With our regular host Bryan Gibson still laid low with covid this week, senior journalist Richard Rennie talks to Joanne Todd, director of the high value food and beverage National Science Challenge, talks about the Challenge's funding round coming to an end this week, with no prospect of any immediate funding to fill the gap. While a review is underway on the country's entire science funding programme, this will take months and leaves scientists and researchers without any grant income in the meantime.

Regulations are seen by farmers as one of the major constraints upon farm operations today. Federated Farmers board member and arable farmer David Birkett outlines some specific concerns with Health and Safety regulations. Despite their best intentions, farmer fatalities and injuries have not declined in the past decade, prompting calls for a review and practical revamp of regulations. David outlines his firsthand experiences with the regulations and how pressure on farmer employers could be better shared when it comes to regulations by placing more expectation on employees and contractors to acknowledge the part they play in looking after themselves on farm.

Richard also chats with veteran agri journalist and colleague, senior reporter, Hugh Stringleman, on two stories Hugh has been following in past weeks. They talk about the annual stud bull sale results which, after relatively flat values this season, have finished with some top prices being paid for bulls sold by East Coast's Tangihau Angus. Then they take a look at the trials of Synlait dairy company, due to repay $130 million within two weeks and holding a special meeting to agree on funding.