BRUCE WILLS - CHAIRPERSON FEDERATED FARMERS MEAT & FIBRE

Firstly, feedback from our Auckland conference has shown that you would like a bit more time to discuss issues of concern with the council, this has been arranged and will happen at the conference next year. For the upcoming council meeting though, I hope you enjoy our initiative to take the meeting ‘country'. We see this as an opportunity to involve rural areas more in what we do, something we often find difficult to achieve at the One Event National Conference, which for various reasons, has to be based in a main city. We hope having the council meeting in Methven will prove a hit and we will welcome your feedback in due course.

With the rural setting of the council meeting in mind, we have arranged a group of speakers who, we think, will resonate with all members. I have asked Don Nicolson to open the meeting on 4 November, followed by the Hon. Tim Groser, whose portfolios include trade, conservation, foreign affairs and international negotiations around climate change. Mr Groser will be delving into some of the possible implications of climate change, trade and agriculture. These are all huge and concerning issues for farmers and we hope his presence will attract interest from the farming community. A great deal of planning has been put into the agenda to make this a worthwhile and informative afternoon and I take this opportunity to invite local farmers to join the council on the first day of the meeting.

As a council, we also thought it relevant to have a session on farmer co-operatives and so have arranged for Professor Keith Woodford, of Lincoln University, to provide an academic view and Owen Poole, chairman of the largest lamb processing organisation, Alliance Group Ltd, to provide an industry view. I have also asked Owen to give us his reflections on the failed ‘mega-merger' and where to now for the meat industry. We also thought it was important to provide a session on what's happening with wool, after the recent ‘no‘ vote for the wool levy. Iain Abercrombie, Chief Executive of Wool Partners International, will be fronting the discussion.

The morning of the second day will predominantly be for Meat & Fibre council business, while in the afternoon we plan a visit to the Anzco, Five Star Beef processing plant on the way back to Christchurch.

I hope this looks exciting enough to make you leave your lambs, tie up your dogs and come and be informed and entertained at Methven! I look forward to seeing all Meat & Fibre delegates and observers in Methven in a few weeks time.

See you there!

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

METHVEN, 4 - 5 NOVEMBER 2009

The Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council meeting will be held on Wednesday, 4 November to Thursday, 5 November 2009 at the Methven Resort, Methven.
This meeting will be preceded by the Meat & Fibre executive meeting in Christchurch on Tuesday, 3 November 2009.

PRESENTATION BY HON. TIM GROSER

The Hon. Tim Groser is the Minister of Trade, Minister of Conservation, Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Associate Minister of Climate Change Issues - International Negotiations. We are delighted to confirm that the Minister will be speaking on the first day of the council meeting, on the topic of Climate Change, Trade and Agriculture - possible implications for farmers. We look forward to his comments on these controversial topics that are important to all farmers.

CO-OPERATIVES – A GOOD OPTION FOR FARMERS?

This session will consist of presentations by Keith Woodford, Professor of Farm Management and Agribusiness, Lincoln University and Owen Poole, Chairman, Alliance Group Ltd. The presentations will take place on the first day of the meeting, 4 November.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH WOOL?

An update on wool, with Iain Abercrombie, Chief Executive Officer, Wool Partners International Ltd. To take place on 4 November, the first day of the council meeting.

A VISIT TO FIVE STAR BEEF

All delegates and official observers of the council meeting are invited to a tour of Five Star Beef, Wakanui, on 5 November. The visit will be hosted by Graeme Harrison, chairman, Anzco Foods.

FULL MEETING AGENDA

A full copy of the 2009 Meat & Fibre council meeting agenda can be found by clicking here.

If you wish to attend the full Council Meeting and have not yet registered, you must complete the registration form ASAP.

Registration forms can be obtained from the Meat & Fibre policy advisor, David Burt or Events co-ordinator, Eva Johnston. Contact details can be found below.

David Burt
Telephone:  0800 327 646
Email:  dburt@fedfarm.org.nz
Fax:  04 473 1081

Eva Johnston
Telephone:  0800 327 646
Email:  ejohnston@fedfarm.org.nz
Fax:  04 473 1081

UPDATE

Proposals presented by Meat & Wool New Zealand (MWNZ), as required by the Commodity Levies Act, were voted on by farmers in August. While the sheep meat and beef levies were accepted, the goat meat and wool proposals were voted down. The rejection of the wool levy has raised a number of issues, for MWNZ as an organisation, for sheep farmers and for the wool industry as a whole.

We are currently awaiting the outcome of the changes to the organisation that have risen from the referendum and will continue to work closely with this key industry good body.

8 - 9 OCTOBER, BRUSSELS

At the invitation of Meat & Wool New Zealand, Bruce Wills attended the international sheep meat forum for producers and industry, in Brussels on 8 and 9 October. The forum was designed to bring together the world's sheep meat producers in order to address common issues. Bruce presented a paper entitled Sheep production, the environment and climate change - ensuring sustainability for the sector. This paper will be available on the Federated Farmers website after his return to New Zealand.

