ECan commissioners to get on with the job - Read more »

Farmers market organisers urged to think about ANZAC morning - Read more »

Drought widening essential to prevent double-dip recession - Read more »

KPMG misses the micro in the macro - Read more »

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

ANZAC Day - ANZAC Day, 25 April, is observed on the day it falls. This year ANZAC Day falls on a Sunday, which means that for those employees who normally work week days, there is no entitlement to a public holiday. Unlike the Christmas and New Year public holidays, ANZAC Day is not "Monday-ised" if it falls on a weekend. Employees who normally work Sundays are entitled to a paid day off on ANZAC Day. If they work on ANZAC Day, they are entitled to time and a half for the hours they work and an alternative holiday if Sunday would be otherwise a working day for them.

Irrigation water take warning for Hawke's Bay farmers - Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Federated Farmers are urging irrigation consent holders to check their consent conditions, especially if you take water for irrigation from the Waipawa, Tukituki and Ngaruroro Rivers and Maraekakaho, Karewarewa and Mangateretere Streams. For more information, please click here.

Wairoa District Council Annual Plan - Wairoa District Council has released their draft Annual Plan for consultation. There are a number of aspects to the plan which we will be looking at in more detail over the next few weeks. These include the projected rural rates increases, roading funding policies and priority projects. Wairoa District Council is holding two open days on 29 and 30 April and is encouraging everyone to go along, have ‘face to face' time and discuss any aspects of council functions and services with staff and councillors. We are fully in support of this open door approach. Hilary Walker will be drafting Federated Farmers submission which needs to be lodged with the council by noon Monday, 17 May. For more information, please contact Hilary by clicking here or calling her on 0800 327 646.

Landscape and natural values in Taupo - Appeals on the Taupo District Plan Change 24, Landscape and Natural Values, are now in the Environment Court. Federated Farmers decided not to appeal as the Amenity Landscape Area classification on the planning maps does not impact on primary production, so long as primary production activities comply with existing rural zone rules. Federated Farmers is currently looking at appeals lodged by other stakeholders and deciding which ones to join as a party interested in the proceedings.  For more information, please contact Federated Farmers Rotorua/Taupo President, Neil Heather, on 07 357 2142 or regional policy advisor, Rhea Dasent, on 0800 327 646.

Rural property market remains soft - The national median farm sale price has fallen to $970,000 for the three months to March 2010, down from $1,175,000 for the same time last year and $1,685,000 two years ago. The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand's monthly Rural Market Report also shows that the number of farm sales also remains low, with 210 sales in the three months to March 2010, compared to 231 for the same time last year and 717 two years ago.

Inflation subdued - Inflation was recorded at 0.4 percent for the March 2010 quarter, according to Statistics NZ's Consumer Price Index. The main factors increasing the CPI were food, especially dairy products, and petrol. The annual rate of inflation remains at 2.0 percent but it was notable that the rate of non-tradable inflation, for goods and services not exposed to international competition, was 2.1 percent, the smallest annual increase in more than eight years. With the CPI coming in under market expectations this should encourage the Reserve Bank to hold-off increasing the OCR.

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

Dairy farmers stay TB-free this Gypsy Day - If you're selling or moving stock on Gypsy Day, 1 June, it is vital that you remember to update your contact details and new herd location with the Animal Health Board (AHB) by calling 0800 4 TB INFO (0800 4 824 636). The AHB's friendly call centre staff can also provide you with important information on disease and movement control in order to contain the spread of bovine tuberculosis within a herd. Alternatively, please click here to visit the AHB's website for more information on the TBfree programme.

DairyNZ Farmers Forum - The DairyNZ Farmers Forum is to be held on Wednesday, 5 and Tuesday, 6 May 2010 at the Mystery Creek Events Centre. Speakers include Minister of Agriculture, the Hon David Carter, Sir Henry van der Heyden, Rt Hon Dame Jenny Shipley, Lachlan McKenzie, DairyNZ scientists, leading dairy farmers and industry specialists. Registration to the Forum is free to levy-paying farmers and their staff.  For everyone else, registration is $100 per day or $175 for both days. For more information, to download a copy of the full programme and to register please click here.

Undercover Kids - The Totalspan Undercover Kids Bus Shelter Programme is about to give away more bus shelters to schools with rural bus routes. These shelters are a godsend to rural kids, providing them with greater safety and visibility as well as much needed protection from the elements. This year there will be one round of applications with the aim of approving 100 shelters. Applications close on Friday, 30 April with successful applicants being announced in mid-June. For more information or to download an application form please click here.

Federated Farmers feed list - The Federated Farmers feed lists, which include both feed wanted and feed available, can be accessed via the 0800 DROUGHT line (0800 376 844) or by clicking here. The drought line and feed lists are available to both members and non-members of Federated Farmers.

