Savings growth means no sacred cows - Read more »

Keep OCR on hold, farmers urge - Read more »

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Do you own pre-1990 forest land? - If you are a pre-1990 forest land owner you should apply to MAF for either an allocation of carbon credits (New Zealand Units (NZUs)) or for an exemption before deadlines run out. Pre-1990 forest land is land that was in forest before 1 January 1990 and mainly in exotic forest at 31 December 2007 and is subject to the deforestation rules of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). If you own pre-1990 forest land, you now have an important choice to make. For help with making your decision, you can visit MAF's website by clicking here or call 0800 254 628.

Consultation begins on forest carbon measurement approach - Consultation has now opened on a proposed new approach for owners of post-1989 forest to more accurately assess the carbon absorbed by their trees (the Field Measurement Approach). Essentially, a forest-by-forest carbon measurement system, instead of the current region-by-region approach is being proposed. It affects forest owners with more than 100 hectares, registered in the ETS or Permanent Forest Sink Initiative, which will include some farm foresters.  Consultation closes on 16 November 2010 and you can click here to view the consultation document.

Improving bobby calf welfare - For the last three years, a number of groups have proactively worked together to improve the welfare of bobby calves sent for slaughter. This season, MAF Animal Welfare Investigators worked in conjunction with industry groups such as the Road Transport Association, New Zealand Veterinary Association, Fonterra and Federated Farmers to engage with farmers about bobby calves and provide advice. While last years programme looked at collection, the focus of this year's inspections included feeding, euthanasia, housing and conditions pre transport. MAF staff were also able to talk with farmers that directly deal with bobby calves during more than 598 farm visits, while providing educational material. While data collected is still being analysed, MAF has noted that only a few problems were found and compliance is up on the previous year.

OCR unchanged - As widely expected, the Reserve Bank kept the OCR on hold at 3 percent this week. With short-term economic prospects patchy at best, the Reserve Bank is in no hurry to lift the OCR, although it has noted that further removal of monetary policy support will be required at some stage. We expect the reserve Bank to leave the OCR unchanged until March 2011, with any increases after that being very much dependent to how quickly the economy grows next year and the degree to which inflation returns to more normal levels after the GST-induced spike.

Farm confidence slips - The National Bank's October Business Outlook Survey has shown a rebound in general business confidence compared to September - up 10 points to a net +24 percent expecting better times. However, agriculture remains relatively gloomy compared to other businesses (stable at a net -15 percent). Meanwhile, Rabobank's quarterly Rural Confidence Survey has also shown a slip in farmer confidence with a net +24 percent expecting better times in October, compared to a net +30 percent in July. Rabobank reports that poor spring weather conditions and a high New Zealand Dollar are to blame for the lower farmer confidence.

Wool Partners Cooperative grower roadshows - A series of meetings for wool growers are being held around the country between 26 October and 19 November. The schedule of meetings can be found by clicking here and a reminder that applications for shares must be received by 30 November 2010.

Moving on after the storm, a girl's get together - The Southland Rural Support Trust, in conjunction with Federated Farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, is holding a series of meetings focussing on helping rural women to relax, socialise, be informed and move past the strain of the recent storms. Two meetings will be held on Monday, 1 November in Tokanui from 11am - 2pm at the Tokanui Tavern and in Wyndham from 7pm at the 3 Rivers Hotel, Redan Street. Two more meetings will be held on Tuesday, 2 November in Tuatapere from 11am - 2pm at the Waiau Hotel, 49 Main Street and in Otautau from 7pm at the Otautau Hotel, 71 Main Street. We will also hold a meeting in Winton from 11am - 2pm Wednesday, 3 November at the Salvation Army Building, 7 Dejoux Road and then in Invercargill from 11am - 2pm  Thursday, 9 November at Federated Farmers, 70 Forth Street. Everyone is welcome so bring your friends, neighbours and the children. Lunch or supper is included and child care will be available at the day time events. For catering purposes please RSVP three days prior to an event to Julia Christie, Field Officer for Southland, on 027 551 1639.

