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Waikato - Syd Fraser-Jones is being awarded a Life Membership of Federated Farmers' New Zealand (Waikato Region). This Life Membership recognises 57 years as an elected representative in many leadership positions within the Federation and his contribution to the evolution of our lobby organisation. This presentation will take place at the Waikato Provincial Annual General meeting at the Airport Conference Centre on Friday, 20 May. To put things in a perspective, 60-year-old retiring Waikato president Stew Wadey had just completed his toilet training when Syd took an elected office position. One of the many benefits of having Syd at executive meetings is his wise counsel and historically accurate, institutional knowledge of issues and happenings. Also note, the Waikato Grain & Seed, Dairy and Meat & Fibre Industry Groups AGM's will run concurrently from 10.30am to 12.30pm on the 20 May, with our regional AGM starting at 1.30pm sharp.

Auckland - Wendy Clark  thanks the farming communities of South Franklin and the Waikato District who have united against the proposed Waikato District Council (WDC) Livestock Movement bylaw. 120 submissions were received in the end and their opposition was echoed in the  187 signatures on the petition. This is a strong contrast to the 35 submissions made in 2006 when the bylaw was first mooted in the Waikato. Well attended meetings in Aka Aka (50) and Pukekawa (130) have contributed to community understanding of the implications of working under the proposed rules. On the strength of these meetings WDC agreed to meet with Federated Farmers and some progress was made. Click here to view Country TV 99 covering this story.

Otago -  The Otago provincial AGM will be held from 9.30am on Tuesday, 3 May at the Otago Cricket Longroom at the University Oval, Dunedin. Speakers include the Minister of Local Government, Rodney Hide, who will talk about what Local Government Reform will deliver for farmers and David Davies of the new Otago Stadium who will be giving a virtual tour of the new stadium. Please RSVP to Bronwyn Wilson, Email: bwilson@fedfarm.org.nz or Phone: 0800 327 646 or Fax: 03 479 0470

Southland - Last Friday Southland ran a very successful employment seminar, presented by Sean O'Sullivan from DLA Phillips Fox. Thirty six people attended to learn more about topics such as dealing with employees on extended sick leave or ACC, drug and alcohol testing and the latest employment law changes. Feedback was very positive, with everyone learning more and enjoying themselves at the same time due to Sean's lively personality. We hope to run more in the near future, so look out for advertising on Friday Flash so you don't miss out.
This week the Southland Sharemilker section ran a workshop discussing points to look out for when entering a new sharemilking or contract job. Many topics were discussed with the aim of helping sharemilkers and owners achieve a "whole farm, win/win outcome".  A panel of experienced sharemilkers answered questions and offered suggestions to help people achieve this outcome.  Sharemilkers, contract milkers, managers looking at moving up and owners, all attended the session which was chaired by Southland sharemilker chair Donald Kidd.  A couple of key messages which came out of the discussions were to keep communicating with the farm owner and to staff appropriately. 

Hawkes Bay - Top issues facing local farmers as seen by regional and Federated Farmers leaders make up an exciting agenda at this year's Federated Farmers Hawke's Bay Annual General Meeting. The Hawke's Bay executive cordially invites all members to the meeting which will be held on 4 May at Vidal's Estate, St Aubyn Street, Hastings from 1pm. Please RSVP to Federated Farmers Hawke's Bay coordinator Tania Kerr by Monday 2 May.

Bay of Plenty - The Whakatane Branch took Whakatane District Council to task in its submission on the 2011 draft Annual Plan. The Council is facing significant "rates affordability" issues and provides a lot of commentary on that. The big changes proposed, however, are mainly limited to a cut in the uniform annual general charge and a reduction in the road re-sealing programme. The proposed cut in the uniform charge would result in council relying more heavily on the capital value general rate - cranking up rates on farms and reducing them on lower value properties. This harsh gesture is supported with a proposed reduction in the road spend, which would affect rural areas. In the submission Whakatane branch chairman John Howard chides the Council for this short sighted and selective approach to rates affordability in the community, which simply parks the problem in the farmers' driveway.  Just a reminder Federated Farmers Te Puke Branch are having their AGM on Wednesday, 27th April at 7.30 pm at the Pongakawa Hall. The guest speaker will be Teresa Kerslake talking on quad bike safety. Helmet discount vouchers will be available on the night.

