Jeanette Maxwell - Chairperson, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre

The silly season is upon us and I don't just mean Christmas. Many of you will be busy with your lambs, shearing and turning your paddocks into hay and silage over the next few weeks.

By now you should have decided which company you are going to sell your stock to for the upcoming summer season. Remember to keep the communication lines open, so both you and the company have agreed upon the number being supplied, dates, weights and any finer details including pricing. This gives both sides a clear understanding of how the season is likely to unfold.

The November Meat & Fibre Council meeting's Quad Bike remit was passed at the National Council last week. If you are getting your quad bike serviced or you are looking to purchase a new quad bike, ask to have a reversing beeper fitted. It is relatively inexpensive and may prevent you from having a nasty accident or save your life. We have all had close calls whether we admit it or not, so please get a reverse beeper installed.

Also, if you have not already done so, , I recommend you develop a health and safety policy (the Federation has this document for sale) for your farm to help identify and mitigate the hazards that farming presents.

Another topic that is getting a lot of attention at present is the environment. Environment, sustainability and biodiversity are becoming the new buzzwords both in our domestic market and abroad. Waterways are also coming under increased scrutiny. We will have to look at our farming practices and see how we can best manage all these issues. This doesn't mean fencing all waterways, but it will involve looking at catchments, the land classes within these and deciding what will be the best mitigation plans for the problem areas. So while you're out working over the summer think about what could work for on your farm.

Happy farming and have a very merry Christmas.

Jeanette Maxwell
Chairperson
Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre
Mobile: 027 357 4464
Phone: 03 302 8860
Email: jmaxwell@fedfarm.org.nz

2011 Meat & Fibre Council meeting - The National Meat & Fibre Council Meeting was held on 2 -3 November at the Brentwood Hotel in Wellington.
Wednesday 2 November

Barry Pullin the President of the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association and Peter Taylor spoke about the Association's "ShearNZ" programme to develop a shearing quality programme and industry standards.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Chief Executive Officer, Rod Slater, spoke about domestic market meat consumer trends.

Nigel Corry the General Manager of Greater Wellington Regional Council's Environment Management Group and the Federations Senior Policy Advisor Liz McGruddy, spoke about the regional council and farming partnerships for progress in the hill country.

The last speaker of the day was Bill Falconer, Chairman of the Meat Industry Association Inc (MIA), who provided an update on the Red Meat Sector Strategy.

Thursday 3 November

After a closed session discussion covering a number of issues, the council spent some time talking about quad bikes. This was followed by a presentation from Federated Farmers Ruapehu Provincial President Lyn Neeson on her experience in creating a new product from a commodity (wool).

The last presentation of the day was from Cliff Heath Chairman, Wool Equities Ltd and WoolCo Ltd, Tim Howe from Ocean Partners and the Director WoolCo Hugh Taylor, who spoke about the wool cooperative.

COUNCIL REMITS PASSED

[Remit #2] "That Federated Farmers of New Zealand Meat and Fibre oppose the Commerce Commission's decision giving Cavalier Wool Holdings the monopoly ownership of all the wool scours through the purchase of Wool Services International assets"

[Remit #3] "That Federated Farmers Meat and Fibre supports the Beef + Lamb New Zealand "Sure Trim" carcase weighing and trimming standard as a positive outcome of the Red Meat Sector Strategy"

[Remit #4] "That Federated Farmers Meat and Fibre publically encourage Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association to promote the benefits of "Sure Trim" amongst all meat processors and encourage farmer suppliers to support those processors that adopt the "Sure Trim" standard"

[Remit #5] "That FF Meat and Fibre recommend the fitting of audible reversing alarms to all four wheel farm bikes"
Note added: This Remit was subsequently passed by National Council at their meeting held in Wellington on 16 - 17 November.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS

"That Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre support a collaborative approach on environmental issues with councils where appropriate."

The draft Minutes from the meeting are currently being finalised, but will be distributed to council members and then placed on the Meat & Fibre section of the Federated Farmers website when completed. If you wish to obtain a copy of the presentations, please contact the Meat & Fibre Policy Advisor, David Burt, at dburt@fedfarm.org.nz or by calling 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646).

COUNCIL EXPENSE CLAIMS

Delegates are reminded to submit any expense claims from this event ASAP so they can be processed before the end of the year. If you require a copy of the claim form, please contact David Burt.

Red Meat Sector Strategy (RMSS) - Following the release of the RMSS in May, a sector Strategy Coordination Group (SCG) was formed to promote, monitor and report on the implementation of the strategy. In September, the SCG released its first quarterly report outlining the activity that aligns to the Red Meat Sector Strategy that is currently under way by B+LNZ and MIA and also identifying opportunities for further work. A copy of the SCG report can be found a by clicking here.  

Alternatively, a copy can be obtained from David Burt, the Federations Meat & Fibre Policy Advisor - see contact details above

ShearNZ programme- The New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association continues the work of developing their ShearNZ (formerly "NZShearing") programme designed to recognise excellence in wool harvesting, encourage better communication of market signals and ensure consistent product description.

