Farmers Weekly Podcast

Where have half a million lambs gone, and what does their disappearance from the numbers mean for farmers? This week, AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad unpacks the mystery and the consequences for the red meat sector. Plus, Richard Rennie looks at the passing of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bills, Suz Bremner follows Chatham livestock back to market, and Federated Farmers Otago’s Logan Wallace tackles farm drainage regulations.

AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says updates to our national sheep population figures have wiped out half a million lambs the industry was previously accounting for. She says this has repercussions for farmers, processors and everyone in the red meat supply chain.

Senior reporter Richard Rennie says the passing of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Amendment Bill with broad support is giving industry leaders confidence that the door will reopen to new tools to combat pests and diseases.

AgriHQ senior analyst Suz Bremner says Chatham Island farmers are celebrating the first load of stock sent to the yards at Strotford Lodge, with a temporary larger barge filling the gap while they wait for the new boat to be built in China.

Federated Farmers Otago vice president Logan Wallace says the laws around managing farm drains need an overhaul, with restrictions and costs leaving the land degraded and unproductive.