90-day widening gets the big tick from farmers - Read more »

Farmers call not to raise OCR vindicated by events - Read more »

ACC changes provide good incentives - Read more »

China's got the cash, we've got the brains, let's make lots of money? - Read more »

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

Lets bee friendly - For this year's National Bee Week, which run from 26 to 30 July, Federated Farmers will be celebrating all things bees. Bee Week, supported by the National Beekeepers' Association and Federated Farmers Bees, will highlight the value and opportunities of honey bees, beekeeping in New Zealand and how bees rely on human intervention to survive. Everyone can help bees by planting bee friendly trees and shrubs, so to find which plants are right for your region simply click here. For more information on Bee Week, please visit the National Beekeepers' Association website by clicking here.

Tax consultation closing soon - A Government consultation on proposals to make the tax system less complex, faster and more certain closes next Friday. People interested in viewing the proposals or on commenting have until 23 July to do so and this can be done by clicking here. Federated Farmers would also be interested in your views, including on the pros and cons of electronic interaction, so we can make a submission. The proposals seek to reduce business compliance costs and are part of a plan to encourage most taxpayers to interact with the IRD electronically rather than by paper. To find out what the Federation is submitting on and to have your say, please email Nick Clark, by clicking here.

Otorohanga District Plan review - The Otorohanga District Plan is currently being reviewed, with Council releasing draft objectives and polices for consultation. Objectives and policies for rural character will be topics that Federated Farmers will be watching out for as the rural zone is much more than just an amenity value or picturesque scenery. Any objectives that could stifle farming activities in order to protect amenity will be in the Federation's crosshairs. Federated Farmers will be preparing comments on the draft objectives and polices by 30 July 2010.

Waikato district rates - The Waikato District Council has finalised its rates for the next 12 months.  Federated Farmers was gunning for an adverse event rate remission policy similar to that seen in the Hauraki district. This type of policy would allow businesses that have been affected by drought, flood or fire to apply for a remission or postponement of that year's rates. However, Council has decided it does not support this idea because of the costs that would be involved. Council has also decided to continue with spending outside of its core functions, granting a tourism promotion of $73,343 and a Rugby World Cup bid of $12,408. Federated Farmers considers that farmers should not be paying rates that go toward development and promotion of the tourism industry.

Waikato goes south - The Waikato went south this week when Federated Farmers Waikato provincial president, Stew Wadey, and Meat & Fibre vice-chairperson, Chris Irons, travelled to Christchurch to learn about Federated Farmers North Canterbury's Step Up programme. This proved to be a good opportunity to also show them the 18,000 hectare Waimakariri Irrigation Scheme and Brown's Rock intake, to hear about the Canterbury Strategic Water Study and to talk about the new look Environment Canterbury minus its councillors.

Rates for Taupo district - Taupo District Council has also finalised its rates for the year ahead. Federated Farmers submitted that benchmarked examples of rates for different properties should be included in the annual plan, allowing readers to compare. Council has replied that benchmarked examples used to be included, but have been discontinued because the extra pages add to the printing cost.  Although Federated Farmers likes to see council's lowering the rates burden by spending less, we can think of more effective ways of doing it.

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

Economics update - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.3 percent for the June 2010 quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. Higher tobacco, transport and housing prices in the June quarter were partly offset by lower food prices. The CPI increased 1.8 percent for the year to the June 2010 quarter. Non-tradable goods and services (which do not face foreign competition) increased 2.2 percent for the year to the June 2010 quarter. The annual increases for non-tradables have been no more than 2.3 percent for the past three quarters, whereas annual increases were at least 3.0 percent for the previous eight years. Tradables (which are exported, imported, or compete with imported goods) rose 1.1 percent in the year to the June 2010 quarter. This outcome, which came in lower than most market expectations, combined with weak housing and retail sales, will be of key interest for the Reserve Bank when it makes its next call on the OCR on 29 July.

South Island Farmer of the Year - Entries are now being called for the Lincoln University Foundation's showcase event, the South Island Farmer of the Year. Following a major revamp, the event is now open to all farmers and focuses solely on innovation. The theme has attracted RX Plastics, Summit Animal Health and TracMap as new sponsors. The major prize of a $15,000 travel/education grant and the runner-up prize of $7,500 travel/education grant remains the same. However, a new prize of a TM465 GPS system, has been kindly sponsored by TracMap. You can enter or nominate someone by clicking here. Entries close 15 August 2010.

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.

Business development course - Looking to grow your primary sector business? Interested in analysing your business to see where you could improve? Open Polytechnic has a certificate course which includes a business analysis tool and then training for areas of need. For more information contact Chris Matthews by clicking here or by calling 0508 650 200. Remember, Federated Farmers members get a 20 percent discount. Click here to download an enrolment form.

Relax at Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square - Accor's newest hotel in the very heart of Cathedral Square in the Garden City offers guests the choice of experiencing the latest design or historical elegance. For the months of July and August 2010, Novotel Christchurch would like to offer Federated Farmers members a complimentary full cooked breakfast as well as inviting children 15 years and under to stay for free with adults. This offer applies to reservations on the Federated Farmers rate of 10 percent discount off the best available rate which is booked via accorhotels.com or by calling 03 372 2113. Offer valid for stays until 31 August 2010.

Winesonline.co.nz - New gold medal wines just listed on Winesonline.co.nz. To view these and other great wines, visit 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 - "Nine members of the current All Black squad come from farming backgrounds making it the most common profession amongst them - apart from them being rugby players of course!" Federated Farmers receptionist, Lauren Mann, gives us a fun fact.