Bay of Plenty regional meeting - Don't forget that the Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty regional meeting is to be held from 10am Wednesday, 3 November at the Te Puke Club. Guest speakers include Ramsey Margolis and Lindsay Burton. Any enquiries, please phone Kim Cawte on 07 578 5039.

Emissions Trading Scheme information session - Federated Farmers Rotorua/Taupo would like to invite all local farmers to attend a meeting on the Emissions Trading Scheme, in association with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). MAF programmes advisor, Myles Guy, will give a presentation on the ETS, an important topic for all farmers. This session will cover key concepts such as how to claim credits for existing tree retirement areas, timeframes for claims and the projected impact of the ETS on farming. The session is to be held from 12noon Wednesday, 3 November at the Kinloch Community Hall, Mata Place, Kinloch. All members and non-members are welcome and tea, coffee and sandwiches will be provided. For more information, please contact Barbara Hunt on 07 362 4883.

Land and Water forum report consultation meetings - The next Land and Water Forum report consultation meetings are to be held in New Plymouth at the Quality Hotel Plymouth International, Corner Courtney and Leach Streets from 7 - 9.30pm Monday, 1 November and at the Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Solway Park, High Street, Masterton from 7 - 9pm Wednesday, 3 November. For more information, visit www.landandwater.org.nz.

Need help to develop a health and safety plan? - Open Polytechnic's Health and Safety course guides you through the process and puts a Certificate of Achievement into the bargain. 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.

Knock mastitis down with Agriculture ITO's new Mastitis Management course - This two workshop series has been developed to help dairy farmers create a mastitis management plan for their own farm. Tutored by specialist veterinarians, this programme will teach dairy farmers how to better detect mastitis, measure its cost to their operation and put in place practical, workable procedures that improve performance, manage somatic cell counts (SCC) and increase milk quality. The end result will be lower antibiotic use, improved milk production and improved farm profitability. The Mastitis Management course is part of Agriculture ITO's package of milk quality learning programmes and is aimed at those in a supervisory role who can influence how mastitis is dealt with on the farm, such as managers, sharemilkers and owners. To enrol or find out more, contact your local Agriculture ITO training advisor on 0800 691 111 or click here.

Get your hands on a bottle of Waimea Estate - Waimea Estate wines has won more Gold medals than Michael Phelps, as well as winning the honour of being served in First and Business Class on Air New Zealand. This week these renowned wines can be all yours from only $9.95. To find out more, visit www.winesonline.co.nz.

Iconic New Zealand clothing with Swanndri - Visit www.swanndri.co.nz to receive 10 percent off all current styles and up to 50 percent off special offer garments. Enter the promocode fedfarmers to access the discounts. New seasons shirts and shorts are available now, as well as great gift ideas.

Fancy a free Solahart panel? - Solahart is offering a free solar panel with all GreenGlo Saver tanks purchased. In addition, if a full Solahart System is purchased, a 10 percent discount applies for additional solar components required. Hurry up to soak up the sun this summer.

Take a break with Ibis Rotorua - Ibis Rotorua is located on the shores of Lake Rotorua. The hotel features 145 rooms, a restaurant, bar and internet access. The city centre is only a short walk away, offering easy access to the convention centre, Energy Event Centre, cafes and restaurants. Conference rooms and other facilities at the neighbouring Novotel Rotorua Lakeside are also available to guests. Federated Farmers members receive a further 10 percent discount off the best unrestricted rate available and rates are available from $110.00 per room. Book today at accorhotels.com.

Accuro's great 90 day deal is coming to a close - You only have 33 days left to take advantage of Accuro Health Insurances' great 90 day offer, as well as the extra minimum 5 percent discount for Federation members. Accuro has been providing health insurance to New Zealand health professionals for nearly 40 years and have had their Accuro SmartCare Hospital and Surgical plan recommended by Consumer for providing outstanding health insurance cover at a great price. Call Accuro today on 0800 222 876 to find out more and to get a quote.

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.

Quote of the week - "Small councils like Horizons can be easily 'picked off' by big organisations such as Fonterra or Federated Farmers." Massey University's Dr Mike Joy gets all conspiratorial on National Radio.