The Country - Birthday edition

Today as we celebrate our executive producer's birthday with some classic rock sounds, The Country catches up with the new leader of the Opposition to test his rural credentials.

On with the show:

Simon Bridges:

We introduce the new National Party leader to The Country's listeners and ask if he's following in a long line of farmer-friendly Nats?

Todd Charteris:

We catch up with Rabobank's new chief executive at day one of the Northland Fieldays at Dargaville.

Shane McManaway:

The Wairarapa-based chief executive of Allflex talks about the Golden Shears, a big dairy event in North Otago and the importance of using technology for animal traceability.

Chris Russell:

Our Australian correspondent updates action from across the ditch where there's a new National Party leader, a move towards home kill and some killer rock melons on the move!

Kieran McAnulty and Tim van de Molen:

Today's panel features two new MPs who in a past life were, respectively, a TAB Bookie and a Young Farmer of the Year.

Listen to the show below: