Listen to The Country online: Jane Smith on meeting Damien O’Connor

When former Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor met North Otago farmer Jane Smith.

Today on The Country radio show, host Jamie Mackay catches up with North Otago farmer Jane Smith to learn more about her photo with former Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor, of whom she’s been a very vocal critic.

On with the show:

Christopher Luxon:

The Prime Minister ponders the positive effects Fonterra’s $3.2 billion capital return sugar hit could have for the rural economy.

Plus, whether he overstepped the mark by chewing the ear of the Reserve Bank?

We also ask what an acceptable economic growth rate is, and whether Todd McClay wasted his time talking tariffs in Washington.

Jane Smith:

It was like a picture-perfect photo shoot for the Women’s Weekly, two high-profile rural personalities arm-in-arm on a North Otago farm.

But hang on - it’s Jane Smith and Damien O’Connor. Have they buried the hatchet?

Plus, we discuss the Ravensdown director election and the state of the red meat industry with a North Otago farmer and award-winning environmentalist.

Stefan Vogel:

The RaboResearch general manager for Australia and New Zealand shares his thoughts on where interest and exchange rates are going.

Rick Ladd:

Brandt’s director of sales, New Zealand – agriculture, on how Fonterra’s $3.2 billion capital return will affect the rural supply industry.

Listen below: