The Country-Wide Podcast

• Episode 69 - Pushing the boundaries of catch crops

  Imagine if a crop could be both productive and improve environmental outcomes in a cold and wet climate? Plant & Food Research have been working with several Canterbury catchment groups to ground the science to see how winter forage oats can reduce nitrate leaching losses even in the toughest conditions. Guest: Dr Brendon Malcolm, Senior Scientist, Plant & Food Research Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide For more than a decade, Dr Brendon Malcolm has been leading trials at Plant & Food Research exploring how catch crops, particularly forage oats, can reduce nitrate leaching and build more resilient winter grazing systems. What started on the Canterbury Plains has since pushed into colder, tougher country, with trial sites now established as high as 700 metres above sea level in inland Canterbury and Otago. The goal is simple: use fast-establishing, winter-active crops to mop up nitrogen left behind after winter grazing, particularly from urine patches. In some cases, the reduction in nitrate leaching has been as high as 60 percent compared to fallow ground, alongside solid dry matter yields of up to 10 tonnes per hectare. The benefits go beyond nutrient capture: the oats also improve soil structure, provide valuable winter feed, and help rebuild microbial and worm activity in soils heavily affected by pugging. While rye corn has long been a go-to in high-altitude systems, the true forage oat varieties trialled have consistently outperformed it in both yield and environmental benefit. Brendon’s work is grounded in practicality, testing different sowing methods, working closely with catchment groups, and engaging farmers directly through field days and paddock-side chats. His focus isn’t just scientific validation, but making sure the findings are usable and real-world ready. He sees the integration of catch crops not as a silver bullet, but as a practical, scalable step toward better nutrient management and soil stewardship. For farmers navigating winter cropping systems, it’s a solution that balances production, regulation, and long-term environmental care. Read more about Brendon’s story here. Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 68 - Returning to his rural roots

  James Kellow has taken an unconventional path into farming with the purchase of Lighthouse Station on the Āwhitu Peninsula in 2017 for a deep connection to his rural roots and a desire to create something enduring. In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with James Kellow about transforming Lighthouse Station Farm from a former dairy farm into a regenerative beef and gamebird estate. Guest: James Kellow, Lighthouse Station Farm Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide Originally a dairy unit, Lighthouse Station has since been transformed as James shifted to beef grazing better suited to the light soils, and over time, has planted more than 300,000 native trees to restore biodiversity and build ecological resilience. The land is home to historic sites, walking trails, and a decommissioned lighthouse that attracts regular public visitors. Driven by a passion for conservation and heritage, James has also established an upland gamebird estate—importing traditional techniques and UK-trained gamekeepers to breed and release pheasants, partridge, and even native grey ducks. The enterprise balances sport, predator control, and community engagement, while supporting thriving populations of both native and introduced birdlife. His approach is hands-on but collaborative. With no formal farming background, James relies on the expertise of his farm manager and a wide network of advisors. Mistakes are met with pragmatism, and success measured not only by stock or yield, but by soil health, habitat restoration, and the steady return of bird song. James believes that resilience is at the heart of farming—resilience of land, people, and systems. He sees farming not just as a livelihood, but as a long-term investment in place, community, and purpose. While the return on investment might not compare to urban property development, the rewards, he says, are immeasurable. Read about James’ story here. Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Special Report - Time to rethink your pre-lamb

  Are your ewes performance ready this season? In this must-listen vodcast, NZVA Sheep & Beef Cattle Branch president Alex Meban of VetEast joins Sarah to unpack everything trace elements pre-lamb — why they matter, how they help, and the benefits he’s seen from supplementing with trace elements like Multimin ® Plus Copper for Sheep. Tune in for a practical, expert-led discussion to help you set your flock up for a successful, productive lambing season. Guest: Alex Meban, President, NZVA Sheep & Beef Cattle Branch Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide Alex Meban, practising vet and president of the NZVA Sheep & Beef Cattle Branch, set out to better understand how trace element management can support ewe health and lamb survival in the lead-up to lambing. Drawing on years of practical on-farm experience, he’s seen how low trace element levels—often unnoticed—can quietly impact flock performance. His focus is on being proactive, with well-timed supplementation that makes a real difference. In particular, Alex has seen positive results from using injectable products like Multimin® Plus Copper for Sheep to support ewe immunity and improve lamb vigour. He encourages farmers to back up decisions with diagnostics—liver samples, blood tests, and mineral checks—so they’re working with the right information. Just as important, he says, is helping farmers understand why trace elements matter. When that connection is made, the benefits often speak for themselves. While not a fix-all, trace elements are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to support productivity—especially when paired with good feeding and body condition. With lambing just around the corner, Alex shares practical advice to help farmers reduce risk and give their ewes and lambs the best possible start. For him, trace element planning isn’t just about avoiding problems—it’s about helping flocks reach their potential.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 2024 Nuffield Report - Putting the Success back into Succession

