Federated Farmers - July 2010

The Rambull

The bi-monthly newsletter from Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre industry group

Chairman's commentary

BRUCE WILLS - CHAIRPERSON FEDERATED FARMERS MEAT & FIBRE

It was great to see the Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre delegates and others at the Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre AGM in Invercargill recently. Our industry has had more than its fair share of difficulties and many of us do worry about its future and that's why we chose Future focus as our conference theme. We felt it was time that as a sector, we lifted our heads and looked to what the future offered. Sure we can't ignore the here and now, we do have issues to sort and we certainly have some profitability to rebuild, but we all know how important it is to stand back from time to time and ask ‘why are we in this industry?' and ‘where we are going?'.

Chief Executive of Silver Fern Farms, Keith Cooper, told us we can achieve T150 by 2013 - yes! He told of how Silver Fern Farms could sell double the amount of New Zealand lamb it is currently selling to world markets crying out for our product.

Lincoln University's Professor of Trade and Environmental Economics and Director of Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit, Caroline Saunders, talked about the world's rapidly growing wealthy markets that are happy to pay a premium for safe, healthy food and fibre from New Zealand. Certainly we have ever increasing animal welfare and environmental requirements to meet, but as long as we get well paid for these, meeting these standards won't be a problem. Caroline spoke on ‘2020 - What will sheep and beef farming look like?' and overall she painted a rather bright picture. Caroline believes that as long as sheep farmers remain adaptable and responsive and as long as some sensible consolidation takes place in processing/marketing it is very likely that in a decade from now our sheep industry will be in much better shape than it is today.

We have all heard about the world's rapidly growing population, how every seven days we need to find food for another million mouths, how every month we have to feed another New Zealand. We have also heard about declining sheep flocks across the globe.

We need to remind ourselves that we are extremely good at growing the meat and fibre that the growing world wants. We are the largest exporter of lamb, as we are the largest exporter of strong wool. We have size, clout and strategic advantage in these industries.
I believe we are making progress with industry issues, we know that our current profitability is unsustainable and the meat sector strategy is underway. The new wool umbrella group recently held its first meeting and there has been much discussion and debate - we now need to move these to action.

I sense that most farmers are now moving past the anger and despair of the last few years to a resolve that things just have to improve. We are ready for change.

Bruce Wills
Chairperson
Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre
Mobile: 027 234 1516
Phone: 06 834 9704
Email: bwills@fedfarm.org.nz

Meat & Fibre conference

The conference, which focused on the future of the industry, was held from 23 to 24 June in Invercargill as part of the Federation's annual National Conference ‘One Event'.

ELECTION RESULTS

With the number of nominations matching the positions available, elections were not required. The 2010/2011 Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre executive comprises of:

Chairperson, Bruce Wills
Vice-chairperson, Jeanette Maxwell
Executive members, Hamish Cave, Dugald McLean, Tim Mackintosh

The retirement of Tony Gray from the executive was received with regret. Tony was elected onto the Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre executive in 2008 and his efforts over the past two years are much appreciated. We welcome Tim Mackintosh to the executive, Tim has been the Meat & Fibre chairperson for Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty for many years and we look forward to his contribution to the executive.

REMITS TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE

There were no remits sent to the National Conference from Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre.

MATTERS FOR EXECUTIVE ACTION

Two resolutions were passed following a discussion of industry issues on the second day of the conference. The council determined that:

Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre strongly encourage farmers to commit their stock, at the very least on an annual basis.
Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre commits to action the outcomes from the meat industry strategy that is currently under development, to ensure a better outcome for this industry.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Two industry figures spoke at the conference and answered questions from the floor following their presentations. Keith Cooper, Chief Executive of Silver Fern Farms, spoke on ‘2013; how we achieved T150' and Caroline Saunders, Professor of Trade and Environmental Economics and Director of the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit at Lincoln University, spoke on ‘Sheep and Beef Farming 2020 - what will it look like?'.

CONFERENCE MINUTES AND PRESENTATIONS

Draft minutes from the conference are to be distributed to Meat & Fibre council members soon. Copies of the presentations given by Keith Cooper and Caroline Saunders are available on request. Members wishing to obtain a copy of the presentation(s) should contact David Burt on 0800 327 646 or email him at dburt@fedfarm.org.nz

OTHER NATIONAL CONFERENCE NEWS

Graeme Harrison, chairman of Anzco Foods New Zealand, was the recipient of the 2010 Federated Farmers Agribusiness Person of the Year award at the Federated Farmers Awards Dinner on 24 June. This was a well deserved recognition of his achievements in the meat sector and his fostering business relationships between New Zealand and Japan.

It is intended that edited highlights of the Plenary Day, the Awards Dinner and the National Conference will be made available on You Tube as soon as possible. Links to the clips will be provided in the Federation's Friday Flash publication when they become available.

CLAIMS FOR CONFERENCE EXPENSES

A reminder to delegates that claims for expenses incurred at the Meat & Fibre conference should be submitted to David Burt no later than Monday, 23 August. To contact David please call 0800 327 646. Expense claims can be emailed by clicking here or faxed to 04 473 1081. David is also happy to provide expense claim forms on request.

