The Country - Damien O'Connor edition

Damien O'Connor (left) and Kieran McAnulty with the Melbourne Cup in 2014. Photo / Andrew Bonallack.

Today on The Country, Minister of Agriculture Damien O'Connor pops in to the studio with Labour List MP Kieran McAnulty to catch up with a rather excited Rowena Duncum who is off to the Melbourne Cup!

On with the show:

Lisa Murray:

We catch up with our Met Service Weather forecaster to find out what's in store for the weekend, and ask how the weather is looking for the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

Colin Armer:

One of New Zealand's leading dairy farmers agrees it's time Fonterra got back to basics and he previews this month's Pasture Summits taking place in Waikato and Mid Canterbury.

Brian Turner:

We head to the stunning Ida Valley in Central Otago to catch up with The Country's 'resident greenie' as he tackles water quality head-on.

Barry Soper:

Our political correspondent ponders a tough week for Iain Lees-Galloway and Jami-Lee Ross.

Tim Myers and Smiley Barrett:

Today's panel features the Norwood chief executive and the brand ambassador ahead of tonight's 70th celebration dinner in Palmerston North.

Listen below: