Federated Farmers - October 2010

Dairy Alert

The bi-monthly newsletter from Federated Farmers Dairy Industry Group

Chairperson's commentary

Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson, Lachlan McKenzie

I would like to say a big thank you to all those who have helped others during the last few weeks of adverse events. The help has ranged from milking other people's cows and organising feed or generators, to the simple act of contacting a neighbour to see if they were okay. Federated Farmers local leaders and staff have also rolled up their sleeves to help, often when they had issues of their own that needed attending to, too.

Irrespective of all the activities happening on farm during the busy spring period, there have been a few important reports released.

The first was the commissioners' decision on Horizons' One Plan. The commissioners suggested some significant changes, but there are still issues to be resolved. Federated Farmers held several successful meetings discussing the results and are now working on points of appeal. Yes, unfortunately Federated Farmers will have to appeal on farmers' behalves to ensure that we continue to have the ability to produce top quality food through our pasture based dairy systems.

The second report was from the Land and Water Forum. This report was the result of much talking and explanations over twelve months by a dedicated group of twenty one people picked from a plenary representing fifty eight different organisations. Government commissioned this report and is now looking at the recommendations, working on which of them it will adopt or act upon.

Do take the time to read at least the executive summary of the report from the Land and Water Forum and the fifty two recommendations of the report, which can be found by clicking here. Please take time to try and understand how the recommendations will affect farming going forward and then attend one of the 15 consultation meetings that are being held around the country. Federated Farmers needs your feedback on the report, so let us know what you think as we want to represent your viewpoints to Government.

There is recognition that the current system of adversarial litigation within an Environment Court is not the most productive way to progress issues. Federated Farmers, the dairy industry and many individuals are right in the forefront of this process.

Ecosystems both terrestrial, and aquatic, are complex biological, multidimensional systems. Farmers understand the complexity of our farming systems and the importance of having a holistic approach to ensuring a prosperous economy and a sustainable future.

All too often I see single issues (like reducing nitrogen) being portrayed as the solution to complex dynamic biological processes that lead to excess algae growth. Farmers understand about growing things and understand that clover grows very well without nitrogen but not at all without phosphate. This is because the nitrogen fixing bacteria associated with clover can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. The same situation happens in many of our water ways which are not nitrogen limiting. It is the amount of phosphate, light, temperature, oxygen that often limits nuisance algal growth. So why bother to reduce nitrogen when it will have no effect?

But the biggest concern I have is that in many waterways, if nitrogen is reduced and there is plenty of phosphate, then the nasty blue-green algae (that can fix its own nitrogen like clover) will thrive. They are the ones that often cause the blue green slimes and associated problems.

Talk to scientists, understand the issues, and question all statements from regional councils for accuracy to ensure we do not continue down the path some regional councils have been leading us.

If you have any concerns, get hold of your local Federated Farmers representative, a link can be found at the bottom of this email.

All the best for the rest of the season

Regards,

Lachlan McKenzie
Chairperson
Federated Farmers Dairy
Phone: 07 332 3440
Mobile: 021 382 442
Email: lmckenzie@fedfarm.org.nz

Industry news

NEW ZEALAND DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARDS

The 2011 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards were launched on 4 October, with significant changes to the country's longest running dairy farming competition. The New Zealand Sharemilker of the Year contest has been given a makeover, with a new name and changes to the entry criteria, allowing equity managers to participate in the competition. The changes reflect what is happening on farms around the country, with a trend towards employing farm managers and the development of equity partnerships in ownership structures. The competition will now be known as the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year. Other changes have also been announced and you can read more about it all by clicking here. Entries for the 2011 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards open on 1 November.

Sharemilking Agreements

HERD OWNING AGREEMENT

Changes relating to the way Fonterra pays its shareholders have been incorporated into the Federated Farmers Herd Owning Agreement and will be available later this month (October). For those of you who are already using the Agreement, a PDF with the clauses will be automatically emailed to you covering these changes and this will happen towards the end of October. The clauses affected are Clauses 1, Opening Capital, and 2, Agreed Shares. We are confident that the changes made to the Agreement will be useful for suppliers of any company, not just those who supply Fonterra. While Federated Farmers reminds farmers that parties to the 2007 Herd Owning Agreement have a binding agreement for the term of their current contract, changes made in Clauses 1 and 2 brings the Agreement up to date with what is happening in the industry and parties may get some benefit from it if they include it within their current Agreement. Federated Farmers recommends farm owners sit down with their sharemilkers and go through the changes to the Agreement, taking independent advice where necessary. Any changes made will require sign-off by each party and provision for this has been made at the bottom of each page.

VARIABLE ORDER SHAREMILKING AGREEMENT

This reviewed Variable Order Sharemilking Agreement is still with the Department of Labour and we will let you know when the new version is available.

Advice

This spring has been particularly difficult for farmers throughout New Zealand. If you haven't been jolted by earthquakes, you have probably been dealing with poor weather conditions, or maybe both! Consequently, many farmers and their families are under enormous stress. Stress is normal but the key is to manage it affectively.

TIPS FOR MANAGING STRESS

Here are some excellent tips from the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust:

Talk to people - a problem shared is a problem halved
Develop a work plan and prioritise steps for recovery
Take time out to relax
Limit your expectations and focus on the most important tasks

Stress is a health issue and it is important not to take a ‘stiff upper lip' approach. The Bealey Centre's John Dugdale, a clinical psychologist, lists these steps for managing crises:

Impact: often feel numbness.
Turmoil: feelings kick in and people can feel unsafe, depressed or angry. They can give startled responses and become hyper-vigilant, so don't think as efficiently and effectively. John warned people not to ‘horribilise' - don't rehearse what might have happened. He also noted that people can either withdraw into themselves or become very active.
Take control: tap into resources and social support. Think about reconstruction but people can fall into unhelpful coping strategies.

