strong vision for a united agricultural sector over the next two-and-a-half years.

He also discusses his commitment to agricultural advocacy, his involvement in initiatives like Meet the Need charity, and his personal mental health journey shared as the YOLO farmer.

Useful links
www.facebook.com/YOLOFarmerNZ
www.meattheneed.org
www.farmersweekly.co.nz/people/rural-advocacy-is-a-team-sport