Still room to cut interest rates, survey says - Read more »

Farmers applaud bold electricity reform - Read more »

The future of dairy farming? - Read more »

Growing Fonterra - Read more »

The Big Walk to discover the opportunity of youth and farming - Read more »

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

ACC Levies going up, but not by as much - The Government has announced the ACC levies for the 2010/11 year. Over recent years ACC's costs have blown out and it now has an unfunded liability of over $12.7 billion. Federated Farmers strongly opposed the huge proposed increases in ACC levies, calling on ACC and Government to take urgent action to contain the scheme's costs and moderate the levy increases. The levy increases announced this week by ACC Minister Nick Smith are still unwelcome and much still needs to be done to fix ACC, but the increases are much smaller than earlier proposed.  More information on the new levies is available by clicking here.

National Bovine Tb Pest Management Strategy - Federated Farmers has submitted on the National Bovine Tb Pest Management Strategy, largely informed by the great response to the survey of members undertaken on this topic. Generally we are supportive of the strategy, which proposes adopting a focus to eradicate Tb from New Zealand. However, we of course had a few suggestions for improvement and these can be found in the submission on our website or by clicking here.

Adapting to climate change - Regional policy advisor, David Cooper, is continuing to work with primary sector players under Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  (MAF) to look at current research gaps, implementation and uptake of tools for primary industry to adapt to any long term climate variations. The group's progress is making progress now the ETS legislation has been passed. This is a good opportunity to have practical input into what the Government (through MAF) should do to fill the gaps in research. This research would include the on-farm tools that would be available for farmers to help them adapt to the new ETS framework and ultimately respond to weather events, whether caused by climate change or not! For more information, please contact David Cooper by clicking here.

West Coast wetlands - Federated Farmers West Coast is preparing to present evidence at the Environment Court about the effect of regulating wetlands on the West Coast. Federated Farmers is a party to an appeal by Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird and others wanting to introduce a general rule covering all wetlands. Federated Farmers aims to try and ensure the case does not lead to hundreds of wetlands being included or captured in the plan without consultation with the affected farmers. We also want to ensure that any changes to the rules are practical and targeted. Environment Court hearing begins on 14 December in Greymouth. For more information, please contact Anna Mackenzie by clicking here.

Tasman biodiversity - Really positive collaborative work has been going on in the Tasman district for the last few years. Council has organised a group including Forest and Bird, Fish and Game and Federated Farmers to help develop a program for the voluntary assessment of properties in the district. With over 100 sites surveyed so far, the program is proving a huge success. Federated Farmers has been involved through out the whole process and will continue to be in the future thanks to strong leadership from Nelson and Golden Bay executive members. For more information, please contact Anna Mackenzie by clicking here.

Review of Environment Canterbury - As requested by the Minister for the Environment and the Minister of Local Government, the performance of Environment Canterbury (ECan) is being investigated. The combined Canterbury provinces of Federated Farmers met with the review team this week to provide a farmer perspective on ECan's performance. The group received a good hearing and covered a wide range of topics including ECan's role under the RMA, consultation processes, relationships with consent holders and governance. Federated Farmers has engaged with ECan and strongly promoted the interests of farmers, more so than any other organisation over many years. Federated Farmers welcomes the review and is in a strong position to work constructively with the review team to achieve a more functional and efficient regional council.

Transpower meeting - Transpower is planning on upgrading their lines in the lower South Island and Federated Farmers is gearing up to help landowners affected by the proposed upgrades. Otago and North Otago members met last week with South Canterbury farmers who have been through similar negotiations to share experiences and enhance upcoming negotiations with Transpower. The Federation has also commissioned a NZIER report on compensation for affected landowners. Member fact sheets and the report are available to members via the Federated Farmers website, by clicking here.

Commodities update - US Dollar dairy prices were little changed this week. However, NZX-Agrifax reported lamb schedule prices declined further last week, with a 17.5kg lamb now fetching $82. This now matches the low point in the 2008/9 season. US imported bull meat has remained flat, while cow prices increased. In New Zealand, beef schedule prices increased 2-3c/kg last week in the North Island and remained stable in the South Island.

