Farmers slate Horizons lack of horizon on water - Read more »

Federated Farmers national spokesperson plays electricity peacemaker - Read more »

Taskforce report helps put wool ‘back on its own four-feet' - Read more »

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

Electricity lines: the facts - Federated Farmers fact sheets on electricity infrastructure have now been updated. This includes fact sheets on transmission lines over private land: construction of new lines and existing transmission lines across private land: maintenance and upgrades. The fact sheets provide information on key issues such as the present rules governing powers of entry onto land to maintain lines, the likelihood of compensation, easement agreements and the recently negotiated sunset clause which offers the opportunity for farmers with new lines to access annual rental payments should they become available in the future. The facts sheets are available by clicking here and logging in, or by contacting Nigel Billings by clicking here.

Inland Revenue electronic filing - Late last year the Federation expressed its concern about IRD moving to ‘e-filing' given poor rural internet connectivity. A number of members in the South Island have recently received notification that this is being implemented. Without any sense of irony - if you are affected by IRD's move to e-filing and have poor internet connectivity, can you please email details of this to Nick Clark by clicking here, or by calling 0800 327 646.

Act and the ETS - Federated Farmers Gisborne/Wairoa is pleased to welcome Act MP, John Boscawen, to Gisborne where he will be discussing the effects and implications of the ETS. Mr Boscawen is one of the most qualified people in New Zealand to be speaking on this issue and this is a great opportunity to listen, ask questions and become fully informed about this issue. John Boscawen will be speaking from 7.30pm Tuesday, 2 March at the Godzone Church, Grey Street, Gisborne.

Preparing for battle - The time has just about arrived for district and regional councils to release their rates and spending plans for 2010/11. With rates continually rising all over the country these plans always receive a lot of attention from Federated Farmers and we are more than happy to accept the challenge of representing farmers' interests. Rates are now among the biggest farm working expenses so we aim to show councils how much more farmers pay than their urban cousins, as well as highlighting the impacts on farm profitability. Keeping pressure on councils alleviates the stress on farm property value rates, while making it harder for councils to make an extra grab at farmers' wallets. For more information, please contact policy advisor, Nigel Billings, by clicking here.

Way forward for Waitomo? - Charles Digby and Stew Wadey of Federated Farmers Waikato, the Waitomo Ratepayers Group and Waitomo District Council met with the Minister of Local Government this week. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss ratepayer concerns about the level and proposed increases in Waitomo's rates and debt. All parties acknowledged that there are significant community concerns about the affordability of current and future rates and all agreed that the community and Council need to work together to seek solutions for the districts issues. Federated Farmers Waikato is committed to help drive community engagement and will continue working constructively to make progress around these issues.

Meat and Wool New Zealand director elections - Registered voters in the Western North Island and Central South Island electorates are urged to take part in the Meat and Wool New Zealand director elections. Voting papers should be arriving with you shortly and voting, by post or using the internet, closes on Wednesday, 10 March. Kirsten Bryant and Tony Gray are the candidates in the Western North Island electorate and David Douglas and Anne Munro are the candidates in the Central South Island electorate.

Commodity price update - NZX Agrifax has reported that European frozen lamb prices are at their highest level in 5 years however, the strong NZD means prices are down some 12 percent on year ago levels. US Imported bull and cow prices lifted US6c/lb to US157c/lb and US148c/lb respectively last week, while local beef schedules rose 5-10c across the country. Dairy prices eased again last week, with the dairy index slipping another 2.2 percent in USD terms. The dairy index is now sitting 11 percent off its December 2009 peak.

Producers' output prices decline in December quarter - Statistics New Zealand has this week reported a decline producers' output for the December 2009 quarter. The decline was strongly influenced by prices received by farmers. Key influences on the outputs index, which was down 0.4 percent in the December 2009 quarter, were an 8.5 percent decline for meat and meat product manufacturing, driven by lower export lamb and beef prices, a 4.8 percent decline for livestock and cropping farming, driven by lower prices for sheep and cattle and a 17.8 percent increase for dairy cattle farming, driven by higher forecast prices for milk at the farm-gate.

Meet your candidates in Taranaki - In the lead up to the Meat and Wool New Zealand (MWNZ) director elections, Federated Farmers Taranaki Meat & Fibre will be hosting a ‘meet your candidates' evening from 7.30pm Sunday, 21 February. This will be a fantastic opportunity to hear what local candidates, Kirsten Bryant and Tony Gray, can do for you. The evening will be held in the Portia conference room at the Stratford TET.

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.

Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa NZDIA dinner - The NZDIA dinner for the Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa region will be held from 6pm Tuesday, 23 February at the Copthorne Solway Park Masterton. Tickets are $70 and are available by calling Ben and Nicky Allomes on 06 376 5799.

Taranaki NZDIA dinner - The NZDIA dinner for the Taranaki region will be held from 6.15pm Friday, 26 February at the Stratford War Memorial Hall, Maranda Street, Stratford. Tickets are $65 and are available from Paul and Lorette Davidson by calling on 06 754 8222.

Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua NZDIA dinner - The NZDIA dinner for the Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua region will be held from 6.30pm Wednesday, 3 March at the Awapuni Racecourse, Palmerston North. Tickets are $65 and are available from selected RD1 stores and from Wendy Allen by calling 06 353 6889. Tickets will be on sale until Wednesday, 24 February.

2010 High Country field day - The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon David Carter, has confirmed he will speak at the 2010 High Country field day. The field day is to be held on Wednesday, 10 March and 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.

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.

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 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 by clicking here and must be returned by Wednesday, 3 March. For more information, please contact industry manager, Bob Douglas, by clicking here.

Interested in organics? - Open Polytechnic has an organic growing course which covers soil management, pest, disease and weed management and marketing. 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.

Hawke's Bay treat - This week Winesonline offer you two great award winning wines from the Hawke's Bay. Remember, Winesonline offer all Federated Farmers members free chocolates with their first order and free rural delivery. Have a look at these and all the 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.

Telecom prize pack winners - The Federation would like to thank and congratulate the following members who, by paying their subscription before 20 January 2010, won one of four $1000 Telecom prize packs. The winners are Sam and Brown Twigg (Hawke's Bay), Christine and John Arnold (Wairarapa), Jane and Steve Rossiter (Tararua) and Jill and Alex Ross (Canterbury).

Quote of the week - "Now if you'll excuse me, I think I saw a couple of beers in the fridge earlier. It's orientation week next week and I need to get in a bit of training!" Policy advisor, William McGimpsey, wishes the Federation farewell as he leaves us to return to Otago University.