What do you think of the Flash? - We appreciate all the great comments that have come through about what you think of the Flash. If you would like to but haven't let us know your thoughts yet, then email them through to us. Member feedback is important to us, so let us know what you think of the Friday Flash and its content, if you would like more or less of certain content and any other feedback you may have. You can send your ideas via email to Friday Flash editor, Jessie Cameron, by clicking here or discuss them with her by calling 04 494 9181.

A rural ambition for broadband - Read more »

Revised Fonterra payout provides farm and economic relief - Read more »

Bee a hero - Read more »

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

Waikato won't be left out - Federated Farmers Waikato executive is currently in the process of arranging an invitation only meeting about Environment Waikato's draft consultation document to be released as part of the regional policy statement. It is the intent of Environment Waikato to have a new regional policy statement in place by August 2010 and Federated Farmers Waikato want to ensure the proposals are balanced by gaining a wide range of community input.

Help is on its way? - Bill English made a whistle-stop visit to New Plymouth on Tuesday where he met local business leaders over a lunch organised by the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. He told his audience that the income sector of the economy had not grown over the last five years, while consumer sector spending had grown 15 percent in the last five years, clearly highlighting the problem that we're spending more than we earn. When questioned by Federated Farmers Taranaki Meat & Fibre chairperson on how lamb is now selling this year for less than the cost of production and that those farmers would certainly not be spending, the Minister replied that Government had been working hard on trade and to hang in there as help was on its way. The only trouble is, the troops may be massacred by the rebels of costs before the cavalry get there!

The compliance team descends - Federated Farmers Southland Dairy chairperson, Vaughan Templeton, and his wife Megan hosted 17 Environment Southland and Department of Conservation (DoC) staff on Wednesday. The day was a Federated Farmers initiative aimed at giving staff a practical perspective of dairy farming. It involved several interactive modules during a guided tour of the farm in small groups. Staff mentioned how much they had enjoyed the day over lunch and commented that the day debunked some myths about how profitable dairy farming is and changed their impression of how much farmers make and the constraints they work within. Federated Farmers members that helped on the day were now focused on running another similar day for all Environment Southland councillors.

Commodity price update - Commodity prices rose last week, with dairy prices rising after a strong Fonterra globalDairyTrade auction. The big news, however, is the increase in Fonterra's 2010 season forecasted dairy payout to $6.05 per kilogram of milk solids. This payout is made up by a $5.70 milk price and a $0.35 value added component. The increase reflects the strong commodity prices that have been coming through over the past five months. Since July, all Oceania dairy commodities tracked by NZX Agrifax have increased by at least 48 percent, with butter up close to 110 percent. US imported beef prices were stronger last week, with beef schedule prices holding on for now. Meanwhile, lamb prices have begun to decline as the Christmas procurement period ends and new season supply comes on board.

Agribusiness review - Rabobank's specialist Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) division has just released the November issue of the New Zealand & Australia agribusiness review, with commentary on the region's economic and agricultural conditions. If you would like to read the full report, please click here.

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

Fonterra shareholders - vote today! - This is your opportunity to have your say. Fonterra is a co-operative, run by farmers, for farmers. You have a responsibility to make sure your co-operative works for you. There is no point in complaining if you don't bother to vote and there is no reason to think that your co-operative will continue to do well if you don't take an interest in it. Your vote really does count - large or small. Vote today if you have not already done so. Check your voting pack for details on how to vote. If you have lost your pack, call 0508 666 446 now. Postal or proxy votes must be in the hands of the returning officer by 10.30am Monday, 16 November for director elections, constitutional votes and the capital restructure proposal.

Bill English to meet Southland farmers - The Hon Bill English is coming to the deep South to speak with farmers in a candid question and answer type session. He will be speaking from 5 to 7pm on Friday, 20 November in the Trust Room of the Homestead Hotel (Croydon Lodge), Gore. Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided. Members and non-members are all welcome.

National Bluegreen Environment Forum - MP for Waitaki, Jacqui Dean, will be at the National Party's Bluegreen Environment Forum from 8.45am Saturday, 28 November. The focus of the forum will be on how good environment practice is critical to lifting our nation's game and securing the sort of future we want for our children. Other guest speakers include Minister for the Environment, the Hon Nick Smith, list MPs, Nicky Wagner and Michael Woodhouse and Otago regional councillor, Doug Brown. The forum will be held at the Totara Hall, State Highway 1, Totara. To RSVP call 03 434 7325 or click here. RVSP closes on 26 November.

