BRUCE WILLS - CHAIRMAN FEDERATED FARMERS MEAT & FIBRE

T150 takes off - The launch of the T150 campaign in late September marked the beginning of a new approach to addressing issues by the Meat & Fibre executive. Federated Farmers recognises the viability and sustainability problems that face the sheep meat and wool industries. It is also aware of the practical limitations of the mechanisms we have available for use T150 is a challenge to encourage the whole sector to perform at a level necessary to ensure its survival.

Great to have goal - The T150 campaign aims to achieve $150 for a good mid-season lamb within five years. Federated Farmers acknowledges that reaching this target will be difficult, but believes that a target is needed. The new goal can be worked towards by farmers, by processors and exporters, by trucking firms and the many other stakeholders that make up the sheep meat and wool industries.

Attendance encouraged - As Meat & Fibre chairman I urge you to attend the council meeting on November 12 and 13. At this forum, as well as having the opportunity to listen to some senior industry figures, we will be discussing the T150 campaign. I will cover what we have achieved to date and the actions we intend to pursue in future to ensure its success. We have a long way to go, but are already seeing signs of progress. Last week, a new supply programme was announced by Silver Fern Farms. This scheme, which more directly links farmers and customers, is an example of the partnership arrangements now required of the industry if it is to be profitable and sustainable. As farmers, we have a critical role to play in the survival and future growth of the meat and fibre industry. I hope that you will join me on this journey.

Have your say - If you wish to have your say about the issue, the easiest way is to use the blog on the Federated Farmers website. What can you do to reach T150? or contact Bruce Wills bwills@fedfarm.org.nz or phone 027 234 1516

NAIT update - Federated Farmers' submission on the NAIT June 2008 discussion document was formally presented to the NAIT governance group on 22 October by Bruce Wills, Don Nicolson, Lachlan McKenzie and Conor English. The discussion document generated a huge amount of interest from members, with the main comment being "Why don't we focus on improving current systems or systems that are already in place for cattle?".  All member comments were taken into consideration in the preparation of the submission. There were hundreds of responses to a member survey. Of the responses 82% were against supporting the NAIT proposal in its current form and 18% in favour of it.

Tri-lamb conference - The Annual Conference of the Tri-Lamb Group was held recently in Napier. Representatives from lamb producer organisations from the United States, Australia and New Zealand met to discuss how to develop the United States lamb market. The event was primarily organised by Meat & Wool New Zealand, but Meat & Fibre had its strongest presence yet, with Bruce Wills and two members of the executive, Dugald McLean and Hamish Cave, also attending. The meeting helped provide an understanding of the positions and concerns of key players in this very important market and provided the opportunity for some valuable networking.

On-farm verification programme - As noted in the previous RamBull, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority on-farm verification programme is to be significantly expanded over the 2008/209 season. The details of the programme are still being finalised and will be supplied to members as soon as they become available. One change however from the earlier communication is that the start date has been pushed back, with the programme now expected to start on 1 November 2008. Much of this programme is concerned with matters relating to the Animal Status Declaration (ASD) requirements. It is very important that this document is always completed fully and correctly. It is a statutory declaration and any obvious and deliberate attempt to avoid or breach statutory duties or obligations will be taken very seriously. 

Recent research on Leptospirosis - Recent research at Massey University shows that Leptospirosis infections may adversely impact farmers' health and their farm profitability. Initial findings show Leptospirosis results in reduced growth rates and reproduction in deer and possibly higher mortality in lambs. Past research has highlighted the risks the disease poses to meat workers and farmers, who are in contact with Leptospirosis infected sheep. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of Leptospirosis infection in the developed world. The infection is transmitted through contact with the urine of sheep or cattle and other species and it can attack the kidneys and liver with severe and sometimes fatal consequences.

New supply programme - Silver Fern Farms last week released information about a new supply programme labelled Backbone^TM. Farmers who are interested in supplying Silver Fern Farms should contact their local field staff member for more information.

Council calling - The Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre Council meeting is at the Mercure Wellington Hotel on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 November 2008. The list of speakers includes senior figures from both the meat and wool industries. They include: Chairwoman, Wool Partners International, Theresa Gattung; Chairman, Meat & Wool New Zealand, Mike Petersen; Chairman, ANZCO Foods, Graeme Harrison; co-author of the publication "Sheep Meat :The key elements of success and failure in the NZ sheep meat industry from 1980 - 2007", Alan McDermott; Chairman, NAIT Governance Group, Ian Corney; Senior Economist, Business and Economic Research Ltd, Dr. Ganesh Nana; Partner in charge of PricewaterhouseCoopers' New Zealand Climate Change Services Practice, Julia Hoare. Other items on the agenda include a discussion of the T150 campaign and the Meat & Fibre industry group strategy. Conference papers will be sent out to those who have registered to attend the meeting. If you wish to attend this exciting event but have not yet booked, please contact Eva Johnston as soon as possible for a registration form as accommodation at the venue is limited. Eva can be contacted: ejohnston@fedfarm.org.nz; fax: 04 473 1081 or telephone, 0800 327 646.

Member discounts - Remember to make sure that you show your Federated Farmers membership card when accessing member discounts.

Contracts and agreements - Federated Farmers offers a range of contracts and agreements discounted to members. These include: employment, lease, contractor, sales and purchase, agreements to grow, log books, access pads, and over dimension certificates. Order contacts and agreements online, or call 0800 327 646.

Books for sale - Books, non-fiction and fiction, written by members and available for sale. Ghosts in the valley by Richard Steele and Farming and subsidies - debunking the myths by Brian Chamberlin. Order books online.

If you have any questions or comments about matters raised in this newsletter, contact a member of the Meat & Fibre council or policy advisor David Burt 0800 327 646, dburt@fedfarm.org.nz.