The CountryWide Podcast

• Episode 87 - Kellogg: Empowering the Missing Middle in Leadership

  Dr Jordi Hoult’s interest in leadership grew from her military family upbringing and her own experiences navigating the food and fibre sector. Her Kellogg research shows that many mid-career people in their 30s to 50s are ready to lead but face barriers that stop them from taking opportunities, leaving a “missing middle” in sector leadership. In this episode, Sarah speaks with Jordi about what’s creating this gap, why mentorship is often more valuable than formal courses, and how the sector can better recognise, support, and develop the people who will shape the future of food and fibre in New Zealand. Guest: Dr Jodi Hoult, Kellogg Scholar Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide Dr Jordi Hoult is focused on growing leadership in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector, ensuring talented mid-career people don’t get overlooked. Drawing on her Kellogg research and experience across public and private roles, she explores how mentorship, personal development, and diverse pathways can empower people in their 30s to 50s to step into leadership roles. Through interviews, surveys, and lived experience, Jordi has uncovered the barriers that stop capable leaders from taking opportunities and the strategies that help them thrive. She highlights the importance of flexible approaches, leadership by influence as well as position, and creating environments where people feel valued, supported, and able to contribute to the sector’s long-term success. Find Jordi’s Kellogg report here. 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 EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 86 - High Performance Doesn’t Mean Burnout

  Witnessing the stress of sheep farming in Southland as a child led Steve Clarke to a career as a helicopter pilot before returning home to the dairy farm. He and wife Hayley are on a mission to ensure that farming creates a balance of work and life for their family and staff. In this episode, Sarah speaks with Steve about his journey from sheep and beef to dairy, the lessons learned through early challenges, and how smart infrastructure, genetics, and people management have shaped their success. They discuss balancing high performance with wellbeing, maintaining team morale, and keeping family life at the centre of farming. Guest: Steve Clarke, Southland dairy farmer Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide Steve Clarke is focused on building a high performing dairy business that doesn’t come at the expense of people or family life. Farming near Gore with his wife Hayley, he has developed an efficient system that balances productivity with wellbeing, driven by smart infrastructure, genetics, and teamwork. Drawing on lessons from his early years in sheep and beef, helicopter flying, and the challenges of starting out with limited experience, Steve has refined a system that prioritises good timing, strong pastures, and staff engagement. He believes high performance comes from small, consistent improvements, creating a workplace where people enjoy what they do and farming remains sustainable for the next generation. Read the article in the 2025 Spring issue of CountryWide here. 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 EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 85 - Springboard your irrigation season

  How can farmers get the most from irrigation without wasting water or damaging equipment? IrrigationNZ Principal Technical Advisor Stephen McNally explains how preparation, planning, and smart decisions make all the difference as the season begins. In this episode, Sarah speaks with Stephen about practical steps from anchoring and mechanical checks to developing a wind plan and understanding consent conditions. They discuss a “just-in-time” approach, record-keeping, maintenance, and long-term water storage for more efficient and resilient irrigation. Guest: Stephen McNally, Principal Technical Advisor, IrrigationNZ Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide Stephen McNally is supporting farmers to lift the performance and reliability of their irrigation systems through better planning, maintenance, and decision-making. As Principal Technical Advisor at Irrigation New Zealand, he helps producers prepare for the season ahead, checking equipment, understanding consent limits, and ensuring water is applied where and when it’s needed. Drawing on decades of experience across water management and on-farm infrastructure, Stephen encourages farmers to reflect on past seasons, keep accurate irrigation records, and adopt a disciplined approach to system checks and calibration. He’s also advocating for smarter, long-term water storage and resource management, ensuring New Zealand’s abundant water is available in the right place at the right time. Read the article in the 2025 Spring issue of CountryWide here. 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 EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 84 - Integrating Forestry

  How can sheep and beef farmers see forestry as more than a binary choice between full plantation and traditional farming? New Zealand Institute of Forestry consultant Peter Handford explores how integrating trees can enhance overall farm management, improve profitability, and deliver environmental and animal welfare benefits. In this episode, Sarah speaks with Peter about the practical and economic aspects of forestry on sheep and beef farms. They discuss modelling different forestry options, the opportunities for carbon and timber income, and how thoughtful planning can make trees a strategic part of a resilient, well-balanced farm system. Guest: Peter Handford, Forestry Consultant, New Zealand Institute of Forestry Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide Peter Handford is working at the intersection of farming and forestry, helping sheep and beef producers see trees as an asset rather than a threat. With decades of experience in land use planning and forestry consultancy, he supports farmers to make informed decisions about where and how trees fit best across their landscapes. Through his work with the New Zealand Institute of Forestry, Peter brings a practical, systems based approach, modelling how different forestry options can lift profitability, improve environmental performance, and reduce on farm pressure. By bridging the gap between foresters and farmers, he is showing how well managed trees can enhance animal welfare, provide shelter, and create stronger, more balanced farm businesses. Read the article in the 2025 Spring issue of CountryWide here. 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 EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Episode 83 - Rethinking animal welfare

  As new wearable technologies for animals have surged in popularity, specific advice on the use of them within the dairy sector is to be included in an imminent review of the Animal Welfare Code: Dairy Cattle. In this episode, Sarah speaks with Dr Matthew Stone, veterinarian and Chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), about the review of the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare and how rapid technological change is reshaping animal care standards. Guest: Dr Matthew Stone, Chairperson, National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, CountryWide Matthew Stone is guiding how New Zealand’s animal welfare framework evolves to keep pace with innovation across the farming sector. Drawing on his extensive experience in veterinary science, biosecurity and international policy, he focuses on ensuring that advances in agritech align with best practice in animal care and ethical standards. As Chair of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, Matthew works with industry, government and farmers to strengthen confidence in welfare regulation and its ability to respond to new challenges. His collaborative approach helps maintain New Zealand’s reputation for high welfare standards while supporting practical, science-based decision-making on farm. Read the article in the 2025 Spring issue of CountryWide here. 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 EMAILSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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