Shareholders to decide first two parts of Fonterra's capital structure review - Read more »

Vote for Molly Ploeg's ‘Moogle Google' doodle - Read more »

Vote for sheep in Google's ‘Doodle 4 Google' - Read more »

Aussies likely to exclude agriculture in its ETS - Read more »

2010 Nuffield scholars announced - Read more »

Recession's sharp edge cutting both ways - Read more »

To view the full list of media releases or to view any other publications, click here.

Councils rampant spending prompts calls for reform - There has been renewed calls for a reform of local government as statistics showing unchecked local government spending continues to grow, despite the recession. The October edition of the Local Government Forum's newsletter has just been released and includes articles on how to keep councils focused on core services, the results of the Federation's recent rates survey, making more use of referenda, the need for regulatory reform and the implications for the rest of the country from the changes to Auckland's governance. To find out more, download the newsletter by clicking here.

Drop the rate, mate! - When you use your mobile phone to call or text someone on a different network, or call them from your landline, their network charges yours a fee. It's called the mobile termination rate and it gets included in the price you pay per call. In New Zealand these rates are higher than in other countries. In a submission to the Commerce Commission last week, Federated Farmers called for mobile termination rates to be regulated. To find out more, click here.

We say no change in minimum wage - Last week Federated Farmers submitted on the annual review of the minimum wage, calling for it to be held constant. With farmers and the economy facing tough times, an increase in the minimum wage is the last thing we need to get things back on track. For more information, contact policy advisor, William McGimpsey, by clicking here.

Petition to Parliament - The petition organised by Gisborne member, Neil Henderson, will be presented to the Hon Rodney Hide at Parliament at 12.45pm Wednesday, 25 November. The petition asks Members of Parliament to urge the Government not to commit to any emissions reductions at the Copenhagen climate change negotiations later this year. Those that have not yet signed can click here to download the petition form. Signed petition forms need to be returned by Friday, 6 November 2009 to Neil Henderson, 2627 Whakarau Rd, R.D. 2, Te Karaka 4092.

We're at it again - Federated Farmers hosted 16 very enthusiastic members this week to participate in another of our highly sought after ‘Getting Your Feet Wet' leadership courses. Participants enjoyed two days of interactive workshop sessions with plenty of opportunities to practice their skills. They also had the opportunity to take to the corridors of power with the movers and shakers of the agricultural industry. 

Collaborative approach supported - Whakatane District Council is currently in the early stages of reviewing their district plan. In learning from past mistakes, council has sensibly invited a number of key stakeholder and interest groups to work together and participate in the development and identification of issues. This is a great opportunity to engage in the process before thinking becomes entrenched. Despite requiring a lot of time and energy Federated Farmers recognises this will ensure members concerns are heard and will add value to the process.

Rodney district's back step - Federated Farmers Auckland has made a submission to the Rodney District Council on its controversial Variation 132 of its district plan. The variation introduces a west coast rural policy area along almost the entire length of the Rodney district's west coast. The variation also requires farmers to get resource consent for new farm buildings and certain types of fencing as well as introducing more stringent rules for earthworks, wetland modification and tree and bush removal. Federated Farmers submitted that the proposal should be withdrawn as its development is legally tarnished, signalling a return to the ‘nanny state' in Rodney, contrary to that signalled in many of council's own strategic documents.

Change is a coming - Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP) is about to release its draft regional policy statement (RPS) for comment. A regional policy statement is required under the Resource Management Act and establishes the policy framework for council planning documents and district plans. It will identify the major resource management issues for the region and is likely to include issues like managing harbours, lakes and waterways, protecting natural and historical heritage, enhancing native ecosystems and responding to future growth. Federated Farmers understands EBOP is looking to take a more hands on, regulatory approach and as such, we will be heavily involved as the process moves forward.

Seeing it through - The legislative process of Western Bay District Council's district plan review is nearing its final stages. Federated Farmers has been involved every step of the way, writing formal submissions, attending meetings and fronting up to hearings. The success, or otherwise, of this involvement will be known in the next few months. However we are confident that members concerns, relating to zoning changes, ecological and heritage sites and esplanade reserves have been heard and that farming will continue to be an important contributor to the district.

