The CountryWide Podcast

In this episode, Stephen McNally, Principal Technical Advisor at IrrigationNZ, explains why choosing the cheapest irrigation system upfront can lead to higher long-term costs and reduced performance. He outlines how key design decisions, such as pipe sizing and pump selection, directly influence energy use, efficiency and the overall lifespan of an irrigation system.
Guest:
Stephen McNally, Principal Technical Advisor, IrrigationNZ
Host:
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide
Stephen discusses the key factors farmers should consider when investing in irrigation, including whole-of-life costing, power use and system design. He explains how smaller pipes can increase friction and energy demand, why pump efficiency matters, and how to assess proposals using key performance indicators. He also highlights the value of comparing multiple quotes, working with qualified designers and focusing on long-term outcomes to ensure irrigation systems deliver reliable and cost-effective performance over time.
Read the article featuring Stephen here:
https://country-wide.co.nz/the-true-cost-of-cheap/

For information on Tower contact your local ADAMA commercial manager or visit the website - http://www.adama.com

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In this episode, Curtis Pannett, farming in Central Otago, explains how yard weaning gives calves a better start to life and improves long-term growth and temperament. Drawing on experience from his own farm and large Australian cattle operations, he shares his advice on how calves are kept in the yards, getting them used to people and dogs helps them settle quickly, mustering and better management with moving winter feed breaks.
Guest:
Curtis Pannett, Cattle farmer, Central Otago
Host:
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide
Curtis discusses the practical steps involved in yard weaning, including pen size, daily handling routines and how to manage calves from different parts of the farm. He explains how regular interaction during the weaning process helps calves learn to cope with pressure, develop calmer temperaments, and put more energy into growth. He also highlights why investing time upfront in yard weaning can reduce stress, improve feed efficiency, and make winter management more straightforward for the whole herd.
Read the article featuring Curtis here:
https://country-wide.co.nz/yard-weaning-benefits-growth-rates-and-calf-health/

For information on Tower contact your local ADAMA commercial manager or visit the website - http://www.adama.com

Become a CountryWide Club member for $89/year for six seasonal magazines including free postage (New Zealand only) annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/
SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE INSIDER WEEKLY EMAIL
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Andrew Dowling, Technical Expert at PGG Wrightson, explains why farmers should think carefully before applying nitrogen to struggling fodder beet crops after a difficult 2025–26 season. With cold conditions, slow crop growth and persistent wet weather impacting yields across the country, Andrew outlines why adding nitrogen late in the season may not deliver the extra feed farmers are hoping for.
Guest:
Andrew Dowling, Technical Expert, PGG Wrightson
Host:
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide
Andrew discusses how fodder beet can accumulate nitrates when growth conditions prevent the plant from converting them into usable growth, creating potential animal health risks when stock begins grazing. He explains the signs farmers should watch for and why testing crops for nitrate levels is an important step before making fertiliser decisions. Andrew also outlines how protein requirements vary between different classes of stock and why understanding the balance between leaf, bulb and supplementary feed sources can help farmers build a safer, more productive winter ration.

Read the article featuring Andrew here:
https://country-wide.co.nz/winter-feed-yields-down/

For information on Tower contact your local ADAMA commercial manager or visit the website - http://www.adama.com

Become a CountryWide Club member for $89/year for six seasonal magazines including free postage (New Zealand only) annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/
SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE INSIDER WEEKLY EMAIL
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Hamish Mulcock, Portfolio Manager at ADAMA New Zealand, introduces Tower, a new pre-emergent herbicide for wheat and barley designed to strengthen weed control and support resistance management in arable systems. As herbicide resistance continues to challenge growers, Hamish explains how Tower brings a new active ingredient to the New Zealand market, chlortoluron, alongside pendimethalin and diflufenican, delivering three complementary modes of action in one application.
Guest:
Hamish Mulcock, Portfolio Manager, ADAMA New Zealand
Host:
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide

Hamish outlines how Tower provides broad-spectrum control of key arable weeds including chickweed, speedwell, shepherd’s purse and fathen, while also controlling annual poa and suppressing perennial and Italian ryegrass. He discusses the importance of pre-emergent applications in setting crops up for strong establishment, shares insights from extensive New Zealand trials conducted since 2017, and explains how growers can confidently integrate Tower into autumn and spring crop planning to protect yield potential from the outset.

For information on Tower contact your local ADAMA commercial manager or visit the website - http://www.adama.com

Become a CountryWide Club member for $89/year for six seasonal magazines including free postage (New Zealand only) annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/
SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE INSIDER WEEKLY EMAIL
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Phil Journeaux shares his strong thoughts on the failings of the New Zealand’s National Policy Statement (NPS) for Highly Productive Land and how the Ministry for the Environment’s ‘economically viable’ metric was flawed.
Guest:
Phil Journeaux, Consulting Agricultural Economist
Host:
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide

Phil, a consulting agricultural economist shares his experience with NPS-HPL in representing a landowner in court who was in one of the hotly contested Land Use Class wanting to subdivide. His debate in protecting productive land and meeting housing demand isn’t accurate and the driving issue including urban expansion and population growth takes precedent. He also explains the difference between economically viable and sustainable land, that it’s the role of landowners to drive productivity, and why evidence-based planning and careful policy design will be critical in balancing food production, housing needs, and long-term land management.

Read the article featuring Phil here:
https://country-wide.co.nz/subdivision-of-rural-land-facts-and-fiction

Become a CountryWide Club member for $89/year for six seasonal magazines including free postage (New Zealand only) annually: https://country-wide.co.nz/shop/
SUBSCRIBE TO THE COUNTRY-WIDE INSIDER WEEKLY EMAIL
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.