RaboTalk – Growing our future

About RaboTalk – Growing our future

RaboTalk’s Growing our future is all about equipping New Zealand’s farmers and growers with the knowledge to support resilient farming systems for the future. Using insights gathered from Aotearoa and across the world, Rabobank’s team of experts and connections offer up informed opinions and healthy discussion on the future of farming, and how to adapt farm strategies and systems to ensure our farms thrive in a fast-changing world. Disclaimer: This podcast has been prepared by Rabobank New Zealand Limited and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (New Zealand Branch) (Incorporated in the Netherlands) (collectively referred to as ‘Rabobank New Zealand’). The information and opinions contained in this publication have been compiled or arrived at from sources believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to their accuracy, completeness or correctness. This publication is for information purposes only and is not, and should not be construed as, an offer or a commitment by Rabobank New Zealand to enter into a transaction. This information is not professional advice and has not been prepared to be used as the basis for, and should not be used as the basis for, any financial or strategic decisions. This information is general in nature only and does not take into account an individual’s personal circumstances. All opinions expressed in this publication are subject to change without notice. Rabobank New Zealand does not accept any liability whatsoever for any direct, indirect, consequential or other loss or damage howsoever arising from any use of this publication or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. This publication must not be reproduced or distributed without the prior written consent of Rabobank New Zealand. © 2026 Rabobank New Zealand Limited and Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (New Zealand Branch) (Incorporated in the Netherlands). All Rights Reserved.

Publisher

Rabobank NZ

Category

business · education · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Nov 2022

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

84 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Succession 2050 - New Zealand food and agri set for new era of productivity with Ray Smith

   In the first episode of RaboTalk Growing our Future’s new Succession 2050 series, host Blake Holgate speaks with Ray Smith, Director General of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), to explore his contribution to Rabobank’s Succession 2050 Gearing up for New Zealand’s food and agri future white paper. Drawing on his extensive experience leading major public sector departments alongside a family background in agriculture, Ray provides a strategic perspective on how New Zealand’s primary sector is entering a new era of sustainable productivity. Ray discusses how New Zealand producers can leverage their natural advantages to capture growing global demand for high-value protein and nature-positive products. He outlines how unlocking productivity, investing in regional water storage, adopting emerging precision technologies, and maintaining rigorous biosecurity and farm assurance schemes will secure the sector’s long-term global competitiveness out to 2050. Like what you’ve heard? Follow our podcast for more great content.

2. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Catchment Catch-Ups with Mark Chrystall from Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective

   In this fifth episode of RaboTalk’s Growing Our Future Catchment Catch-Up series, host Blake Holgate speaks with Mark Chrystall, a northern Rangitikei sheep and beef farmer and founding member and current Vice Chairman of the Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective (RRCC). Mark shares how the collective formed in 2017 to tackle localised riverbank feed-lotting issues and evolved into an expansive, data-driven entity. Today, the RRCC coordinates 125 monthly water testing sites and manages projects spanning sub-catchments across the Rangitīkei, Turakina, and Whangaehu rivers. The conversation explores how catchment collectives can build regional trust, transition from raw water testing to advanced ecological indices, and address emerging environmental challenges. Mark highlights how spatial mapping, collaborative university research, and unified pest control projects help hill-country farmers take ownership of their landscapes, protect local freshwater quality, and build resilient rural communities. Like what you’ve heard? Follow our podcast for more great content. Show Notes: Empowering Farmers Through Local Water Testing Rather than relying solely on regional council monitoring, the RRCC established 125 monthly water testing sites across its sub-catchments. Testing for nitrogen, phosphorus, E. coli, and turbidity provides producers with transparent, localised data. Placing these real-time results directly in front of landowners creates instant buy-in and inspires peer-driven environmental improvement. Uncovering Environmental Context via Science In the Waikākahi tributary, monthly testing revealed phosphate levels nearly 20 times higher than expected. Rather than assuming agricultural runoff was the cause, the collective partnered with Massey University and Horizons Regional Council on a three-year PhD project. Geologic analysis revealed the elevated phosphate stemmed from natural rock formations rather than farming practices, illustrating the power of raw data over assumptions. Moving Beyond Single-Metric Water Testing The collective has expanded its environmental monitoring to include Macro-invertebrate Community Index (MCI) testing and habitat assessments across 80 sites. By training local coordinators to evaluate stream life, silting, and aquatic plants alongside regional council teams, the RRCC creates a complete, long-term picture of freshwater health across hill-country catchments. Transitioning from Farm Plans to Integrated Catchment Plans Building on individual Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) maps, the collective is aggregating farm data into comprehensive digital catchment plans. Layering spatial data for winter grazing, biodiversity, slope, and critical source areas allows the group to move past a scattered approach and direct environmental funding straight to high-priority hotspots. Targeting Hotspots with Infrastructure and Pest Control The RRCC actively tackles non-traditional environmental risks across the region. Projects range from fencing and planting native vegetation below gully wool-sheds to capture nutrient runoff, to launching a multi-regional thermal drone survey to map wild deer populations. Quantifying pest damage on winter forage crops allows the collective to design coordinated, landscape-scale control strategies. Final Advice: Understand Your Footprint and Stay Connected Mark encourages farmers and community leaders to proactively understand their environmental footprint rather than waiting for regulatory mandates. Keeping local sub-catchment groups active, sharing spatial data, and gathering at the local hall for a cup of tea or a sausage sizzle creates the social cohesion needed to navigate future land management challenges together.

3. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Farming for a lower-emissions future with Lee Matheson

   This RaboTalk Growing our Future’s episode explores one of the biggest questions facing New Zealand agriculture: how farmers and growers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting profitability and long-term business resilience. Blake Holgate is joined by Lee Matheson, Managing Director at Perrin Ag and co-author of The Path to 2050 white paper, for a practical discussion on why Lee believes the sector cannot rely on future technology alone, and why he considers emissions planning needs to sit at the heart of farm strategy. In the podcast Lee talks about the importance of improving efficiency, understanding each farm’s emissions profile, making land-use decisions based on sound economics, and working collectively through peer groups, processors, industry bodies and policy settings. The Path to 2050 white paper can be accessed here (https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ag-emissions.nz%2Fpublications%2Fthe-future-farm-systems-research-programme-white-paper-the-path-to-2050%2F&data=05%7C02%7CMichelle.Smith%40rabobank.com%7C0814369eb5104cc5115608defd956238%7C6e93a6268aca4dc19191ce291b4b75a1%7C0%7C0%7C639227015233491107%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=PjnpwOK70u%2BJv%2BAm%2B%2BGpAQwKhbP9ir0BPl3d8c9rLgg%3D&reserved=0). Like what you’ve heard? Follow our podcast for more great content. Show Notes Planning Beyond Technological Silver Bullets The white paper poses a critical question: what if a methane vaccine or bolus is delayed, cost-prohibitive, or rejected by global markets? While technology remains an important focus, sector strategy must address how farm systems can lower emissions through practical land management, structured risk allocation, and commercially viable business models. Capturing Value Through Efficient Management Farming more efficiently and productively reduces both emissions intensity and gross footprint. While improved management practice cannot achieve deep national reduction targets on its own, optimising farm inputs and identifying underperforming land areas provides an immediate, practical starting point that strengthens overall business resilience. The Necessity of Clear Market and Policy Signals Producers are not inherently resistant to change, but they require unambiguous signals to justify shifting established farm systems. Meaningful behaviour change relies on clear economic incentives from processing companies, aligned messaging across industry bodies, and supportive government policy that de-risks innovative land-use transitions. Overcoming Constraints on Alternative Land Uses Replacing traditional ruminant systems with alternative land uses is not as simple as drawing up a blueprint. Expanding novel crops or horticulture requires substantial capital, specialised processing infrastructure, established supply chains, and proven export demand. Land-use change must remain driven by underlying economics rather than top-down directives. Systemic Co-Benefits and Peer Collaboration Emissions reduction cannot occur in isolation from wider environmental challenges like water quality and biodiversity. Addressing freshwater management often yields direct emissions co-benefits. Furthermore, navigating these complex choices in local peer groups allows farmers to share data, evaluate risk, and accelerate practical adoption. Final Advice: Measure Your Profile and Start the Conversation Lee encourages every producer to begin by accurately calculating their farm's emissions profile and discussing the results with local peers. Treating emissions as a key 10 to 15 year strategic business risk ensures that future land use and capital investment decisions keep the business resilient, competitive, and well-positioned for shifting market expectations.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

286,005

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 57 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

54

Social presence

0

YouTube

82

Engagement

68

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.