C'mon Rodney - let's focus on the real issues - Read more »

Farmers say well done Reserve Bank - Read more »

Federated Farmers welcomes cable proposal - Government must do more - Read more »

Mad council decisions, part 40 - Read more »

Hold OCR but send a message, farmers urge - Read more »

Phantom foreign farm sales highlight due diligence hole - Read more »

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

Dam safety scheme - Government has asked an independent body to review the Dam Safety Scheme, the regulatory system for ‘large dams' which is due to come into effect on 1 July 2010.  Federated Farmers is keen to learn more about whether large dams on farms do pose a safety risk and what potential costs are faced by dam owners. A large dam is one that can hold more than 20,000 cubic metres of water and retains three or more metres depth, of which there are estimated to be around 1,150 in New Zealand. For more information on the scheme please click here. If you would like to find out more about Federated Farmers perspective and/or give feedback on the scheme, please click here.

Information needed - Federated Farmers is calling for anyone who can provide any information on the recent burglaries that have taken place in the Broadfield area in Canterbury. One member in particular has had two of items taken, including an International 85 XL, two wheel drive tractor. The registration number is 46UQQ, but the registration plate is inside the cab. The chassis number B5100193002021 and it has a factory cab, straight pipe with a weather cap and is turbo. This member has also had a red, New Holland 315 baler taken. The baler has yellow pick up wheels and power shaft. Both items were last seen heading toward the Clear Water Resort around 11pm on Monday, 1 March. If anyone has any information, please phone the Lincoln police or John Morrish on 027 483 2849.

Kaipara District Plan update - Federated Farmers has lodged a further submission on the proposed Kaipara District Plan. Being given the chance to submit further allows stakeholders the opportunity to read what other submitters want to see in the district plan and to indicate support or opposition to their points. Federated Farmers has supported some forestry provisions in recognition that many farms have mixed use between forestry and pastoral farming. The further submission will be available on the Federated Farmers website soon.

That time of the year again - Gisborne District Council is one of the first cabs off the rank in releasing its Draft Annual Plan for comment. The annual plan season is a busy time for Federated Farmers staff and elected representatives alike as we submit on more than 60 council plans around the country. Councils use this process to seek community feedback on upcoming activities, budgets and projects and as all these council expenditure items have an impact on the rates you pay, it is important you take the opportunity to have your say. Keep an eye out for council circulars in your mail box and Friday Flash items that will help you to stay informed. Gisborne District Council requires feedback on its plan by 26 March so please contact regional policy advisor, Hilary Walker, by clicking here or calling 0800 327 646 for more information.

Rates gone mad - Last night over 60 farmers from the Waimakariri district met to discuss the ridiculous rates increases the area has been dealing with over the last few years. Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial president, Chris Sundstrum, explained the inequities in a rating system that has seen significant increases in rates for farmers, while all other rate payers have received rates reductions. Last year some farmers had increases of over $8,000 in their rates, an impossible amount to anticipate in farm budgets. Farmers last night were urged to make submissions to council to explain their personal situations and lack of faith in the current rating system. For more information, please contact regional policy advisor, Anna Mackenzie, by clicking here.

Irrigation New Zealand visit to Otago - Federated Farmers senior policy advisor, Lionel Hume, was this week part of an Irrigation New Zealand visit to irrigation schemes and potential water infrastructure projects in central and North Otago. The visit has highlighted the great economic, social and environmental values that investment in water infrastructure can bring. Coincidentally, a cluster of central Otago irrigation scheme groups, along with the Central Otago District Council, met with the Minister of Agriculture this week to ask for Government support for crucial water infrastructure development.

