High Country spend-up - The government's purchase of St James High Country Station is likely to influence a Land Valuation Tribunal hearing in Dunedin next week. The tribunal is considering the legitimacy of values used to set new rents for South Island pastoral leases. Recently Land Information New Zealand has demanded additional rent payment for things such as the view. St James, New Zealand's largest pastoral lease of 78,196 hectares has been purchased by the government for $40 million. High Country Chairman, Donald Aubrey says the sale is significant as the government isn't buying something that it already owns. The payment to the Stevenson family represents the market rate to extinguish the rights attributable to the lessee. It does not include the Crown's interest in the land and it is that interest that the Land Valuation Tribunal will consider when looking at the new rents set. Read more »

More answers needed - Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson says Federated Farmers is not going to be stopped from asking the hard questions in regards to the National Identification and Tracing scheme (NAIT). Don says the Federation has worked behind the scenes but now farmers need to be informed. The first question Federated Farmers wants an answer to is, what difference will NAIT actually make? Read more »

NAIT survey - Hundreds of members have responded to a Federated Farmers survey on NAIT this week. The Federation asked members to share their views on NAIT to help get a better picture on how livestock farmers are feeling about the scheme. Initial analysis shows 80 percent are against NAIT progressing in its current form and 20 percent are for it continuing. Concerned members should email their thoughts to haveyoursay@fedfarm.org.nz by Monday morning. 

Mexican's amused - A group of Mexican farmers, hosted by Federation President Don Nicolson in Wellington last night, listened intently to the New Zealand food production story of "life after farm subsidies". Many questions were asked about New Zealand farm systems but most interest and mirth came when they were informed about the Emissions Trading Scheme and the proposal for electronic identification of stock. The Mexican farmers seemed mystified as to why food producers would be so targeted by legislators. Federated Farmers of New Zealand is also perplexed.

Question session - An intensive question session took place in the Horizons' region yesterday. National president, Don Nicolson with board members, Lachlan McKenzie and Bruce Wills, as well as provincial presidents Gordon McKellar, Andrew Day and Brian Doughty were hosted by the regional council. The farmer leaders discussed with the council chairman and senior staff the proposed One Plan and Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) concepts. The group observed first-hand examples of areas of severe erosion and listened to council proposals to promote alternative land use and erosion reduction options. Horizons explained how it thinks the voluntary, non-regulatory approach to the SLUI concept will make the most progress and preserve farmers' property rights. Federated Farmers' board members were concerned the same non-regulatory approach was not taken on the more intensively farmed lowland. Lowland farmers have a proposed regulation capping nitrogen loss which will impact on economic growth in the region.

Compliance cost survey out - It will be no surprise to farmers that the top five compliance costs for farm business are: tax, local government, Resource Management Act, ACC and Statistics NZ surveys. The main difference between farmers and other businesses was that farmers are much more concerned with local government and the RMA. The Business New Zealand-KPMG Compliance Cost Survey results were released at a function in Wellington on Thursday. See full report.

Breaking news - See Federated Farmers in the news this week.

Sharing the burden - Taranaki Federated Farmers executive members, Bryce Kaiser and Neville Wallace met with the National Party's transport spokesperson, Maurice Williamson on Wednesday this week.  Neville and Bryce made it known to Mr Williamson that Federated Farmers does not support a regional fuel tax. Most farmers use fuel off-farm and a regional fuel tax would mean farmers would be paying a tax on this fuel as well as road user charges. Neville and Bryce also questioned Mr Williamson onwhat National would do to address local government's large roading bills that are burdening ratepayers. Mr Williamson admitted that property value based rating systems were not ideal, but did not elaborate further.

Baffled at building rule - Taranaki Federated Farmers President, Peter Adamski and executive members; Charles Bayly, Derek Gibson and Graham Fergus, met with the Stratford District Council planner on Monday to discuss the Proposed Stratford District Plan. Taranaki Federated Farmers had a number of questions regarding the proposed plan and needed issues clarified. Concerns included, calf rearing, woolsheds, dairy sheds, chicken coops and even stables being considered as intensive farming operations under the proposed plan. Federated Farmers is also baffled at the new requirement for separation distances of 200 metres between dwellings, woolsheds and dairy sheds. The farmer leaders will be presenting an oral submission to the Stratford District Council on Thursday 23 October. 

Otago wrap - Today Otago president Richard Burdon featured on Radio BSport's regional wrap. Richard, who is in the midst of docking, talked about the province's battle with local government over rates and the trouble over funding of a new stadium set to replace the ageing Carisbrook. Listen to the interview online.

Commodity price update - New Zealand Commodity Prices slipped in USD terms over the past week, but the weaker Kiwi dollar more than compensated.  NZX Agrifax reports that demand for beef in the US is showing further signs of weakness with very little import activity. US 95cl bull beef prices are now sitting at US 167c/lb, off a high of about US 195 c/lb several weeks ago. New Zealand lamb prices are slightly higher than last week. NZX Agrifax reported that there is increasing interest from European markets for the Christmas season. Dairy prices seem to be holding at present levels. Financial markets have been volatile over the past week, with the Kiwi dollar dropping as low as US 57c. 