Sharemilkers' and Sharemilkers Employers' Section AGMs - Both the Sharemilkers' Section and Sharemilker Employers' Sections will be holding their AGMs on Wednesday, 19 May 2010 at Federated Farmers offices, Level 5, 169 London St, Hamilton. The Sharemilker Employers' AGM will be from 9.30am to 11.30am. They will then be joined by the Sharemilkers' Section to talk about shared issues from 11.30am to 1.45pm. The Sharemilkers' Section will then hold their AGM from 1.45pm to 4.00pm.  Registrations forms can be found by clicking here.

Federated Farmers Otago AGM - Otago members don't miss your chance to attend the Federated Farmers Otago AGM, being held on Tuesday, 4 May from 9.30am. The meeting will involve a guided tour of Hayes Engineering Works and the original homestead, lunch and guest speakers. Guest speakers will include Graham Martin, CEO of the Otago Regional Council, who will speak on managing water in Otago and dairy farmer, Neil Hamilton, who will  discussing the challenges and opportunities for dairy farming in central Otago. Guest speakers will be followed by Federated Farmers Otago Industry Group AGMs and drinks and nibbles. To secure your place make sure you register by Tuesday, 27 April. To RSVP, please contact Bronwyn Wilson by clicking here. Please indicate whether or not you will be attending the tour and which meals you require

Soil erosion workshops - The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is running a series of free workshops around the North Island about the impact of erosion on the economic and environmental sustainability of hill country. These workshops are supported by regional councils and aim to up-skill participants in erosion recognition, processes and treatment options. Each session runs from 9.00am to 5.00pm and there will be an afternoon field exercise so come prepared with wet weather gear and walking shoes/boots. Lunch is also provided. For more information on dates and venues, please contact Mary Anne Eyles on 06 844 5905.

Wool Partners International roadshow meetings - Wool Partners International (WPI) is to hold a series of meetings throughout New Zealand in April. The meetings will cover what WPI is doing to grow demand for New Zealand strong wool and New Zealand market managers from the USA and the United Kingdom will speak about the direction of the international market. Space at each meeting is limited, so we encourage you to register your interest early by emailing info@woolpartners.com or phoning 0800 946 000. The dates and locations of the meetings can be found by clicking here.

Need help to develop a Health and Safety plan? - Open Polytechnic's Health and Safety course guides you through the process and adds a Certificate of Achievement to the deal. 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.

Industry-backed learning to improve productivity - Invest in your staff and your business while improving your management skills and staff performance. Agriculture ITO has a National Diploma in Agribusiness Management, National Certificate in Agriculture and other one-day workshop programmes to suit any level. Contact your Agriculture ITO advisor on 0800 691 111, or click here to visit their website.

Fancy a free Solahart panel? - Yes, when buying a GreenGlo Saver mains pressure tank you get a free Solahart panel and a free solar controller. This is an amazing offer, why wouldn't you go solar when you can go for free. For more information, please click here or call 0800 769 377.

Winesonline - For the best wine selection at the best prices look no further than www.winesonline.co.nz. Winesonline have great deals for Federated Farmers members including free chocolates and no rural delivery fees.

Did you know that OfficeMax sells postage stamps and postage included envelopes? - For more information and a full OfficeMax catalogue visit www.ordermax.co.nz or email Debbie Ferrel by clicking here.

Great Westpac rates - Westpac has a limited 40 day term deposit rate of 3.70 percent pa valid until Tuesday, 4 May 2010. Minimum deposit $5,000. To find out more, talk to an agribusiness manager by calling 0800 177 155.

Win a free home with Versatile! - Versatile are giving away one 4-bedroom, 208m² Windsor home valued at over $200,000. Enter online at www.versatile.co.nz, or at your local Versatile. Just answer one simple question and complete the entry form and you'll be in to win! Entries dose midnight Sunday, 30 May 2010. Terms & conditions apply. Home only, no land included, one entry per person and entrants must be over 18. For full details visit www.versatile.co.nz.

More member 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 gift. We have a limited number so get online, by clicking here and order yours today.

The Road to Castle Hill: A High Country Love Story - Christine Fernyhough's first High Country tale is now available on the Federated Farmers website. Warm and humorous, this inspirational book tells the story of a woman bold enough to do what many urbanites dream of: embark on an entirely new life and throw herself into a considerable challenge. Federated Farmers have it for the great price of $38.50 for members (non-members $45.50). Beautifully illustrated, The Road to Castle Hill is also a celebration of New Zealand's high-country way of life. 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.

Field Officers - Federated Farmers would like to remind all members and non-members that we have nine dedicated Field Officers out and about across New Zealand. Over the next few weeks they will be receiving their branded Federated Farmers Hyundai cars so you shouldn't miss them. Feel free to give them a call with any questions you may have about basically anything to do with agriculture or the Federation or just give them a wave as they go past. Please click here to view the names and contact details of each Field Officer and the areas they cover.

Quote of the week - "Anzac stood, and still stands, for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship, and endurance that will never own defeat". Charles Bean.