In this episode, Lower North Island Regional Manager Mark Burke shares insight on the maize grain market opportunities and considerations. Mark delves into the pressures of regional demands, maize contracts, and pricing tactics and how these factors converge to shape the current grain market. The team discusses the methods growers use to ensure profitable sales, highlighting the significance of careful planning, especially after the recent surge in grain prices. With a focus on the challenges presented by weather and expenses, this episode covers the intricacies between supply and demand and how to best navigate the market and make informed decisions for next season.

In an episode packed with technological advancements, adaptive strategies, and a love for the agriculture industry, join Wade and Hamish as they sit down with David Wordsworth, Northland maize grain grower and cover of our 2024 grain catalogue. David shares the family's journey from dairy and beef farming to introducing maize into the grain industry in the 1970s. The team discusses the growth of Grain Co, which has become a symbol of self-sufficiency by reducing transport costs and supporting dairy farms with locally grown kibble maize and calf meal. We'll delve into the transition from full cultivation to the innovative no-till approach that has boosted soil health and challenged conventional beliefs around yield.

From dairying in Otago to the Chief Executive of Pouarua Farms, an iwi-owned 2200-hectare operation in the Hauraki Plains, Jenna Smith, the cover of our 2024 Maize Silage catalogue, joins Wade and Brent Bishop, Upper North Island Regional Manager, to recount her remarkable journey. This episode covers the details of farming on peatlands into the larger narrative of ecological stewardship. The evolution of a 2200-hectare farm as it shifts from traditional animal husbandry to pioneering dairy practices, beef finishing, blueberry orchards and maize silage and grain operations. Jenna discusses the proactive strategies for peatland management and the exciting research initiatives on deck.

Join Wade and Matt as they sit down with Adrian Ball to the delve into the story of the Ball family's Waikato farm that's seen transformation from traditional cattle grazing to a beacon of dairy and beef production excellence. You'll hear how success isn't just counted in output but in the wellbeing of staff, the welfare of animals, and the stewardship of the environment. The team get into a deep-rooted discussion on dairy-derived beef, the farm as an enjoyable workplace, and the forward-thinking strategies ensuring profitability goes hand in hand with sustainability.

In our latest episode, joining Matt and Wade are Waikato based, John Numan, farm owner and Brian Basi, herd-owning sharemilker. Together, they explain how they develop and maintain a strong owner share-milker relationship and share some of the farm systems and business fundamentals that support their businesses to achieve the goals of both parties.

The choppers are out, and we're approaching the pointy end of the 2023/24 maize season. Wade and Matt caught up with Craig Maxwell, the Central North Island Regional Manager, to chat about the discussions the Pioneer team are having with growers and contractors leading up to harvest.

With harvest underway around the country, the boys welcome Shaun Body, Pioneer's Portfolio Manager, back onto the podcast.  The team discuss the science and value proposition of inoculant and how to get more from your maize silage by minimising the drop in quality throughout the harvest, ensiling, and feeding out process.

Welcome to Season 2 of Feed for Thought; kicking off the new season is our first farmer story with Roger Dalrymple of Waitatapia Farming.In this episode, Roger shares how the family business has developed over the years from lupin-dominated, low-intensive farming to a diverse enterprise. Farming dairy, forestry, vegetables, and everything in between, the Dalrymple's have navigated the highs and lows of farming with resilience and innovation. Roger has been an integral part of the Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective and shares with us the importance of catchment groups and the positive impact they have.

In Ian's final episode on the show, the team challenge him with the question of what the future of the industry looks like. Ian covers topics around future farm systems, government regulations, and what farming may look like in the future.

With retirement on the horizon for Ian Williams, the boys caught up to yarn about what Ian has seen in the past 25 years of his career, winding back to farm systems in 1999 and how they have changed and developed over time.This is the first episode of two that pay a special tribute to Ian Williams and his long-standing service to Pioneer. Tune back next week to hear what Ian has to say about where he sees the future of the New Zealand agriculture industry heading.

In this episode, Ian Williams caught up with Matte Kirk to discuss how planting has rolled out over the country and the actions they're each taking to keep their top paddock in check this busy festive season. The boys also chat about Surfing for Farmers, which offers a unique opportunity for New Zealand farmers to take a break from their all-consuming businesses and engage in outdoor activities, enjoy fresh air, exercise, and connect with fellow farmers, rural families, and industry professionals. If you're keen to find out more visit, Surfing for Farmers.

In this episode, Hamish Gow and the team expand on the points made in part 1 and delve into the topic of global value chains and trade. This episode provides insights and take-home points around the transition from a rules-based trade to values-based trade and where we are heading within New Zealand farming.

In this episode, the boys catch up with Hamish Gow and talk about the future of NZ Farming systems. Hamish is the Sir Graeme Harrison Professorial Chair in Global Value Chains and Trade at Lincoln University. They touch on how New Zealand agriculture has changed over time and what the future may look like.

Tune in to this episode, where the team discuss the maize planting window.  They cover the key points around hybrid maturity options, yield potential of shorter maturity hybrids, other crop options to fit different farm systems and the impact of getting pasture back in on time at the other end of the maize season.

In this episode, Professor Fred Below expands on the points made in part 1. Fred nails down the things farmers can do to close the yield gap and take advantage of the yield potential of todays hybrids.

Earlier this year, Ian Williams welcomed Professor Fred Below from the University of Illinois and Dr. Rowland Tsimba, Pioneer's National Research & Agronomy Manager, to discuss the best crop management practices growers can implement to gain higher yields and how maize genetic potential has developed over time. Tune back in next week for part two.

A common question the team are hearing coming into spring is "where can I trim my costs without compromising production for the season?". In this episode, the team welcome Regional Manager, Dave McDonald onto the podcast to unpack line by line the maize growing costs.

In this episode, Wade and Matt catch up with two contractors from across the ditch, Daniel Rethus from Rethus Contracting and Hayden Bowden from Bowdens Contracting in Eastern Australia, to chat about crops they plant and harvest, potential yields and an insight into how strip tillage benefits their customers.

With the recent drop in forecast payout from Fonterra, the boys caught up to discuss some key considerations to help navigate the season ahead.

In this episode, Ian and Wade welcome Pioneer's National Grain Account Manager, Hamish Johnstone, onto the podcast to cover all things maize grain. The team cover the international and local grain markets, the opportunities of maize grain and how it can fit into a dairy system.