BEE happy with 150^th anniversary of bees' introduction to New Zealand- Today's 150^th anniversary of the introduction of bees to New Zealand represents a milestone for the industry in this country.Click here>>

Fast-tracking electricity projects will railroad farmers- The Government's draft policy statement on electricity governance opens the door for landowners to be railroaded in the haste to fast-track major electricity projects. Click here>>

Regional fuel tax decision avoids colour coded diesel- The spectre of UK-style colour coded diesel has been avoided by National dumping the previous Government's proposed Regional Fuel Tax (RFT). Click here>>

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

90-day trial period for small businesses- Businesses that employ 19 or fewer employees are now able to offer new employees a trial period of up to 90 days. The trial period must be recorded in a written employment agreement at the beginning of the employment relationship. An employee cannot pursue a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal if he or she is given notice during the trial period. The employee can however raise a personal grievance if issues such as discrimination arise. This clause is included with any new Employment Agreements purchased from us. For more information on the new employment law please visit www.dol.govt.nz/90-days. The Federation is also running employment seminars until 9 April. These seminars could save you thousands in legal costs as well as make your life and business less stressful and more profitable. The next employment seminars will be held in Whakatane and Te Puke on 24 March followed by Rotorua and Taupo on 25 March. If you have not yet booked, then please register today by calling 0800 327 646 or click here to visit the Federated Farmers website.

Tea Breaks and Meal Intervals- We will shortly be sending those who have purchased an Individual Employment Agreement or a Casual Employment Agreement in the last six months, an updated clause on the new Tea Breaks and Meal Intervals legislation, which comes into force from 1 April.  All the legislative changes are included in our IEA/Casual Employment agreements which are available for purchase by calling 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646). You can also find out more by attending one of our employment seminars.

Farm Data Security Agreement- We also have a new Farm Data Security Agreement which will be available shortly. Outlining confidentiality and security arrangements for farmers who supply farm data (such as land information, herds, finances) to third parties to provide services, this can be purchased by calling 0800 FARMING.

Westpac agribiz report- Agribiz covers topical issues facing NZ agribusinesses including the outlook for key economic variables such as product prices, interest rates and the New Zealand dollar.  To see the March quarter report, click here>>

Land Use Capability (LUC) Awareness Workshops- The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), with support from regional councils, is funding a series of workshops by AgResearch on the recently revised Land Use Capability (LUC) classification and its practical application. The workshops will be held in Whangarei, Rotorua, Dannevirke, Marton and Stratford. LUC is a tool that is used to describe land's suitability for long-term sustained production. Even if you're already aware of LUC, learning about the recent revisions may prove useful. For more information, click here>>

Chemicals up for review- The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) is reviewing the status of two chemicals, the insecticide azinphos methyl and the herbicide methylarsenic acid. Federated Farmers needs to know whether to support or oppose the phase out of these chemicals. If you use these chemicals please contact William McGimpsey on WMcGimpsey@fedfarm.org.nz or ring 0800 FARMING.

Otago- The last two weeks have been busy for the Otago province, having completed a submission on the Otago regional water plan and met with councillors and senior staff at the council. The Otago team has also discussed rating of the new stadium with Dunedin City Council and attended a primary sector water partnership meeting where the focus was primarily on industry-led initiatives to encourage improved farm environmental practice in the region. Plans are being finalised for a fantastic AGM on 1 May in Naseby - members should mark their diaries now - and get ready to go curling. For information on any of these activities in the Otago province, email mharcombe@fedfarm.org.nz

Lake Coleridge Fair- The Lake Coleridge country fair will be held on 5 April. Windwhistle School will receive 80 per cent of all proceeds with the remaining 20 per cent going to other local charities. The school is currently busy raising money to keep its second teacher for 2010 as the Ministry of Education has said it will not fund a second teacher because the roll has dropped below 26 children. For a full list of events, click here>>

Power outage Kaitaia- Transpower needs to carry out essential maintenance work on the 110 kV transmission line into Kaitaia on 29 March from 8am-5pm.  This work is to ensure a reliable supply of electricity to the Far North area and cannot be carried out while the line is live. In the event of adverse weather that prevents the work from being carried out safely, a reserve day is planned for 5 April for the same time period. The areas affected are all districts north of the Mangamuka Ranges supplied by Transpower through Top Energy's power supply system. Not included in this shutdown is Taupo Bay Road and Taupo Bay, Kohukohu, Motukaraka, Te Hua Hua and Creamery Road.

