Due diligence urged over Fonterra's Chinese operations - Read more »

Reasons to farm weka - Read more »

International recession bites incomes, Rabobank/Federated Farmers Report shows - Read more »

Rain bad for some, good for others - Read more »

Federated Farmers meets the Energy and Resources Minister - Read more »

To view the full list of media releases or to view any other publications, click here.

Farm Day 2010 - The Farm Day website has now been officially relaunched for 2010. We would love your input in showcasing farming to the urban community. Check out www.farmday.org.nz to find information on your local Farm Day farm hosts and their properties. Alternatively you can call Jo or Ali on 0800 327 646.

Significant natural areas in Hauraki district - Hauraki district is identifying significant natural areas (SNA) during their plan review process. These SNA's have been drafted into planning maps and corresponding rules and relate to chapter 6.2 of the draft plan. Federated Farmers is concerned that SNA identification needs to be based on robust criteria and around sites having regulatory implications once classified.  Federated Farmers will be holding a public meeting to discuss the district plan at the end of February, so watch this space. For more information, please contact Rhea Dasent by clicking here.

Commodity prices rise in January - Commodity prices increased slightly in January, according to the ANZ Commodity Price Index. Beef prices firmed at 5.8 percent while lamb prices lifted 1.8 percent. Dairy prices recorded a drop, the first price reduction we've measured in seven months, easing 2 percent from the preceding month. Wool also recorded an easing in price, drifting lower by 0.6 percent in January.

Lowest wage growth in eight years - According to Statistics NZ's Labour Cost Index, annual wage growth was 1.5 percent in the year to December 2009 - the lowest annual increase since December 2000 and below the annual rate of inflation. The highest industry group increases were public sector, notably education (up 3.4 percent) and health and community services (3.3 percent). At the same time, Statistics NZ's Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) results show that for the year to the December 2009 quarter, employment, as measured by the number of full-time equivalent employees, decreased 2.5 percent and filled jobs decreased by 1.7 percent.

Last change to register - Only registered voters can take part in the 2010 Meat & Wool New Zealand director elections and having your Meat & Wool New Zealand (MWNZ) levy deducted from the sale of your products does not guarantee you are on the MWNZ register. The deadline to register as a voter is Wednesday, 10 February and voter registration forms can be obtained from Electionz.com, by calling 0508 666 336 or via e-mail by clicking here. Voting papers will be sent out on Tuesday, 16 February and voting by post or the internet closes on Wednesday, 10 March.

Federated Farmers feedlist - The Federated Farmers feedlists, which include both feed wanted and feed available, can be accessed via the 0800 DROUGHT line (0800 376 844) or by clicking here. The drought line and feedlists are available to both members and non-members of Federated Farmers.

Volunteer abroad - Volunteer Service Abroad New Zealand is currently looking for two experienced forestry advisors for volunteer assignments in Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. These assignments are a great opportunity for skilled New Zealanders to gain experience working in developing communities. Likewise, the positive benefits for developing communities that result from VSA volunteer assignments are invaluable. To view more information on the Papua New Guinea assignment, please click here and for more information on the Bougainville assignment, please click here. For more information on Volunteer Services Abroad, please contact Simon Donald on 04 472 5759.

Community Irrigation Fund - The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Community Irrigation Fund (CIF) 2010/11 funding round closes for applications on Monday, 22 February 2010. CIF provides grants to promoters of community water storage and/or irrigation schemes for generating investor and community support. Applicants need to have completed a feasibility study for the irrigation scheme before applying. CIF also provides funding for local government-led water strategies. For more information and an application form, please click here or contact Loretta Dobbs, CIF Project Advisor, by clicking here.

Australian Dairy Conference 2010 - The Australian Dairy Conference is to be held from Tuesday, 23 to Friday, 26 February 2010 at the Novotel Resort, Wollongong, NSW. For more information about the conference and for registration forms, please click here.

Hawke's Bay invites you to a weekend at Waikaremoana - Last year was so great we're off to do it again. Federated Farmers Hawke's Bay invites you to Lake Waikaremoana on Saturday, 6 and Sunday, 7 March. This is a great chance to get the boat in the water and have some fun. Try the bunk houses or go for the luxury of a private cabin. For more information, please call Tania Kerr, 06 834 9604, or email her by clicking here.

Dairy council meeting - Federated Farmers Dairy is to hold its next council meeting on Wednesday, 17 and Thursday, 18 February at the Brentwood Hotel, Kilbirnie, Wellington.  The agenda and registration forms can be downloaded by clicking here and registration forms should be returned ASAP. For more information, please contact dairy policy advisor, Ann Thompson, by clicking here.

2010 High Country field day - The 2010 High Country field day will be on Wednesday, 10 March. The field day will feature a 4WD journey through the Nevis, meeting at Ben Nevis woolshed and finishing at Garston. An information sheet, registration form and hotel accommodation booking form can be downloaded by clicking here.

Federated Farmers Goats Conference - The 2010 Goats Conference is to be held at the Sudima Airport Hotel in Christchurch on Saturday, 20 March and Sunday, 21 March. The conference will include discussions on life after levies and research needs and opportunities for discussions with the Department of Conservation as well as presentations by Ian and Dawn Pirani, Federated Farmers policy advisor, Hilary Walker and Janet Brierley. The annual general meeting of Federated Farmers Goats and Mohair NZ (Inc) will be held at the Sudima Airport Hotel, Christchurch from 9.30am on Sunday, 21 March. Registration forms can be downloaded below and must be returned by Wednesday, 3 March. For more information, please contact industry manager, Bob Douglas, by clicking here.

Job descriptions - A job description is a vital part of your employment agreement. A well defined job description will make not only your life easier, but your employees' lives easier, too. When your workers know and understand exactly where their tasks and responsibilities start and finish, there will never be cause for confusion. A good job description does not have to be a huge document, it can be simple and concise. As long as it is clearly understood by all parties concerned, it will work for everyone. If your workers understand exactly what it is that they are there to do and what responsibilities and accountabilities they have, they will be able to work at a greater efficiency rate.

Ecology and sustainable environmental management - Learn the basics with Open Polytechnic's Certificate in Environment and Sustainability. The certificate introduces basic environmental concepts. For more information, click here or call 0508 650 200. Remember, Federated Farmers members get a 20 percent discount. Click here to download an enrolment form.

Red, red, red - This week, Winesonline has award winning red wines reduced to $9.95 while stocks last. All Federated Farmers members receive a small box of beautiful Belgian chocolates with their order. Have a look at these wines and other great wines by clicking here.

More member benefits and offers - To view special discounts exclusive to Federated Farmers members, please call 0800 327 646 or click here to log onto our members only area.

Contracts, agreements and leases - These include land, stock, contractor, sales and purchase, agreement to grow, log books, access pads, Over Dimension Certificates and employment. Remember, it's a legal requirement to have an employment contract for EVERY employee so if you don't have a current employment agreement, then order one now. Contracts, agreements and leases are available in both electronic and hard copy formats for your convenience. To purchase, call 0800 FARMING or click here.

Membership subscriptions - Federated Farmers would like to thank all members who have recently paid their 2010 membership subscription. A paid tax invoice/receipt will be automatically sent out to you soon along with your membership card. However, this may take a few weeks.

Quote of the week - "Let's face it, if the weka was instead a turkey, it would make us look like one for not trying." Federated Farmers game spokesman, Donald Aubrey, compares weka farming to turkey farming.