‘Never mind the b*llocks', get into Federated Farmers Farm Day - Read more »

Clean streams report shows dairy's openness - Read more »

Electricity is farm critical, Select Committee told - Read more »

Fonterra rescues organic milk suppliers - Read more »

Don't blame farmers for AgResearch cuts - Read more »

Rural broadband plan good first step, but needs more - Read more »

American dairy farmer fears unfounded - Read more »

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

Have your say on personal grievances - Government has announced a review of part 9 of the Employment Relations Act 2000, relating to personal grievances. The review's aim is to identify areas that are not working well, to find ways to improve the law so it strikes a fair balance between employers and employees and to ensure it does not impose unnecessary costs. Federated Farmers will be submitting on the review, so we would be interested in the views of members on whether the current law is working and if not how it can be improved. To comment, please contact Nick Clark by clicking here.

Appeal lodged - Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty has lodged an appeal with the Environment Court on the Western Bay of Plenty District Plan this week. The Federations involvement in the submission and hearing process resulted in a number of good changes made to the reviewed District Plan. However, a few concerns remain and the appeal has been lodged to ensure the plan is consistent with the Resource Management Act, better protects farming from complaining newcomers and doesn't place unnecessary restrictions on rural working landscapes for amenity purposes.

Landscape and natural values in Taupo, is your farm affected? - Taupo District Council has released its decision on the landscape and natural values plan change. This plan change mapped areas as outstanding natural landscape areas, amenity landscape areas and also significant natural areas. These are not only on crown or Department of Conservation land, but can also be mapped on private property and farms. Federated Farmers wants to know of any members who have one of these classifications identified on their property and if this affects your farming activities. If members are unfairly affected by this plan change, then Federated Farmers will look to lodge an appeal with the Environment Court.  For more information, please contact Federated Farmers Rotorua/Taupo policy advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

Farm sales down - The latest rural sales statistics from Real Estate Institute of New Zealand have revealed further falls in both the value and volume of farm sales. The national median farm sale price was $1,045,000 for the three months to February 2010, down from $1,265,000 in February 2009 and $1,750,000 in February 2008. Meanwhile, the total number of farms sold in the three months to February 2010 was 205, down from 276 in February 2009 and 713 in February 2008. A slump in the sales of dairy farms was particularly noted by the Real Estate Institute.

Councils spending and rates continue to rise - Statistics NZ's Local Authority Statistics show that for the year ended December 2009 operating spending rose by 7.8 percent to $7.0 billion and rates revenue by 6.6 percent to $3.9 billion. The growth in spending appears to have moderated slightly compared to increases of over 9 percent per annum in 2005, 2007 and 2008 and this moderation has also been reflected in the growth in rates revenue. While any moderation should be welcomed, 2009's increases in both operating spending and rates were still well in excess of inflation, plus population growth, and were imposed in the midst of the recession.

Productivity down - Labour productivity fell 1.5 percent in the year to March 2009, according to Statistics New Zealand's Productivity Statistics. The decline in labour productivity was driven by the fall in output - that is, real GDP of 2.2 percent, while workforce hours fell 0.7 percent. Taking a longer 30 year period, growth in multifactor productivity has averaged 0.9 percent per annum. By far the best years for productivity growth were the 1990s, when multifactor productivity grew by an average of over 2 percent per year, while the worst years were 2006-09 when it was in decline. The challenge if New Zealand is to ever catch up with Australia is to arrest and reverse this decline.

Agribusiness review - Rabobank's specialist Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) division has just released the March issue of the New Zealand & Australia agribusiness review, with commentary on the regions economic and agricultural conditions. If you would like to read the full report, please click here.

1080 public awareness meeting cancelled - The planned public awareness meeting on 1080 planned for the Rotorua District Council (not Ruapehu) in early April has now been cancelled.

Conservation Board nominations - The Department of Conservation is currently seeking nominations for suitably qualified people to be considered for appointments to the Conservation Boards in 2010. There are 49 public vacancies arising across the 134 Conservation Boards nationwide. All nominations and any recommendations need to be received by the relevant Conservancy Office on behalf of the Minister no later than Wednesday, 7 April. For more information, please click here.

Young agricultural professionals wanted to visit Japan - The Japanese Embassy is calling for applicants to its Invitation Programme for Special Fields Counterparts which will be sending 50 young New Zealanders, who are either engaged or interested in agriculture, to visit Japan this year. Participants will spend 10 days over July in Tokyo and Hokkaido experiencing Japanese agriculture, society and culture. The programme includes lectures, meeting government and industry people, visits to agricultural sites and cultural events. The aim is to provide insight into Japanese agriculture and to develop a mutual understanding between Japan and New Zealand. Applications close on Friday, 2 April 2010. For terms and conditions and an application form, please click here.

NZDIA Northland - Congratulations to the below New Zealand Dairy Industry Northland regional winners. The 2010 Northland Sharemilker of the Year has been awarded to Kent and Jennifer Martin, who also take home the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award. The 2010 Northland Farm Manager of the Year winner is Mark Clements and the 2010 Northland Dairy Trainee of the Year award has gone to Michael Deal.

