Federated Farmers Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Manawatū farmer Ian Strahan, who runs 440 hectares of rolling country at Kiwitea, finishing around 16,000 lambs and up to 1000 cattle each year.
Ian, Manawatū–Rangitīkei Federated Farmers president, talks about growing up on the family farm, the influence of his father – legendary All Black Sam Strahan – and how a mix of old-school values and modern thinking has shaped his approach to farming today.
We dive into how his system's evolved into a highly efficient operation focused on strong margins, attention to detail and constant improvement. 
He also takes on the bigger challenges facing farming, including the growing gap between farmers and the public, and why social licence is becoming just as important as productivity.
Along the way, Ian shares some great advice for younger farmers, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why simple systems – done well – consistently outperform.
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When you get an unexpected windfall as a farmer, what should you actually do with it? Is it just another payout to roll back into the farm, or a rare opportunity to reset your financial position?
With many Fonterra farmers waking up this week to a significant lump sum in their accounts, we asked Forsyth Barr investment adviser Michael Raynes to unpack the key decisions farmers should be thinking about.

Michael walks through five options, ranging from reinvestment and debt reduction to diversification and long-term planning. It’s all about making smart calls now that you won’t regret in five years’ time.

A quick note: nothing discussed in this episode is personal financial advice — it’s general in nature. If you’re considering your own situation, we recommend speaking with a registered financial adviser.
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Labour’s agriculture spokesperson Jo Luxton joins us for a candid chat about her upbringing, the tough chapters in her life, and her connection to farming.
She shares what she’s hearing from farmers, what she'd prioritise if she became Minister of Agriculture, and how she responds when farmers say Labour hates them.
Feds and Labour don’t always agree, but it’s important we have a relationship and can talk things through when we need to. Jo sits at the centre of that relationship, keeping lines of communication open on the issues that matter most to farmers. 

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Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton joins us to break down the company’s 2025 turnaround, including what’s driving the strong results and whether better prices are here to stay. 
We dive into the challenges behind falling livestock numbers, the pressures on processors’ margins, and the role of global markets and geopolitics in shaping New Zealand red meat.
Dan also shares insights on the balance between value-add strategies and efficiency, the ongoing importance of sustainability claims, and what farmers can do on-farm to prepare for future opportunities. 
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Fuel supply is front of mind for farmers right now, with rising uncertainty around availability, pricing and logistics.
In this episode, Fern Energy CEO Chris Gourley joins us to cut through the noise and explain what’s really going on. Are we at risk of running short? What’s driving the pressure in the supply chain? And what does it mean for on-farm operations in the weeks and months ahead?
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