Caution urged on farm sales - Read more »

Reducing livestock's ‘not so long' emissions shadow - Read more »

Lamb to be king of the plates this Christmas - Read more »

Time to turn off the taps of stimulus - Read more »

Hailstorm havoc in central mainland - Read more »

Farmers not the only victims of ATVs - Read more »

T150 still in sight - Read more »

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

Time restrictions - Last week Federated Farmers submitted on the removal of the restrictions for over dimension agricultural vehicles travelling on the road on weekends and public holidays. The restrictions pose a nuisance to farmers and agricultural contractors, particularly over the Christmas/New Year harvest time. These vehicles need to be on the road at this time and even though there is a permit system, it is a costly and cumbersome exercise which provides no safety benefit. Federated Farmers requested that a blanket exemption be given to agricultural vehicles from the time restrictions.

Dairy Industry Restructuring (Milk Pricing Methods) Amendment Bill - Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson, Lachlan McKenzie, recently appeared before the Primary Production Committee on the proposed legislative changes that will allow a change to the way regulated raw milk is priced. Given Fonterra has a legal obligation to supply a limited volume of regulated raw milk to independent processors, an auction could have the possibility of achieving a price above the ‘formula' set for this milk in the coming 2010/2011 season. This will be Fonterra's farm gate price plus a margin of 10c/Kg milk solids. This ‘formula' could become the reserve price for regulated raw milk at an auction. To read the submission, please click here.

New Deed of Settlement for Waikato River - The revised New Deed of Settlement to co-manage the Waikato River will not only undermine local community decision making - a process that is intrinsically linked to our democratic way of life - but also reduce the likelihood of good environmental outcomes. That's why Federated Farmers has some serious concerns over the revised new deed, which sets out the co-management arrangements between Iwi and other water users for the Waikato River. Federated Farmers will be presenting a very robust submission to the Maori Affairs committee which will be considering the new deed.

Wild West wetlands - Federated Farmers has been involved with Environment Court proceedings this week over the West Coast Regional Council wetlands provisions. Federated Farmers West Coast provincial president, Katie Milne, has been in court all week showing the judge some farming sites in the field and will be presenting evidence today. Past Federated Farmers vice-president, Frank Brenmuhl, will also be presenting evidence on behalf of Federated Farmers. Federated Farmers is seeking certainty around where rules apply and what the impact will be to farming. Environment Court proceedings are likely to proceed in to next year with the Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird and Friends of Shearer Swamp yet to present their planning witnesses.

Commodities update - US dairy prices were little changed this week, increasing 0.1 percent. Lamb slaughter numbers are very weak and farm gate prices continue to soften in both the North and South Islands. Schedules eased around 11c/kg and 13c/kg respectively. Farmgate prices for beef remained flat in the South Island for the fourth consecutive week. In contrast, North Island schedule prices lifted 1 - 3c/kg - the fourth consecutive week of rises.

National Bank business outlook survey - The National Bank business outlook survey results for December show that a net 39 percent expect better times ahead, down 4 percentage points on November's reading, while business confidence has softened further, the third successive monthly decline. The general spirit of the remainder of the survey is one of improvement. Agriculture however remains the most pessimistic industry.

Au revoir Eva - On behalf of all the staff at Federated Farmers, we would like to say a special farewell to events co-ordinator, Eva Johnston. For almost two years, Eva has done an outstanding job organising everything from the Prime Minister at the Federated Farmers National conference to electric toilet racing at the annual ‘Big Hello'. We thank you for all your hard work Eva, you will be missed.

Meat & Wool New Zealand director elections - Elections will be held on Wednesday, 10 March for the western North Island and central South Island director positions. Nominations for these positions close at 5pm Wednesday, 20 January 2010. For more information on nominations and voting, contact the Meat & Wool New Zealand election hotline on 0508 666 336.

Meat & Wool New Zealand 2010 AGM - The Meat & Wool New Zealand (MWNZ) 2010 AGM will be held in Te Kuiti on Wednesday, 24 March. Livestock farmers who want to propose remits at this meeting are advised they must be submitted by Wednesday, 20 January 2010. Remits must be submitted on the official form, obtainable from Dave Harrison, MWNZ General Council, on 0800 696 328. Remits require 10 registered levy payer signatures.

Meat & Fibre and National council meeting presentations - Video footage of the speakers from the Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre council and National council meetings are now available on YouTube. These include the presentations by the Prime Minister, Hon John Key, Hon Nick Smith, Hon Steven Joyce, Hon Tim Grosser and Leader of the Opposition, Hon Phil Goff. Please click here to view the videos.

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.

Telephone mediation - The Department of Building and Housing has introduced a new service that enables landlords and tenants to resolve disputes faster. Through the ‘Swift' telephone mediation service, parties can participate in mediation over the phone from their home or office. Any agreement you make is legally binding and will be enforced through the relevant district court, just like agreements made at face to face mediation meetings. Parties or individuals cannot request Swift mediation, however. When Tenancy Tribunal applications are received they are reviewed by staff to determine if they are appropriate for Swift. If an application is suitable for Swift, one of the Swift mediation team will make contact with each party. The Swift service is also just that, it's quick - with a 24 hour turnaround.

Want to run a successful Maori business? - The Open Polytechnic's Diploma in Maori Business provides the skills needed to manage a Maori business in a variety of industries and is supported by leading figures from public and private business. 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.

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.  

As it is the final Friday Flash for 2009, we would like say goodbye to the year with a salute to what we think are the top 10 quotes of 2009.

From everyone at Federated Farmers, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. The Friday Flash will return on Friday, 8 January 2010.

Quote's of the year -

1.  Don Nicolson - "(Prime Minister) Your such a busy man, I really don't know how you maintain your good looks". John Key - "Don, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you fancied me".

2.  "If the eye patch fits - wear it," tweeted Federated Farmers in response to Greenpeace's shock from being called pirates.

3.  "I don't judge people on their past, but on their actions to date," said Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson, Lachlan McKenzie.

4.  "All I have to say to that is, we farmers are a doin' while it seems others are just a tripin'". President, Don Nicolson's response to former New Zealand Prime Minister and UN development programme head, Helen Clark's description of Copenhagen as "WTO meets Woodstock".

5.  "But wool is much more than that - you can wear it, walk in it, sleep in it and who knows what else you can do with it". Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson, Bruce Wills, on the endless possibilities of wool.

6.  "I would like to thank our two candidates, (awkward pause), um err um guest speakers... (laughter), to the media attending you heard it first here folks, Lachlan McKenzie's standing for Labour in Hamilton West!" (More laughter). The Hon. David Cunliffe MP, opposition spokesperson on finance, accidentally makes Lachlan McKenzie a Labour Party candidate. Don't worry we promise he's not standing.

7.  The Prime Minister backed a previous Friday Flash ‘Quote of the Week' with this simple one-liner, "Keisha, stick to acting".

8.  "From the mixed grill to the fruit bowl - seeking the well balanced diet". Federated Farmers General Manger of Leadership and Development, John Seymour's departing words as he leaves us to become the Senior Business Manager of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables at Horticulture New Zealand.

9.  "Despite their best efforts, this merry band of acolytes has only managed to convince 56 percent of the people who voted Green at the 2008 general election to actually sign-on," says Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson, while discussing Greenpeace's Sign-On campaign, which calls for a 40 percent reduction in New Zealand's greenhouse emissions by 2020. 

10.  And last but certainly not least. "I've slept about five hours in three days so I'm not a person you want to mess with right now," said a sleep deprived Federated Farmers employee, who did an outstanding job of organising this year's One Event National Conference.