Canterbury earthquake - Council-led clean-up ends Saturday evening - Read more »
Farmy Army demobs Saturday, to reform mid-March - Read more »
Farmers to 'Meat the needs of Christchurch' by donating meat and wool - Read more »
Help Christchurch by donating meat and wool - Read more »
Calling all able-bodied farmers and their wheel barrows, to help clean up  Christchurch - Read more »
'Farmy Army' in need of good homes and schools to help -  Read more »

High terms of trade at end of 2010 - New Zealand's merchandise terms of trade rose 0.6 percent in the December 2010 quarter to reach a 35-year high, according to Statistics New Zealand. Export prices rose 0.3 percent while import prices fell 0.4 percent. The rise in the terms of trade means that 0.6 percent more imported goods could be funded by a fixed quantity of exported goods than in the September 2010 quarter. The latest rise in the terms of trade, the fifth quarter in a row, means that the purchasing power of exports is higher than at any time since the March 1974 quarter.  Meanwhile, seasonally adjusted export volumes rose in the latest quarter to their highest level since the series began in the June 1990 quarter.

Exports up again in January - The total value of goods exported in January 2011 was up $136 million (4.3 percent) from January 2010, to $3.3 billion, according to Statistics New Zealand's Overseas Merchandise Trade Statistics. Milk powder, butter, and cheese exports, mainly unsweetened whole milk powder dominated this increase, up $93 million (9.8 percent).  In January 2011, the monthly trade balance was a small surplus of $11 million or 0.3 percent of the value of exports.  The annual trade balance for the year ended January 2011 was a surplus of $865 million (2.0 percent of exports). This is the first surplus for the year ended January since 2002. 

Commodities continue their boom in February - The good news on trade continued into February with the ANZ Commodity Price Index recording a sixth consecutive monthly increase, lifting 2.7 percent from the preceding month. The index has risen a cumulative 21 percent over the past six months and has hit another record high.  The price of skins recorded the strongest rise in February, surging 13 percent to a new record high. Milk powder lifted 5 percent and butter rose 3 percent.  Sheep meat prices rose 4 percent.  Prices for wool, casein, and cheese all lifted by 1 percent.  However, beef prices bucked the trend, falling 1 percent from a month earlier. When converted into New Zealand dollars, the ANZ NZD Commodity Price Index recorded a slightly stronger rise, lifting 2.9 percent. This reflected a narrow easing in the value of the New Zealand Dollar during February.

Earthquake economic impact severe and long-lasting - While the trade statistics above make for good news, they pale beside last week's devastating Christchurch earthquake.  While it is too soon to put firm numbers on the damage bill, let alone the downstream economic impacts. Both are likely to be much, much bigger than last September's quake.  Economists have slashed their forecasts for economic growth and they expect it to take even longer for the Government to balance its books. New Zealand's economic recovery will depend upon agriculture so we must all hope for commodity prices to stay up and for kinder weather without droughts and storms.

Farmy Army - A huge thank you to all those who gave their time in the Christchurch clean up.  We have received some fantastic feedback. Click here to view a sample.  For photos, stories and comments we now have a Facebook page dedicated to the Farmy Army. Click here to be taken directly there, then click ‘Like' to view the page or go to our website http://www.fedfarm.org.nz

Bay of Plenty farmers beware! - During the past week, ewes and prize breeding rams have been stolen from properties in the Te Puke area.  Please keep your eyes and ears open and be vigilant.

Rattle your dags for Christchurch - Wool prices have been better than expected for the 2011 season so we are asking growers to clean out their wool sheds and help clean up Christchurch!  Please rattle up any spare dags or oddments and take them to your local transport company for delivery to Elders Primary Wool's ‘Donate Dags' scheme. Mark donated wool clearly on your wool specification form and place in a separate fadge. All proceeds will go to the Federated Farmers Earthquake Relief Fund. Donations will be acknowledged on your Account of Sale. For more details, please contact your local Elders Primary Wool Representative.

Whitebait field day - The Otago Regional Council invite you to hear guest speaker Pete Ravenscroft from the Department of Conservation reveal an interesting side to whitebait. Topics will include what are whitebait, where do they come from, what influences their numbers and what water flows has to do with it all.  You will also learn how to look after their habitat to ensure everyone gets a good feed next season and will bring a few tanks with a selection of native fish.  In addition, the field day will highlight some great initiatives that have been implemented on the Gilberts Inch Clutha dairy property.   The field day will be held at Dean and Angela Gilberts property on Telegraph road at Inch Clutha on March 10 from 11am - 1:30pm.  For more details click here.

Growing your business through pasture renewal - If your business is based on growing grass, the Pasture Renewable Charitable Trust's latest free e-book is for you. It is packed full of incredibly useful advice for the dairy, sheep and beef sectors. This e-book is not about ‘a one size fits all' set of recommendations, but makes a sound business case for renewing farm pasture. As Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson, notes in the foreword, "Farmers may not be able to do much about weather events, aside from sound preparation, but we can do a lot about the engine room of our farming system - pasture". The e-book explains why pasture renewal could put an additional $1.6 billion into farm incomes. To get your copy of the Pasture Renewable Charitable Trust's, How to be more popular with the girls e-book, then please click here.