General advice

Fence check - Farmers are being urged to check fences along roadsides as over the past few weeks there have been several crashes at night on State Highway 1 involving vehicles and cattle. Farmers should ensure their stock is well contained at all times. Stock wandering along the state highway puts the lives of road users at risk. There are also wider liability issues of which most farmers should be aware. Good stock management practices and simple preventative measures can make a big difference to the safety of highways and roads in rural areas. For further advice contact 0800 327 646.

Sponsors advice

Broadband availability - Check if broadband is available to you by doing an online check. Get connected with Telecom.

Safety on the farm - ACC works with Federated Farmers to make sure that injury prevention messages are delivered to farmers throughout the country. The agricultural industry still suffers from too many injuries. Statistics show that in the past 12 months 21 farmers died as a result of workplace accidents. ACC also funded over 4,000 new claims for injuries sustained on farms. For more information about improving safety on your farm, call 0800 327 646.

Training

Employment seminars - Learn more about performance management and getting the best out of your staff. See below for the location of the next in the series of three-hour seminars. The cost to members is $30 so to find out when there is one in your area or to register for a seminar in October or November call 0800 327 646.

Leadership training - Become a Federated Farmers of New Zealand leader by attending one of two leadership courses in November and December. For more information visit the Federated Farmers website or call 0800 327 646 or speak with your provincial president. Spaces are limited so be in quick.

Rural jobs

Employment - Looking for a job or trying to find someone then make your first stop a visit to Federated Farmers website.  You can both advertise for employees or see what is available. Read more about rural jobs ». Call 0800 327 646 if you have trouble logging on to the Federated Farmers website.

Special discounts

Grow and protect your wealth - Many of New Zealand's wealthiest families have chosen Guardian Trust to grow and protect their capital. A comfortable, financially secure retirement doesn't happen by accident - you need to plan well in advance. To find out more about what is on offer from Guardian Trust or any other of the Federated Farmers suppliers call 0800 327 646 or log in the members area for special discounts.

Contracts, agreements and books

Members can purchase Federated Farmers contracts and agreements at a discounted rate. To order phone 0800327 646.

Employment agreements: job application forms leave forms, drug and alcohol agreements, time/wage/holiday registers.

Other products and agreements: including: lease; contractor; sales and purchase; agreement to grow; log books; access pads; and Over Dimension Certificates:

Great reading: Ghosts in the Valley by Richard Steele and Farming and Subsidies: Debunking the Myths by Brian Chamberlin.

Gisborne show - The Poverty Bay A&P Show takes place in Gisborne on Friday 17 October and Saturday 18 October. Federated Farmers will have a stand at the show situated in the Williams & Kettle Sheep Pavilion. The local executive will front the stand with CEO, Conor English and East Coast policy advisor, Hilary Gubb also in attendance. It is a good opportunity for questions and discussion.  A discount of 10 percent is being offered to new members who sign up over the two days, also included in the discount will be a free employment contract.

Change of meeting date - The executive meeting of Wairarapa Federated Farmers for October will now be held on 7pm, Wednesday 22 October 2008. Shear History Trust, 12 Dixon Street, Masterton. Guest speaker is Bob Tosswill, who will be speaking on the Wairarapa Irrigation Project at the start of the meeting. Any queries contact: Anders Crofoot, provincial president phone: 06 372 6465.

Goat going - Federated Farmers Goats is holding its 2009 industry group conference in Melbourne to coincide with the Australasian Goat Show in Horsham. A newsletter and registration forms will be going out to all Federated Farmers Goat members in mid-October with a more detailed programme and accommodation information. In the meantime look online to book your flight. For more information contact: Bronwyn Wilson bwilson@fedfarm.org.nz or call 0800 327 646.

Diary advertising - Members who would like to advertise their services in the Federated Farmers' diary please call 0800 327 646 to find out the rates or find out more online.

Right Ballance - Entries for the 2009 Ballance Farm Environment Awards are now open and the Federation would encourage members to either enter or nominate someone you think should be entered. This awards programme has great recognition throughout New Zealand and a number of members have entered and won in the past. To find out more about the entry process and the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, go to www.bfea.org.nz.

Recruiting and retaining skilled migrants - Enterprise Ashburton is hosting a Department of Labour immigration seminar for employers in the Ashburton region on Wednesday 22 October 2008, 5pm to 7.30pm at the Masonic Lodge, 152 Havelock Street, Ashburton. Learn how to get the most from current immigration policy and procedures. Topics include: Finding and recruiting international talent; navigating the immigration options; how to make dealing with immigration easier, a step by step guide; information and practical tips about how you can help with migrant settlement; a local employer's experience. RSVP by Friday 17 October to trina@enterpriseashburton.co.nz or phone 03 308 0290.

Quote of the week - Look at those cows and remember that the greatest scientists in the world have never discovered how to make grass into milk - Michael Pupin