2010 drought

While the drought has now broken, its effects continue to be felt in many parts of the country. Most recently, the North Canterbury and Wairarapa regions have been declared to be affected by this unfortunate adverse event.

It appears that supplementary feed is generally still available and with the three month outlook from NIWA, which starts from July, the probability of normal rainfall and warmer temperatures, continued pasture growth where possible looks promising.

The financial and other impacts of drought events will continue to be felt in affected areas for quite some time. Farmers are urged to be proactive and take the steps necessary for them to be best placed to deal with this situation. Information and links to organisations such as the Rural Support Trusts, MAF, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the National Climate Centre (NIWA) and DairyNZ can also be found on the Federated Farmers website, by clicking here.

The Federation continues its two registers to help farmers in need - the feed available list and the feed needed list. To register on one of the lists, or for more information, you can call the 0800 DROUGHT (376 844) hotline. The feed available list is a service for farmers with feed available for donation or sale to register their details so farmers in need of feed can contact them. The list can be accessed by clicking here. While we are grateful to farmers for using our feed available list, we would like to remind all those using it that it is important that feed suppliers contact the 0800 DROUGHT line when you no longer have feed available. This action will ensure the accuracy and integrity of the register. The feed needed list is a service for farmers who need feed. The list can be accessed by clicking here.

Industry news

LAUNCH OF BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND

The new name of Meat & Wool New Zealand, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, took effect on 1 July. With the launch comes a new website, www.beeflambnz.com, and staff email addresses have been changed to firstname.lastname@beeflambnz.com. The free phone number has also changed and is now, 0800 BEEF LAMB (2333 5262). All other contact details remain the same.

NEW SHEEP AND BEEF CATTLE WELFARE CODE PUBLISHED

This code, which applies to all sheep and beef animals farmed for meat and fibre, has recently been published by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC). A copy of the code can be downloaded by clicking here. For more information, please contact Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre policy advisor, David Burt, on 0800 327 646 or at dburt@fedfarm.org.nz.

NAIT

The position of the Federation on the issue of NAIT is currently being considered by the National Board. We are however continuing our attempts to obtain information about RFID tag costs that we can provide to members.

EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME

The Federation continues its opposition to the current ETS implementation process and has submitted on the Regulations for exemptions and thresholds and methodologies for calculating agricultural emissions proposed by MAF. The Federation's submission can be found by clicking here. Other ETS related regulations will be published in future and the Federation will continue its work to ensure that the effects on member businesses are minimised.

Notices

SOUTH ISLAND FARMER OF THE YEAR

Entries are now being called for the Lincoln University Foundation's showcase event, the South Island Farmer of the Year. Following a major revamp, the event is now open to all farmers and focuses solely on innovation. The theme has attracted RX Plastics, Summit Animal Health and TracMap as new sponsors. The major prize of a $15,000 travel/education grant and the runner-up prize of $7,500 travel/education grant remains the same. However, a new prize of a TM465 GPS system, has been kindly sponsored by TracMap. You can enter or nominate someone by clicking here. Entries close 15 August 2010.

Training and education

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COURSE

Looking to grow your primary sector business? Interested in analysing your business to see where you could improve? Open Polytechnic has a certificate course which includes a business analysis tool and then training for areas of need. For more information contact Chris Matthews by clicking here or by calling 0508 650 200. Remember, Federated Farmers members get a 20 percent discount. Click here to download an enrolment form.

Member benefits

RELAX AT NOVOTEL CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL SQUARE

Accor's newest hotel in the very heart of Cathedral Square in the Garden City offers guests the choice of experiencing the latest design or historical elegance. For the months of July and August 2010, Novotel Christchurch would like to offer Federated Farmers members a complimentary full cooked breakfast as well as inviting children 15 years and under to stay for free with adults. This offer applies to reservations on the Federated Farmers rate of 10 percent discount off the best available rate which is booked via accorhotels.com or by calling 03 372 2113. Offer valid for stays until 31 August 2010.

WINESONLINE.CO.NZ

New gold medal wines just listed on Winesonline.co.nz. To view these and other great wines, visit www.winesonline.co.nz

NEED STAFF?

If you need staff or are looking for a job, visit www.ruraljobs.co.nz

NEED A CONTRACT?

If you need a contract or free legal or employment advice, simply call 0800 327 646.

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.

Recruitment

NORTHLAND FIELD OFFICER VACANCY

Federated Farmers is currently seeking a Field Officer to manage the Northland region. In this 12-month contract role you will be selling membership to prospective members and be the key liaison point with farmers, current members and our local provincial executive. To be successful in this role you will need superb communication and organisation skills with the ability to build and sustain long term business relationships. You will have a solid understanding of the business of farming and be results orientated with a strong and proven sales record. A qualification in Agribusiness or equivalent practical experience would be of an advantage. To find out more about this opportunity and for a job description please click here. Application close 5pm Wednesday, 28 July 2010.

Contacts

Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre

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 Meat & Fibre representative or one of the executive team as listed below.