REINZ farm sales data ‘farming in the real world' - Read more »

1984 comes to Animal Farm with ID scheme - Read more »

Waikato joins Northland in double drought - Read more »

Federated Farmers secures Liz McGruddy for water team - Read more »

Meetings underway to discuss Fonterra's new structure - Read more »

Biosecurity law change loads costs on to industry - Read more »

Cancun a wake up call for New Zealand's ETS - Read more »

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

Biosecurity Law Reform Bill tabled in the House - A new Bill to amend the Biosecurity Act, the Maritime Transport Act, the Ombudsmen Act, the Wild Animal Control Act and the Wildlife Act has been read for the first time in Parliament. The Bill is looking at improving New Zealand's biosecurity system from a pest management, to incursion response perspective. Federated Farmers is agreed that biosecurity needs a shake up, but we are not totally aligned with what Government is proposing. There is support for some of the changes, but we are strongly opposed to joint cost sharing with Government for national readiness and response. This would result in all farmers being levied to cover the cost of core biosecurity for the nation's benefit. Basically, Government is passing the cost of a core role onto industry groups who have no influence on the border biosecurity system. Federated Farmers will be submitting, with a report back date of 10 February to Select Committee. For more information, please contact General Manager of Policy and Advocacy, Mark Ross, on 0800 327 646.

Red Meat Sector Strategy update - Consultation with stakeholders on the work undertaken by Deloitte as part of the development of a red meat sector strategy will take place in the New Year, with a number of meetings to be held between 24 January and 18 February. We will provide more information to members about these meetings as it becomes available.

Increasing fire risks - Just as the lack of rain in many parts of the country causes worries of another drought, it also brings the concern of increasing fire risk. Farmers are warned to do everything they can to reduce fire risk on their own properties. Take careful note of your council's fire season status, restrictions and bans on burning. Also make sure you are well insured if something does go wrong. Existing farm policies and public liability insurance may not be enough, so farmers in areas that are highly prone to the effects of large scale wild fire should also consider fire suppression insurance. Taking out extra insurance could give you the comfort and certainty to initiate actions on your own property to put out fires, in addition to those that are undertaken by fire authorities, without the worry of who is going to pick up the tab.  For more information, please contact South Island Regional Policy Manager, Matt Harcombe, on 0800 327 646.

NAIT Bill introduced to Parliament - The National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) Bill has been referred to the Primary Production Select Committee for consideration. You will be aware that the Federation has submitted on NAIT in the past, but the new NAIT Bill raises issues for members that need to be addressed. Submissions on the Bill are due on 10 February 2011 and members will be contacted in the New Year for your thoughts on the Bill. The NAIT Bill can be downloaded from the Parliamentary website by clicking here hard copies can be obtained from the Meat & Fibre Policy Advisor, David Burt, at dburt@fedfarm.org.nz or on 0800 327 646. The Federated Farmers 2008 submission to MAF Biosecurity New Zealand about the proposal to establish a NAIT scheme can also be found online, by clicking here.

Transpower lines at Wairakei-Whakamaru - Federated Farmers has submitted on the Notice of Requirement and resource consent applications for a new electricity transmission line from Wairakei to Whakamaru, near Taupo. Federated Farmers highlighted the importance of fair compensation and easement agreements for land owners who will have the lines crossing their farms. Consent conditions were also scrutinised, with Federated Farmers submitting that a condition requiring Transpower to fix any damage they cause on public roads and entranceways be extended to privately owned ones as well. Members affected by the Wairakei-Whakamaru C Line can contact Nigel Billings or Rhea Dasent with any concerns about the process on 0800 327 646.

Further submissions to Hauraki District Plan - Federated Farmers has lodged a further submission to the Hauraki District Plan. The further submission stage is a chance to agree, or oppose, what other submitters are asking for and Federated Farmers took this opportunity to oppose Environment Waikato's submission that the definition of ‘indigenous vegetation' should be changed from bush made up of wholly native species, to only partly native species. This could mean that scattered manuka in gorse could be classified as ‘indigenous vegetation'. Federated Farmers felt that efforts are better directed at areas of indigenous vegetation that operate as a healthy indigenous ecosystem. For more information, please contact Regional Policy Advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

Otorohanga stockyards set back rule - Federated Farmers submitted on the proposed Otorohanga District Plan at the end of November. One of the rules that Federated Farmers opposed was that ‘compounds used to hold or process animals' had to be at least 100m away from boundaries fronting onto a road. The rule seems intended for industrial-type buildings such as abattoirs, but has instead captured normal farming structures like stockyards and horse stables through the definition. Federated Farmers asked for the rule and definition to be changed so it doesn't apply to normal farm buildings. The full submission can be read on the Federated Farmers website, by clicking here. For more information, please contact Regional Policy Advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

Government deficit blow-out - This week Government released its Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update. A more subdued short-term economic growth, combined with some one-off factors such as the $1.5 billion cost of the Canterbury earthquake, is forecast to increase the operating deficit before gains and losses to $11.1 billion, or 5.5 percent of GDP, in 2010/11. The cash deficit is also forecast to increase to $15.6 billion. Federated Farmers is very concerned about the impact large deficits have on interest rates and on the exchange rate and will be urging Government to take much firmer approach on Government spending which would help the export sector to deliver a stronger, more sustainable economic recovery.

Rural property market lifts - According to statistics from the Real Estate Institute of NZ, spring has brought some growth to the rural property market. The national median farm sale price pushed up from $950,000 for the three months to October to $968,500 for the three months to November. This is a 10 percent increase on the median of $880,000 for the same period in 2009, but still well down on the median of $1,542,750 for the equivalent period in 2008. In the three months to the end of November, 170 farms changed owners, still less than the 223 sold in the same three months in 2009, but an increase on the 164 farm sales in the three months to September 2010 and the 147 in the three months to October 2010.

Rates up - According to Statistics NZ's Local Authority Statistics released this week, total local authority rates were up 8.3 percent for the September 2010 quarter, compared to the September 2009 quarter. Over the same time period local authority operating expenditure was up 3.7 percent for September 2010 quarter and total operating revenue was up 5.9 percent. Federated Farmers is concerned about the ongoing level of rates increases and the impact of the distribution of rates on farmers. At a national level we are supporting reforms by Local Government Minister, the Hon Rodney Hide, and at a local level we are constantly engaging with councils on their spending and their rating policies.

Farm Confidence Survey coming soon - On 24 December Federated Farmers members will receive an email asking them to complete the January 2011 Farm Confidence Survey. The Survey, which has run since 2009, is an important six-monthly snapshot on farmer sentiment and is very useful for the Federation's advocacy efforts on behalf of members. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and the results will be released in January 2011.  To see previous survey reports click here.

Power cuts and line faults - As some areas across New Zealand are more prone to power cuts than others, and due to some rural properties having lines that span considerable geographic distances, calling to report a fault can be a very frustrating process - often taking more time to locate the property or fault, than to get the problem fixed. Federated Farmers has heard your frustration and has found out from a recent lines company meeting that it is really handy if you can note down the ‘ICP' number from your meter boxes. On new meter boxes the ICP number can be found on a sticker on the box and for old metre boxes, you can find your number on your power account. This way if you have an un-scheduled power outage and you ring your lines company to report the fault, simply give it your ICP number and you will save a lot of time and get off the phone feeling less frazzled.

Wool Partner's Cooperative share offer extended - Wool Partners Cooperative (WPC) has extended the closing date for subscriptions until 5pm Friday, 31 December 2010. Further information about the offer can be found by clicking here and subscription payments will be held and not cashed until the offer is declared unconditional. A further announcement on the status of the offer will be made early in the New Year.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards competition needs your entry now - While many regions are facing the prospect of drought and pushing yourself to compete with others seems daunting when you think your farm may be at its worst when judging comes around, it could be the best thing you could do. The Dairy Industry Awards will help you grow and improve your business as well as make you take a second look at your farm systems. Entries are open in the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions until Friday, 24 December, so enter today at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

Nomination for Federated Farmers Goats board - Nominations are being called for the position of a South Island based, grower-representative on the Federated Farmers Goats board. Long serving member, Bruce Wilson, has indicated he will not be seeking re-election. Nominations close on Friday, 21 January and nomination forms can be downloaded by clicking here. 

Notices of motion for Federated Farmers Goats 2011 conference - Notices of motion are also invited and the closing date again is Friday, 21 January 2011. Forms can be found by clicking here.

Demystifying the ETS - Hauraki-Coromandel information evening - Do you have existing areas of exotic trees, including pinaster pine? Or are you looking at establishing new areas of either exotic or native, regen or planted forest? Is the area over one hectare? If so you will be entitled to carbon credits. To find out how your trees are treated under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) come along to a forestry and ETS information evening. Deadlines for claiming carbon credits are looming - don't miss out. Information evenings will include guest speakers Sarah Pitcher-Campbell, forestry ETS specialist, Interpine Forestry Ltd and Matt Highway, land management officer, Environment Waikato. There are two meetings to be held in the Hauraki-Coromandel area, one at 7pm on Monday, 20 December at the Coroglen Hall and the other at 7pm on Tuesday, 21 December at the Hikuai Hall. For more information, and to RSVP, please contact Matt Highway on 07 866 0172.

2011 Federated Farmers Goats conference - The Federated Farmers Goats conference is heading to Central Otago in 2011. Preliminary information can be found by clicking here and registration forms can be downloaded by clicking here. An additional, optional, day has been added to the normal Federated Farmers Goats conference format, so that visitors to the area can enjoy some of the sights and tastes of Central Otago. This extra day will be on Monday, 21 February while the conference itself will be held on Tuesday, 22 and Wednesday, 23 February, finishing at lunchtime. Gold panning, curling and vineyard visits are also being planned, in addition to farm visits and the normal business of conference. The venue for next year's conference is the Centennial Court Motor Inn, Alexandra.

Federated Farmers leadership programme 2011 - Are you interested in becoming more involved in your community? Have you ever considered building your leadership skills to influence and inspire others? If this sounds like you, then we want you on our leadership programme. Federated Farmers is committed to growing new agricultural leaders and offers a two part leadership training opportunity. Our level one course, Getting Your Feet Wet, provides an introduction to agricultural policy and advocacy and is to be held next from 23 - 24 February 2011. Our level two course, Shining Under the Spotlight, offers a challenging and positive environment to practice your presentation skills and strategic thinking. The next Shining Under the Spotlight course will be held 6 - 7 April 2011. Both courses are run on site from the Federated Farmers Wellington office. To register on a course, or for more information, email events@fedfarm.org.nz or phone 0800 327 646. Our courses fill quickly so registering early will ensure you're not disappointed.

Enrol for all your 2011 Agriculture ITO course now - Don't forget that you can enrol in next year's courses now, as trainees who are able to enrol and pay for their upcoming courses in 2011 before 24 December 2010, will pay at the current fee price. Agriculture ITO would also like to remind all prospective and current trainees that it will be closed from midday Friday, 24 December until Monday, 10 January. The industry training organisation looks forward to working with you in 2011, as it's going to be a great year for training! Remember, to find out more about this course and many more, contact an Agriculture ITO training advisor on 0800 691 111 or visit www.agricultureito.ac.nz.

Are you prepared for the holidays? - For all your Christmas wine orders, visit Winesonline.co.nz. Winesonline.co.nz has a fantastic selection of bubbles, white and red wines to see you through Christmas and New Years, and as always, something for everyone's palate and wallet. To view all these great wine offers, just go to www.winesonline.co.nz.

Ravensdown Flysafe® - Trust Ravensdown to protect your sheep from flystrike with new Flysafe® Liquid and Flysafe® Spray-On. Call 0800 100 123 for more information.

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.

As it is the final Friday Flash for 2010, we would like say goodbye to the year with a salute to what we think are the top five quotes of 2010.

From everyone at Federated Farmers, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. The Friday Flash will return on Friday, 7 January 2011.

Quotes of the year -

5.  "And you get paid to do this? I've been spraying gorse all day and I've been thinking there must be a better way". One farmer considers trading his backpack sprayer for a computer.

4.  "This is the last and final boarding call for Conor English, passenger to Wellington". Air New Zealand gives Federated Farmers Chief Executive, Conor English, a final hurry up.

3.  "This nation is built by people in boots, not men in suits!" Spoken by Don Nicolson, inspired by Montevideo, Uruguay.

2.  "It's hard soar like an eagle, when you're working with turkeys". Anon.

1.  "I never stop the love Don". The love's as strong as ever between Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, and Don Nicolson