Council ‘exit polls' may skew Saturday's results - Read more »

150 farmers pack Wyndham for post-storm meeting - Read more »

Federated Farmers post-storm meetings next week in Southland and South Otago - Read more »

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

How much do you know about the rules for operating farm machinery on roads? - North Canterbury Federated Farmers is holding two transport meetings in order to inform farmers of the rules and requirements for operating farm machinery on roads. The first will be held in Darfield on Wednesday, 20 October, followed by a meeting in Rangiora on Thursday, 21 October. Both meetings will run from 1pm to 4pm. These will be practical meetings where we will ‘kick the tyres' and discuss the implications of transport rules for a number of commonly used agricultural machines. Federated Farmers policy staff will be in attendance and your feedback will provide direction for future transport policies. In addition, the New Zealand Transport Association, the Ministry of Transport and the New Zealand Police Commercial Vehicle Investigation Unit (CVIU) will be present, to provide farmers with an opportunity to hear from officials directly and ask any questions they might have of them. For more information, contact Policy Advisor, Matt Scott, on 0800 327 646.

Farmers urged to have their say on the red meat strategy process - The red meat sector strategy has been launched by Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd and the Meat Industry Association. The purpose of the strategy is to clearly identify the issues that face the sector and to identify how they may be addressed so that the sector achieves a level of profitability that is sustainable for farming businesses. A key part of this work will be to obtain information from stakeholders about the barriers they face and the opportunities that are available. This work is being facilitated by Deloitte, who is keen for farmers to have their say about the strategy development process. We urge farmers to participate in the survey, which can be completed by clicking here. The survey comprises of 79 questions within nine sections and is estimated to take between 20 and 30 minutes to complete. The closing date for the survey is Monday, 18 October. For more information, please contact, Meat & Fibre Policy Advisor, David Burt, on 0800 327 646.

Important immigration change for employers - From 29 November 2010 having an IR 330 form will no longer be a ‘reasonable excuse' for employing a non-New Zealand citizen who is not entitled to work in New Zealand. Instead, employers will have to show that they took ‘reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence' to check whether a non-New Zealand citizen is entitled to work in New Zealand. VisaView is an online tool set up by Immigration New Zealand to help employers meet the new obligations under the Act. VisaView is free to use and will provide a real-time response in the majority of cases. For more information visit the website, by clicking here or you can contact, Immigration Policy Advisor, Matt Scott, on 0800 327 646.

FarmsOnLine facts for farmers - Members with cattle or deer herds registered with the Animal Health Board (AHB) can expect to receive a letter shortly from the AHB, detailing benefits of the new MAF-led national rural property register, FarmsOnLine (FOL). The letter indicates the AHB's intention to assist the development of FOL and will be accompanied by answers to a range of frequently asked questions. The AHB supports FOL which aims to improve responses to biosecurity threats that have the potential to financially devastate farmers and the wider New Zealand economy. For more information, please click here. 

Tell us what you think about Otorohanga rules - Federated Farmers is working on a submission to the proposed Otorohanga District Plan. Look out for a survey, in your mailbox soon, asking what members living in Otorohanga think about Council's proposed new rules around earthworks, vegetation clearance and building rules. Members views are vital to the Federation's submission, so make sure you take the time to fill our survey out. For more information, please contact, Regional Policy Advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

Hauraki-Coromandel meeting about cycleway - Federated Farmers is hosting a meeting about the cycleway project at 7.30pm on 11 October 2010 at the Hikutaia Hall, State Highway 26, Hikutaia. Federated Farmers is concerned that the cycleway project will affect many landowners who live and farm alongside the designated land. Hauraki District Council will do a presentation about the cycleway and be available for public questions. If you, or a neighbour, live alongside the railway or stopbank that is designated for the cycleway, then this meeting is for you. For more information, contact Regional Policy Advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

A special thank you - The three Federated Farmers Canterbury provinces would like to thank everyone who has helped out over the month following the Canterbury earthquake. From the volunteer fire brigade using the Jaws of Life to free cows to field officers delivering baking and house movers putting platforms in place, there are numerous stories that made everyone realise how much help and support that is available in the rural sector when times are tough. Fonterra and DairyNZ did their part and numerous other businesses were there. Nains electrical called in all the staff they could muster, getting them straight out on the road. The engineers, in conjunction with milking machine fitters, were on the case getting the majority of platforms up and running again in a matter of days, while Orion linesman got a majority of power back on in 48 hours. We all know these things happened, but when you list it out and fill in a few missing bits, it was a pretty impressive response. A big thank you goes to all those who offered help from all over the country. While a majority of farms are now back to normal, we do have to keep in touch with the people that have ongoing issues and help where we can, There are a number of agencies in place to help, including Selwyn District Council's Rural Recovery team, the Rural Support Trusts and Federated Farmers. If there is anyone who needs help, please do not hesitate to contact them for help, the Rural Support Trusts can be contacted on 0800 787 254 and Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646. An extra thank you goes to Field Officers, Mark Burnside, and, Vicky O'Connor, who have worked tirelessly since 4 September. 