Rural Market Doldrums - There were 190 farm sales in the three months ended March 2011, according to the Real Estate Institute's Rural Market Statistics.  This compares to the 210 in the three months to March 2010, continuing the trend of falling farm sales over the past three years.  The number of farm sales for the year ended March 2011 was 869, compared to 2,692 farm sales for the year ended March 2008, a drop of almost 68 percent.  The average selling price per hectare for all farms was $17,577 for the three months to March 2011, down 14.6 percent on the same period last year and nearly half that of two years ago.

Farmer Confidence Improves - Despite the weak rural property market, Rabobank's latest quarterly Rural Confidence Survey shows that farmer confidence has risen for the first time in more than 12 months and is now at its highest level since August 2008. Rising commodity prices and improving global markets are the main factors driving confidence. Sentiment has improved in all sectors, but is highest among sheep and beef farmers.  The survey also reveals that farmers' investment intentions are up and they expect land prices to increase.  Federated Farmers' next six-monthly Farm Confidence Survey will be held in early July.

Inflation Up - Statistics New Zealand's Consumers Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8 percent for the March 2011 quarter.  Petrol prices rose 9.7 percent and at the end of March were only slightly below their July 2008 peak. Cigarette and tobacco prices rose 9.4 percent in the March 2011 quarter, reflecting January's increase in excise duty. Food prices rose 1.2 percent, reflecting increases for meat, poultry and fish (up 2.1 percent), bread and cereals (up 1.4 percent) and milk, cheese and eggs (up 1.3 percent). In the year to March 2011, the CPI increased 4.5 percent, including a 2.3 percent increase in the December 2010 quarter when GST rose from 12.5 to 15 percent. Significant upward contributions in the year to the March 2011 quarter came from higher prices for transport (up 8.2 percent), housing and household utilities (up 4.0 percent), food (up 4.8 percent) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (up 11.4 percent). Inflation is within the Reserve Bank's target range when removing the one-off impact of last year's GST increase, but recent increases in petrol and food prices will be more of a concern, especially if they impact on wage setting processes.

Dairy Prices Stabilise - Dairy prices were broadly flat in the fortnightly internet auction on Fonterra's globalDairyTrade (gDT) platform.  At the auction event on 19 April the gDT Trade Weighted Index of prices in US dollars rose 0.1 percent from the last auction on April 5. The gDT TWI is 10 percent down on the peak of 1 March, but is up 7.7 percent on the same time last year. The next auction event is due to take place on 3 May.

Rabobank Agribusiness review - Prepared by Rabobank's specialist Food and Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) division, the New Zealand and Australia Agribusiness Review provides monthly commentary on the region's economic and agricultural conditions. As a snapshot of the food and agribusiness sectors, the review includes recent price and market trend data and analysis and covers a range of topics. Click here to read the latest copy.

Join the campaign for wool.  The Campaign for Wool is an international campaign led by HRH the Prince of Wales to boost wools awareness and desirability.  Since if it's worth doing, it's worth sharing, farmers can officially join up to the campaign by visiting www.campaignforwool.co.nz (or by clicking here to join as a ‘licensed participant'.  This means you'll be able to use the registered trademarks and ensure you get notified about activities both within New Zealand and around the world. 

Queen of the Sun - This documentary is to raise awareness of the global bee crisis. The film investigates the history of beekeeping and how our historic relationship with bees has broken down as well with dire implications for the future of pollination. Box Office Magazine called the film "the feel-good advocacy movie of the year." There is commitment to bring this unique documentary film to screens across New Zealand, which features in it. Queen of the Sun will be screening from  Thursday, 28 April at Rialto Cinemas. Check your local independent cinema listings.

