Ag in Conversation

Hosted by Emily Walker and Myfanwy Alexander

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Episodes

124

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Emily and Myfanwy, two friends and agri-optimists from Otago, NZ, sit down weekly to digest the hottest topics in the world of ag. Aiming to bring a deeper level of discussion and understanding to the issues and opportunities faced by agriculture and rural communities both in NZ and around the globe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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60 recent

June 11, 202638 min

Shifting Habits, Rising Stars, and the El Niño Reality Check

24 | We dive deep into the massive shifts transforming Aotearoa’s primary industries—from the cutting-edge science rewriting the rules of Kiwi wine production to a historic win for global farming advocacy on television.In This Episode:The Main Discussion | The Wine Industry’s Evolution: We break down why global drinking habits are forcing winemakers to adapt. From the "climate-alcohol paradox" to innovative vineyard canopy manipulation that naturally lowers alcohol without losing premium flavor, we explore how NZ can maintain its competitive global edge through radical sustainability and new trade deals.The Injury Farmers Ignore: Addressing the "tough farmer" stereotype. We look at the reality of concussions on the farm, why solo operators are at higher risk, and how modern recovery is moving away from "dark rooms" and toward proactive, ACC-supported care. Visit the Brain Hub marquee at Fieldays for free concussion support info.The Organic Boom: NZ’s organic sector is now a $1.2 billion powerhouse growing at twice the rate of the rest of the food and fibre industry. We discuss Fonterra’s big play in Southland, the lucrative payout forecasts, and the rise of Young Organics Aotearoa.El Niño Locks In: Meteorologist Phil Duncan’s latest outlook shows a massive high-pressure system dominating the country. We map out the regional split—severe dryness in Canterbury, Otago, and Manawatū—and what this means for the winter feed strategy and the upcoming Fieldays.Celebrating Rural Entrepreneurs: A massive shoutout to the category winners of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards! We spotlight the incredible women leading operations across regional NZ ahead of the Supreme Winner announcement at Parliament on July 23.A Historic Win for Farmers: Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Farmers' Choir just made history by winning Britain's Got Talent, securing £250,000, and shining a global prime-time spotlight on rural mental health.Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.Sign up to our newsletter HEREHOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexanderIntro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound EffectsFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 4, 202652 min

Rugby chat with a side order of budget!

EP 123 | Rugby chat with a side order of budget!This week on Ag in Conversation, we kick things off with a chat about rugby, the Crusaders, and the excitement surrounding Christchurch's new stadium before turning our attention to the issues shaping rural New Zealand. We unpack what the 2026 Budget means for farmers, explore the latest dairy payout forecasts, and discuss why many arable growers are facing a particularly challenging season. We also head to the United States to examine an innovative new initiative designed to improve access to protein for vulnerable communities and what it could mean for agriculture's future. Plenty of insight, perspective, and good conversation from New Zealand and beyond.Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.Sign up to our newsletter HEREHOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexanderIntro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound EffectsFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 202637 min

There’s not enough meat in the world

122 |  This episode covers New Zealand's wilding pine control funding, insights from recent agricultural conferences, and the impact of global trends on beef and lamb markets. It offers valuable perspectives on environmental management, market dynamics, and technological innovations in agriculture.Wilding pine infestation and government fundingHighlights from recent agricultural conferencesMarket outlook for beef and lambTechnological innovations in farmingEnvironmental and sustainability challengesBig thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.Sign up to our newsletter HEREHOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexanderIntro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound EffectsFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 21, 202639 min

Council amalgamation whats happening??

EP 121 | This episode covers recent news in New Zealand, including a taste test of supermarket butter, the glyphosate legal challenge, the winding down of the Agri-Women's Development Trust, and an in-depth discussion on local government amalgamation and efficiency. The hosts share insights on science-based decisions, community impact, and the future of local governance.Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.Sign up to our newsletter HEREHOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexanderIntro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound EffectsFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 14, 202646 min

Back in Action: Food, Farming Tech, and Travel Insights from Around the World

120 | Join us as we reconnect, diving into the latest innovations in sustainable farming, cutting-edge agricultural tech, and reflections on global travel experiences. We share insights into how New Zealand’s farming industry is advancing with new environmental measurement tools, explore the impact of recent free trade agreements, and compare food and shopping experiences from the US, UK, and beyond.Main topics include:The launch of Prism Earth, a satellite-based biodiversity measurement tool for farms, and its implications for New Zealand's environmental claimsAI-powered grazing management tools like Amr Farming’s Chatbot and their potential impact on farm decision-making and skill retentionThe recent signing of the New Zealand-India Free Trade Agreement and its effects on agriculture, dairy, and skilled migrationInsights from travel in the US, UK, and Europe, including high food costs, supermarket differences, and packaging variationsFood quality, packaging, and societal contrasts in different countries, with a focus on chocolates, supermarket choices, and food seasonalityPrism Earth - Satellite remote sensing for biodiversity trackingAmir Farming - AI grazing management toolsBig thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.Sign up to our newsletter HEREHOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexanderIntro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Slipstream - Tell Your Story with Music | 1 million+ Songs & Sound EffectsFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr 001 by The Rhinestone Cowgirls | Slipstream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 202654 min