Commodity prices rise - The ANZ Commodity Price Index recorded a 2.9 percent rise in September, the first lift in the series in four months. The index is now less than 1 percent below the all time high recorded in May. The largest lift was for wool, up 12 percent to hit a 14 year high. The lift in wool prices is likely to be attributable to higher prices for cotton (of which wool is a competing fibre) and renewed demand from Middle East and European markets, which has coincided with a run down in wool inventories globally. Milk powder prices lifted 6 percent in September, skins and butter prices rose 4 percent, beef and lamb rose 3 percent and cheese and casein prices lifted 2 percent. When converted to New Zealand prices, the ANZ NZD Commodity Price Index lifted 1.2 percent. On a monthly average basis, the Kiwi dollar rose in value against the currencies of most of our trading partners - except against our largest trading partner, Australia, which weakened 2.2 percent.

Fonterra auction price dips - Further to the ANZ Commodity Price Index, prices slipped 1.3 percent at Fonterra's latest online auction of milk powder. The gDT-TWI, an index of the four products on offer - whole milk powder, skim milk powder, butter milk powder and anhydrous milk fat - fell slightly to US$3,591 per metric tonne but is holding near a four-month high.  The next auction is being held on 20 October. 

Steam passenger train running between 13 and 15 October - Steam Incorporated is running a steam locomotive-hauled passenger train between Wednesday, 13 and Friday, 15 October and would like to advise farmers along the route to move stock, if they think the train might trouble stock. On Wednesday, 13 October the train will depart from Paekakariki at approximately 8.40am and will arrive in Napier at approximately 6.30pm. On Thursday, 14 October the train will depart Napier at approximately 8.15am and will arrive in Gisborne at approximately 4.45pm. On Friday, 15 October the train will then depart from Gisborne at approximately 8am, and is expected in Napier at approximately 4.25pm. Another train will also be leaving Gisborne at 8am, travel to Muriwai and then is expected back in Gisborne at 9.30am.

 Farmers needed for climate change survey - Alana Cornforth, a Victoria University Masters student, is studying in the School of Geography, Earth and Environment Sciences and the School of Psychology and is looking for people to take part in an online climate change survey. The survey researches people's knowledge, and their confidence in that knowledge, about climate change. The survey is anonymous and participants can enter a draw to win a $50 grocery voucher. You can complete the climate change survey, by clicking here. The survey is open until 1 November 2010. 

The Snow Down - The Snow Down is to be held in the Orawia Community Centre this evening, Friday, 8 October at 6.30pm. After the rough couple of weeks that farmers in the area have faced, this is a great opportunity to talk, socialise and relax, while enjoying a BBQ and BYO drinks. The meeting will be family friendly and is open to all local farmers.

Meat & Fibre meeting and ETS information evening - Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty will be holding a Meat & Fibre meeting and ETS information evening from 7pm Wednesday, 13 October at the Te Puke Club, 50 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke. The evening will include a presentation on the ETS by Reagan Thompson. For more information, please contact Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty Meat & Fibre chairperson, Rick Powdrell, on 07 573 7481.

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.

Agribusiness Innovation Grants - AGMARDT is about to start the next round of Agribusiness Innovation Grants to farming based groups. Grants will be awarded to groups for the development or commercialisation of an idea, or to get a project to a stage where it will attract further funding. Applications close on 31 October. For more information or to apply, please click here.

Agriculture ITO is now on Facebook - To celebrate the launch of its Facebook page, Agriculture ITO is holding a photo competition. Become a fan of Agriculture ITO on Facebook and upload your best photos of ‘Life on the Farm' to be in to win an Olympus MJU Tough camera, valued at over $500. Visit Agriculture ITO's Facebook page by clicking here to enter and for terms and conditions. To enrol or find out more about our qualifications, 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. The second week of workshops will be held in the South Island on Monday, 1 November in Amberley and Cheviot, Tuesday, 2 November in Kaikoura and Blenheim, Wednesday, 3 November in Tapawera and Takaka, and then on Thursday, 4 November in Reefton and Moana and in Hari Hari on Friday, 5 November. 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.

Thinking of studying or need to re-enrol? - Enrolment for trimester 3 Open Polytechnic courses close tomorrow, Saturday, 9 October. 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.

Need a Driving Hours Log Book? - If you need a Driving Hours Log Book, look no further than Federated Farmers. Log Books are only $15 for members and you can buy yours by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646.

Ravensdown Flysafe® - Trust Ravensdown to protect your sheep from flystrike with new Flysafe® Liquid and Flysafe® Spray-On. Call 0800 100 123 for more information.

Looking for new staff? - Make it easy with our Application for Employment forms only $48 for a pad of 15 for members ($175 for non-members). Click here or call 0800 327 646 to purchase yours.

Try a Marlborough Sav this weekend - Try two of the best, award winning, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc's ever at well below half price. For these wines and more visit www.winesonline.co.nz.

Need an extra hand around the farm? - Advertise your situation vacant for free with Federated Farmers at www.ruraljobs.co.nz.

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 - "I don't care where, as long as I'm Mayor". A prophetic comment on tomorrow's local government elections results.