Employment seminar - Last Friday Southland ran a very successful employment seminar, presented by Sean O'Sullivan from DLA Phillips Fox. Thirty six people attended to learn more about topics such as dealing with employees on extended sick leave or ACC, drug and alcohol testing and the latest employment law changes. Feedback was very positive, with everyone learning more and enjoying themselves at the same time due to Sean's lively personality. We hope to run more in the near future, so look out for advertising on Friday Flash so you don't miss out.

Gypsy Day - Just a reminder to members: if you are changing addresses to let us know by calling 0800 327 646. If you are employing staff, Federated Farmers have a variety of employment contracts at a discounted rate for members. For more details, click here to go to our website.

Lines on maps coming to your farms - What will the National Policy Statement on Biodiversity do to your farm? The Government have released a National Policy Statement (NPS) seeking to protect indigenous vegetation on private land. This will impact on your farm. You can find out all you need to know to make a submission or more information on what is in the NPS by clicking here.  You need to tell the government how this NPS will effect you. Do you have sand dunes, small wetlands or remnant pieces of bush on your farm? Or, do you regularly clear regenerating Manuka or burn tussock grassland? If so, you need to describe how rules stopping you do those things would impact your farm management. If you have invested thousands of dollars in fencing, weed or pest control to protect a piece of bush and have a good working relationship with the Department Of Conservation or are working with your local council to protect special areas on your farm, then you need to write it down. Once you have done that email it to biodiversity@mfe.govt.nz by 2 May.

A reminder Agmardt is seeking an Associate Board Member - the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (Agmardt) is looking for a person to join it as an Associate Board Member.  This is a major chance to gain governance experience with a body, which invests $2.5 million each year in order to encourage innovative ideas, research capability and develop future leaders.  The appointment is for a fixed term of up to 18 months starting 1 July.  For more details, click here.

Pomahaka River minimum flow workshop - The next meeting to help determine a minimum flow for the Pomahaka River in South Otago is being held at Tapanui on Thursday, May 5.  The workshop will present a suggested minimum flow regime and a discussion on how this might affect you and your community. Light refreshments provided. For more details email Olivia.motion@orc.govt.nz.

DairyNZ's Face to Face event - Free to levy-paying farmers and their staff  these events are designed to take some of the latest research and development out to the regions. You have the  opportunity to discuss regional challenges and issues with some of DairyNZ's key staff and find out where your levy is invested. The dates and venues are as follows:
Wednesday 4 May - DairyNZ Face-to-Face in Southland, Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill
Thursday 26 May   - DairyNZ Face-to-Face in Waikato, Mystery Creek Events Centre,
Hamilton
For a full programme click here, registration prior to the event is essential and can be done online, via DairyNZ's website.

Applications open for access scholarship - Access and Rural Women New Zealand are looking for deserving applicants for their 2011 scholarship. "We will be awarding the Rural Women New Zealand and Access Scholarship to a health professional to help further his or her studies," says Rural Women New Zealand National President, Liz Evans.  "Given our rural focus, we are particularly looking for someone who has an interest in providing health or disability services in the rural sector."  Applications close on 1 July and preference will be given to applicants who are studying at post-graduate level.  Further information and application forms can be found at www.ruralwomen.org.nz or www.access.org.nz.

PGG Wrightson National Seminar Series,  Leading thinking in Agriculture  - This series continues with seminars on sheep/beef on May 2, 13, 20 and 27 and on dairy on May 12 and 19. To register, or for more information click here. 

World apicultural congress, Apimondia September 2011 - Farm To Farm Tours, an experienced ag-tourism operator, is organising a tour to Argentina at the time of this biennial congress. The 15-day tour will include hotel accommodation, specialist pre-congress visits for this group only, to bee breeders, the largest honey exporter and apiaries. Protective clothing will be supplied. Also included is a visit to the World Heritage site of the amazing Iguazu Falls and the rainforest, plus a tango show and free time in Buenos Aires. For a detailed itinerary, including pricing, please contact James at Farm to Farm Tours on 0800 3838 747, or james@farmtofarm.co.nz 

