Canterbury earthquake (Federated Farmers Thursday update) - Read more »

What a week meeting and BBQ - Federated Farmers to hold meeting for affected - Read more »

Farmers show rural damage to the Prime Minister - Read more »

Electricity is the main concern for North Canterbury farmers - Read more »

Canterbury earthquake: can you provide assistance or need assistance? - Read more »

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

South Canterbury Finance customers - The receivers of South Canterbury Finance Ltd (in receivership) and its charging subsidiaries (the SCF Group) have confirmed that consumer and business customers who meet the SCF Group's lending criteria, will receive continued funding support. The receivers said that confirming the continuity of funding lines for performing customers would help maintain the Group's on-going business operations and preserve the value of the Group's assets. More details regarding the sale process will be made available soon, but interested parties should contact the receivers directly by clicking here.

Canterbury earthquake relief efforts - Federated Farmers would like to thank the staff in the Christchurch office, the Canterbury executive and the South Island Field Officers for working so tirelessly this week after the Canterbury earthquake. After such a traumatic event, everyone needs support and these people did all they could to try to help those affected by the earthquake and continue to do so, often on little or no sleep. Their contribution is greatly appreciated and has not gone unnoticed.

Meat sector strategy online farmer survey - A crucial part of the sector strategy development is for farmers to have their say about market behaviour, the strengths and weaknesses of the sector and other issues that need to be considered if the strategy is to succeed and provide farmers with increased incomes. Farmers are urged to participate in an online survey developed by Deloitte, on behalf of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the Meat Industry Association and the other funders of the project. To complete the survey and have your say, click here.

Bay of Plenty members empowered - Federated Farmers has assisted members to ensure that their interests are protected in relation to a proposed new electricity line across a number of farms. Members in the Papamoa Flats area of the western Bay of Plenty sought advice from the Federation after being approached by representatives of the lines company, Powerco. It is important to get good advice in situations such as this, and, Federated Farmers is always ready to assist. If you are affected by this proposed line, or are in a similar situation, please contact Senior Policy Advisor, Nigel Billings, by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646.

Steam passenger train running on 11 and 12 September - Steam Incorporated is running a steam locomotive-hauled passenger train on Saturday, 11 and Sunday, 12 September and would like to advise farmers along the route to move stock, if they think the train might trouble stock. On Saturday, 11 September the train will depart from Paekakariki at approximately 6pm and will arrive in Wellington at approximately 7pm. On Sunday, 12 September the train will depart Wellington at approximately 8.40am, travel through Carterton and will arrive in Masterton at approximately 12.30pm. The train will then depart from Masterton at approximately 1pm, travel back through Carterton and is expected in Wellington at approximately 5pm. The train will then leave for Paekakariki at 6pm and will arrive at approximately 8pm.

Federated Farmers feed list - The Federated Farmers feed lists, 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 feed lists are available to both members and non-members of Federated Farmers.

Meet the candidates for Taieri - Federated Farmers Otago is holding a Meet the Candidates night on Tuesday, 14 September from 7 to 9pm, for those standing for Dunedin City Council's Taieri ward. Each candidate will be given the opportunity to spell out why they deserve your vote and will also answer questions from the floor. Come along and hear how they intend to ensure democracy, accountability and transparency within Council and what they're going to do with the thousands of dollars a year you currently pay in rates. The meeting is being held at the West Taieri Rugby Club, Formby Street, Outram. For more information, contact Regional Policy Advisor, David Cooper, on 0800 327 646.

Celebrating 130 years of Lincoln University rugby - Formed in 1881, Lincoln University is the oldest University Club in New Zealand. It boasts a 130 year playing history and 10 successful years of sports scholarship recipients, including current All Black, Ritchie McCaw, who was in the first scholar. Next year's 130^th celebrations start with a major event in Auckland in February, regional events throughout September and a finale function in Christchurch on Thursday, 6 October, prior to the Rugby World Cup quarter finals. If you are a past player or a club official who has been involved in any competitive or social teams and you would like to receive regular news about the 25 events planned for the 130 year celebrations, please email Alumni Manager, Sarah Currie, by clicking here.

Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council meeting - The Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council will meet in Wellington on Tuesday, 26 and Wednesday, 27 October at the Mercure Wellington, 345 The Terrace, Wellington. The programme is currently being developed and registration forms can be downloaded by clicking here. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Kimberley Wadsworth by clicking here or Meat & Fibre Policy Advisor, David Burt, by calling 0800 327 646 or by clicking here.

Are your practices up to scratch? - Agriculture ITO's courses in Dairy Farm Effluent Management are designed to help dairy farm owners and managers ensure they have effective effluent management systems in place on their farms. This course will teach you how to develop an effluent management plan for your farm, how to ensure your farm meets industry standards and how to achieve a sustainable future for dairy farming in New Zealand. To enrol or to find out more, contact your local Agriculture ITO training advisor on 0800 691 111 or visit www.agricultureito.ac.nz.

Employment workshops - Federated Farmers will be holding its highly popular employment workshops throughout October and November 2010 and then again in February and March 2011. Join our employment law experts from the Federated Farmers 0800 Employment Advice Services in an informative question and answer style employment workshop. You will receive a wealth of practical legal advice, information and guidelines for dealing with a range of employee and workplace issues. The cost per workshop is $35 for members and $60 for non members. For more information on attending a workshop and to find out workshop dates and venues, please contact General Manager Events and Leadership, Kimberley Wadsworth, on 0800 327 646.

Interested in lifting your production management skills? - Open Polytechnic's National Certificate in Agriculture: Production Management is for people working in agricultural production. 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

Have a drink for Canterbury farmers - $5 from every purchase this week from Winesonline will be donated to help Canterbury farmers devastated by the earthquake.  Enjoy a great selection of award winning wines and help fellow farmers in need, visit www.winesonline.co.nz.

Paying too much for your health insurance? - Accuro Health Insurance is offering Federated Farmers members a minimum of 5 percent off standard premiums, as well as a very special 90 day offer who can check out online, by clicking here and logging in. Call 0800 222 876 to get your quote today and save.

Have a situation vacant? - Federated Farmers members can list their job vacancies for free and search for the right person at www.ruraljobs.co.nz. You can also buy all your employment contracts and agreements at member only prices, saving yourself up to $105 per contract. The range includes Applications for Employment, Casual Employment Agreements and Individual Employment Agreements - call 0800 327 646 to place your order.

Versatile's very, very big sale - Hurry, Versatile's very, very big sale is for the month of August only! To find out what great deals are available, call 0800 937 728 453 or visit www.versatile.co.nz.

Leasing stock or land? - If you are, make sure you're covered with a written agreement and don't forget that Federated Farmers members can purchase these at greatly reduced member only prices. To purchase yours, click here.

Growing brassica or maize? - Get interest free terms from Ravensdown on selected fertiliser and agrochemicals. To find out more, call 0800 100 123. Conditions do apply.

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.

Quote of the week - "The worst silos were spilt open like a can of coke thrown out of a high building," Federated Farmers North Canterbury Gain & Seeds chairperson, Murray Rowlands, comments on the state of silos in the area after Saturday's big quake.