Friday Flash
Welcome to this week's Federated Farmers Friday Flash
16 February 2018
From the Board…President, Katie Milne
It was refreshing to hear Climate Change Minister James Shaw acknowledge agriculture is a complex and challenging business, and that we needed to get beyond the “blame game” as we talk about issues such as water quality and climate change.
“I think it’s all of our problem to fix,” he told reporters.
The Greens Leader was visiting Kaiwaiwai Farm in the Wairarapa, one of 370 farms in the Dairy Environmental Leaders Group that are sharing best practice on environmental initiatives, such as using man-made wetlands to act as a kidney for the surrounding drain water, removing nitrogen; improving the production performance of animals so that total herd size can be reduced; and generating on-farm power through solar panels.
Farmers know these sorts of initiatives are becoming standard practice, but to have reporters see it for themselves and relay it to urban Kiwis is always useful.
Mr Shaw said farmers should be looking for best environmental practice now to get ahead of regulation. Concerns about climate change policy and the ETS are now featuring more prominently in responses to the Federated Farmers Farm Confidence Survey (more on that below). Mr Shaw said the Climate Change Commission he is setting up will be politically independent, and will look for a science-based position and solutions that are well-supported. Federated Farmers will get the chance to nominate a representative. You can read more
here, and
here.
Meanwhile, there’s a heap of stuff in the media at the moment on biosecurity-related issues. It serves as a reminder that every farmer needs to be on top of their NAIT obligations. Sure, we know recommendations on how the system can be improved are imminent, and we’ll get a say on those, but in the meantime we need to comply with the existing rules. You might have your own internal system of stock tracing but that doesn’t mean you can sidestep NAIT. If you’re unsure about what you need to do,
check out this site.
First round of M. bovis tests all clear
Some positive news on the mycoplasma bovis front: Initial results from the first round of milk testing from all producing dairy farms indicate eradication of the disease remains a viable option as work to contain it ramps up, Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor says.
Tests have been completed on the tanker milk from 9100 dairy farms without a positive detection. The remaining tests will be completed early next week. Here’s the
Minister’s statement.
Drought, election undermines Mid-Season Confidence
It’s hardly surprising that levels of optimism took a hit in the Federated Farmers Mid-Season Farm Confidence Survey, released last Thursday. The survey – which 1070 of you responded to (thanks!) - was carried out in mid-January, right when the drought was biting hard, the hangover from the election uncertainty was still clearing and dairy prices were only starting to revive.
Worry about the spread of Mycoplasma bovis saw biosecurity (21.3%) leap-frog the economy and business environment (16.1%) as the issue that you wanted the Government to treat as the No. 1 priority and your answers showed ability to recruit staff is becoming increasingly hard – the hardest in the 18 surveys that have been carried out since 2009. See our media release and a full copy of the survey report
here.
Graham Smith on his way
Today is Federated Farmers chief executive Graham Smith’s last day with the organisation. Graham has been CEO of Feds for three and a half years. We wish him all the best for the future, especially his immediate future which is going to include walking the Machu Picchu trail in Peru. Hopefully all the walking up the stairs here in the office will pay off for you Graham!
Quite a stink over cargo ship stowaways
Federated Farmers has praised MPI for its staunch approach over cargo vessels found to be infested with the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.
Four ships have been ordered offshore this month after the pest insect was discovered among cargos of cars and other machinery. They will not be allowed to dock at a NZ Port until they have undergone suitable heat treatment or fumigation.
Guy Wigley, Federated Farmers’ Biosecurity Spokesperson, says the threat of BMSB to our primary industries is significant and the implications are huge.
“It could damage our economy to the tune of hundreds of millions.”
"This scenario is effectively akin to the Foot and Mouth disease of the crop world.”
Here’s our
statement, and one of the
news reports.
Balance on burying waste topic – eventually
We suspect editorial staff at The Dominion Post copped a bit of an earful from angry rural readers over a “
Farmers’ dirty little secret” front page article about burning/burying waste that the newspaper ran on Monday this week. As one letter writer pointed out the next day, the article “revealed no hard evidence behind the headline insinuating farmers are dumping contaminated waste as a matter of course, just speculation”.
Nor was there any mention of the successful Ag-Recovery and Plasback recycling schemes, the fact that burying/burning waste is subject to rules and monitoring under Council district plans, nor that townies also bury their waste.
Usually ‘clarifications’ over skewed articles are buried in the newspaper a few days later but to their credit, the DomPost ran a
useful follow-up, including information Federated Farmers sent in, on page 3 later in the week that provided a bit of balance.