RWNZ Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010 - Applications are now open for the 2010 Rural Women of New Zealand (RWNZ) Enterprising Rural Women Award. Further information and entry forms are available on the RWNZ website by clicking here, by calling 04 473 5524 or via email by clicking here. Entries close on 17 February 2010.

NZDIA launch events - The first round of NZDIA launch events begin this week. Launches will be taking place this week in the following regions:

• Hawke's Bay, 7.00pm Tuesday, 17 November, Sawyers Arms Hotel, State Highway 50, Tikokino.
• Wairarapa, 7.00pm Wednesday, 18 November, Gladstone Inn, Gladstone.

For more information, call 0800 327 646, or click here.

Community Irrigation Fund - The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's Community Irrigation Fund (CIF) is now open for applications for the 2010/11 funding round. Applications close on Monday, 22 February 2010 and all potential parties are encouraged to apply. The fund provides grants to promoters of community water storage and/or irrigation schemes for generating investor and community support. Applicants need to have completed a feasibility study for the irrigation scheme before applying. The CIF also provides funding for local government-led water strategies. More information and the application forms can be found by clicking here.

Dairy council meeting - The next meeting of Federated Farmers Dairy council will take place in Wellington from 17 to 18 February 2010. More information will be available closer to the time.

Dust to Gold charity book reading - Bendigo Station owner, John Perriam, will be at the Irish Rover, 69 Peel Street, Gisborne from 6.00pm this Tuesday, 17 November reading Dust to Gold.  Dust to Gold tells the success of Bendigo in the vast Central Otago paradise. Bendigo is now the home of New Zealand's highest quality Pinot vineyards, merino wool and ecological and historical reserves as well as the superstar merino sheep, Shrek. Tickets to the book reading are $10, with all proceeds going to Cure Kids. Tickets can be purchased from Gisborne Paperplus, 166 Gladstone Road.

If farm visitors to my farm are injured, am I liable? - Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 farmers have two obligations.

• Type 1: for people who ask the farmer's permission to visit for recreation (such as walking or swimming), there is an obligation to warn about work-related out-of-the-ordinary hazards.
• Type 2: for people who are legally authorised to be on the property, including contractors and their employees, farm employees and others the farmer must take reasonable steps to make sure they are safe.

To find out more about on-farm health and safety, call 0800 327 646. Alternatively, click here to view the Department of Labour's fact sheet, ‘If visitors to my farm are injured, am I liable?'

Criminal conduct in the workplace - Sometimes misconduct which occurs within the workplace is also becomes the subject of police investigation. Employers are sometimes tempted to dismiss the employee, believing that the criminal offence is sufficient to justify their action and simply leave the matter in the hands of the Police. Such a course of action can fail to take account of the fact that criminal matters are sometimes separate from employment matters. Whatever the alleged criminal offence, any attempt to dismiss the employee would have to comply with the usual requirements of procedural and substantive fairness. The requirement to hold an inquiry should still apply even if the employee is in police custody and the inquiry has to be held in his/her absence. For more information, call 0800 327 646.

Milk quality workshops with Agriculture ITO - Want to improve your milk quality and processes? This programme shows you how with a one day workshop for you and your milking team followed by an independent on-farm assessment to ensure best practice is being used. The workshops are held between milkings and are delivered and assessed by industry specialists. Agriculture ITO training is available nationwide, call 0800 691 111 to speak to your local Agriculture ITO team today.

Need help to develop a health and safety plan? - Open Polytechnic's health and safety course guides you through the process and gives you a Certificate of Achievement. 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.

ruraljobs.co.nz - The Federation's rural jobs site is a great way to find a job or an employee and is absolutely free to Federated Farmers members. To look list a vacancy or your own profile, simply click here. Note: from February 2010, seek.co.nz will be no longer be offering a discount to members.

Award winning Savs - Wines Online have huge savings on award winning Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs from just $8.95. Every purchase also comes with a complimentary box of chocolates. To find out more, please click here.

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.

Ben & Mark, Boys of the High Country - Christine Fernyhough's true story of two boys who live on one of New Zealand's largest high-country stations, with stunning photographs by John Bougen is now available for sale on the Federated Farmers website. Federated Farmers have it for the special price of $30 for members (non-members $36.99). Ben & Mark, Boys of the High Country is destined to become a New Zealand classic and would make a beautiful Christmas gift. We have a limited number so get online, by clicking here and order yours today.

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.  

Quote of the week - "Mr [Bryce] Johnson suggested it was not New Zealand's responsibility to feed the world." Why Fish & Game New Zealand will never be on the Productivity Task Force. From a National Business Review article about the prospect of trout farming in New Zealand.