Farmers Weekly Podcast

This week, Tabula chief executive Michael Whittaker reflects on 20 years of helping farmers work smarter. AgriHQ’s Alex Coddington examines strong store lamb prices, Richard Rennie unpacks the Tairāwhiti land-use probe, and Federated Farmers’ Greg Anderson welcomes the return of agriculture and horticulture to Year 11.

Bryan chats to Tabula chief executive Michael Whittaker about the company’s 20th anniversary. Formerly Tracmap, Tabula provides contractors and farmers with precise GPS tools to help them apply fertiliser efficiently. It now also uses the technology to help firefighters battle wildfires more efficiently.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie joins Bryan to discuss a recent report into the Gisborne District Council. It had commissioned Chris Finlayson to take a look at its land-use policies following criticism from the forestry sector.

AgriHQ analyst Alex Coddington takes a look at the early season store lamb market. She says Early market prices this year are sitting well above historical averages, as they do most years, but this kind of inflation has also never been sustainable.

Federated Farmers’ Greg Anderson says the government has made the right decision in restoring agriculture and horticulture as a year 11 subject. Feds was part of a chorus of voices calling for a reversal, after it was removed from the curriculum.