Water users exasperated by charges - Environment Southland (ES) has indicated in communications on the imminent release of its draft annual plan that it wants to reintroduce charges for water resource consent holders. Last year, after a huge protest from users including Federated Farmers, these charges were shelved and consent holders were lead to believe charges would not only continued to be on hold until 2011, but also that council would actively consult users on the nature and extent of the charges. However, ES maintain charges were only ever shelved until this year. After some heated meetings between ES, Federated Farmers and key consent holders, ES has decided to forge ahead with the officially termed, Annual Research and Monitoring charges. The decision to bring back the charges in a new form has been damaging to the increasingly positive relationship between ES and Federated Farmers. The charges were announced in the local paper on a Monday morning without any prior warning. For more information, please contact Federated Farmers Southland president, Rod Pemberton on 03 446 6666 or 027 295 5129.

Terms of trade up - The merchandise terms of trade rose 5.7 percent in the December 2009 quarter, according to Statistics NZ's Overseas Trade Indices. This means that 5.7 percent more imported goods could be funded by a fixed quantity of exported goods than in the September 2009 quarter. The rise in the terms of trade in the December 2009 quarter were the largest since the March 1976 quarter, following six consecutive quarterly falls. The latest quarterly rise was due to a 5.8 percent drop in import prices overshadowing a 0.3 percent fall in export prices. Export meat prices were down 8.3 percent but dairy prices were up 5 percent.

Manufacturing recovering from the depths - Total manufacturing activity rose 3.1 percent in the December 2009 quarter, according to Statistics NZ's Economic Survey of Manufacturing. This follows a fall of 1.7 percent in the September 2009 quarter, when a nine year low was reached. Eleven of the fifteen manufacturing industries showed rises in volume for the December quarter, with meat and dairy processing up 4.6 percent and other food processing up 5.8 percent. However, while their volumes were up, the total sales values for meat and dairy processing fell 2.1 percent because of lower sales prices. Business NZ's monthly performance of manufacturing index is also showing a slow but steady recovery in manufacturing.

Food prices down - Food prices fell by 1.3 percent in the month of February, according to Statistics NZ's Food Price Index. Fruit and vegetables were down 3.5 percent, meat, poultry, and fish were down 2.4 percent, while grocery food was down 0.8 percent. For the year ended February 2010, the index was up 0.7 percent, a dramatic moderation in food price inflation compared to 2008/09 when annual food price inflation ran at 8 to 10 percent.

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.

1080 public awareness meeting - Ruapehu District Council is holding a public awareness meeting on 1080 from 4.30pm Sunday, 4 April at the council buildings, 59 - 63 Huia Street, Taumarunui. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Jim Nicklin by clicking here.

Requiring employees to take holidays - In most workplaces, staff take holidays at a time agreed between them and their manager. In practice, employers often agree to holiday requests by employees and the Holidays Act prohibits employers from withholding consent unreasonably. Further, an employer must allow an employee to take their statutory annual holiday entitlements within 12 months of the entitlement arising. Employers may require staff to take holidays without their agreement in certain circumstances. For example, if an employer and employee cannot agree on timing, bearing in mind the inherent obligation on both parties to act in good faith, the Act gives the employer the right to require the employee to take holidays. However, the employer must give the employee at least 14 days notice.

Looking to work with children? - Open Polytechnic has several courses starting at entry level for those interested in a career with children. 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.

Winesonline - This week Winesonline has Hawke's Bay's finest, Barking Dog, from only $8.95. Remember, Winesonline has fantastic wines, free chocolates and no rural delivery fees. Check out the great selection 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.

Ben & Mark, Boys of the High Country - Christine Fernyhough's true story of two boys who live on one of New Zealand's largest high-country stations, with stunning photographs by John Bougen is now available for sale on the Federated Farmers website. Federated Farmers have it for the special price of $30 for members (non-members $36.99). Ben & Mark, Boys of the High Country is destined to become a New Zealand classic and would make a beautiful gift. We have a limited number so get online, by clicking here and order yours today.

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.

Quote of the week - "C'mon Rodney, leave the toys in the cot and focus on the real issues," regional policy advisor, Richard Gardner, voices his frustrations around Rodney's mayor pushing for independence from the ‘new' Auckland.