The Country - Bananas edition

Growing bananas...in New Zealand? Today The Country has a chat to Trevor Mills who is doing just that.

On with the show:

Nathan Guy:

The former Minister for Primary Industries says his home patch of the Otaki electorate is the epi-centre of the drought plus he comments on M. bovis and Fonterra's dubious investment in China.

Rob Hewett:

The chairman of Silver Fern Farms talks about how the Big Dry is biting and affecting throughput plus we look at the current great prices for mutton, lamb and venison (up 50%, 35% and 25% respectively).

Sarah Barr:

Is a facilitator for the South Canterbury Rural Support Trust who discusses how the rural trusts are supporting the farming community through M. bovis and drought.

Trevor Mills:

We take a look at the introduction of a commercial banana growing industry in the East Coast and Wairoa areas by local company Tai Pukenga which is also into its third season of growing hemp in the region.

Jane Smith and David Broome:

Today's panel features a former winner of the BFEA and the former chief of staff for Winston Peters, as we ponder where's Winnie?

Listen below: