Farmer Manifesto offers sound advice to aspiring councillors - Read more »

Lignite ‘gold' for Southland's economic development - Read more »

No time to increase the Official Cash Rate - Read more »

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

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

Did you see or speak to the late Scott Guy at SIDE in Invercargill? - Police investigating the murder of Feilding farmer, Scott Guy, wish to speak to anybody who saw and/or spoke to Scott in Invercargill between Sunday, 20 and Thursday, 24 June. Scott and his brother-in-law travelled with Air New Zealand from Palmerston North to Invercargill, via Christchurch on the 4.25pm flight, arriving in Invercargill at 7.25pm on Sunday, 20 June. They both attended SIDE, staying at the Moana Court Motel on Tay Street. Both Scott and his brother-in-law departed Invercargill on 24 June on the 6.45 am flight back home, via Christchurch, arriving in Palmerston North at 9.30am. Police are interested in any after-conference activities that Scott may have attended or participated in, or if he was seen in Invercargill's CBD during his time in Invercargill. If you have any information whatsoever, please contact 0800 808 585. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Earthquake recovery - Federated Farmers wishes to advise that the Federation's lead contact for earthquake enquiries from members is Policy Advisor, Carly Sluys. Alternatively, you can contact the Rural Recovery Group at Selwyn District Council on 03 347 2800. To contact Carly, please call 0800 FARMING, or click here to send her an email.

FMG earthquake claims - FMG has begun settling earthquake claims in Canterbury and is doing everything it can to help the region's farmers get back on track - including waiving the excess on customers' policies for Canterbury earthquake-related claims. It is business as usual regarding existing customers' policy renewals and for non-customers wanting to commence insurance with FMG. FMG is considering applications for cover on a case-by-case basis. A further update will be provided in next week's Friday Flash.

Federated Farmers speaks at Franklin hearing - Federated Farmers spoke at a hearing for Plan Change 25 of the Franklin District Plan on Monday. Plan Change 25 deals with natural hazards, esplanade reserves and earthworks. Federated Farmers congratulated Council for exempting farming, forestry and horticulture earthworks from needing resource consent. However, we raised concerns that large-scale earthworks for network utilities could go ahead, without having to manage adverse effects on farms. For more information, contact Regional Policy Advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

Stock underpasses in Waipa district - Federated Farmers representatives met with Waipa District Council last week to discuss stock underpasses, crossings and roadside grazing. The aim of this is to make sure that we will be working with Council right from the beginning, ensuring any new policies or bylaws are sensible and practical. One problem discussed was around ownership and liability of underpasses, as these are an asset build by farmers on public road reserve. An option that seemed favourable was a licensing regime, in that the underpass is vested with Council which is then responsible for removal costs, leaving the farmer responsible for damage costs only. The licence would be able to be transferred to any new land owners if the farm is sold. For more information, contact Regional Policy Advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

OCR kept on hold - As urged by Federated Farmers, the Reserve Bank has this week kept the OCR on hold at 3.00 percent. The Reserve Bank has cited a weaker economic outlook, both globally and domestically, for its change of heart. It has not ruled out resuming the increases in the OCR, but says the pace and extent of further increases will be more moderate than previously signalled. Economic commentators now consider that the pause will last into 2011. The Reserve Bank also remarked that the Canterbury earthquake has significantly disrupted economic activity and will continue to do so and it noted that it will ‘look through' any temporary earthquake related increases in the prices of some goods and services when assessing the inflation situation.

Notification of the rebate change - From 1 October this year, FMG is introducing the convenience of paying your FMG premiums through your CRT, Farmlands or ATS cardholder statement, with a rebate on top of your already competitive premiums. This replaces the current FMG rebate to Federated Farmers members due to reducing use of that arrangement and it also means we can guarantee strong ongoing support for local Federated Farmers provinces, through yearly support payments based on the number of FMG members who identify themselves as Federated Farmers members to us. FMG also continues to support Federated Farmers at a national level, as a Gold sponsor and through support of Federated Farmers Farm Day and other initiatives.

Are you interested in carrot supply for rabbit control? - Federated Farmers has been contact by a member near Temuka who has surplus tonnage of carrots for sale. The surplus will be available until the end of September, as the quality will deteriorate after that point. Pricing on these current season carrots would be very attractive to the buyer. The member would also be interested in looking at ways to supply direct to those interested on a long term basis for the 2011 year and beyond. This would allow them to have a direct relationship and plan for potential volumes needed to be grown, rather than letting the buyer rely on a spot market. This also allows them to deliver a better product at a better price, minimising the chances of ticket clipping along the supply chain. If anyone is interested, please contact Hamish McFarlane on 021 447 701or at hame_mcfarlane@yahoo.com.

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.

Waikouaiti River minimum flow workshop - Otago Regional Council is holding a Waikouaiti River minimum flow workshop from 7 - 9pm Monday, 20 September at the East Otago Events Centre, Waikouaiti. Come along and discuss continuing the minimum flow setting process and minimum flow regime options and the effect of these options on community identified values. To find out more, please contact Otago Regional Council policy analyst, Anja McAlevey, on 0800 474 082.

Federated Farmers One Plan farmer update meetings - The determinations of the One Plan have been released and we encourage farmers in the region to become informed about what the plan may mean for them. For hill country farmers, the land and biodiversity chapters are likely to cause the most concern, where as for dairy farmers, the water chapters have the main impact. Federated Farmers will be running a series of farmer update meetings and we strongly encourage all farm owners, managers and employees to attend one of the following meetings. There will be two meetings taking place in the Manawatu/Rangitikei, at the Marton Rugby Clubrooms, Follett Street, Marton at 11am Wednesday, 22 September and at the Rongotea Community Hall, Wye Street, Rongotea at 7pm Thursday, 23 September. To attend a Manawatu/Rangitikei meeting, please contact Angela Hogg on 0274 320 174. There will be one meeting held in the Ruapehu region at the Peaks Motor Inn, 128 Mangawhero Terrace, Ohakune at 7pm Tuesday, 28 September, to attend contact Lyndel Stone on 027 475 5596. There will also be a meeting held in Tararua at the Woodville Racecourse, McLean Street, Woodville at 11am Thursday, 23 September and to attend you can contact Andrea Beagley on 0275 511 673. MacDougalls will be showing their commitment and support for the region, by providing a BBQ and refreshments after the meetings, giving you a chance to talk further with experts and industry advisors.

Fonterra shareholder meeting - Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury Dairy would like to invite all Fonterra shareholders to this unique meeting at 7pm Sunday, 19 September at Salmon Tales Café, 9 Railway Terrace East, Rakaia. Rick Walker, Global Account Manager, from Fonterra USA will be speaking on his role within Fonterra and about Mead Johnson as a customer, what Fonterra's key strategies are, how Fonterra goes about achieving its strategies, how these strategies are linked to the Formulated Foods vision and Fonterra's wider ingredients strategy. Please note, that because this meeting focuses heavily on strategy, it is open only to Fonterra shareholders. For more information, please contact
Frank Peters on 03 308 8142 or 027 229 7110.

Rural Staff Management programme - Staff performance can make a real difference to your farm's productivity and profit. To inspire your employees, and maximise the performance of your team, you need strong processes for hiring, training and managing your employees. Agriculture ITO's Rural Staff Management programme is a series of four, one day workshops covering employer responsibilities, legal obligations, recruitment and selection of employees, as well as teaching you the skills and strategy to motivate your staff and develop a high performing team. To enrol, or find out more, contact your local Agriculture ITO training adviser 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. The major topics covered include the 90 day trial period, discipline and dismissal, ACC claims, best practice, holidays and leave. 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 click here, call 0800 327 646 or email events@fedfarm.org.nz.

Need to get a firearms licence? - Open Polytechnic's Firearm Safety course is designed for existing firearm users and people needing to get a Firearms Licence it covers firearm and cartridge safety and security and firearms legislation. 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.

Save on health insurance with Accuro - Accuro Health Insurance is providing a special offer for members until 30 November. Qualifying members can now access the only health insurance plan recommended by Consumer, without the need for additional health questions. Accuro SmartCare offers benefit levels up to $300,000 per year, combined with loyalty benefits like health checks and flu vaccinations. Call 0800 222 876 for a quote or click here and login to apply online.

Enjoy a drop of Central's finest - Federated Farmers members are spoilt for choice this week with a fantastic selection of award winning Central Otago Pinot Noirs - all at less than half price. You can check out these, and many other great wines, at www.winesonline.co.nz.

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 - "I thought that was another aftershock!" Farming personality, Jamie Mackay, is a little confused after being rear ended by the rental car of a member of the media entourage in Christchurch last week.