It's raining primary growth partnerships - Read more »

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

Changes to the Building Act - Last week Government announced its planned changes to the Building Act. The Act will be amended so that it's clearer for builders, designers, building consent authorities and consumers. The changes also aim to cut red tape and lower the compliance costs involved in the building process. This includes streamlining the consent process for a number of low risk buildings in rural zones. The proposed measures will hopefully lead to a more productive, efficient and accountable building and construction sector. Changes will be phased in from later next year. To find out more, either click here or email Policy Advisor, Matt Scott, by clicking here.

1080 residue in the West Coast - The Animal Health Board (AHB) can report that no 1080 residue was found in any of the water samples taken on the West Coast as a result of landowner consultation. More than 70 samples were taken to reassure landowners that the measures used to determine exclusion zones work effectively. The test results came as no surprise because West Coast water supplies were excluded from aerial operations and the use of advanced GPS technology allows the AHB's contractors to utilise very accurate flight paths to determine precise exclusion zones.

Operative rules for scrub clearance on hill country - Federated Farmers Ruapehu and Wanganui met with Horizons councillors and staff yesterday in Ohakune to discuss operative rules for scrub clearance on hill country for the next spray season. After the debacle of abatement notices and consents in the field last year, we felt strongly that we must have clear direction from Horizons. Despite the upcoming release of the One Plan and any changes it may produce, we were pleased that Horizons agreed to work under the operative Land and Water Plan 2003 for the coming season, with no cross over. What that means is that if you are spraying scattered scrub over pasture you are fine, however, f there is a block of more than two hectares continuous scrub then you will need to ask an environmental land management officer (ELMO) to visit and discuss any mitigating measures you may need to take. Horizons has agreed to keep it simple and we applaud them for this approach. For more information, please contact Regional Policy Advisor, Tessa Mills, on 0800 327 646.

Ruapehu District Plan extension - Ruapehu District Council has extended its timeframe for providing submissions on the proposed Ruapehu District Plan. Many farmers will be impacted by the proposed new rules - some changes are positive such as extended the forestry setback distance from neighbouring properties and some are potentially less favourable such as the new subdivision rules and buffering around Department of Conservation land. Federated Farmers encourages all farmers to let Council know how they feel about any of the proposed changes by submitting to Council. We are also preparing a submission of behalf of our members and are keen to hear how any of the proposed changes will impact you or your farm. Have your say by contacting Council directly or by letting us know your concerns by emailing Regional Policy Advisor, Kelly Martyn, by clicking here. Submissions now close on Friday, 10 September 2010.

Manawatu River Accord - The Manawatu River Accord was due to be signed by all participants on 9 August. Within the document for signing, Federated Farmers strongly believes, are untrue and emotive statements that should not be part of an accord such as this. If Accord partners are to make serious progress, we have to deal with facts and reject emotion and propaganda. Federated Farmers will sign an amended document as we wholeheartedly back the goals and objectives of the Accord and that an accord such as this does have real merit. John Barrow, Federated Farmers Tararua provincial president, gave his personal assurance to forum members on the day of the signing ceremony, that we fully supported the forum and would work constructively to achieve desired outcomes. However, we could not sign at this time as our concerns have not been acknowledged and to sign on behalf of our voluntary members requires full commitment to the document which given current wording, is just not possible.

Are farm sales recovering? - According to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand's July Rural Market Report, the three months to the end of July saw 262 farms change hands. This is an increase on the 229 sold in the same period last year, but still less than 45 percent of the 601 sold in the three months to July 2008. The national median farm sale price picked up to $1,118,500 for the three months to July, a lift from $1,035,000 for the three months to June 2010. But, the latest July figure is still below the median of $1,200,000 for the same three months in 2009 and is significantly down on the median of $1,800,000 for the equivalent period in 2008.

Input and output prices rise - Producers' output and input prices rose in the June quarter, according to Statistics NZ's Producer Price Index. The index measures changes in prices received by producers (output prices) and changes in the costs of production (input prices). For the economy as a whole, the June 2010 quarter saw output prices rise by 1.1 percent and input prices rise by 1.4 percent. There were welcome boosts in output prices for livestock and cropping farming (up 6.0 percent) and dairy cattle farming (up 2.9 percent), reflecting higher cattle and lamb prices. Meanwhile, input prices for sheep and beef farming and dairy cattle farming rose more moderately, both up 0.7 percent.

Fonterra DRPA form - Your farm owner has an updated form that has to be returned to Fonterra by Tuesday, 31 August 2010. Please ensure you have had a catch up with your owner to confirm payment arrangements. Sight and sign this form and make a copy for your records. Remember, Fonterra's relationship is to the shareholder, not the sharemilker.

Host families needed - Host families are needed for international agricultural trainees who are coming to New Zealand for a Kiwi farming experience. Agri Venture, the international organisation which helps find the trainees host families, is struggling to keep up with the demand.  Trainees can work either solely on the farm or some, both male and female, can do a mix of work of farm work and childcare, gardening and housework. With just six weeks until the trainees arrive, there are still 35 trainees from Canada, the UK and Europe unplaced. For further details, contact Robyn Baron on 0508 32800 or email nz@agriventure.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.

Rural Butchers Conference and AGM - The 2010 Federated Farmers Rural Butchers Conference and AGM is to be held at the Rendezvous Hotel, corner of Mayoral Drive and Vincent Street, Auckland on Saturday, 25 September. An agenda is currently being developed and will be sent out in the near future, but we can announce that it will include a field trip on the afternoon of Friday, 24 September. Registration forms will also be sent out shortly. As usual, members will need to arrange their own travel to and from the conference. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact David Burt, by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646.

Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council meeting - The Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council will meet in Wellington on Tuesday, 26 and Wednesday, 27 October at the Mercure Wellington, 345 The Terrace, Wellington. The programme is currently being developed and registration forms will be sent out late next week. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Kimberley Wadsworth by clicking here or Meat & Fibre Policy Advisor, David Burt, by calling 0800 327 646 by clicking here.

Need entry level qualifications for business and computing? - Open Polytechnic offers a variety of courses suitable for those seeking their first jobs and needing basic level business administration and computing skills. 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's very, very big sale - Hurry, Versatile's very, very big sale is for the month of August only! To find out what great deals are available, call 0800 937 728 453 or visit www.versatile.co.nz.

Do you have contractors on your farm? - Ensure you have a written agreement stipulating where the responsibilities lye for payment of ACC levies and health and safety compliance.  To buy your agreement at member only prices, click 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.

Quote of the week - During a discussion regarding the Department of Conservation's request for a 500 meter buffer zone onto rural land to protect its land from pests, a farmer asked a Ruapehu District Council staff member,

"What about pig rooting on the boundary?"

To which the staff member replied,

"That's allowed because it's normal farming activity".