Matahina Dam - Resource consents allowing TrustPower to run Matahina Dam near Kawerau are being renewed. Through this process, TrustPower is seeking more flexibility in its operating conditions and a 35-year consent period. Federated Farmers lodged a submission opposing the new regime on the basis that adverse effects and future impacts have not been adequately assessed. The submission asked Environment Bay of Plenty to include a range of controls as part of consent conditions. This will ensure downstream landowners and resource users have confidence their interests are also being looked after.

Feedback needed - Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP) is seeking feedback on its draft pest management strategy. The purpose of this strategy is, in part, to control pests and minimise the adverse effects of pests on the environment. EBOP is proposing to make a number of changes in the way they classify pests. This will have an impact on the management regime required from both landowners and council. For more information, contact Bay of Plenty policy advisor, Hilary Walker, on 0800 327 646 or click here to email her. Feedback is required to EBOP by 30 October.

Ruapehu representation review - Ruapehu District Council is currently reviewing its basis of election for the 2010 local body elections. This affects members from the Ruapehu branch and Waimarino area of the Wanganui branch. Council is proposing that the district be divided in to four new wards of north and south, each with an urban and rural ward. They also propose to disestablish community boards. Ruapehu and Wanganui Federated Farmers are strongly in favour of this proposal, as it would see an increase of rural representation on council and reduce ratepayer costs. Ruapehu Federated Farmers gave its submission on Tuesday, 20 October in Taumarunui and will speak in Wanganui on Tuesday, 27 October in Raetihi.

Farming futures - Taranaki, Wanganui and Waikato Year 10 students had the chance to learn about the benefits of a career in agriculture this week. The ‘Outstanding in the Field' initiative aims to provide high school students with information on the opportunities available in agriculture after secondary school. Agricultural leaders from the regions covered topics from direct farming to veterinary studies and agribusiness. Federated Farmers Taranaki Meat & Fibre chairperson, Neville Wallace, who was in attendance, said events like these are essential in getting the younger generation excited about agriculture and he hopes the initiative will become an annual event. If you would like more information, please contact Neville Wallace on 06 278 6005.

Gearing for the hearing - Federated Farmers Manawatu/Rangitikei will be appearing in front of the Horizons' hearing committee for the Taonui Basin resource consent at 10:45am Thursday, 5 November 2009. Horizons has proposed to divert floodwaters into the Taonui Basin in order to prevent flooding elsewhere. Due to pressure from submissions, Horizons has tabled a one-off monetary compensation offer. However, Federated Farmers will be asking why council has not followed through with its verbal offer to stopbank basin C.

One Plan meetings - Meetings are to be held in order to offer farmers in the Horizons region an update on rule changes and how they will affect your ability to farm. Much of the meetings will cover the proposed rules relating to water, including Horizons' ‘consent to farm' that could apply to farmers on flatter land that are regarded as intensive. Federated Farmers local elected representatives and policy staff will be speaking as well as Sean Newland of Fonterra and Dr Mike Scarsbrook of DairyNZ. All farmers in this region should attend one meeting as they will have to live and farm with these rules for the next 10 years and we need your feedback. Meeting dates and times are as follows.

• Rongotea. Te Kawau Memorial Recreation Centre, Wye Street. 9.30 - 1.00pm Wednesday, 4 November.
• Hunterville. Rangatira Golf Club, 12 km north of Hunterville, Highway One. 7.00 - 9.30pm Wednesday, 4 November.
• Woodville. Woodville Community Centre, 62 Ross Street. 9.30 - 1.00pm Thursday, 5 November.

Steering in the right direction - Federated Farmers has attended the second meeting of the Wairarapa landscape assessment project steering group, acknowledging the importance of the project to resolve the uncertainty around the definitions and importance of Wairarapa landscapes. The current lack of clarity makes the resource consent process more difficult and contentious than it should be. Federated Farmers Wairarapa is pleased to be included on the steering group, as it creates an opportunity to push landowner concerns from the start of the process. Phase one of the project will see Wairarapa landscapes characterised by Boffa Miskell.