Environmental considerations -  This seminar is aimed at small rural block owners which will include topics such as soil and climate,  waste management,  weed and pest management, water use and new measuring regulations, agrichemical use and spray drift, outdoor burning and  tree planting. It will be held at Lake Wanaka Centre, Tuesday, May 3 from 7.30pm till 9:00pm.  For more details phone Bruce Monaghan, 03 448 8063

Federated Farmers National Conference 2011 - Federated Farmers National Conference 2011 is nearly upon us. This year, this premiere agricultural conference will be held from Wednesday, 29 June to Friday, 1 July 2011 at Distinction Rotorua, 390 Fenton Street, Rotorua. It will also incorporate the Annual Geberal Meetings for Federated Farmers' Dairy and Meat & Fibre sections and Federated Farmers National Council. Also included is the plenary session, a combination of the industry group conference and the National Conference. The theme this year is ‘Agri-Evolution.'

Lunch with the Prime Minister and Plenary Session - Prior to the plenary session New Zealand Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, will be speaking at lunch on Thursday, 30 June. We would like to thank Telecom New Zealand for sponsoring the lunch. The afternoon plenary session will encompass guest speakers including Trade Me head of operations Mike O'Donnell and Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Sir Paul Callaghan, as well as a range of New Zealand politicians. Our goal is to shape the future of New Zealand farming through thought provoking comment from our speakers.

Awards Evening - Federated Farmers Awards are about celebrating the success of our Agricultural Industry and the people who help make it so. The pre-dinner drinks and awards dinner will be held on Thursday, 30 June from 6.30pm. There are three award categories: Agribusiness Person of the Year, Agri Personality of the Year and Cream of the Crop, which recognises various national agricultural award winners. We would like to thank Ravensdown for proudly sponsoring Cream of the Crop this year.

Win at National Conference! - Federated Farmers would like to thank our sponsors and business partners for supporting National Conference 2011. Several spot prizes will be up for grabs over the three days. Each prize has been kindly donated by our business partners. To be eligible for any of the prizes, you must be there to accept them in person. The prizes to look forward to so far are:

•  Dulux Product Voucher to the value of $200.00
•  Two jackets from XCM Clothing
•  Transpower all weather outdoor jacket
•  Dreamwool Underquilt

A limited number of seats are available at each event over the three days, so early registration is recommended. Please visit www.fedfarm.org.nz/events to download a registration form. Registrations close on Friday, 13 May 2011.

Expand your staff's knowledge of cattle breeding in the run up to calving - Learn the fundamentals of breeding and producing healthy livestock with AgITO's National Certificate in Agriculture (Cattle Breeding) (Dairy Cattle Farming) (Level 3). Topics covered include; mating, calving and rearing calves and young stock. You'll learn to understand the selection processes for breeding cattle, understand cattle reproduction and the best ways to achieve top conception rates, identify cows on heat and understand the process of calving and associated health issues.  To enrol or find out more, contact your local AgITO training adviser today on 0800 691 111 or visit www.agito.ac.nz.

Wines online - Black Sparrow wines have a range of quality award winning wines all at below half price. These are wines you can have complete confidence in and are only available at winesonline.co.nz.

Federated Farmers employment agreements - For all of your rural employment contract and agreement needs, call 0800 327 646. Our customer service team will assist you in selecting the right contract. The employment agreements range includes; individual employment agreements, fixed term individual employment agreements, permanent, casual employment and even application forms for employment. All the subsidised price of $50 + GST for members or non members can purchase these for $150 + GST. Call 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)   

Federated Farmers annual diary/planner - All members should have received their complimentary copy of the annual diary in the post over the last week. If you would like to order additional copies of this diary please phone 0800 327 646. Prices are; $15 + GST for members and $25 + GST for non members.

Quote of the week - "Federated Farmers is ferociously opposed. New Zealand should never have ratified Kyoto, it says, and should not have an ETS....To the [emissions trading] scheme review's question about the conditions under which the [agricultural] sector should enter scheme, the Feds reply: "Only when competitors face a similar price of carbon, where there are economically sustainable mitigation technologies and where uptake of such technologies can be recognised under international rules".
Brian Fallow writing in the New Zealand Herald