In the short term, people should get on with things, but if people continue feeling stressed then they need to let Federated Farmers, a Rural Support Trust and/or Rural Women New Zealand know so they can help. Federated Farmers endorses Mr Dugdale's advice to stay calm, take control, make a plan and look out for one another. If you see a neighbour struggling, then speak to them and reinforce they are not alone. Numbers for both the Rural Support Trusts and Federated Farmers are listed below.

Federated Farmers: 0800 327 646
Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254

INDUCTIONS

All farmers who plan to use inductions next season, should note the following requirements:

Forward planning for inductions is now required. Note the herd targets set for induction which are listed below.
Accurate pregnancy diagnosis (PD) data is required, as all inductions will be based on this information. If you don't have this information you will be refused the service by vets.
A list of all cows requiring an induction must be sent to the vet six weeks before calving.
Farmers will need to make sure that the cows they buy come with accurate PD data.
All calves born via inductions are to be euthanized. Federated Farmers recommends a rifle or a captive bolt be used.
A resolution process has also been put in place, e.g. if a farmer has a disastrous mating season, he/she can appear before a committee with representatives from the Vet Council, Federated Farmers and DairyNZ to explain the extenuating circumstances and a decision will be made.

The targets set for inductions going forward are:

From 01/06/10 to 31/05/11, within an individual herd, the level of inductions should not exceed 15 percent of the herd's total size. It is desirable that the level of inductions in this period does not exceed that of the 2009/10 season.
From 01/06/11 to 31/05/12, within an individual herd, the level of inductions should not exceed eight percent of the herd's total size.
From 01/06/12, within an individual herd, the level of inductions should not exceed four percent of the herd's total size.

BOBBY CALVES

Now that calving is well underway, just a quick reminder that bobby calves need the same care as your replacement calves. The MAF enforcement team has been visiting farms across New Zealand in an effort to reduce stock losses during transport to slaughter. On the whole there have been few issues found. However, they found last year that the number of bobbies dying during transport or in the yards crept up towards the end of the bobby calf season. Your obligation to care for bobby calves does not finish until the last one from your farm has been slaughtered. The Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare 2010 states the Minimum Best Practice for feeding all calves is that feeds be divided up into not less than two feeds per day and fed at the rate of about two - seven litres per day for the first week of life (S3.2(c)).

Bobbies are not permitted to be transported younger than four days old.
Bobby calves must be able to stand and bear weight on all four limbs and be fit and healthy for transportation.
They must have been fed at least half of that day's ration of colostrum or milk no more than two hours before transportation. This is because slaughter may not happen immediately on arrival at the abattoir.
Federated Farmers asks that you keep them in a sheltered place away from public view - this is to protect you from the eyes of the public.
Make it easy for the bobby calf truck to pick them up.
It may be your choice not to struggle with weak or small calves and you may well feel the most humane option is to euthanize them early rather than rearing them for four days and then have them endure a long truck trip to meet the same fate. If so, it is ultimately the farm owner's decision and they need to make sure that the task is done by themselves or a competent and willing staff member. Federated Farmers Dairy encourages farmers to either use a rifle or captive bolt gun.

For more information, please follow these links:

Notices

INTERNATIONAL DAIRY FEDERATION WORLD DAIRY SUMMIT 2010

The International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit 2010 (WDS2010) is to be held at the SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland from 8 to 11 November 2010 and discounted earlybird registrations for WDS2010 close on Monday, 31 May.

WDS2010 is the premier dairy industry event for the year, showcasing a comprehensive range of topics from within the dairy industry. WDS2010 provides world class international speakers, together with the input of local scientists and analysts. It will also bring together a wide range of supply companies from research, engineering, packing and logistics associated with the dairy industry supporting the event. There has been a huge response to the call for abstracts, with over 200 abstracts received for oral and poster presentations. The Summit programme, comprising 12 conferences, is available by clicking here. To register for the Summit, please click here.

EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOPS

As most dairy farmers are employers, we thought you would like to know that 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. Sharemilkers may remember, EAL Director, Tim de Lautour, who spoke at the Sharemilkers' Section AGM in 2009. Tim has chosen two of his very capable staff members to facilitate these workshops and we know you will be equally impressed. 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.

FEDERATED FARMERS DAIRY COUNCIL MEETING 2011

The next combined Federated Farmers Dairy council and Sharemilkers' Section council meeting will be held on Thursday, 17 and Friday, 18 February 2011. Please mark these dates in your diary now.

FEDERATED FARMERS DAIRY AGM 2011

The AGM for Federated Farmers Dairy will be held in Rotorua on Wednesday, 29 and Thursday, 30 June 2011. Please set aside these dates now.

Member benefits

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.

PAYING TOO MUCH FOR YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE?

Federated Farmers has partnered with Accuro Health Insurance to offer members a minimum of 5 percent off standard premiums along with a special 90 day (1 September - 30 November) offer. To find out more and for a quote, click here and login to the members only section of the website or call 0800 222 876.

DO YOU EMPLOY STAFF?

If you do, always make sure you have a written employment agreement in place with every staff member, no matter whether they are part-time, casual or full-time. Call 0800 327 646 to purchase yours now at member only prices, saving up to $105 per agreement.

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.

Contacts

Please remember that if you have any issues or queries you would like to discuss, please feel free to contact Federated Farmers on 0800 FARMING (327 646) or contact your local Federated Farmers Dairy representative or one of the Executive team as listed below.