Biodiversity on the table - Federated Farmers policy advisor, Matt Harcombe, has hosted a raft of council planners and non governmental organisations at a round table discussion on protecting biodiversity in Otago. The idea behind the forum is to try and reduce the time and money spent on arguing rules and invest it in to action on the ground.

Historic hand grenade - Federated Farmers Otago believe the Historic Places Trust's plan to apply a category one status to a remote rural servicing road and a whole farming valley is equivalent to lobbing a hand grenade in to the trenches. The status would burden affected farmers with extra costs when they apply for resource consents. Historic Places should consign the application to history.

The burning question - Burning is an important land management tool in the Queenstown Lakes district and farmers are constantly up against a wall of opposition to continue the practice. The permit system in the district is overly complex and is attempting to use the Forest and Rural Fires Act as a default for processing vegetation clearance consents under the Resource Management Act (RMA). This adds cost and delay to farmers when time is critical for burning in the right conditions. Federated Farmers Otago has been active this week in trying to sort these issues.

Settling setbacks - Federated Farmers has informed Environment Southland that requiring effluent storage ponds to be sited 100 metres from a water abstraction point might be overkill. If given the go ahead, the requirement would particularly cause problems for farmers trying to incorporate extra storage into their existing effluent disposal system, potentially impacting on water availability, consent cost, pumping cost and electricity infrastructure.

Commodity price update - Commodity prices were mixed this week with gains in dairy prices offset by further declines in the sheep/beef prices. NZX Agrifax reported that Anhydrous milk fat (AMF) prices surged another 6 percent in the past week. Beef schedule prices have edged back again as the sector received a double hit from a strengthening NZD as well as weakening prices from the US. Sheep schedule prices have again stayed strong.

Agribiz - For the latest market update from Westpac's economics team, including the outlook for dairy, beef and lamb, please click here. 

Conor's coming home - Federated Farmers chief executive, Conor English, will be speaking at three meetings across Southland next week. This is a great opportunity to come and hear what Conor has to say about farming in "plain English" as well as having the chance to discuss the big issues. The first meeting will be held at 7pm Thursday, 29 October at the Croydon Lodge, Gore. The second at Federated Farmers, Forth Street, Invercargill from 11am Friday, 30 October and the third at the Central Southland Lodge in Winton at 5.30pm Friday, 30 October.

Ashburton Show - Federated Farmers North Canterbury field officer, Jasmine Hale, will be at the Ashburton Show in the Gluyas Ford on Friday, 30 and Saturday, 31 October from 9am to 4pm. She would love to see you there, so please stop by for a chat and introduce yourself. There will be some great deals available for Federated Farmers members. Jasmine will also be giving away spot prizes to members throughout the day and any new members signed up on the day will receive a gift from Federated Farmers.

Dealing to drought - 'Dealing to drought' is the first of three regional forums being organised by MAF and the Hawke's Bay Regional Council to look at how sheep and beef farmers are adapting to the affects of drought and storm events on their pastoral systems. 'Dealing to drought' will focus on pasture management during drought, in particular deferred grazing, pasture species and pasture recovery. The forum will be held at 2pm Tuesday, 17 November 2009 at Phil & Louise Alexander's property, 741 Puketapu Road, Napier. To see the full programme or to RSVP (before Friday, 6 November), contact Gillian Mangin by clicking here.

New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards - Applications for the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards will be available on the website from 1 November. The awards promote the progression of dairy farmers within the industry. Competitions include Sharemilker of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year are held annually in t12regions across the country.

National Council meeting - The Federated Farmers National Council meeting will be held from 18 to 19 November at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. The cocktail function will be held in the Deloitte Gallery of the Westpac Stadium on 18 November from 6pm. Accommodation is available for attendees of both the council meeting and the cocktail function at the Kingsgate Hotel, Hawkestone Street, Wellington, where Federated Farmers have managed to obtain free parking. For more information or to register for either event, please contact events co-ordinator, Eva Johnston, on 0800 FARMING (327 646) or by clicking here. The Federated Farmers National Council meeting is sponsored by Westpac.