Nick Clark’s Economic Update
For the year ended January, food prices were up just 0.8%, a sharp slow-down on December’s annual increase of 2.3%: Fruit and vegetable prices were down 1.8% (fruit up 0.4%, vegetables down 3.2%) and Meat, poultry and fish prices were up 0.9% (beef & veal up 0.7%, mutton, lamb & hogget up 3.5%). When seasonally adjusted food prices actually fell 0.6% In January.
In his weekly
analysis of economic news, Nick Clark looks at the Mid-Season Farm Confidence Survey, government finance forecasts and inflation expectations.
Wool industry showcase
Federated Farmers is hosting a “Wool Showcase” industry event next Tuesday in Wellington to highlight the superb qualities and amazing range of uses of NZ strong wool. More than a dozen exhibitors will show their wares and tell their stories of innovation and business acumen. Among them are: Inter-weave and Woolyarns Ltd., who produce high end export products and supply Air NZ with fabrics that meet the highest flame retardant criteria. Wright Wool supplies Paragon, a company based in Calhoun, Georgia - the heart of textile manufacturing in America. Paragon has created a specialised knop used for home insulation. Another attraction is Wayby Wools, who specialise in cot undelays and yoga mats and animal heads. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is special guest.
Sniffing out pest needle grass
In a world first, two Canterbury dogs have been trained to sniff out Chilean needle grass, a plant that threatens livestock and crops. With a great sense of smell at just three years old, they are the only dogs in the world who can detect the grass in a field of other grasses. Catch the report and video by TVNZ,
here.
Hawke's Bay meetings on needle grass
Meanwhile, the Chilean Needle Grass Action Group and the national steering group are hosting two meetings in the Hawke's Bay on Wednesday February 21 to discuss getting on top of this pernicious pest plant. The meetings are at 3pm at Waipawa Golf Club, and 7pm at St Michael's Hall, 56 Vicarage Rd, Puketapu. More info - Warwick Lissaman, 027 457 5041.
Rural Sports Award finalists announced
Finalists have been announced for the 2018 Norwood Rural Sports Awards, including three contenders for the Federated Farmers ‘Contribution to the New Zealand Rural Sports Industry’ Award. The three finalists are:
- Jason Semenoff (Hikurangi) – Wood Chopping
- Nick Liefting (Auckland) – Fencing
- Jude McNab (Owaka) – Shearing
There are four other award categories. Sir Brian Lochore, judging panel chair, says the awards are about celebrating traditional sports and the people who keep events running year-in and year-out in the towns and settlements across New Zealand.
The Awards Dinner is on Friday March 9 at Awapuni Function Centre in Palmerston North, the night before the Hilux New Zealand Rural Games, where nominees and winners will be competing.
Here’s the full list of finalists.
Workmates are rivals in Young Farmer contest
Hawke’s Bay Federated Farmers President Will Foley has reason to keep a closer eye than usual on the East Coast Young Farmer of the Year contest – two of his farm’s staff are competing this year. Friends and workmates Patrick Crawshaw and Hugh Abbiss will be up against each other in competition events tomorrow.
Read more.
The little workers that enjoy “sexy time” in the cowpats
Ruapuke farmer Simon Thomson is one of a growing number of fans of dung beetles as a way to reduce effluent run-off and methane emissions.
"The burrows with this species are about 20cm deep, so that is integrating the manure down to that depth,” he told the NZ Herald. "It is bringing sub-soil up when they're digging so that mixing is good is for the soil profile, creating aeration and drainage channels, which are good for your pasture growth, and also channels for the roots to grow down.”
The MPI is also interested - but Dairy NZ isn't convinced, with a spokesperson saying there are more cost-effective strategies. Read the full account,
here.
Primary sector scholarships to build science and technology capability
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is offering Postgraduate Science Scholarships for Masters (up to $12,000) and PhD candidates (up to $50,000) engaged in primary industry research. The aim is to encourage Masters and PhD students to pursue research within the primary industries, particularly where there are research gaps, as outlined in the Primary sector science roadmap, a spokesperson said.
"It's an exciting time in the primary industries, from genetics to measuring and managing ecosystem impacts, to consumer and market insights, there's a number of areas where we know we need to strengthen our understanding.” The d
eadline for applications is 12 March.
Police join Southern Field Days crowds
If you need some help, just ‘give us a whistle’, is a message that NZ Police brought to the Southern Field Days at Waimumu this week.
With partners Federated Farmers, Safe in the South, Rural Support and Rural Women in Southland they were giving out branded police logo sheep-dog whistles as a symbol of the closer relationship they want to have with rural communities.
"We want our people in the community to share their ideas and information and anything else they want with their local police, we are always a listening ear,” Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley said.
Read more.
Advice on reducing M. bovis risk
Reduce the risk of M. bovis - managing dairy farm changeovers in May/June 2018
Changing farms this coming May/June requires extra special precautions because of Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis). Read more about how you can manage this risk.
