Ozzie Mozzie kicked for touch but the score remains one all - Read more »

Federated Farmers to build pressure for fast track ETS review - Read more »

Federated Farmers happy to see final Sheep and Beef Welfare Code is more workable - Read more »

Signs and Code a step in the right direction - Read more »

Momentous day for Fonterra Cooperative Group - Read more »

Farmers remain a trusted profession - Read more »

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

Access code and signs launched - The New Zealand Outdoor Access Code was launched this week. The Outdoor Access Code was developed by the Walking Access Commission to set out the responsibilities of land owners and the public when they enjoy the outdoors. Launched also were signs for private land owners to mark out the location of entry and exit points to access ways across their land. The signs were developed by the Federation and the Commission to assist private land owners to better manage access across their land. Announcements will be made soon on how the signs will be made available. The Outdoor Access Code can be found by clicking here.

New Sheep and Beef Cattle Welfare Code published - This code, which applies to all sheep and beef animals farmed for meat and fibre, has recently been published by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC). A copy of the code can be downloaded by clicking here. For more information, please contact Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre policy advisor, David Burt, on 0800 327 646 or at dburt@fedfarm.org.nz.

Federated Farmers on the ETS - As of yesterday the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) now impacts every single New Zealander. Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson wishes to reassure all members that our resolve remains undiminished. The ETS is to have a ‘review' in 2011, however the details, term of reference and composition is unknown and is something we intend to get clarity on. Federated Farmers intends to campaign under the ‘Switch-Off' umbrella to bring forward this review. It will mean working with urban New Zealand against a policy that affects all.  In the meantime, below are some video links highlighting recent actions for you to download and watch.

• Opinion editorial in the Dominion Post (as well as in the Daily Post and other newspapers)
• TV One Breakfast on Wednesday (30 June)
• TV One Rural Delivery (17 June)

Launch of Beef + Lamb New Zealand - The new name of Meat & Wool New Zealand, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, took effect yesterday, 1 July. With the launch comes a new website, www.beeflambnz.com, and staff email addresses have been changed to firstname.lastname@beeflambnz.com. The free phone number has also changed and is now, 0800 BEEF LAMB (2333 5262). All other contact details remain the same.

Commodity prices ease back off record highs - The ANZ Commodity Price Index recorded a drop in June, the first monthly decline in a year. The index eased 1.2 percent from its level in May, but remains at the second highest level measured, behind last month's peak. Compared to the same month last year the index remains up a solid 53 percent. A softening in dairy prices was the main influence on the direction of the index over July. The dairy price index fell 3.1 percent in June, with beef also down 5.2 percent. On the positive side, skin prices lifted 6.8 percent and wool was up 1.5 percent. When converted into New Zealand Dollars, the ANZ NZD Commodity Price index edged down 0.2 percent, reflecting a general weakening in the value of the New Zealand Dollar in June.

Confidence up - Business confidence in the wider economy has eased off from recent highs, according to the National Bank's Business Outlook Survey for the month of June.   The good news is that agricultural confidence rose, albeit marginally and off a lower base than the economy-wide sentiment. The improved confidence was probably driven by news of Fonterra's upwardly revised payout forecast. There was a 13 point lift in investment intentions in the agricultural sector, which suggests that farmers are preparing to catch-up after deferring on farm investment and maintenance over the past couple of years. All are encouraging, but confidence in activity, employment and investment across the rural sector is still lagging the economy wide average. Meanwhile, Federated Farmers own six-monthly Farm Confidence Survey is currently out in the field, with results to come later in July.

Agriculture still a productivity leader - Statistics NZ this week released its Industry Productivity Statistics for 1978-2008. For the thirty year period, agriculture labour productivity increased by 4.0 percent per year, almost twice the rate of the wider economy (2.1 percent per year). The report, which can be downloaded at www.stats.govt.nz, says that although agriculture's direct share of GDP has declined from 8.7 percent to 4.8 percent, its output has continued to rise and it remains one of the strongest productivity performers - beaten only by communications services, up on average by 9.3 percent per year.

A big thank you - The Federated Farmers National Conference ‘One Event' 2010 was held last week in Invercargill. Federated Farmers would like to thank our conference sponsors Silver Fern Farms, Alliance Group Ltd, Ravensdown and Woosh. We would also like to thank all our guest speakers who included Prime Minister, the Hon John Key, the Hon Phil Goff, the Hon David Carter, the US Ambassador to New Zealand HE David Huebner, Shareholders Association Chair Bruce Sheppard, former Chief Executive of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Tim Gibson, International Economist and trader Rodney Jones, Xero Executive Officer Rod Drury, Chairman of Woosh Wireless Limited Rod Inglis, Federated Farmers policy advisor Dr Lionel Hum and Chief Executive Officer of Solid Energy Don Elder. We hope all those that did attend the conference enjoyed themselves and found it both informative and beneficial.

Cheers for the spot prizes - We would also like to congratulate all those who won and those who provided the fantastic spot prizes at National Conference last week. A huge thank you goes to Bunnings, XCM Look Clothing, Dreamwool Beds, Accor Hotels, Office Max and Winesonline.

MAF inspections in Southland - TVOne News wishes to obtain video footage of MAF inspections for a story they wish to air. This will greatly aid Federated Farmers advocacy role, so we are asking farmers to share their inspection experiences via video. Footage can be shot on a mobile phone or a video camera and farmers are reminded you are within your rights to video anything on your property. If you are able to help, please email any related footage to pyp@woosh.co.nz and/or dbroome@fedfarm.org.nz.

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.

Rural Butchers Conference and AGM - The 2010 Federated Farmers Rural Butchers Conference and AGM is to be held at the Rendezvous Hotel, corner of Mayoral Drive and Vincent Street, Auckland on Saturday, 25 September. An agenda is currently being developed and will be sent out in the near future, but we can announce that it will include a field trip on the afternoon of Friday, 24 September. Registration forms will also be sent out shortly. As usual, members will need to arrange their own travel to and from the conference. If you are interested in attending this event, please contact David Burt, by clicking here or by calling 0800 327 646.

Interested in food? - Open Polytechnic has two food courses - a nutrition course, which covers healthy food choices and how the body uses food and the Food Safety course which teaches safe ways to prepare, handle and store food. 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.

Free chocolates with Winesonline - For the best, award winning Central Otago Pinot Noir at below half price and a gift box of beautiful Belgian chocolates, why wouldn't you choose, www.winesonline.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.

Need staff? - If you need staff or are looking for a job, visit www.ruraljobs.co.nz

Need a contract? - If you need a contract or free legal or employment advice, simply call 0800 327 646.

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 - "This is the last and final boarding call for Conor English, passenger to Wellington". Air New Zealand gives Federated Farmers Chief Executive, Conor English, a final hurry up.