Andrew Laming, a founder and director of farm finance and advisory business NZAB, recently wrote a report on the arable sector. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says it is not a question of arable farmers’ capability to grow crops, but more about business management and positioning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ploughing champion Mark Dillon sets it straight
19/06/2026 | 15 mins.
Southland mixed arable farmer Mark Dillon has turned part of an arable farmer’s toolkit – ploughing – into an artform. He has won the NZ Ploughing Champs in the conventional ploughing category five times, qualifying him for world events. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says the straightness of furrows is key. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
FAR director Hamish Irwin: from accounting to arable farming
13/06/2026 | 16 mins.
Recently appointed FAR board director Hamish Irwin came from an accounting background before taking over the running of his family’s Mid Canterbury arable farm. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he says he’s a fan of spreadsheets and online tools to monitor his business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
NZ Grown Grains gains momentum
30/05/2026 | 11 mins.
The NZ Grown Grains logo is starting to appear on products in bakeries, supermarkets and online, as well as on vehicles and shop windows. In this episode of Cut the Crop, FAR’s general manager business operations Ivan Lawrie says the campaign feeds into increasing consumer interest in domestic food security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
FAR director Ed White on closures and costs
23/05/2026 | 12 mins.
Central Hawkes Bay farmer Ed White is one of three new FAR board members who started on January 1. In this episode of Cut the Crop, he talks about the role of FAR, rising costs and the repercussions of both Wattie’s and McCain Foods closing frozen vegetable processing factories in the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New Zealand