Feed for Thought

How do you position your farm business for growth in an increasingly complex financial environment? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by Scott Wishart, co-founder of NZAB, to unpack what really drives lending decisions and why strategy is one of the most valuable assets a farm business can have. The conversation explores how regulation has changed rural banking, what credit managers are looking for, and why clearly identifying risks and building a robust plan can make all the difference when seeking funding.
The team also discuss the growing role of non-bank finance, private credit, equity partnerships, and other capital solutions available to farmers looking to grow, invest, or navigate change. Scott shares insights into succession planning, the challenges of funding long-term opportunities that sit outside traditional banking frameworks, and why patient capital may play an increasingly important role as farm ownership transitions over the coming years. To learn more about NZAB, visit www.nzab.co.nz.

One of our most interesting podcasts yet! Cameron Bagrie, former Chief Economist at ANZ and now Managing Director of Bagrie Economics, joins Matt and Wade in this episode to discuss some of the most important strategic factors that New Zealand agriculture will face in the short- to medium-term. Cameron unpacks the global and local forces reshaping New Zealand's economy, from geopolitics and trade through to energy security, productivity, and inflation. 
The conversation explores why the rules that have guided growth in recent decades are changing and what that means for farmers, agribusinesses, and rural communities. The team discuss why Cameron believes the rural sector is leading New Zealand's economic recovery and what needs to happen to maintain that momentum. They explore the importance of reducing energy costs, continuing to invest in infrastructure, and ultimately increasing productivity, while also creating an environment that encourages the next generation to take and manage risk.

How do you keep an arable farming business profitable in an environment of changing markets, tightening regulations, and unpredictable weather? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by David Birkett, Canterbury arable farmer, to explore how he uses data, irrigation, and a simplified cropping system to make better decisions and build resilience into his operation. David shares how his rotation balances productivity with practical constraints like harvest timing, soil traffic, and seasonal risk.
The team unpack David’s approach to nutrient management, including organic matter testing, nitrogen mass budgeting, and simple on-farm strip trials to validate decisions. They also dive into precision agriculture, discussing the value of yield monitoring, satellite imagery, and variable rate applications, and why understanding the numbers remains critical for decision-making. David also shares insights from his governance roles with FAR and Federated Farmers, covering seed certification, traceability, biosecurity, research funding, and the future of New Zealand’s arable sector.

What goes into developing the maize hybrids and forage products farmers rely on every season? In this episode, Matt and Wade are joined by Andrew Powell, Head of Portfolio & Research, to explore the journey from paddock to portfolio and the years of research, testing, and decision-making behind every bag of Pioneer seed. Drawing on his upbringing on a Taranaki dairy farm and a career spanning forage, sales, marketing, portfolio management, and seed production, Andrew shares how Pioneer develops products for New Zealand farmers.
The team unpack the realities of modern plant breeding, from global germplasm sourcing and predictive breeding technologies through to the extensive testing processes used to identify products suited to New Zealand conditions. They explain how farmer feedback, research, and seed production work together to shape the hybrids and forages available years into the future.
Andrew dives into the challenges of balancing breeding priorities, why genetic trade-offs are unavoidable, and what it takes to deliver products that perform in the paddock. If you've ever wondered how new hybrids make it to market and what the future of seed development looks like, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this episode, Kyle Gardyne, Pioneer Seed Applied Technology Manager, sits down with Matt and Wade for the launch of a new seed-applied biological treatment. In maize production, the foundations for yield and feed quality are set early. Establishment influences crop uniformity and ultimately determines how well a hybrid expresses its genetic potential. With spring conditions becoming increasingly unpredictable, securing a strong, consistent start for your business has never been more important. Learn how Lumidpat can help improve early plant vigour and establishment in challenging conditions.