Monetary policy works, so why isn't it? - Read more »

Federated Farmers gets in behind Books in Homes - Read more »

The future of perpetual compensation for power lines - Read more »

Decisive Fonterra result hailed - Read more »

Farmers sign-on to Asia business education partnership - Read more »

Aussie farmers out of ETS ‘faster than a rat up a drainpipe' - Read more »

Barack in the free trade business - Read more »

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

Farmers on winning side of Rodney Radiata wrangle - The Environment Court has released a decision confirming that forestry in the Rodney district's rural areas can continue as a permitted activity. The decision thwarts the Environmental Defence Society's counterproductive appeal of the proposed Rodney District Plan and is undoubtedly a good outcome for both our primary production sector and the environment. The Federation, Horticulture New Zealand and various forestry interests supported the Rodney District Council's position at the Environment Court hearing and welcomes the judicial recognition that the district plan seeks to encourage and not limit farming, horticulture and forestry. Forestry's inclusion as part of the general character and amenity of the district is a victory for commonsense. It allows land owners to engage in primary production activities, while also providing adequate protection for the environment.

Revving up the RPS - Marlborough's regional policy statement is coming up for review and Marlborough Regional Council is setting up in-depth focus groups to discuss important issues. Federated Farmers has recently met with council staff to discuss areas of outstanding natural landscape which may be included in the regional policy statement. Although most areas to be included are located within a Department of Conservation estate, Federated Farmers is waiting to see what regulations council is proposing on private land in the new year. For more information, please contact regional policy advisor, Anna McKenzie, by clicking here.

Strategise this - Hurunui District Council's Biodiversity Ambassador, Dale McEntee, met with Federated Farmers staff this month to discuss a new biodiversity strategy for the council. Seeking voluntary protection and enhancement of biodiversity throughout the district, Dale is working hard to talk to farmers who would like to obtain more information about the biodiversity protection and enhancement measures they can choose to undertake on their property. For more information, please contact regional policy advisor, Anna McKenzie, by clicking here.

Unhealthy ECan to undergo treatment - Federated Farmers team of Canterbury provincial presidents is to meet with the panel reviewing Environment Canterbury (ECan) to push for improvements to the council's performance. The team welcome the review and hope it will alleviate some major problems with ECan such as the way it processes resource consents. They will be pushing for a more functional and efficient regional council, which should result in plans that better reflect the purpose of the RMA and more effective processes for resource users and consent applicants. The panel will meet with ECan staff and external stakeholders, including Federated Farmers, over the next two to three weeks.

Interest rate survey - As part of our continuing effort to keep the banks honest, Federated Farmers is undertaking another survey of farm interest rates. The survey aims to determine if interest rates faced by farmers accurately reflect changes in the banks funding costs, such as changes in the Official Cash Rate (OCR). The results of our previous surveys have shown that the average mortgage and overdraft interest rates faced by farmers have not fallen by the same amount as the OCR (although they have fallen by about the same amount as 90-day bank bill rates). Thank you to all those who have already filled out and returned the survey. If you have yet to do so, please complete the survey form and send it to William McGimpsey, PO Box 715, Wellington by Friday, 27 November 2009.

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

2010 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Mâori Excellence in Farming - Mâori dairy farmers are urged to showcase their achievements by entering the 2010 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Mâori Excellence in Farming competition. The Ahuwhenua Trophy is open to Mâori farming properties either owned individually or managed by Mâori trusts and incorporations in New Zealand. Entry is free and forms are available from all offices of Te Puni Kokiri, the Maori Trustee or from Joan Nathu, by phoning 04 819 9205 or by clicking here. Copies of the entry form are also available by clicking here. Entries close 29, January 2010.

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

• Waikato, 10.30am Monday, 23 November. Tempero Centre, Hamilton.
• Canterbury/North Otago, 10.45am Wednesday, 25 November, robotic dairy farm.

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

Fixed-term agreements - A fixed-term agreement is an employment agreement where an employer can state that employment is to continue for a stated period of time, until the occurrence of a particular event or until the completion of a specific project. For this type of fixed-term arrangement, the employer must have a genuine reason, based on reasonable grounds, for specifying that the employment will end at a particular time or upon a particular occurrence. The employer must also advise the employee of when, or how, employment will end and the reasons for ending it in that way. The employment agreement must state in writing the way in which the employment will end and the reasons for ending the employment in that way. All three conditions are important and must be satisfied. If the employer does not meet each condition, the employment relationship is regarded as permanent and the employment agreement is deemed to have no effective expiration date. 

Rural staff management programme - The Agriculture ITO staff management workshops are generating great feedback from farm owners and managers across the country. Designed for both dairy and sheep and beef farmers, the Rural Staff Management programme is a series of four, one-day workshops that give owners and managers tools and knowledge to help manage their staff. Agriculture ITO training is available nationwide, call 0800 691 111 to speak to your local Agriculture ITO team today.

Get a recognised business qualification - Open Polytechnic's Diploma in Business is available in management, accounting, small business and employment relations. 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. 

Keep your cool! - Sheds offer important shelter from the sun and protection for you, your vehicles and stock. Talk to your local Totalspan dealer or click here to visit their website.

Make it a red weekend - Wines Online has a fantastic selection of quality New Zealand red wines on offer this week including award winning Central Otago Pinot Noir and Hawke's Bay Merlot. Federated Farmers members will also receive a complimentary box of Belgian chocolates with each purchase. Order now by clicking here.

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

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. 

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 - "Farmers, be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em," Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson adds his own prose to Shakespeare at the Federated Farmers National Council meeting.