Farming thumbs up to financial reporting decision - Read more »

1 in 4 farm employees lack written employment agreements - Read more »

Fonterra profit forecast positive - Read more »

Transmission lines grievance genuine - Read more »

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

Pro-competition regulatory regime - Recently Federated Farmers Dairy submitted on ‘The future of the pro-competition regulatory regime in the New Zealand dairy industry' a discussion document from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). The document discusses the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001 as it approaches the sunset clauses put in place when Fonterra was formed in 2001. Federated Farmers submitted that the Act be allowed to expire as originally intended and that as long as milk is priced fairly and efficiently that the Raw Milk Regulations remain Federated Farmers also prefers the auction system (Option 2a) as set out in the MAF ‘Review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring (Raw Milk) Regulations: Options for addressing industry concerns', May 2008. The pricing method that will be used for the 2010/11 season, while inferior to an auction system, is also acceptable. The auction system has been signalled as being an acceptable method by the Minister. To view the submission, please click here.

Review of special education - Federated Farmers is helping Rural Women get feedback for their submission on special education. This includes issues around special education needs that particularly impact on rural families and children receiving the service. If you would like to get more information and/or would like to give feedback please e-mail Executive Officer of Rural Women, Noeline Holt, by clicking here.

Tasmania visit - The executive of Federated Farmers Dairy had the opportunity to visit Tasmania earlier in the month, touring agribusinesses with their counterparts, the Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF).  This tour, which coincides with a joint conference, is an annual event where the combined groups tour Australia or, every fourth year, New Zealand. Animal welfare, the ETS, world trade and growing leadership at the farm gate level were all key discussion topics at the conference.

Regional Policy Statement for Waikato - Federated Farmers has commented to Environment Waikato (EW) on their working draft of the Regional Policy Statement. Federated Farmers has teamed up with Fonterra and Dairy NZ on this one to ensure that the rural voice is loud and clear. Water quality aspirations, the unknown implications of the Tainui Settlement and landscape amenity are key topics of concern to the agricultural industry. EW is looking to open the Regional Policy Statement for official submissions in August 2010.

Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill - Federated Farmers Waikato provincial president, Stew Wadey and North Island regional policy manager, Dr Paul le Miere, have presented a submission regarding The Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill to the Maori Affairs Committee. As a province, we have concerns around the consultation process, so have written to the Governor General who referred us to the Hon Chris Finlayson, the Minister responsible for the Bill. We are currently awaiting a response.

Taupo landscape decision - Taupo District Council has released their decision on Plan Changes 24 and 25, which deal with landscape and natural values. Federated Farmers appeared at the hearing in 2009 and opposed the protection of rural landscapes for amenity, as it fails to recognise that rural areas are working landscapes and amenity values should not take precedence over the ability to carry out farming activities. Federated Farmers will be deciding on whether to appeal to the Environment Court in the next few weeks.

Ruapehu stands strong - Federated Farmers Ruapehu met with district council this week to discuss our concerns over Horizons' desire to take land use control functions off Ruapehu. The proposed One Plan states that regional council will develop rules controlling all land use activities for the purposes of maintaining indigenous biological diversity. In Federated Farmers view this is an inappropriate blurring of regional and district council functions and erodes the ethic of local people making decisions. This planning approach has a number of impacts which are not acceptable to our members and despite the positive meeting on Tuesday we will continue to be involved until the issue is resolved.

Win for Horowhenua farmers - After consistent lobbying by Federated Farmers, Horowhenua District Council has recognised the importance of land-based primary production to the district by making a recent change to the district plan. The district plan now acknowledges that ad-hoc rural subdivision development can have adverse impacts on lawfully established and anticipated farming activities. For more information please contact, Brigid Buckley by clicking here.

Business confidence soars - Business confidence has hit a decade high, according to the National Bank's monthly ‘Business Outlook' survey. The January survey results, released this week, show a net 50 percent of respondents expect better times ahead, up 11 percentage points on December last year. This is the highest reading for business confidence since April 1999 and confidence was up across the manufacturing, agriculture, construction and service subgroups. The improved confidence in agriculture mirrors the results of Federation's own six-monthly survey on Farm Confidence, which can be viewed by clicking here.

Trade surplus in January - Statistics NZ data on overseas merchandise trade reveals that in January the trade balance was in surplus of $269 million, the highest January trade surplus recorded as a percentage of exports since 1989. Merchandise exports were valued at $3.2 billion, down $19 million (0.6 percent), while merchandise imports were valued at $2.9 billion, down $390 million (11.9 percent). Exports were a mixed basket, with casein and caseinates, cereals, flour and starch, meat and edible offal all recording large declines. Crude oil and milk powder, butter and cheese all recorded large rises.

NZDIA Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa - Congratulations to the below New Zealand Dairy Industry Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa regional winners. We are proud supporters of these awards and see this as a great way to encourage leadership in the industry and for the entrants to develop their skills. The 2010 Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa 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 Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa Farm Manager of the Year winner is Monty Monteith and the 2010 Hawke's Bay/Wairarapa Dairy Trainee of the Year award has gone to Darrell Rose.

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.

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.

Resilient Farming Systems: Prepare and Profit - MAF, Hawke's Bay Regional Council and McRae Trust Farm are hosting a forum on Resilient Farming Systems: Prepare and Profit, to discuss a range of topics affecting hill country farmers. Some of the topics that will be covered include dealing with impact of drought and storms, economics of managing different land classes, moisture dynamics, sustainable pasture management and potential returns and risks of carbon farming. Speakers for the event include the Hon. David Carter and Professor Derrick Moot. The forum is to take place from 9.30am to 4pm on Friday, 12 March 2010 at the McRae Trust Farm, 163 Tiniroto Road, Frasertown, Wairoa. Lunch will be provided, as will refreshments and a BBQ after the forum. 4WD vehicles would be appreciated for the farm drive. To RSVP for the event, please contact Gillian Mangin by clicking here. For catering purposes please RSVP to Gillian before Friday, 5 March.

Aorangi regional National Bank Young Farmer contest - The National Bank Young Farmer contest is the flagship event for Young Farmers in New Zealand and is held in high esteem among the rural community. It's a multi-disciplined farming challenge which tests a range of practical skills, business management, problem solving and personal social skills. The Aorangi regional contest will be held on Saturday, 17 April 2010 at J.F. Ridge & Sons Property, Methven. This regional final is being held in conjunction with the New Zealand and World Ploughing Champs. For more information, please contact, Earl McSweeney on 027 448 3012. More information about the National Bank Young Farmer contest can be found by clicking here.

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.

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.

Maternity leave - Where, by reason of pregnancy, an employee is unable to perform her work safely or adequately, her employer may, if no other suitable work is available, direct her to commence maternity leave on an appointed date. This date can be up to 6 weeks prior to the expected date of delivery. Remember also, an employee is entitled to take at least 8 weeks of maternity leave after the expected date of delivery and, if necessary, can extend the duration of her maternity leave.

Industry-backed learning to improve productivity - Reduce the risk and maximise the returns of dealing with dairy effluent. Agriculture ITO has one day workshops to get your whole team up to speed on what can cause problems and how to avoid them. Contact your Agriculture ITO advisor on 0800 691 111.

Need entry level qualifications for business and computing? - Open Polytechnic offers a variety of courses suitable for those 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 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 $3,000 manufacturer's cash back on any Versatile home purchase or $1,000 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. 

Telecom mobile broadband hot offer - Double your mobile broadband data for free with Telecom! Connect to a 24 month, 2GB or 4GB plan before Wednesday, 31 March 2010 and Telecom will double your data for free. The double your monthly data offer applies to the 24 month term only. For more information, please call 0800 44 44 75.

Special Winesonline offer - More stunning, award winning wines from Central Otago this week. Remember, all Federated Farmers members receive free chocolates, as well as no rural delivery fees. Check out the selection 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.

Quote of the week - "He was a little bit loose with his use," TV3 reporter Mike McRoberts describes disgraced former minister, Phil Heatley.