Urgent recall of strawberry kits sold by The Warehouse - Read more
The future of raw drinking milk - Read more
Making the most of our reduced lamb crop - Read more
The banks vote of confidence in our greenest clean tech industry - Read more

Vote for farming - Read more
Last call for political electioneering - Read more

Exports, imports up in October - Statistics New Zealand's Merchandise Trade statistics show the value of imported and of exported goods were higher in October 2011 compared to the same period last year. Exports were up 5.3 percent to $195 million, led by meat which was up 21.7 percent, crude oil which was up 36.6 percent and wool which was up 42.9 percent. Imports increased $257 million or by 6.6 percent, with fertilisers up 164.6 percent and petroleum and products up 11.0 percent leading the increase. The trade balance for October 2011 was a deficit of $282 million, 7.3 percent of exports, but this is relatively small by recent standards. The October monthly trade balance is normally a deficit, with an average deficit of 23 percent of exports for the previous five October months. For the year ended October 2011, exports were worth $47.0 billion and imports $46.4 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $627 million.

Lamb crop up - Beef and Lamb New Zealand's Lamb Crop 2011 report shows the number of lambs tailed in the spring of 2011 was up seven percent or 1.72 million on last spring, to 26.51 million head. However, this will still be the second smallest lamb crop in at least 55 years.  A return to normal weather conditions during peak lambing, despite a brief snow event in mid August, was the main reason for this increase in lamb numbers compared with the previous year.

Rabobank Agribusiness review - The latest review provides a snapshot of the food and agribusiness sectors, as well as recent price and market trend data and analysis.

Click here to read the latest review.

The countdown is on - Only a week left to win a $4,000 One Honda Duster XR125 farm bike.  Entries for the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year contests that are received before December 1 will be eligible for the early entry prize draw. More information on the awards can be found by clicking here. Some terms and conditions apply to the early entry prize draw.

Survey on the legal sale of raw drinking milk from the farm gate - The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is currently consulting on how to legally provide for farm gate sales of raw drinking milk. We are asking members to give us vital information, via this survey, so that we can then inform MAF about what is really going on. Together, we can help MAF write the rules/policy that will affect you. The survey can be accessed by clicking here and closes next Wednesday, 30 November 2011. More information on the survey can be found by clicking here. The MAF discussion document can be found here discussion document (download here).

Provincial newsletters - The Provinces send these out to keep members informed of local Federation activity. Consider for a moment other farmers in your district who may not be Federated Farmers members and could have their interest sparked by learning more about the work we do. Dropping off your copy of the newsletter be what gains a new member. So please help build on our successful advocacy and grow our membership by passing on this newsletter to another farmer in your locality. SPREAD THE WORD AND GROW THE FEDERATION.

Farmy Army Christmas presents - The Farmy Army, Federated Farmers and Rural Women New Zealand members plan to distribute food to quake distressed folk in the Eastern suburbs of Christchurch on Friday, December 16. We would appreciate your help supplying baked goods, fruit and vegetables and help distributing the food on December 16. For more information and to find out how to help out click here.

Otago: Lindis River water management meeting - The Otago Regional Council is holding a meeting to get the community's input on who to shape water management in the different catchments. This interactive meeting will debate two possible minimum flow options for the Lindis River and its immediate groundwater resources and the implications for the community.

When: Wednesday 30 November 7pm
Where: Tarras Community Hall

 For more information contact Nikki Penno on 0800 474 082 or by email at nikki.penno@orc.govt.nz.

Rural disputes seminar - Rural disputes is the topic of an intensive two and a half day seminar organised by the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand. The seminar, which is being held on from 16 - 18 March 2012 will help you develop in-depth tools for a rural dispute practice and help you more fully understand how to deal with disputes in the rural context. The topics covered include sharemilking agreements, farm ownership structures, resource management, employment, Maori land issues, environmental issues, valuation, leasing and land tenure - all with a view to dispute avoidance and resolution.

Federated Farmers' members have been given discounted rates to attend the seminar.  Click here for more information or to register using the code "fedfarm" to receive the discounted rate, or call 0800 426 469.

AgITO's Farming to Succeed Programme - Applications are now open for this programme. If you are a Level 3 or above AgITO trainee, you can apply for the Farming to Succeed programme sponsored by FIL New Zealand. This programme is free and is a great way of up skilling. Farming to Succeed runs over five days during which you'll go through a series of workshops, farm visits and discussion groups to explore key ingredients required for the achievement of personal and business success in the agriculture industry.

Click here for more information or to enrol or contact your local AgITO adviser ton 0800 691 111.

Use your Membership and SAVE - Get extract value from your membership by signing up for the Mobilcard "at pump" or the Allied Petroleum "farm delivery" fuel offers. Call 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) and our team will connect you with the appropriate fuel business partner. You can also call them direct on 0800 Mobilcard (0800 732 277) or Allied Petroleum, freephone 0800 383 566.

Benefits available to all members - Federated Farmers is proudly sponsored by many key businesses that give members special offers and great purchasing discounts off products such as mobile communications, paint, water tanks, health insurance, clothing, stationary, Bunnings products, accommodation, tyres and much more. Visit the member benefits page of the Federation's website to see what is available to all members when you show your Federated Farmers New Zealand membership card.

Considering new staff? - Call our customer services team on 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING) to order the correct employment contract for your staff needs. An up to date range of individual agreements is available including fixed term, casual and permanent employment contracts. These employment products are just $50 + GST for members, and $150 + GST for non members.

Winesonline - Drink award winning wine and help save the tuatara at the same time. With every bottle of Waimea Estate Spinyback wine bought, a contribution is made to Ngati Koata towards its conservation goals. Click here to view this great deal.

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" - Benjamin Franklin

Your Federated Farmers membership makes you a well armed lamb. Vote!