Power outage Taihape and Waiouru- Transpower also needs to carry out essential maintenance work on the Mataroa Substation on 29 March from 8:30am - 4:30pm. This work is necessary to ensure that Taihape and Waiouru continue to receive a reliable supply of electricity. For further information, please call 04 495 7000 or email communications@transpower.co.nz

New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards- Chris and Teresa Moore have won the 2009 Central Plateau Sharemilkers of the Year award, pocketing cash and prizes worth $13,300. Chris and Teresa Moore are 50 per cent sharemilking 600 cows on an 180ha Ngongotaha farm owned by Mark and Sophie Dibley. They are targeting 210,000kg milksolids this season, ending May 31. Shaun Gardner & Michele Walker won the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award. Meanwhile, Matthew Gibson has won the 2009 Hawkes Bay Wairarapa Sharemilker of the Year award. He is 50% sharemilking 470 cows on his parents Buster and Denise Gibson's farm near Dannevirke and targeting production of 210,000kg milksolids this season, ending May 31. Bryce and Kylie Baron won the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award

Auckland/Hauraki field day- The region's Sharemilker of the Year winners Gavin and Sally Roden will show off their farm on 25 March, starting at 10.30am.  They can be found at 146 Kelland Rd, Waipipi, Waiuku, Dairy Supply Number 70793. The region's Farm Manager of the Year, James Haldane, will also be opening his farm up on 1 April at 10.30am.  He can be found at 42 Central Rd South, Ngatea, Dairy Supply Number OCC112.

Membership subscriptions- Thank you to all of the Federated Farmers members who have paid their 2009 membership subscriptions over the past month. It is fantastic to see so many farmers renewing promptly in order to continue to allow us to provide the benefits offered by the Federation to its members. For all of those farmers who have not yet renewed their membership, it would be great if you could do this as soon as possible. And remember, as a member you will receive the help of our team of policy analysts who fight bureaucracy at a local and central Government level to lower rates, lower taxes and challenge laws which create extra costs and unfair outcomes for farmers. You are also entitled to free advice on a range of employment, legal, agricultural and business issues, special discounts through the Federated Farmers partnership programme and access to the Farmers Fighting Fund, which helps fight representative legal battles on behalf of all farmers. To find out more about the benefits of becoming a Federated Farmers member or to join please click here.

Regional Fuel Tax Dumped- Transport Minister Stephen Joyce this week announced that the Government will be canning the proposed Regional Fuel Tax (RFT). The RFT was planned to have added up to 10c a litre to the price of petrol and diesel in affected regions. The tax would have been an inefficient way to collect revenue and in addition would force farmers to partake in a costly, complex and cumbersome refund scheme for off road petrol and particularly diesel use. The Federation lobbied for the abolition of the RFT.

MEMBERS ADVICE

Look out for your neighbours - Federated Farmers would like to remind members to keep an eye on their neighbours.  In these difficult economic times, some farmers will be suffering stress as they face up to the challenging financial situation. It costs nothing to invite your neighbour in for a chat over a cup of coffee or tea.

SAFETY ADVICE

Update your safety charts - The 2008/09 edition of the New Zealand Guide to Farm Safety is now available from Pro-Visual Publishing. To order your copy please click here or to visit the Pro-visual website please click here.

Risk management - An injury on the farm can mean you are not around when you're needed. It is important to know where the risks are and how you can manage them. ACC case studies and resources can help show you how to do this. For more information visit the ACC website by clicking here.

SPONSORS ADVICE

Managing on-farm risks - Expert knowledge and advice play a key part in achieving your farming goals. FMG's specialist rural managers work alongside you to identify and assess your on-farm risks and provide the advice and protection you need to help you get the results you want from your farming or growing business. For more information, click here to visit the FMG website. 

Country Channel - The coming week on the Country Channel belongs to the chief executives of New Zealand agri-business. Three of this week's Newsmaker interview segments on the channel's daily rural news show, Farmgate, feature the heavy-hitters of agri-business. On Monday, PGG Wrightson CEO  Tim Miles gives a no-nonsense account of the turbulent times at the rural services giant. On Wednesday, Wool Partners International CEO Iain Abercrombie details the moves afoot to revitalise the country's coarse-wool industry. Thursday will see Dairy NZ CEO Dr Tim Mackle giving us the lowdown on the GoDairy campaign. Award-winning journalist Philippa Stevenson and a couple of agri-media mates will be in the Bullpen on Friday to serve up her usual mixture of opinion and analysis on the week's rural news.

Discount fertiliser- For transparent, market leading fertiliser prices, see Ravensdown. They are committed to saving Federated Farmers members' money. To visit the Ravensdown website for a price list, please click here.

Are you entitled to a tax refund?- It couldn't be safer or simpler for New Zealand wage and salary earners to get a no obligation, free tax refund estimate through the country's only certified e-file agent. To use the website's tax refund calculator to see if you are entitled to a refund, please click here.