Feds: NAIT's role in M Bovis spread unclear
An improved tracing scheme would have been unlikely to prevent the recent Mycoplasma bovis outbreak, although it may have helped to provide a quicker response, Federated Farmers told Stuff. Reporter Richard Davison was putting together an article on the National Animal Identification and Tracing scheme, which has been the subject of an extensive review. Recommendations from the review are due to be released soon.
Accurate records were important, but a local National MP claimed a widespread lack of information about M. bovis was preying on farmers’ minds.
Read more.
Time to collar rural dog fees
Federated Farmers this week submitted on Masterton District Council’s dog control bylaw. To see our full submission
click here. We mostly supported the bylaw but would like to see the cost of registration reduced as rural dogs are much less likely to require Council dog control services. The fee in the Masterton District is high compared to other districts and makes up a significant expense for farmers with dog teams. For more on our position on dog council registration fees, take a look at our Senior Policy Advisor,
Rhea Dasent’s article here.
Marlborough Biodiversity hearing
Federated Farmers spoke at the Marlborough Environment Plan hearing on the biodiversity topic on Wednesday. We outlined our principles around robust criteria and ground-truthed identification of special ecological sites, and rules that allow normal farming activities to continue. The Marlborough Council has not yet identified and mapped special ecological sites (other than wetlands and ones in the coastal marine area), which means the rules will apply to all indigenous vegetation - an unfortunate gap which Federated Farmers is concerned will lead to uncertainty. The voluntary actions that farmers are taking are a great example that rules aren’t always the best way to go and that farmers are prepared to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to on-the-ground actions.
AROUND THE REGIONS
Mycoplasma Bovis Info Evening - Twizel
Farmers any anyone else interested can hear the facts on M. bovis from the veterinary and industry perspective. Speakers include Federated Farmers GM of Policy and Advocacy Gavin Forrest and Merlyn Hay, the vet who first diagnosed M. bovis in New Zealand. Tea & coffee provided.
When: Thursday 22 February, 7.30pm.
Where: RSA Bar Conference Room, Twizel
Further info from Feds North Otago President Simon Williamson, 021 2859303, or
[email protected]
Farm Environment Plans the focus at Rotorua-Taupo Provincial meeting
Guest speakers: Waikato River Authority Principal Advisor; Julian Williams & Project Manager; Michelle Hodges. Learn how Farm Environmental Plans for this catchment can reduce erosion, sediment, nutriments, and prevent e-coli from entering waterways to protect wetlands and geothermal areas. Find out how Waikato River Authority can financially assist with priority projects.
When: February 22 from 7.30 pm
Where: Reporoa Hall Meeting Room. Refreshments will be available
2018 High Country Biennial Field Day
Thursday, March 8 –
registration is now open.
The Field Day will be held at Castle Ridge and Mt Arrowsmith Stations in the Ashburton Gorge, Mid Canterbury. Keynote speaker : Hon Eugenie Sage, Minister for Conservation and Land Information. Theme: Environmental Planning and Management
Federated Farmers Wanganui Provincial Meeting
When: Friday, February 23, from 5pm
Where: Brick House Restaurant & Function Centre, 72 Saint Hill Road, Wanganui
North Canterbury looks at new ways to distribute leadership workload
As President Lynda Murchison described in an
interview with the Otago Daily Times, Federated Farmers North Canterbury will ask members to consider a new structure for the provincial executive at the AGM in April.
''We have one of the youngest provincial executives in the country, but it also means they don't always have the time to take on leadership roles, because they're the ones running the farms and they might be serving on the school board of trustees, coaching sports teams and raising kids.
''If you want young people to step up, instead of having semi-retired or retired people all the time, we need to find a way to distribute the workload,'' Lynda said.
Improve your rural governance skillset
The next Rural Governance course is on Wednesday March14 at the Federated Farmers offices in Hamilton. It’s for those who are involved in ownership and management of a farm or agribusiness, and professionals who advise rural clients. The course covers aspects such as governance, board and management relationships, succession planning, robust processes and good decision-making.
For more details, and to enrol, contact Gaylene Bamford, 07 858 0820/
[email protected]
Farm Employee Accommodation DWN Waipa Event
St John’s Ambulance Station, Palmer Street, Te Awamutu
Tuesday 20 February, 9.30am Start - 12pm Finish
Learn about the new rental regulations and all things about farm accommodation.
Federated Farmers will also be there to discuss the new regulations in relation to farm employee contracts.
Please register by 18 Feb at
www.dwn.co.nz/events
Federated Farmers Mohair conference
Mohair New Zealand is to hold their AGM and conference in New Plymouth on 6 – 8 April 2018. A Registration Form is being developed and will be sent out shortly.