  In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with 2024 Nuffield Scholar Peter Templeton about alternative pathways to farm ownership and succession. Drawing on global models, Peter explores solutions like lease-to-buy and equity partnerships to help young farmers overcome rising land costs and secure New Zealand’s farming future. Guest: Peter Templeton, Nuffield Scholar Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide Peter Templeton, a 2024 Nuffield New Zealand Scholar and Southland dairy farmer, set out to explore how farm ownership and succession could become more achievable for the next generation. Having navigated his own pathway into partial ownership of his family farm by his early 30s, he knows how uncommon that is—and wants to see more young farmers supported to do the same. His report investigates alternative ownership models including vendor finance, equity partnerships, lease-to-buy arrangements, and sharefarming. Peter sees potential for a standardised, government-backed lease-to-buy agreement—modelled on the 50:50 sharemilking contract—to offer a fair and practical framework for new entrants. Travelling through the UK, Netherlands, and South America, he found countries facing similar challenges around land access and generational transfer. From Dutch farmers raising capital via crowdfunding to long-term tenancy models in the UK, Peter’s research showed that enabling structures do exist—New Zealand just needs to adapt them to local conditions. He also explores the psychological side of succession. Older generations, shaped by disruptive events like New Zealand’s 1980s economic reforms or the UK’s foot-and-mouth outbreak, are often cautious about risk and reluctant to relinquish control. Peter emphasises the value of early conversations, transparency, and external facilitation to support smoother transitions. Domestically, he proposes several practical measures—from unlocking KiwiSaver to support on-farm housing, to easing access to finance and developing a national platform that connects retiring farmers without successors to young, motivated operators. He also sees a need for a more flexible farm real estate system—one that allows staged transitions, not just all-or-nothing sales. Peter argues that creating more accessible pathways into farm ownership is essential to retaining talent in the primary sector. He believes many young farmers are ready and capable—what they need are tools, connections, and policy frameworks that lower the barriers to entry. As a second-generation Nuffield Scholar, Peter says the experience reignited his drive to contribute to the sector. For him, the real value of the scholarship lies not just in the research, but in the momentum it creates to keep asking better questions and driving meaningful change. Read Peter’s Nuffield report here. Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 2024 Nuffield Report - Changing the Bog-Standard; repeatable solutions for Aotearoa’s Peatlands

  In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp speaks with Nuffield Scholar Jenna Smith about her research into managing peatlands to reduce emissions while maintaining productive land use. Travelling through Europe and the UK, Jenna explored wetland farming and highlighted sphagnum moss as a promising opportunity for New Zealand. Guest: Jenna Smith, Nuffield Scholar and CEO of Pouarua Farms, based in the Hauraki Plains Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Country-Wide Jenna Smith, a 2024 Nuffield New Zealand Scholar and CEO of Pouarua Farms, explores how Aotearoa can better manage its peatlands to reduce emissions, protect low-lying farmland, and maintain economic productivity. Her report advocates for a pragmatic, landowner-led approach that focuses on rehabilitation—slowing degradation—rather than full restoration to pristine peatland, which is often unfeasible. She would like to see better peat mapping, tighter drainage rules, and a focus on rehabilitation over full restoration. With flux towers now collecting emissions data on Pouarua Farms, Jenna hopes to drive awareness and support iwi-led, practical solutions that balance environmental and economic outcomes. Through international travel across Europe and the UK, Smith studied “paludiculture”—commercial wetland-compatible land uses. She highlights sphagnum moss as a standout option, with strong export potential as a sustainable growing substrate already in demand globally. She argues New Zealand could replace imports and generate new value from re-wetted peatland. Smith is also advancing research at home, partnering with Manaaki Whenua and NZAGRC to install flux towers that measure real-time greenhouse gas emissions from various land uses, including dairy, cropping, and blueberries. This data is essential to inform decisions and track climate outcomes. Her report calls for more accurate peat mapping, stricter controls on drainage and cultivation, and realistic assessments of which peatlands can be viably rehabilitated. She emphasises the need to protect lands that aren’t too far degraded, while avoiding costly restoration attempts on sites beyond recovery. With Pouarua Farms operating at or below sea level, Smith sees the urgency of slowing subsidence. She also highlights the value of iwi-led co-governance and regional planning that understands the specific challenges of peatland farming. While not a scientist, Smith aims to spark informed discussion and spotlight emerging opportunities. Her Nuffield experience underscored the complexity of the challenge—but also the importance of asking the right questions, engaging early, and shaping solutions that work for both the land and the people who depend on it. Read Jenna’s Nuffield report here. Subscribe to Country-Wide magazine for $79/year for four seasonal magazines including free postage annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/ SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE WEEKLY EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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