New overseas investment rules an important step - Read more »

Southland/south Otago adverse event - Tuesday update  - Read more »

Federated Farmers delivers food baskets  -  Read more »

Backyard blackmarket butchers blasted by Federated Farmers - Read more »

Southland and South Otago farmer support hits the road - Read more »

Southland Storm 2010 - Saturday update - Read more »

Canterbury earthquake week three update - Read more »

Severe weather in Southland and south Otago - Read more »

Stags shield defence boosts farmers - Read more »

Bore pumps affected by Canterbury earthquake - Read more »

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

Consultation on the minimum driving age - The Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee is calling for submissions regarding Government's proposed changes to the minimum driving age. The proposals are to raise the minimum age from 15 to 16 years of age and to extend the current learners period from 6 months to 12 months. Federated Farmers position is that experience, rather than age, is the key to safe driving, so we intend to submit to retain the minimum age at 15, while extending the learners period to 12 months. A further bill has also been released that proposes a zero alcohol limit for drivers under 20 years old and retains the current limits for drivers over 20. For more information or to provide feedback, please contact Policy Advisor, Matt Scott, by clicking here.

Feedlist now available for storm affected farmers - As a way to help farmers who face a shortage of feed, as a result of last weeks storms, Federated Farmers has compiled a list of feed available which can be found on the Federated Farmers website, by clicking here. All farmers are welcome to access this list and to make contact with the suppliers on the list and anyone who has feed is asked to consider using this service. It is important to note that Federated Farmers will not be involved in organising transport, pricing arrangements or other aspects of these transactions. Our 0800 FARMING line can also be used to list other types of help that farmers and other community members can provide to farmers, as they begin the long process of recovery. Any farmers who are concerned about how the weather has affected a mate, family member or neighbour, please call the Rural Support Trust for confidential information on 0800 787 254.

Post-storm meetings - Farmers in south Otago and Southland are in the process of recovery after two long hard weeks of trying to take care of stock, their families and their neighbours. To help, Federated Farmers is holding three meetings to give farmers the opportunity to gather information, socialise, be entertained and relax with a quiet beer. These are family events open to all farmers in the region, not just Federated Farmers members, providing some entertainment, refreshments and short talks for farmers about managing stress, insurance, financial matters and animal health. The meetings are to be held from 7pm Monday, 4 October at Menzies College Hall, Wyndham, Tuesday, 5 October at the Otautau Combined Sports Complex, Otautau and Wednesday, 6 October 2010 at the South Otago Town and Country Club, Balclutha. For more information, contact David Cooper on 0800 327 646.

New rules for SNA and landscape protection on farms in Hauraki - Federated Farmers urges members in the Hauraki district to check if they have a Significant Natural Area (SNA) or a landscape protection area mapped on their property. SNA and landscape protection areas are shown on the planning maps and SNA are also listed in a schedule of section 6.2.6 of the proposed District Plan. These can be viewed at Council's website, at the Council offices, or at your local library. There are rules that will limit your use of these areas, so if you think that your property has been incorrectly mapped, please contact Regional Policy Advisor, Rhea Dasent, and it can be incorporated into the submission. You can contact Rhea on 0800 327 646.

Otorohanga District Plan - Federated Farmers is working on a submission to the proposed Otorohanga District Plan, due in by 26 November 2010. In Federated Farmers spotlight will be outstanding natural landscapes and landscapes of high amenity value that have been mapped over the top of farmland and rules around indigenous vegetation clearance. Federated Framers aims to ensure that normal farming activities do not need to get resource consent. For more information, contact Regional Policy Advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

Review of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement - Environment Canterbury has just released a draft of its reviewed Regional Policy Statement (RPS), which will set the tone for resource management in Canterbury for the next 10 years. Regional Policy Statements now have increased importance because regional councils and territorial authorities must give effect to them through their regional and district plans. The RPS covers all aspects of resource management and can be viewed by clicking here. Feedback is due by Friday, 3 December 2010 and Federated Farmers has had substantial input during the process to date. It is vital that this input continues, so Federated Farmers will be seeking the views of members throughout October and November. There will be opportunities for public discussion of the draft RPS, with Environment Canterbury staff, throughout October at a series of regional meetings. Dates, venues and times can be downloaded, by clicking here.

Remember to vote in you local government elections - A reminder to all members to vote in the local body and hospital board elections - papers need to be in the mail by Wednesday, 6 October to make the deadline of 12 noon Saturday, 9 October. Federated Farmers Hauraki-Coromandel members can hand in their papers in to the Thames Coromandel District Council office and service centre's in Coromandel, Whangamata and Whitianga and Hauraki District Council offices in Ngatea, Paeroa and Waihi.

Exports up again in August - Total export values for August 2010 were $3.2 billion, $405 million (15 percent) higher than August 2009, according to Statistics New Zealand. Dairy products were again the main contributor to the increase in export values, up 37.9 percent on August 2009, although meat exports were down 7.6 percent. The total value of goods imported for August 2010 was $3.6 billion, up $126 million (3.6 percent) from August 2009.  In August 2010, the trade balance was a deficit of $437 million (14 percent of the value of exports), but this is smaller than usual for August months. For the year ended August 2010 the trade balance was a surplus of $866 million.