If you are interested in attending this event please contact David Burt Tel 027 448 9170 Email
[email protected]
Hawke’s Bay consults on pest management
Changes to the way pest management is approached in
Hawke’s Bay are in the Proposed Regional Pest Management Plan 2018-2038, now out for consultation until 16 March.
Accompanying the proposed plan is a cost benefit analysis and cost allocation report.
Over 90 submissions were received on a discussion document which has helped shape the proposed plan.
One proposals is a reduction of the catch trap (RTC) rate in Possum Control Areas from 5% to 4% and addition of a ‘good neighbour’ rule for possums, matching the trap catch rate change, and for feral goats. Wallabies will be added as an exclusion pest.
Discount available for Taranaki Rural Governance course
Federated Farmers is again offering the Institute of Directors Rural Governance Course for a discounted rate.
The day-long course, on March 23, is for those who are involved in ownership and management of farming, agribusiness, and professionals who advise rural clients. It covers such things such as governance, legal and regulatory framework essentials; board charters, composition and protocols; management relationships and succession planning.
Thanks to our discount, instead of paying over $1000, you can attend the course for $650 + GST. Through NZTE, there is also funding available for up to 50% off your course fees.
More Information: Federated Farmers Taranaki, (06) 757-3423, Email
[email protected]
One Plan Water Quality update - Rangitikei
Rangitikei - Monday 26 February; Tararua, Tuesday 27 February. These will be open meetings, hosted by Dairy NZ, for both farmers and the local community and will provide catchment water quality data from Horizons' Water Quality Scientists. Water Quality is improving in these catchments as a result of dairy farmers’ actions, therefore there is a very positive message which we want to extend not just to dairy farmers but further to the local community. For further information on the Rangitikei meeting click
here, and for Tararua,
here.
Ruapehu Provincial meeting
All members are invited to attend the first Ruapehu provincial meeting of 2018. The agenda includes Nick Steele's report from the upcoming Meat & Fibre National Council in Wellington and preparations for Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor's visit.
When: Friday, 23 February from 5pm
Where: St Johns Room(Upstairs), Manuaute St, Taumarunui
More information: Lyn Neeson, 027 353 7907,
[email protected]
Taranaki meeting on workplace rights and responsibilities
Federated Farmers Taranaki Sharemilkers' Section is hosting two seminars to discuss workplace compliance, Health & Safety, tenancy and insurance issues which employers and employees should be aware of prior to entering an agreement.
Opunake: February 28 from 10.30am at Sandfords Event Centre
Hawera: March 6 from 10.30am at Fonterra Staff Hub (ex café)
Lunch will be provided. All welcome to attend. Taranaki Federated Farmers (06) 757-3423,
[email protected]
NOTICES
Inland Revenue changes coming for your business
Inland Revenue changes on 17 April will affect your business. Changes to PAYE reporting and a new method for managing provisional tax are designed to integrate tax processes with your day to day business.
A free live webinar on the topic is full but you can access it whenever it's convenient and watch it in your own time.
Register here.
You’ll learn more about the new look and feel of IR’s new system, and find out about the Payday reporting legislation, where employers will be required to report payroll returns information every payday rather than monthly. This will be voluntary from April 2018, and mandatory from April 2019.
There’ll also be a summary of AIM, the Accounting Income Method, a new ‘pay-as-you-go’ option for managing provisional tax using approved accounting software.
AgriFood Week has plenty of interest for farmers
NZ AgriFood Week is a week-long (12-17 March) primary food production extravaganza celebrating and showcasing the unique fusion of farming and food producing technology that produces some of the finest food products in the universe. There are a range of events, plenty of them of interest to farmers.
Learn more and register for events.
A highlight will be the Future Farms Conference, which includes sessions covering topics such as creating high value exports, the impact of agritech developments on farm, environmental sustainability, developing the ‘NZ story’, changing land use, and the future of farming. If you’re a Federated Farmer member and small-hold farmer, you can attend the Future Farms Conference for just $199 + gst instead of $1,600. See the website for details
www.conferenz.co.nz/futurefarms
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The biggest biosecurity threat to New Zealand? Humans
New Zealand is one of the few countries that enforces strict biosecurity controls, but droves of tourists and rising international trade mean it’s no easy task, The Listener reports.
Read more.
FMG moves into new digs
Congrats to our Strategic Partner FMG, on the move to their new building in Palmerston North.
Read more here.
Fitbits for farm animals
We all know the benefit of Fitbits and the data they capture for us humans. Now,
La Trobe University’s Centre for Technology is putting the ‘Wearable Motion Sensors’ to work on sheep and cows on farms across Australia to give data on health and behaviours.