Climate change, trade and agriculture - All members are invited to hear Minister of Trade, the Hon Tim Groser, speak at the Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council meeting on Wednesday, 4 November 2009. The Minister will be speaking on Climate change, trade and agriculture - possible implications for farmers, which will be followed by a question and answer session. This is a hugely important topic for farmers, so we urge both Meat & Fibre members and other industry members to come along and hear Minister Groser speak. Afternoon tea will also be provided. To RSVP, or to view the full council agenda, please click here. If you have any queries, please contact events coordinator, Eva Johnston. Please click here to email her or phone 0800 FARMING (327 646).

Undercover Kids - A reminder that there are only two weeks left to nominate a deserving community or school for an Undercover Kids bus shelter. These shelters are a godsend to rural kids, providing them with greater safety and visibility as well as much needed protection from the elements. There are three shelters that do not yet have homes, so if you would like to nominate a deserving community or school, simply fill out the application form by clicking here. Applications close 31 October.

Acceptance of resignations - When a worker resigns, it is important to handle the acceptance of that resignation carefully, particularly in a 'heat of the moment' situation. Allowing a cool down period of at least 24 hours before any acceptance is made is a good idea, as in some circumstances, accepting a heat of the moment resignation, particularly after a disagreement or altercation, can lead you to be exposed to a claim of constructive dismissal. Once a resignation has been accepted, there is no obligation for an employer to agree to the withdrawal of the resignation. For more information or if you ever need employment advice, call Federated Farmers FREE advice line on 0800 FARMING (327 646).

Registered contractors - All registered contractors are required to undergo an audit process to ensure they are safe to do business with and to minimise the farmers' risk and exposure to claims under employment, health and safety legislation if a contractor should default. Rural Contractors is the only national association and the leading advocate for rural contractors in New Zealand, representing the interests of contractors across a wide range of activities. For more information, click here or call 0800 4 AG CONTRACTOR (0800 424 266).

We know your animals will love our salt licks, because we eat it ourselves! Yes, our salt makes animals (and humans) healthy, stock fatter and horses run faster so it must be the best! We are New Zealand's leading importer of Himalayan salt, containing up to 84 minerals and trace elements. Volcanic salt licks are also high in sulphur. For more information, contact The Healthy Salt Co by clicking here.

$51 million returned to Kiwis - TaxRefunds.co.nz has returned over $51 million in overpaid taxes to New Zealand wage and salary earners. Have your staff applied? For more information, please visit www.taxrefunds.co.nz

Interested in food? - Open Polytechnic has a nutrition course, which covers healthy food choices and how the body uses food and a food safety course, which teaches safe ways to prepare, handle and store food. For more information, click here or call 0508 650 200. Remember, Federated Farmers members get a 20 percent discount. Click here to download an enrolment form.

More members 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.

Leasing stock? - Make sure you always document each party's obligations in a robust legal agreement, a handshake or a sheet of paper is not enough, particularly if disputes arise. Our legal advice team are receiving increasing amounts of calls on issues over stock leasing where animals are not returned in fit and proper condition. To order your stock lease agreement please call 0800 327 646 or click here. Agreements are $45 for members or $150 for non-members. This price gives you two agreements as well as the peace of mind that your interests are documented.

Employment guidelines - Federated Farmers has a number of guides that aim to help employers understand the law relating to disciplinary action, including dismissals, redundancy and inability to work because of illness. Getting it wrong can be costly both in time and money, so get it right by getting the facts. To see the range, please click here.

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

Ashburton Show special - Remember any new members signed up at the Ashburton Show in the Gluyas Ford tent on Friday, 30 and Saturday, 31 October will receive a special gift from Federated Farmers. North Canterbury field officer, Jasmine Hale, will be at the show from 9am to 4pm.

Quote of the week - Transpower Chairman, Wayne Brown, remarked earlier today that Don Nicolson was the "unofficial mayor of Southland" when commenting on Southland's Ranfurly Shield win.