Agricultural debt edges up - Reserve Bank sector credit statistics released this week's, show that agricultural debt grew slightly in August to reach $47.8 billion by the end of the month - up 0.3 percent on the previous month and up 1.9 percent on August 2009. Meanwhile, debt for the remainder of the business community increased by 0.2 percent in August to reach $72.3 billion, but is still down 6.6 percent on August 2009. Household debt also increased by 0.1 percent to reach $181.2 billion, up 2.2 percent on August 2009. Credit to all sectors remains constrained and seems likely to remain so.

Confidence continues to ease - General business confidence has continued to ease, according to National Bank's monthly Business Outlook Survey. In September a net 14 percent of businesses expected the economy to improve over the next 12 months, down a further two points from August and a whopping 36 points off February's peak. Agriculture remains the only sector in negative territory, with a net 15.7 percent expecting the economy to worsen (up from 13.2 percent in August). However, farmers remain much more optimistic about their own businesses, with a net 24.5 percent expecting better times for their own business - the same as in August and similar to the levels of confidence for all businesses' own activity.

Calling all friendly farmers - Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre is now up and running with the new Primary Industries Trades Academy (PITA) and is keen for you to be involved! PITA is all about giving students, who are still at school, the opportunity to explore a pathway into a career in New Zealand's primary industry - Agriculture. If you are based in Wellington, Wairarapa, Tararua, Manawatu or the Rangitikei this is a great opportunity for you to give something back to the next generation of farmers and agricultural workers. We are currently looking for properties for students, who are still at school, to come out and spend some time on a farm, for a real working experience. All we are asking for is 17 days, out of a whole year, to give these keen students the kick start that they need to follow through for a career in agriculture. If you would love to take up this opportunity, or would like more information, please contact Becky Grooby on 027 591 3843 or at becky.grooby@taratahi.ac.nz.

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.

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.

The big wet for Manawatu farmers - Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei would like to invite all farmers in the eastern Manawatu area, who have been affected by the unusually challenging weather over the last few weeks, to an informal gathering to relax, catch up and have a few beers. Representatives from Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei, Totally Vets, Farmlands and other local organisations will be attending and hope to hear what challenges you have faced over the last couple of weeks, as well as being on hand to give a bit of practical advice where needed. The meeting is to be held from 5.30 - 9.30pm Thursday, 7 October at Hansens Cafe & Bar, Kimbolton Road, Kimbolton. A cash/Eftpos bar will be available and thanks to Totally Vets and Farmlands, snack food will be provided. To RSVP, please contact Angela Hogg, Field Officer for Manawatu/Rangitikei, on 027 432 0174.

Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council meeting - The Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council will be meeting in Wellington on Tuesday, 26 and Wednesday, 27 October. A copy of the meeting agenda is now available and can be downloaded by clicking here. If you wish to attend this event, please complete and submit a registration form ASAP, by clicking here. For more information, please contact Events and Leadership Manager, Kimberley Wadsworth, on 0800 327 646.

National Certificate in Agriculture, Animal Feeding and Pastures - Maximising the health and quality of your pastures and stock is vital to a well-run farm. Agriculture ITO's National Certificate in Agriculture, Animal Feeding and Pastures (Level 3) addresses these areas. Topics covered include different pasture species, weeds and the impact an agricultural system will have on soil. You'll also learn about different methods of grazing, how to balance the supply and demand of feed and assist with livestock grazing management. To enrol or find out more, contact your local Agriculture ITO training advisor 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. The first workshops are to be held on Tuesday, 26 October in Wellsford and Dargaville, then on Wednesday, 27 October in Hikurangi and Kerikeri and in Kaitaia on Thursday, 28 October. 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.

Open your world with a better education - With Open Polytechnic you don't have to stop your life to start a new one. Enrolment for trimester three is now open and you have until 10 October to take the first step on the path to your new life. Open Polytechnic also have many courses with open enrolment - meaning you can start at any time. 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.

Soil erosion workshops - The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is running a series of free workshops around the North Island about the impact of erosion on the economic and environmental sustainability of hill country. These workshops are supported by regional councils and aim to up skill participants in erosion recognition, processes and treatment options. Learn from Garth Eyles, Norm Ngapo and your local land management advisor who, combined, have more than 100 years experience in what causes erosion control, how to repair it and how to prevent it. To find out where and when the workshops are happening, and for more information, click here.

This week at Winesonline.co.nz - For great wines, great prices, free rural delivery and beautiful free chocolates, look no further than www.winesonline.co.nz.

Want health insurance recommended by Consumer? - Federated Farmers has partnered with Accuro Health Insurance to offer members a minimum 5 percent discount on the Consumer recommended SmartCare Hospital and Surgical plan. This has been combined with an outstanding 90 day launch offer, available until 30 November. For a quote, click here, login to the members only section of the website or call 0800 222 876 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.

Quote of the week - "Gidday, goodbye, good luck," Conor English farewells Regional Policy Advisor, Brigid Buckley.