Terms of trade fall - The merchandise terms of trade fell 1.3 percent in the September 2009 quarter. The terms of trade is now at its lowest level since December 2005. The latest fall was due to export prices falling more than import prices and means that 1.3 percent less merchandise imports could be funded by a fixed quantity of merchandise exports than in the June 2009 quarter.

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

Irrigation NZ biennial conference - Registrations are now open for the Irrigation NZ biennial conference. The programme includes topics such as water - managing New Zealand's greatest asset, water infrastructure - future proofing New Zealand's primary industry, establishing trust - the key to managing our own destiny and optimising demand management. The conference will also cover practical and future thinking examples of water resource management, rural water supply infrastructure, environmental management, audited self management and demand management and complemented by site visits to key irrigation locations. To register for the conference and to find out more, click here.

Hello Tracey - Federated Farmers Taranaki wish to advise that office manager, Shelley Porteous, has resigned from her position. Tracey Morgan has been appointed as her replacement and will start on 11 January 2010. Until then Karen Macdonald, who held the position two years ago, will be keeping her seat warm, introducing Tracey to the world of the Federation in the new year.

Fonterra's capital structure - Federated Farmers will be holding a meeting for sharemilkers to discuss how Fonterra's capital restructure affects the sharemilking industry from 6.30pm Thursday, 17 December, at the Distinction Hotel, Rotorua. The meeting will attempt to address the concerns felt amongst sharemilkers as to how the recently approved and proposed future Fonterra capital structure changes may affect sharemilkers' businesses. Federated Farmers has also managed to secure an excellent range of speakers for this meeting including Malcolm Bailey and Colin Armer of Fonterra, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson, Lachlan McKenzie and rural law expert, Chris Spargo. The meeting is open to all sharemilkers, lower order and 50:50. To RSVP for the event, please contact Federated Farmers Rotorua/Taupo chairperson, Chris Moore on 027 288 0563 or click here. Chris would also like to encourage those who cannot attend to email in questions, as he is happy to ask them on your behalf.

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. For more information and to download an application form, please click here or contact Loretta Dobbs, CIF Project Advisor, on 04 894 0632.

Employing school students - Primary or secondary school children can earn up to $2,340 a year ($45 a week) before PAYE or withholding tax needs to be deducted. If you employ primary or secondary school children and they earn, or are expected to earn, less than $2,340 a year from all employers, you do not need to deduct PAYE or withholding tax from their pay. If no tax deductions are made, you should exclude the child from the IR348 Employers Monthly Schedule. 

Thinking of taking up tertiary study but feeling nervous? - The Open Polytechnic's Tertiary Study Skills certificate provides a good start, with the Open Polytechnic even assign you a mentor to help keep you on track. Students who complete the certificate also get a voucher which can be used to enrol in any Level 5 degree or diploma course. 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.

Award winning Sauvignon Blanc's - Wines Online have award winning Sauvignon Blanc's from $8.95, with delivery right to your door. To check out this and other great deals, 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.

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.  

Membership development officers - Federated Farmers is seeking five new membership development officers to work in and around the upper North Island, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, upper South Island and West Coast, Otago and Southland. The roles are on a 12-month contract and will be a key liaison point with current and prospective members and our local provincial executive teams. A vehicle will also be provided as travel is required. If you have a strong and proven sales record, are results orientated and drive to exceed challenging targets, have the ability to build and sustain long term business relationships, have superb communication and organisation skills, a solid understanding of the business of farming and ideally a qualification in Agribusiness or equivalent practical experience then we would like to hear from you. For a job description and to apply, please click here. Applications close 9am Monday, 14 December 2009.

Quote of the week - "I must admit I was prejudiced about herd homes before I saw this one - NZ is known for grazing its animals outside all year round - surely we don't want to coop them up in barns away from the light and the sun and the fresh grass? However now I'm a complete convert. The high roof is translucent and lets in lots of light. The overhanging sides are open so there is air movement through but rain and cold winds are kept out. The cows are free to move around, and there is fresh hay or silage under the eaves around the outside edges of the barn for them to feed at will. If I had any doubts about the animal welfare side of things, it was dispelled when I saw them waiting in the race to get back in again out of the rain," remarks Jeanette Fitzsimons MP and former Green Party Co-Leader. Federated Farmers asks if she has shared her ‘conversion' with her colleagues? To read the full piece, click here.