LIC-DairyNZ impasse unacceptable - Read more
Second consecutive food price fall shows the market works - Read more 

Basking in the rising sun: unlocking our primary potential - Read more

Food security is the new climate change - Read more
Good for dairy, good for New Zealand - Read more 

Rabobank Agribusiness review - The latest review provides a snapshot of the food and agribusiness sectors, as well as recent price and market trend data and analysis.

Click here to read the latest copy.

ACC levies to be cut - The Government has announced ACC levies will be cut from 1 April 2012, confirming an earlier proposal by ACC.  The cuts come after a turnaround in ACC's financial position. Levies for the work account will be cut on average from $1.47 to $1.15 per $100 liable earnings, a drop of 22 percent. Levies for individual risk groups have yet to be published, but if they end up as proposed, dairy farmers' levies will fall by 21 percent and sheep and beef farmers' levies will fall by 13 percent. The Earners Account levy for non-work accidents will also be cut from $2.04 to $1.70 including GST per $100 liable earnings, a drop of 17 percent. However, the Motor Vehicle Account levy will remain unchanged. Federated Farmers submitted in favour of the proposed cuts when consulted by ACC.

April 1 2012 Tax Changes: Overview For Employers - Inland Revenue (IRD) has asked Federated Farmers to inform its members of a number of impending tax changes to employer superannuation contribution tax and student loans. Although these changes will take effect from April 2012, we think it is worthwhile for members to have plenty of notice so they can make appropriate arrangements. For more information click here.

Local Electoral Amendment Bill - Federated Farmers is welcoming the introduction of the Local Electoral Act Amendment Bill into parliament this week. The Bill will provide councils with more flexibility to make representation arrangements that better reflect communities of interest. Since 2002 councils have had to apply plus or minus 10 percent population quotas when determining wards and Federated Farmers is concerned that this rigid approach has caused a steady decline in rural representation. The Bill will be considered by the new Government and is likely to be passed next year in time for the 2013 local authority elections.

Plant protection insecticides: reassessment of organophosphate and carbamate - The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is carrying out a series of consultations on the assessment of the use of organophosphates and carbamates, which are chemicals used to protect plants from pests. While they are also used as veterinary medicines, this is not currently being considered. 

In order to assess how these chemicals are used in agriculture, Federated Farmers has been asked to provide information from its members on how they use them. This survey is important because it will form the basis of further consultation documents with the EPA over assessing risks associated with these chemicals. The conclusion may be that free access to these chemicals will be permitted, or use may come with special conditions.  It could also see some chemicals being banned.  Fill out the survey by clicking here.

Review of the National Breeding Objective - New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited (NZAEL) is reviewing the National Breeding Objective (NBO), which is used to define the traits included in Breeding Worth (BW) and their economic values. The NBO is absolutely critical to the future of New Zealand's dairy herd, so we want to make sure we get it right.  The first round of consultation is about to begin, with 20 meetings around the country.  Farmers are invited to attend and have their say on whether the current BW meets their needs and how they would like to see it change in the future. Click here to find your closest meeting.

NAIT information - In order to communicate The National Animal Identification and Tracing Bill's requirements to farmers, NAIT will be sending out material to everyone registered with the Animal Health Board (AHB) over the next few weeks. The material comprises a note from the AHB, a NAIT brochure and a cattle tagging advice pocket card.

The brochure can also be obtained from the NAIT website by clicking here.

Want to show children just what farming is all about? - DairyNZ is keen to put children and schools in touch with real farms and farmers.  If you are interested in hosting a class or visiting a school and speaking about your favourite topic farming! Then register with the Go Dairy^TM Education Find a Farmer Service by clicking here.

New TV Show seeks farmers - A genuine, friendly country family is being sought for a new weekly television series. It will be an observational documentary of the life and times of a kiwi farming family as they go about their seasonal business, on and off the farm. You must be willing to share the highs and lows of the job and the lifestyle. The preference is for dairy or mixed farm in the top half of North Island. If you are interested, email billkerton@slingshot.co.nz to apply.

