These are results from a farmer survey. It is a quarterly study which has been developed to combat the lack of market information currently available for the arable sector.

The results provide information on the production, sales, planting and on-farm stocks of wheat, barley, oats and maize grains in New Zealand.

Some of the key points from the 1 November 2010 results are as follows:

PLANTING

Estimations based on the survey data would suggest autumn plantings for the 2011 harvest to be 34,168 ha wheat, 21,408 ha barley and 438 ha oats. However, there is no comparative data from the previous year.

SALES

Most of the cereal crops harvested in summer/autumn 2010 had been sold by 1 September 2010, although approximately 25 percent of all feed barley, feed oats and milling oats and 20 percent of milling wheat remained unsold at that time. In total, 98,000 tonnes of feed barley, 51,000 tonnes of feed wheat and 27,000 tonnes of milling wheat remained uncommitted.

Almost all milling and malting crops sold during the period were contracted for sale before harvest as might be expected (96 percent of wheat and barley and all oats and maize) and most of the free-price sales of these commodities were of stocks carried over from previous harvests. Only small quantities of feed oats and maize are traded at a free price, approximately half of all feed wheat and barley were un-contracted at harvest.

ON-FARM STOCKS

Cereal volumes in excess of half the volumes harvested in 2010 remained in storage on-farm as at 1 September 2010. Over 60 percent of wheat and oats, 56 percent of barley, but only 6 percent of maize (almost exclusively milling maize) harvested was still on farm at this time. In all cases more than half the volume stored on-farm had already been sold. With the exception of milling wheat (11 percent), less than eight percent of the sold grain stored on farm had been sold on pre-harvest contract.

One of the key findings from this initial survey was that the total areas of all crops, with exception to oats, were higher in 2009 than in 2010. The estimated total areas of wheat and barley declined proportionately more than total crop volumes, reflecting higher average yields in 2010. The estimated average yield of oats remained the same but both the area and volume increased slightly. Maize grain experienced the largest estimated percentage reduction in crop area and in production between years and average yield also declined in 2010.

Survey respondents reported a 26 percent reduction in 2010 from the 2009 harvest in the area of maize silage harvested. Of the total area harvested, 81.2 percent had been contracted before harvest, 13.6 percent was sold at a free price after harvest and 4.6 percent had been used on-farm.

A full copy of this report can be found by clicking here.

ABOUT THE ARABLE INDUSTRY MARKETING INITIATIVE

Funded by the MAF Sustainable Farming Fund (MAF SFF) and co funded by the Foundation for Arable Research, Federated Farmers, Arable Food Industry Council (AFIC) and United Wheat Growers, the AIMI has been developed with the objective of ensuring future sustainability and improved competitiveness for the industry.

Federated Farmers provides a venue to introduce members who want to buy and sell feed. Federated Farmers does not take any part in the sale of feed. If a bid is accepted by a seller, a contract of sale will be formed between the buyer and the seller directly. We do not act as agent for either party and do not participate in any sale or transaction between you and other members.

You can access this service by calling our 0800 DROUGHT line (0800 376 844) during business hours.

The details that you will be asked to provide are:

• Province, area where the feed is located
• The seller's name
• A contact number
• Details of what feed you have available (feed type at least and other information they think will assist e.g. amount of material, bale size if relevant, if delivery can be arranged etc.)

The listings are for three weeks and will be removed at that time unless the seller contacts us to re-list.

The available feed is currently found by clicking here.

Please note that the Federation has no involvement in the commercial transactions and/or the risks around associated with this. Disclaimer information is also available by clicking here.

A reminder for those with damaged silos from the Canterbury Earthquake. Please be safe! The Department of Labour has produced a fact sheet on practical guidelines, which you can download by clicking here.

FEDERATED FARMERS LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME 2011

Are you interested in becoming more involved in your community? Have you ever considered building your leadership skills to influence and inspire others? If this sounds like you, then we want you on our leadership programme. Federated Farmers is committed to growing new agricultural leaders and offers a two part leadership training opportunity. Our level one course, Getting Your Feet Wet, provides an introduction to agricultural policy and advocacy and is to be held next from 23 - 24 February 2011. Our level two course, Shining Under the Spotlight, offers a challenging and positive environment to practice your presentation skills and strategic thinking. The next Shining Under the Spotlight course will be held 6 - 7 April 2011. Both courses are run on site from the Federated Farmers Wellington office. To register on a course, or for more information, email events@fedfarm.org.nz or phone 0800 327 646. Our courses fill quickly so registering early will ensure you're not disappointed.

ENROL FOR ALL YOUR 2011 AGRICULTURE ITO COURSE NOW

Don't forget that you can enrol in next year's courses now, as trainees who are able to enrol and pay for their upcoming courses in 2011 before 24 December 2010, will pay at the current fee price. Agriculture ITO would also like to remind all prospective and current trainees that it will be closed from midday Friday, 24 December until Monday, 10 January. The industry training organisation looks forward to working with you in 2011, as it's going to be a great year for training! Remember, to find out more about this course and many more, contact an Agriculture ITO training advisor on 0800 691 111 or visit www.agricultureito.ac.nz.

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

For all your Christmas wine orders, visit Winesonline.co.nz. Winesonline.co.nz has a fantastic selection of bubbles, white and red wines to see you through Christmas and New Years, and as always, something for everyone's palate and wallet. To view all these great wine offers, just go to www.winesonline.co.nz.

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.

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.

Please remember that if there are any issues you would like to discuss contact Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646, contact your local chairperson or one of the executive team as listed below.

FEDERATED FARMERS OF NEW ZEALAND

PO Box 715
Wellington 6140
Phone: 04 473 7269
Fax: 04 473 1081
www.fedfarm.org.nz

STAFF CONTACT

Carly Sluys
Phone: 03 357 9457
Fax: 03 357 9451
Email: csluys@fedfarm.org.nz

CHAIRPERSON

Ian Morten
Phone: 03 693 9058
Mobile: 027 436 1644
Email: orariest@xtra.co.nz

VICE-CHAIRPERSON

Hew Dalrymple
Phone: 06 322 1018
Mobile: 027 450 9462
Email: hew@waitatapia.co.nz

UNITED WHAETGROWERS SUBSECTION

Michael Morrow
Phone: 03 303 7337
Mobile: 027 579 8664
Email: tannaghmore@farmside.co.nz

HERBAGE SEEDGROWERS SUBSECTION

Hugh Wigley
Phone: 03 689 5865
Email: hwigley@xtra.co.nz

A full list of the Federated Farmers Grain & Seed team can be found by clicking here.