The Country

Win, lose, or hung parliament on Saturday, we have a nice little anecdote to tell about the Prime Minister’s early days on The Country. We also discuss the Federated Farmers Voter Guide 2026 and why National only got a bronze medal behind NZ First and Act. And while farmers are going to vote for a centre-right government, there aren’t enough of them, so will Auckland decide the election?

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A North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist talks about “El Greeno” and why the Greens aren’t real environmentalists.

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Fonterra’s managing director of co-operative affairs reviews last night’s GDT Auction, which saw another positive lift (+3%), with WMP 5.9%, SMP 3.1%, AMF -3.2%, Butter -4.7%,  BMP -4.4% and Cheese 8.6%. Plus, we preview the World Dairy Summit coming up in Auckland on Nov 15 - 20.

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The former chairman of Beef+Lamb NZ, former special agricultural trade envoy, Scales chairman, and Hawke’s Bay farmer talks about El Niño, red meat, horticulture, trade, and disarray on the right.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Colin Hurst, Damien O'Connor, Todd Clark, and Dr Jacqueline Rowarth.

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The President of Federated Farmers presents the Feds’ Voter Guide, and NZ First comes out on top with a clean slate. Plus, we talk about agriculture being back in schools and the farming season on his arable and dairy farms in South Canterbury.

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In the absence of some from the centre-left, at least Labour’s trade spokesman fronts with some fight on The Country. Today we talk about the Feds’ Voter Guide, strategic split voting, and whether Kiwis are over this election.

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We catch up with our US farming correspondent post-Halloween and pre-midterm elections (and ask which is scarier). Plus, we talk about the fall farming season, fuel prices and thoroughbred horse racing on Melbourne Cup Day.

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One of our leading primary sector academics salutes agriculture being back in schools and says choosing an academic path to follow is not all about following your dreams and passions. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Erica Stanford, Pita Alexander, Blair McLean, David Seymour, and Phil Duncan.

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The Minister of Education walks back the decision to remove agriculture and horticulture from the Year 11 curriculum.

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A Christchurch-based farm accountant runs his financial eye over the state of the rural economy and the state of NZ Rugby.

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We talk wine, golf and cherries with our viticulture correspondent as a new facility opens, Caythorpe Green, in Marlborough.

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The Act Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister on agriculture in Year 11, strategic split voting, and his vision for New Zealand.

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Monday’s resident weatherman on the increasing dry in North Island.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Luxon, Kane Brisco, Rowena Duncum and Riley Kennedy, and Shane Jones. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Richard Allen, Shane Jones, Chris Brandolino, Rachel Shearer, Sean Daly, and Barry Soper. 

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The chief executive of Fonterra today announced an increase of the midpoint of the 2026/27 season forecast Farmgate Milk Price from $9.50 per kgMS to $9.75 per kgMS. The Co-operative has also lifted and narrowed the forecast range from $8.50 - $10.50 per kgMS to $9.00 - $10.50 per kgMS. The Co-operative has also today increased the Organic Milk Price, with the midpoint lifting from $14.30 per kgMS to $15.25 per kgMS!

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The self-proclaimed Prince of the Provinces, the Mighty Matua, says his controversial comments on his wives (plural) and shopping was on brand, even if his one wife Dot had to sternly correct him. We also traversed strategic split voting, fast track consenting, bottom trawling, youth unemployment and whether he has a Plan B?

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We take a look at Earth Sciences NZ's Seasonal Climate Outlook for November 2026 - January 2027 where El Niño is expected to remain the primary driver of New Zealand's climate patterns over the coming three months.

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The GM of PGG Wrightson Wool takes a look at a "steady as she goes" wool market where reduced supply is a key driver. 

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A Southland Vet who says drench resistance in our sheep industry is costing farmers hundreds of millions of dollars. But a solution is at hand!

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Our political correspondent calls the election one week out!

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Jamie Mackay talks to Rowena Duncum, Riley Kennedy, Emma Poole, Tim Dangen, Chris Russell, and Farmer Tom Martin.

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Today’s first panel features a couple of Aucklanders (FMG and BusinessDesk) with rural roots as we debate agriculture in schools, skin cancer checks for farmers, a wonderful golf fundraiser for Farmstrong and strategic split voting for rural New Zealand.

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Today’s brother and sister farmer panel ponder dairy farming seasons at opposite ends of the country, Ag in Schools, and getting your head around the election at the busiest time of the year for farmers.

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Our Australian correspondent says, “El Niño? What El Niño?” as new cattle records are set as the rain pours. Plus, we talk about problems for cropping farmers, a gold rush in Broken Hill and a new airport in western Sydney. 

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Our UK farming correspondent comments on a good autumn planting campaign, not such a good Autumn Budget, water restrictions after the summer drought and  Harry Kane. 