Taieri Farmers need to make their voices heard - Otago Regional Council is undertaking a rates modelling exercise for the purposes for rating the east and west Taiere flood protection schemes. Farmers are concerned the indirect benefit of the schemes to the Mosgiel township is not being reflected in the review nor are the wider community benefits of a flood free Taiere. One farmer is staring down the barrel of an extra $14,000 in rates. Otago Regional Council is continuing its consultation with the community and you need to have your say now before the next rate bill arrives because by then it will be too late. For more information contact David Cooper on 03 4777 361 or email dcooper@fedfarm.org.nz

Free call health advice - Healthline is a free 24/7 telephone health information service provided by the Ministry of Health and it includes mental health. It is probably a very good idea to put this number into mobile telephones as well as having it accessible in utes, shearing or milling sheds. The service is staffed by registered nurses who are able assess health needs before giving information or advice to help you decide on the best level of care. Telephone 0800 611 116 24/7 or click here for more information. 

Help with cancer - The Cancer Society's Information Helpline 0800 CANCER (0800 226 237) provides up-to-date information on all aspects of cancer to people diagnosed with cancer and their family, friends and supporters. All calls are answered in confidence by experienced cancer nurses who can provide current information about all types of cancer, cancer treatments, clinical trials, research, coping and finding support, reducing cancer risk as well as complementary and alternative therapies. The service provides a guarantee of confidentiality.

Industry action in Waituna - Southlanders will be aware of the furore playing out over the Waituna catchment in Invercargill. The Waituna Lagoon is an important and internationally recognised wetland complex and there is a need to address the ecological impacts that land use may have in the catchment. Federated Farmers, along with DairyNZ and Fonterra, will be working closely with Environment Southland to develop effects based and reasonable solutions to the issues. This includes ensuring that any solutions are science informed and recognise the critical role of the landowner in implementing these. For further information please contact David Cooper at dcooper@fedfarm.org.nz

Cadmium Management Strategy for New Zealand - Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture have recently announced a strategy to manage cadmium levels in New Zealand soils. Cadmium is a naturally occurring heavy metal that has been accumulating through the use of fertilisers derived from phosphate rock. At current levels, cadmium does not pose any threat to human or animal health, but there are future risks if cadmium levels continue to rise. The natural levels of cadmium in the soil range from 0 to 0.77mg/kg averaging 0.35mg/kg of soil. The increase in soil cadmium levels in the last 10 years has been 5 micrograms /kg of soil. This is despite the industry voluntary cadmium limitation scheme audited by Fertmark. The objective of the voluntary cadmium management strategy is to ensure that cadmium in rural production poses minimal risks to health, trade, land use flexibility and the environment over the next 100 years. Four soil cadmium trigger values have been set. "a" 0 - 0.6mg/kg; "b" 1.0mg/kg;    "c" 1.4mg/kg; "d" 1.8mg/kg. Different cadmium soil management strategies have been developed including;  using sources of P that do not contain cadmium; raising soil Ph; maintaining  high soil organic levels; alleviating any soil zinc deficiencies; avoid acidifying fertilisers like CAN; avoid fertiliser blends that have high levels of chloride and using crop varieties with a lower cadmium uptake. For more information contact Kevin Geddes, Executive Director, Fertiliser Quality Council. kgeddes@fedfarm.org.nz 

Farm Day 2011 - This year farms in ten provinces are taking part in what will be an exciting day out - Farm Day. This is the perfect opportunity for friends, families or individuals to get amongst the action and be entertained by all things farming. Among the activities and attractions on offer at various farms around the country are sheep shearing and stock dog demonstrations, four wheel drive farm tours, displays of specialist farm machinery and what it is used for. If you're interested in lending a helping hand in your local area, please contact Federated Farmers on 088 327 646 or email eflorance@fedfarm.org.nz. This could also be a great opportunity to reconnect with your urbanite friends and family and let them know about what a great time they will have at their local Farm Day. For more information click here.

Capturing opportunities on hill country farms - On Thursday, 17 March you are invited to Mangarata Farm in Masterton to hear Honorary David Carter, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, speak on various topics. Along with others, he will discuss current policies for stock, the future of sheep and beef farming, the market outlook for meat and the emissions trading scheme for forestry and poplars/willows. Afterwards you will have the chance to join a farm walk to see first hand the best practice for management of poplars and willows plus income options for a forestry block. For more details email julie.thompson@maf.govt.nz, registrations close on 10 March.

Committee meeting to discuss the flow and management of the Lindis River - This will be held at the Tarras Community Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, 22 March. Topics will include the integrated catchment management of water, groundwater and how minimum flows might affect your water take, potential economic effects, issues and aims of the wider community and interest groups. Come along and get involved, tea and coffee will be provided. For more details, call Nikki Penno 0800 474 082 or email nikki.penno@orc.govt.nz.