NZDIA Auckland/Hauraki - Congratulations to the below New Zealand Dairy Industry Auckland/Hauraki regional winners. The 2010 Auckland/Hauraki Sharemilker of the Year has been awarded to Dave and Lisa Ritchie, who also take home the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award. The 2010 Auckland/Hauraki Farm Manager of the Year winner is Paul Mahoney and the 2010 Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Trainee of the Year award has gone to Leon Wynolts.

NZDIA Waikato - Congratulations to the below New Zealand Dairy Industry Waikato regional winners. The 2010 Waikato Sharemilker of the Year has been awarded to Bas Nelis, who also takes home the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award. The 2010 Waikato Farm Manager of the Year winner is William McKnight and the 2010 Waikato Dairy Trainee of the Year award has gone to Dan Wong.

NZDIA Bay of Plenty - Congratulations to the below New Zealand Dairy Industry Bay of Plenty regional winners. The 2010 Bay of Plenty Sharemilker of the Year has been awarded to Jon and Steph Russell, who also take home the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award. The 2010 Bay of Plenty Farm Manager of the Year winner is Russell Meade and the 2010 Waikato Dairy Trainee of the Year award has gone to David Kehely.

NZDIA Taranaki - Congratulations to the below New Zealand Dairy Industry Taranaki regional winners. The 2010 Taranaki Sharemilker of the Year has been awarded to Greg and Hannah Topless, who also take home the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award. The 2010 Taranaki Farm Manager of the Year winner is Marc Jackson and the 2010 Taranaki Dairy Trainee of the Year award has gone to Dougan Butler.

NZDIA Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua - Congratulations to the below New Zealand Dairy Industry Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua regional winners. The 2010 Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua Sharemilker of the Year has been awarded to Clarence and Elise Stolte, who also take home the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award. The 2010 Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua Farm Manager of the Year winner is Monty Monteith and the 2010 Manawatu/Rangitikei/Horowhenua Dairy Trainee of the Year award has gone to Darrell Rose.

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.

West Coast/top of South NZDIA dinner - The NZDIA dinner for the West Coast/top of the South region will be held from 6.30pm Monday, 22 March at the Shantytown, Greymouth. Tickets are $60 and available from Shane Kelly by calling 03 738 0401.

Canterbury/North Otago NZDIA dinner - The NZDIA dinner for the Canterbury/North Otago region will be held from 6.30pm Wednesday, 24 March at the Grand Chancellor, Christchurch. Tickets are $70 and available from Carman Ryan by calling 03 371 6170.

Otago NZDIA dinner - The NZDIA dinner for the Otago region will be held from 6.30pm Friday, 26 March at Balcultha Memorial Hall. Tickets are $60 and available from Daniel and Judy Gordon by calling 03 417 4642.

Holiday entitlements for Easter - The public holidays over the Easter period are Good Friday and Easter Monday. Easter Sunday is NOT a public holiday. This means that those employees who normally work on Sunday are not entitled to a paid day off, or time and a half for the hours they work (unless this is provided for in their employment agreement). Easter Sunday (4 April) is also a restricted trading day, which means that some shops must close on this day.

Industry-backed learning to improve productivity - Invest in your staff and your business while improving your management skills and staff performance. Agriculture ITO has a National Diploma in Agribusiness Management, National Certificate in Agriculture and other one-day workshop programmes to suit any level. Contact your Agriculture ITO advisor on 0800 691 111, or click here to visit their website.

Small Business Management courses - Open Polytechnic's small business courses provide practical, useful, targeted skills and information to help your business survive in today's competitive environment. 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.

Versatile and Totalspan coupons - Don't forget to use your Versatile and Totalspan coupons from the summer edition of the National Farming Review for great member only building offers. Get $3000 manufacturer's cash back on any Versatile home purchase or $1000 manufacturer's cash back on any Totalspan building purchase over $15,000. Offer available until Wednesday, 31 March. For another copy of the coupon please call 0800 327 646. Terms and conditions apply.

On-farm management and insurance advice - FMG provides on-farm risk management and insurance advice specific to your needs. FMG have d a wealth of knowledge and insights that help you achieve your goals. For more information, please contact FMG by clicking here. Mention the Friday Flash and FMG will send you a free cowshed fire claims scenario and rain chart.

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.

The Road to Castle Hill: A High Country Love Story - Christine Fernyhough's first High Country tale is now available on the Federated Farmers website. Warm and humorous, this inspirational book tells the story of a woman bold enough to do what many urbanites dream of: embark on an entirely new life and throw herself into a considerable challenge. Federated Farmers have it for the great price of $38.50 for members (non-members $45.50). Beautifully illustrated, The Road to Castle Hill is also a celebration of New Zealand's high-country way of life.

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 - "Never mind the b*llocks' and get into Federated Farmers Farm Day". President, Don Nicolson urges you all to come along to a Farm Day next Sunday.