OUR MOST PLAYED EPISODE - Deanne Parkes

119 & 032 | This week we kick of our Rural Women's Mental Health Series, we’re shining a spotlight on an important and often overlooked topic - rural women’s mental health. We delve into the unique challenges rural women face and explore how mental wellness plays a crucial role in their everyday lives.From the struggles of moving to the country and adjusting to life away from familiar surroundings, to balancing careers, raising children, and starting businesses in rural settings - these experiences are often accompanied by feelings of isolation, guilt, and the pressure of constantly serving others.But alongside these challenges, we also celebrate the resilience of rural women, the strength of their communities, and the deep connections that form in these environments. Our podcast episodes this month featured stories of hope and practical strategies to help refind and maintain a strong sense of self amidst it all.The content discussed in this podcast maybe triggering and relate to mental health challenges such as depression, anixety and suicide. Its intended for informational and educational purposes only. We are not mental health professionals, and the discussions shared here are based on personal experiences.If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out for help.In New Zealand, you can contact Lifeline at 0800 543 354 or text 4357 for free, 24/7 support. You can also reach out to the Rural Support Trust at 0800 787 254 for confidential assistance. For those outside New Zealand, we encourage you to seek local resources or speak to a healthcare professional. Remember, you don't have to go through this alone—help is available.Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.Sign up to our newsletter HERE and get your ticket to the Ladies Long Lunch at Riverstone in Oamaru, HEREHOSTS | @emilywalker @myfanwyalexanderIntro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Royalty-free music for creators. All free | Slip.streamFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr - Royalty-free Music | Slip.streamMusic provided by Royalty-free music for creators. All free | Slip.streamFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr - Royalty-free Music | Slip.stream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 30, 202636 min

Replay series - Coaching the next big thing in Ag?

118 & 77 | Coaching the next big thing in Ag?Myfi and Emily discuss their recent experiences, including a community event and the weather's impact on farming. They delve into significant developments in agri-tech, highlighting a New Zealand startup achieving unicorn status. The discussion also covers the acquisition of Nexon Group by PGG Wrightson and the importance of local solutions for farmers. They explore the role of social media in dispelling dairy myths through expert voices and emphasize the shift from traditional expert advice to a coaching approach in agriculture, fostering empowerment and long-term thinking among farmers.Big thanks to our partners Cinta Insights and Ag Assist for supporting our podcast.Sign up to our newsletter HEREHOSTS | @‌emilywalker @‌myfanwyalexander Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 23, 202638 min

Replay series with Philippa Cameron

117 and 028 | We are joined by Philippa Cameron from Whats for Smoko (her amazing instagram page), she is also a multiple, best selling author and amazing wife and mother hailing from Otematata. Pip joins us for a chat about the myth or truth of the rural urban divide, we debunk it based on some research completed in 2023 by Massey University as part of the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge - https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/the-urbanrural-divide-debunked-aotearoa-new-zealand-values-our-farming-sector/This week in the news we go into what's happening in Ireland with Straw (Country Wide Podcast Episode), quad bike safety and the excellent scheme SaferFarm's have run, and finally BX Foods are unfortunately laying on approximately 1/3 of their staff.Find Philippa on Instagram or her website - https://whatsforsmoko.com/‌HOSTS | @emilywalker @myfanwyalexander‌Intro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Royalty-free music for creators. All free | Slip.streamFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr - Royalty-free Music | Slip.stream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 16, 202640 min

Replay series - Sustainability - the missing puzzle piece

116 & 020 | Are we in NZ sure we have the sustainability of our workforce covered? Can we honestly say that we use best practice in staff relationships and with Sharemilkers/Managers and Owners? Do we have the framework to support our farmers to be great in this area? And how do we measure our success or lack there of? Does this have the potential to be the underbelly of NZ Ag that is just waiting to be exposed? Will this cost us our Social Licence to operate? and be the next dirty dairy exposure?Tune in to the Mindset Mentor Podcast - here.‌HOSTS | @emilywalker @myfanwyalexander‌Intro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Royalty-free music for creators. All free | Slip.streamFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr - Royalty-free Music | Slip.stream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 9, 202655 min

Replay series: Steph Borowski

115 & 017 | We are joined by the one and only Steph Borowski, maybe the funniest farmers wife on the internet. We traverse all things from homeschooling wild and free farm kids, regen ag, the wellness properties of red meat, to the good, bad and ugly of a modern day rural community. There isn't much that isn't talked about this week. So light the fire (it's that time of year), grab a cuppa and a bikkie (you've earnt a wee treat) and join us for a good ol' yarn.We highly recommend you check out Motherland Australia's podcast, Mother's groups/Villages and all other things they have to offer - https://motherlandaustralia.com.au/Make sure you are following @steph.borowski and check out her podcast she co-hosts with Husband Josh, Mans Land on Spotify.‌HOSTS | @emilywalker @myfanwyalexander‌Intro/outro copyright infoTrack: "Sunrise Instr"Music provided by Royalty-free music for creators. All free | Slip.streamFree Download / Stream: Sunrise Instr - Royalty-free Music | Slip.stream Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.