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Waikato dairy farmer and DairyNZ Environment Specialist Johan van Ras joins Michelle Watt to share his journey of transforming unproductive areas of his farm into thriving native wetlands and bush. He discusses the environmental and on-farm benefits he's seen firsthand and explains how a whole-farm approach to biodiversity can support both farm performance and sustainability.

To learn more about DairyNZ's work in precision dairying and biodiversity improvement, visit www.dairynz.co.nz.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Richard McIntyre, Toby Williams, Ben Picton, and Kane Brisco.

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The Prime Minister comments on the OCR, the One News poll, Chloe Swarbrick as Finance Minister, and why true-blue National Party supporters should not split their votes to get a centre-right coalition across the line.

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Two former Federated Farmers, a Horowhenua dairy farmer and an East Coast sheep and beef farmer, reflect on why they’ve both confidently reinvested in their respective farms. Plus, we ask them if they will strategically split their votes.

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Rabobank’s senior market strategist (chief economist) offers his OCR preview ahead of this afternoon’s announcement, where a .25% rate increase is a lock in. But where is neutral, and where will the OCR peak?

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A Taranaki dairy farmer tells us why Farmstrong has teamed up with NZ Young Farmers to support everyone who enters this year’s competition.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Cameron Bagrie, Nancy Crawshaw, Olivia Caldwell, Phil Duncan, and Andrew Whiley.

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Independent economist previews tomorrow’s OCR announcement, where a .25% rise is on the cards. Plus, do we have an issue with our exchange rate?

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Time is running out to enter the Zanda McDonald Award for 2027. We ask the 2024 winner why young Australasian Ag leaders (ages 21-35) should enter.

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A freelance rural agricultural journalist steps up to the plate after Jo Luxton goes AWOL on the election campaign trail. Today we discuss the “aggressive urbanisation of rural New Zealand”.

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Monday’s resident weather man on a Tuesday with a temperature feast-to-famine scenario.

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The author of New Zealand’s Best Golf Courses joins to discuss some rural gems!

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Jamie Mackay talks to Nathan Stewart, Damien O'Connor, Emma Higgins, and Winston Peters.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Rowland Smith, Steve Abel, Stu Duncan, Stu Loe, and Chris Brandolino.

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We talk to the World Shearing Champion and Hawke’s Bay farmer about this province’s A&P Show, shearing competitions, and El Niño.

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The Green Party agriculture spokesman outlines his party’s rural policies.

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Today’s farmer panel talks the Big Wind one year on, the season down on the farm, the election and the NPC final.

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Friday’s Weather Guy talks about the Big Wind one year on, plus the drying effects of El Niño, especially in the North Island.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Winston Peters, Professor Hamish Gow, Naomi Wilde, Hunter McGregor, and Chris Russell.

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The NZ First Leader is back to his belligerent best as we debate the Powerbrokers Debate, the Indian free trade agreement, agriculture in schools, strategic split voting, and whether he covets the Prime Minister’s job.

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Today is Lincoln University Giving Day 2026, as we encourage alumni to give back to a learning institution that gave them so much.

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Our Shanghai-based correspondent discusses how El Niño is affecting China and wider Asia.

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Our Australian correspondent talks tariffs on Aussie lamb and NSW setting a new record for agricultural production off the back of beef. But he’s less forthcoming about why the Wallabies are so useless!

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Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Craig Hickman, Duncan Humm, Emma Higgins, George Dodson and Hugh Jackson.

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The Prime Minister ponders polls, the Indian free trade agreement, agriculture in schools and whether the Greens and gangs could be a game-changer in this election.

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Today’s first farmer panel hails from Mid Canterbury as we talk dairy, deer and politics.

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Rabobank’s senior dairy analyst reviews last night’s Global Dairy Trade auction (up 2.5%), which continued the now well-established trend; powders strong and fats weaker. (Whole milk powder 4.4%, Skim milk powder 3.4%, anhydrous milk fat -3.4%, butter -0.4%, and cheese -7.4%.)

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Our second farmer panel of the day features the 2024 and 2025 Young Farmers of the Year, a dairy farmer and a sheep/beef farmer. We discuss Halter on cows, the Young Farmer of the Year district competitions, and the NPC final.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Damien O'Connor, Nigel Woodhead, Mark de Lautour, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, and John McOviney.

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We book in for an argument with Labour’s trade spokesman and former Minister of Agriculture as we debate the Indian FTA, agriculture in schools, and the Greens and the gangs.

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The 2017 Young Farmer of the Year has his say on agriculture in schools, and we reflect on the big wind event of one year ago that ripped through his South Otago sheep and beef farm.

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The chief executive of Open Country Dairy talks about tonight’s GDT Auction, why organic farming is a niche industry, and we discuss the words we detest.

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One of our leading primary sector academics and educators comments on agriculture in schools and why more science funding is critical for NZ agriculture.

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From a Young Farmer of the Year to an older one - we yarn to a Waitomo sheep and beef farmer and the chief executive of Steelfort.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Nathan Guy, Nathan Stewart, Andrew Hoggard, Grant McCallum, and Phil Duncan.