Effluent Expo - Not sure if your effluent system is right for your farm? Are you unsure about compliance or are thinking about future proofing your system? Then this is the place to be. The Effluent Expo will be held on Tuesday, 29 March 2011 from 9am - 5pm at the Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton. Organised by DairyNZ and Enviroment Waikato this free effluent storage expo is  your one-stop-shop for effluent management solutions. 

The Eastern Field Day - Themed "Water - the New Oil', this field day is aimed at the Agriculture, Viticulture and Horticulture markets. Exhibitors range from equipment suppliers to advisory services to conservation and regulation specialists. Converging on the Hawke's Bay Show grounds, the Eastern Field Day will be housed in the exhibition hall, grandstand and outdoor exhibition, with demonstration areas for displays and a dedicated seminar room in the grandstand. The event will be held on Friday 8 April, between 8.30am and 5pm with tickets for just $10. For further information please contact Hillary Riches Hawke's Bay A&P Society Event manager on 06 878 3123 or email events@showgroundshb.co.nz

Time to give back - When someone needs to get to a hospital, fast, St John's ambulance service is there to help. This time however, St John Gisborne Area is asking the rural community for a hand in raising the $2,000,000 it needs to rebuild its facility in Gisborne. Unlike the New Zealand Fire Service and the New Zealand Police, St John does not get any government funding to build and maintain the facilities they operate from. The current building has served them since soon after World War II but it has serious issues ranging from asbestos to several leaks in the roof. Because it is no longer feasible to maintain, they commissioned a purpose designed building for the next 50 years. The life saving ambulance services St John provides are used by everyone at some time, either personally or for a friend, work mate or family member. To make sure those in even the most remote rural area are covered, St John provide paramedics to man the Eastland Helicopter Rescue service. They are proud of this association as without paramedics this service would not be able to operate. To continue this and all St John's other work, the Gisborne Area Committee for St John is asking Federated Farmers members for their support and donations. So far about $1,400,000 has been raised across Gisborne and the East Coast region and St John have already awarded the tender to a local contractor to ensure the money stays in the local community. However, they still need to raise $15 per head of population in the district. With the help of Federated Farmers members, the goal could shift a lot closer. St John Gisborne Area is a registered charity and all business donations are tax deductible and personal donations over $5 attract a rebate of 33 percent. To find out more about how to donate and print off a donation slip, click here. 

Invercargill Go Organic part-time morning course - This course is ideal for plant growers, permaculture planners, lifestyle-block owners and keen gardeners.  On successful completion particpants will receive a Telford Certificate in Organic Horticulture. The course costs just $125 per person and places are limited.  For more details call Wendy at Agriculture New Zealand on 0800 475 455.

Shining Under the Spotlight (level two) Leadership Course 6 - 7 April 2011 - Build on your leadership skills to influence and inspire others! Registrations are now open for Federated Farmers Shining Under the Spotlight leadership course in April. This is a level two course which offers a challenging and positive environment to practice your presentation skills and strategic thinking. The course will be run in Wellington on 6 - 7 April 2011. For more information, please download the programme flyer by clicking here, or register by clicking here. Alternatively, call Emily Florance, Events Assistant, on 0800 327 646 or email events@fedfarm.org.nz. Places are limited so register now to ensure a place.

Knock mastitis down with AgITO's new course in Mastitis Management - The two workshop series has been developed to help dairy farmers create a mastitis management plan for their own farm. Tutored by specialist veterinarians, this programme will teach dairy farmers how to better detect mastitis, measure its cost to their operation, put in place workable procedures to improve performance, manage somatic cell counts (SCC) and increase milk quality. The Mastitis Management course is part of AgITO's package of Milk Quality learning programmes. It is aimed at those in a supervisory role who can influence how mastitis is dealt with on the farm, such as managers, sharemilkers and owners. To enrol or find out more, contact your local AgITO training adviser today on 0800 691 111 or visit www.agito.ac.nz.

Winesonline.co.nz - Save up to $140 per dozen on quality Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. View Winesonline.co.nz's  great selection of quality, award winning Sauvignon Blanc's and other wines. Click here for more details.

Free legal advice - Members can call 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) with any legal concerns. Our expert team will provide you with fifteen minutes of free legal advice on employment, health and safety, property and general law. 

Variable order and 50/50 sharemilking agreements -  Order yours today by calling 0800 327 646. Members pay just $50 plus GST for a pack of two agreements. For example, order the variable order agreement and receive two copies.  Non members can also order these agreements at the unsubsidised price of $150 plus GST.  Call our customer services team to discuss which options are best for you.

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 - "Federated Farmers is doing an excellent job of rallying farmers from as far away as the central North Island, Dunedin and the West Coast to pitch in and help with this mammoth task  - David Carter, Minister of Agriculture