While away, Bruce will also have the opportunity to meet representatives from the key English, Irish, Welsh and French farming organisations, as well as attending the Anuga food and beverage trade fair in Cologne. Bruce will have great pleasure in filling you all in on his travels and insights at the Meat & Fibre council meeting.

It is timely here to note the financial support we have received from Meat & Wool New Zealand, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and AGMARDT to help fund this invaluable experience. Without their support, this trip would not have been possible.

WOOL INDUSTRY MEETING WITH DAVID CARTER, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

Meat & Fibre chairperson, Bruce Wills and National Board Vice-president, Donald Aubrey, were among the wool industry stakeholders who attended a recent meeting, on 1 October, with the Minister of Agriculture to discuss a way forward for the wool industry. Most recently the Minister has announced the formation of a stakeholder taskforce.

MAF REPORT

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry now have updated information from the Farm Monitoring Programme. The model budgets and key points for the 2009 sheep and beef monitoring round can now be found on the MAF website, by region, by clicking here.

A more detailed commentary is expected on the MAF website in late October 2009.

FEDERATED FARMERS ‘CASH FLOW MANAGEMENT AND SOFTWARE’ SEMINARS

Federated Farmers is hosting FREE seminars, presented by Westpac Bank and CRS Software Ltd, as part of a series covering relevant and practical topics, valuable to your farm business. These two hour seminars will be priceless for farmers who would like to improve their cash flow processes and management or for those facing financial difficulty.
The seminars will include:

• What our economists have to say about the current rural financial climate.
• The current financial climate from a personal perspective.
• Short term cash flow planning and longer term financial stability.
• Debt structuring and financial management.
• How your bank can help you.
• Accounting software that can assist in the cash flow management process.

The seminars will be held across 30 venues throughout New Zealand from now until 10 November 2009.

For more information or to register, please call 0800 FARMING (327 646) or click here.

HOT WATER COSTING YOU A FORTUNE?

Let nature pay with LEAP! Ring LEAP for a free quote on solar or heat pump water heating. Both options qualify for Government grants. For more information visit our website by clicking here or phone us on 0800 246 810.

ACC COVERPLUS EXTRA PUTS YOU IN CONTROL

This package is designed to give you an agreed amount of lost earnings cover. This way you know exactly how much you'll receive each week if you're injured and can't work, whether the injury is work related or not. For more information, check out our website by clicking here.

DATADOT DNA

DataDot DNA is like DNA for assets, that provides essential legal identification. DataDot DNA gives a permanent identity to farm equipment, personal property, corporate assets and cars. Stop theft now with a 25 percent discount for Federated Farmers members. Phone 0800 4 datadot or click here to visit their website.

MARLBOROUGH CHARDONNAY AND PINOT GRIS

Wines Online have Lawson's Dry Hills export labelled 2007 Chardonnay, for $7.95 and 2008 Pinot Gris, for $10.95. As always, Wines Online has great wines at great prices, with free rural delivery. Check out the full range by clicking here.

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2009

New Zealand wage and salary earners can now check if they are eligible for a 2009 tax refund. Get a free, no obligation tax refund estimate online by clicking here. Conditions apply.

HOLIDAY IN STYLE

Smiths City has the Coleman ‘Kaimai', 2 room family tent, in durable canvas for $1399.99, a saving of $300. For information call 0800 SMITHS or visit a Smiths City store near you. Offer available while stocks last.

Employment contracts and agreements

The Federation's online shop stocks a range of contracts to assist with your farm business.  Remember, it's a legal requirement to have an employment contract for EVERY employee so if you don't have a current employment agreement, then order one now by calling 0800 FARMING or  click here. Employment contracts and agreements are available in both electronic and hard copy formats for your convenience.

CONTRACTS, AGREEMENTS AND LEASES

These include land, stock, contractor, sales and purchase, agreement to grow, log books, access pads and Over Dimension Certificates. Contracts, agreements and leases are available in both electronic and hard copy formats for your convenience. To purchase, call 0800 FARMING or click here.

GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS

Federated Farmers would like to extend a special thank you to all members who have sent in their recommendations for new members - we've received a huge number of recommendations which is great as we need all farmers to chip in and help support the work we do.

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.

Federated Farmers of New Zealand
PO Box 715
Wellington 6140
Tel:  04 473 7269
Fax: 04 473 1081
www.fedfarm.org.nz

Staff contact

David Burt
Tel:  0800 327 646
Fax: 04 473 1081

Chairperson
Bruce Wills
Tel/Fax:  06 834 9704
Mobile:   027 234 1516

Vice-chairperson
Jeanette Maxwell
Tel:         03 302 8860
Fax:        03 302 8849
Mobile:   027 357 4464

Executive member
Hamish Cave
Tel:         06 863 9861
Fax:        06 863 9500
Mobile:   027 687 1141

Executive member
Tony Gray
Tel/Fax:  06 328 4575

Executive member
Dugald McLean
Tel/Fax:  03 313 5442

A full list of the Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre team can be found by clicking here.