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The second and final Minister for Primary Industries in John Key’s Government (serving from 2013 to 2017, after David Carter) is now chair of Apiculture New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association and New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy. Just back from India, we get his take on the state of play in the primary sector and what’s happening in Washington with sheep meat tariffs. 

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Feilding High School’s principal is campaigning to keep agriculture as a standalone Year 11 subject. He explains why he believes dropping the subject is a mistake for rural students and New Zealand’s future workforce.

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Today’s farmer/politician panel ponders agriculture in schools, strategic split voting and the Greens and the gangs.

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Monday’s resident weatherman says a fine week is in store, with the usual wind expected for Labour Weekend.

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Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Jane Smith, Angus Gidley-Baird, and Chris Hipkins.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Hipkins, Mike Green, Hamish McKay, Kate Acland, and Chris Brandolino.

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Will he be our next Prime Minister? And will a Labour-led government be the death knell for farming? We get some yes-or-no answers from Chippy about what he potentially has in store for agriculture.

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We talk about the Rural Support Trust and the Poverty Bay A&P Show.

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Today, we find the chairwoman of Beef + Lamb NZ putting forward NZ exporters’ case at a hearing of the US International Trade Commission in Washington.

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Friday’s weatherman talks about a week of extreme temperatures and the looming El Niño.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Mark Patterson, Olivia Caldwell, Loren Aberhart, Sarina Finucane, and Chris Russell.

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Winston Peters has stood us up, so up to the batter's box is NZ First's agriculture spokesman and the unofficial Minister of Wool.

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Today is the International Day of Rural Women, and 2026 also marks the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Today we profile three rural women with wonderfully contrasting stories, courtesy of a freelance rural journalist.

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Four months on from its launch at Fieldays, we look at how the Ignite Wellbeing Platform is helping rural mental health.

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Our Australian correspondent talks about robotic feedlots, Wagyu beef, and trying to stop Trump from imposing further tariffs on Australasian sheep meat.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Christopher Luxon, Graeme Williams, Kevin Wickham, Campbell Parker, and Peter Newbold.

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The Prime Minister talks about water storage, fertiliser, last night’s poll and whether he’s made the wrong call with the Opportunity Party.

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An East Coast farmer/poet provides a history lesson as well as a tongue-in-cheek take on the election.

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The chief executive of Ballance on the fertiliser challenge facing farmers - especially when it comes to price rather than supply.

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The chief executive of DairyNZ on its AGM, annual results, and the breakeven price for milk under three El Niño modelling scenarios.

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The General Manager of PGG Wrightson Real Estate takes his monthly look at the state of the rural land market.

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Jamie Mackay talks to Phil Duncan, Jane Smith, Angus Gidley-Baird, and Todd Clark.

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Monday’s weatherman on a Tuesday - warmer than average temperatures to start the week; rain arrives to the south on Tuesday, spreading north on Wednesday.

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You never die wondering what this North Otago farmer and former winner of the Ballance Farm Environment Awards is thinking. And today she leaves us in no doubt!

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Rabobank’s senior animal proteins analyst provides an update on the state of the Australian sheep meat industry and how this is being mirrored here in New Zealand.

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Our Kentucky-based US farming correspondent talks about dyed diesel, farm debt, falling yields for corn crops, and the mid-term elections.

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Jamie Mackay talks to David Seymour, Julia Sekula, Te Radar, and Steve Wyn-Harris.

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The Deputy PM and Act Party leader looks at two very contentious issues - strategic vote splitting and raising the age of eligibility for National Super.

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It’s World Iron Awareness Week, and Beef + Lamb NZ’s head of nutrition talks about the importance of red meat in our diets, particularly for women, teenage girls and children.

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The voice of the competition kicks off the road to the grand final with the district finals of the FMG Young Farmer of the Year getting underway over the last weekend.

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A Central Hawke’s Bay farmer talks about El Niño, and he claims PGG Wrightson lineage as the great-great-grandson of George Gould.

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In this episode of the Property Brokers Land & Lifestyle Market Insights series, The Country’s Hamish McKay is joined by Property Brokers Rural General Manager Conrad Wilkshire to discuss rural property market conditions and current factors that could influence your decision on selling your farm. Sharing practical insights on demand, seasonal presentation, finance, and the upcoming General Election. This episode offers an insightful conversation to understand the current rural property market, to make better informed decisions for your land and lifestyle. Licensed REAA 2008. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Jo Luxton, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Farmer Tom Martin, Jen Corkran, and Shane Jones. 

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Jamie Mackay talks to Chris Brandolino, Peter Hayden, Hunter McGregor, Rowena Duncum, Riley Kennedy, and Jeremy Rookes.

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Our Friday weatherman from Earth Sciences NZ talks about El Niño and what growers need to know this season.

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We revisit Footrot Flats 40 years on as the remastered movie is set to hit our cinema screens in January.

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