New mobile network - By June 2009, Telecom will launch its new mobile network. It will provide customers with the best nationwide coverage, with 3G services, including fast mobile broadband, available in 97 per cent of places where New Zealanders work and live. For more information and to visit the Telecom website please click here.

For further information call 0800 327 646

Rural jobs- Looking for a job or trying to find someone? Then make the first stop a visit to Federated Farmers website. To advertise for employees or to see what is available, please click here.

Ford deal- Ford has a special offer for Federated Farmers members with substantial discounts on a range of vehicles. For details, click here>>

Shed kitset discount- Exclusive to Federated Farmers cardholders, save $540 on a Totalspan 6m span flat roof farm shed kitset, now just  $4,870. April only. Build it yourself or  Totalspan can do the job for you. Call 0800 868 257

Flexible ACC-  As a result of tightening credit and reduced cash flow, many businesses are examining payment options available to them on each invoice received.  ACC offers flexible payment arrangements including internet banking, credit card transactions and instalment plans.  Depending on which option you choose, some conditions may apply.  Visit www.acc.co.nz/paylevy for full details.  

Smiths City- Smiths City is proud to offer a 10 per cent discount to Federated Farmers members. Simply present your Federated Farmers membership card at any Smiths City store to take advantage of a 10 per cent discount on their range of furniture, furnishings, appliances, sporting goods and outdoor products available from 24 locations nationwide.

Solar Group- is offering a special 10 per cent discount to Federated Farmers members. Solahart is the largest manufacturer of solar hot water systems worldwide, exporting to more than 80 countries. The residential and commercial product range features solar water heaters including cowsheds, solar skylight installations,  solar ventilation and solar swimming pool heating. A 10-year warranty and government subsidies are available. Conditions apply. Call 0800 769 377

Employment contracts and agreements - These include job application forms, leave forms, drug and alcohol agreements as well as time/wage/holiday registers.  Visit the Federated Farmers website to purchase.

Contracts, agreements and leases - These include land, stock, contractor; sales and purchase, agreement to grow, log books, access pads and Over Dimension Certificates.  Visit the Federated Farmers website to purchase.

E-contracts, e-agreements, e-leases- Members can now purchase online, electronic Federated Farmers contracts and agreements. Visit the Federated Farmers website to purchase.

Books- For a good reading list or for business related books visit the Federated Farmers website to make a purchase or to browse.

E-books- E-Books are books that are accessible online for your convenience. Federated Farmers offers the opportunity to buy these online. There are a range of informative booklets for employers and employees alike so visit the Federated Farmers website to make a purchase or to browse.

Clothing- Be proud to be a member of Federated Farmers by wearing the name proudly.  Visit the Federated Farmers website to purchase.

Membership drive- Send a copy of the Federated Farmers Friday Flash to a non-member and if they join up as a full member, you will both receive $50.

Get paid for signing up members in 2009 - Federated Farmers is now looking for contractors to help increase membership. Contractor roles are locally based and ideal for someone who has great farming knowledge, knows local people and wants to earn extra money. For more information contact us 0800 327 646 or click here to email Federated Farmers.

Bees Conference change of date- Federated Farmers Bees conference will be held in Hokitika at the Beachfront Hotel on 16 and 17 June 2009.  Not the 10 and 11 June 2009 as was previously stated. More information will come closer to the date and we look forward to seeing you all there.

Health and safety course- New Zealand's premier national health and safety event is back for 2009. The Safeguard National Health and Safety Conference will take place at the SKYCITY Convention Centre, Auckland from 6-7 May 2009. Leading national and international experts will give you the tools to build your health and safety team and execute a winning health and safety game plan. For more information please click here.

Taranaki Sharemilkers AGM- The Taranaki Sharemilkers Section AGM will be held on 26 March at TET Sport Stadium, Stratford, from 7pm. Speakers at the AGM will be Jeff Bolstad chairman of the National Sharemilkers section and Mark Robinson of the Taranaki Rugby Union. Supper will follow the meeting. Please RSVP to Frances Cooper by 24 March. Phone 06 765 8025 or email cooperfarms@farmside.co.nz

Biological agriculture course- Learn biological agriculture techniques and principles by taking part in the NTS Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture course. Presented by Graeme Sait, the course takes place from 27-30 April at Havelock North. Register by 6 April. Space is limited to 80 participants. Contact Phyllis Tichinin on 06 874 7897.

Quote of the week - "We congratulate the Government for scrapping the RFT as it was a dog with fleas...the RFT was as subtle a tax on transportation as a brick through a plate glass window."  Don Aubrey, Federated Farmers transport spokesperson.