Southland farm tour - Come and see how Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award winners Grant and Bernadette Weller integrate hill management with high producing downlands. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the couple being awarded the 2011 Gordon Stephenson Trophy and being ambassadors for New Zealand agriculture.

When: Wednesday 9 November 2pm

Where: Crosshill 2014 Waimea Valley Balfour.

For more information please contact Helen van der Linden on 03 204 2015 /027 276 7616 or email her at southland@bfea.org.nz

Gisborne: New Zealand Grassland Association Conference - This year's conference will feature topical issues such carbon farming, drought prone pasture concerns and will look at profitability and new science.  It will also include a session on addressing the challenges and opportunities of Gisborne hill country using ten years of analysis. Two on-farm field trips will allow participants to view and learn about two Maori farm businesses and their challenges.

When: 7 -10 November

Where: Quality Hotel Emerald, Gisborne

To register click here or for a copy of the conference's draft agenda click here.

Rural New Zealand: building a place where talent wants to live - New Zealand's rural sector is the backbone of our economy so let's encourage people to live in rural parts of the country. TUANZ invites you to its fifth Annual Rural Broadband Symposium, bringing together the rural businesses and communities, central and local government and technology providers. The symposium on 8-9 Nov 2011 in Taupo will provide a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between broadband providers and rural users and to explore opportunities for collaboration. To visit TUANZ's website click here.

AGMARDT Innovation funding - AGMARDT is now allocating group grants for agribusiness innovation projects. Funding will be awarded for the development or commercialisation of an idea, or to get a project to a stage where it will attract further funding. Grants of up to $120,000 are available. The eligible groups include farmers and growers, farm consultants, vets and research, companies who are involved in agribusiness or technology providers. Project inquiries for the next funding round must be submitted by 30 October 2011. For more information click here.

Agri Women's Development Trust Escalator - Escalator is a ten month programme specifically designed for women in the agricultural sector. It aims to create future leaders with the skills and capability to govern and lead rural organisations and communities.

It specifically addresses barriers rural women face in taking their skills to the next level and supports leadership and governance development in a continuous way. The next programme begins February 2012. To apply, click here. Applications close on 28 October 2011. For further information contact Lindy Nelson, ratahiwi@farmside.co.nz  or 06 375 0651.  

AgITO course in feeding and pastures - AgITO's National Certificate in Agriculture, Animal Feeding and Pastures (Level 3) pasture species, weeds and the impact an agricultural system will have on soil. You'll also learn about different methods of grazing, how to balance the supply and demand of feed and assist with livestock grazing management.

AgITO's Mastitis Management programme - The 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.

To enrol or find out more about either course, contact your local AgITO adviser today on 0800 691 111 or visit its website by clicking here.

Employment Agreements:  Heavily subsidised for members - Federated Farmers offer a wide range of Employment Agreements, including, permanent, fixed term and casual agreements. We also offer contracts for services for those contractors who work on your farm doing occasional jobs such as spraying and fencing. Protect yourself and those who work for you by ensuring you have up to date employment agreements for all parties.

The manual cost $50 + GST for members and $150 + GST for non-members.

Call 0800 FARMING to order or discuss your employment contract needs with our customer services team.

Variable Order Sharemilking Agreement 2012 - The 2012-2013 agreement is now available. The current 2001 agreement is to be used for the current season. All sections and clauses that must be completed are clearly marked and management report templates for each month of the season are included.

It costs $70+GST for members and $210+GST for non-members.

Call 0800 FARMING to order or discuss your sharemilking agreement needs with our customer services team.

Winesonline - Winesonline is offering red and white wines for $7.95. To view this offer and other great wines click here.

"In that respect, water represents an opportunity and, in the minds of some, our Achilles heel." - Speech by Dr William Rolleston, Federated Farmers Vice-President, to the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science in Wellington on 4 October.