The Association is keen to receive feedback, before the end of November, on the revised draft document.  To obtain a copy of the document, contact David Burt.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Director Nominations - Nominations are being called for directors to represent farmers in the Northern North Island and the Northern South Island electorates on the B+L NZ Board. Nominations must be submitted on the official form from the Returning Officer, Warwick Lampp, free phone 0508 666 336 and need to be received by 5 pm, Wednesday 18 January 2012.

Voters in the two electorates are encouraged to check they are on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Electoral Roll and can do this by calling the free phone 0508 666 336.  To be eligible to vote, a livestock farmer must have owned at least 250 sheep, or 50 beef cattle or 100 dairy cattle on 30 June 2011 and must be registered on the B+L NZ electoral roll by 5 pm on Wednesday 8 February 2012.

Votes need to be cast by Election Day on 8 March 2012.  The elections will be conducted by postal and internet voting and forms will be mailed out in February next year.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand Call for 2012 AGM Remits - The 2012 B+L NZ Annual Meeting will be held on 22 March in the Eastern North Island Electorate. Livestock farmers who want to propose remits must submit them by 18 January 2012.

Remits need to be submitted via the official form that can be obtained from B+L NZ General Counsel, Mark Dunlop by freephoning 0800 233 352.  Remits require the signatures of 10 farmers who are registered on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Electoral Roll. 

Remits will be included with voting documents for the Annual General Meeting and sent to farmers in February 2012.

National Identification and Tracing [NAIT] scheme is to take effect from 1 July 2012- The implementation date of the National Animal Identification and Tracing [NAIT] scheme, involving the mandatory tagging of cattle, is likely to be 1 July 2012 - subject to the passing of the NAIT legislation.

The requirements around tagging cattle can be found on the NAIT website by   clicking here or by contacting David Burt at the Federation's Wellington office at dburt@fedfarm.org.nz

WoolCo - The NZ Wool Investment Co Ltd (WoolCo), a company jointly owned by Wool Equities and investment bankers Ocean Partners, of Christchurch, is in the process of raising funds from sheep farmers to buy Wool Services International.

The offer is open until 9 December 2011. For more information click here.

Biosecurity Reform Bill - The Biosecurity Reform Bill has been reported back by the Primary Select Committee to the House and awaits a second reading. We raised a number of serious concerns with the Bill, which includes changes to border inspection, Import Health Standard formation, Government Industry Agreements and Pest Management strategy formation. On assessment a number of useful changes to the draft Bill have been made. Although the changes made are an improvement a number of concerns regarding the levies and farmers paying for readiness and response activities continue to progress. On a positive note, the legislation is not expected to progress this prior to March 2012 and there are still opportunities to work through our concerns with MAF. 

Government Industry Agreements - A Primary Industry Group meeting was held at Federated Farmers on 20 September to discuss the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) progress and to assess where common interests sit between different industries. The GIA is being progressed by Government as a way for industry and Government to share the responsibility and costs of biosecurity readiness and response. A total of 22 industry group representatives attended the meeting, with some representing more than one industry group. Wayne McNee (MAF CEO) attended the meeting for a set session. A working group has been established to work with MAF to ensure that industry and MAF work as partners rather than in isolation when developing the GIA Master Deed of Agreement.

Import Health Standard for the Importation of Pigs from New Caledonia - MAF have revoked the standards from the current set of import health standards. Development of an import health standard for live pigs in the future will be considered following the request of an importer and assessed in accordance with the prioritisation criteria for determining the standards development work programme.

Animal Welfare and MAF Working Relationship - Federated Farmers have assisted on a number of animal welfare investigations of late.

MAF have a number of new initiatives underway and want to work in with Federated Farmers. This includes the development of new inspection documents, pro active farmer involvement in animal welfare investigations, and updating the MoU. New documents include:

• Farm Assessment forms
• Letter outlining a closed investigation
• OIA request template so farmers can obtain copies of inspection reports
• Inspection advice notice
• Several forms outlining various parts of the animal welfare act in simple form

Livestock Tax Review - Last month Federated Farmers submitted to the Inland Revenue Department on its Review of Herd Scheme Elections. The Government is concerned at the opportunity for sheep, beef and dairy farmers to exploit the system as it appears ‘too easy' to leave the herd scheme.  A discussion document proposed to make the herd scheme election irrevocable and a tightening up on elections associated with farm sales.  The Federation's submission accepted that there is a problem with the current rules but emphasised a need to ensure that new rules are reasonable and workable.  We are awaiting next steps with the review and any changes will require Parliament to amendment the Income Tax Act.

Two leadership courses will again be held next year. Details about the courses can be found on our website, click here to find out more.  

Getting Your Feet Wet -  Level 1 courses will be held in 2012 on 22 - 23 February, 16 - 17 May and 4 - 5 April and 24 - 25 October.

Shining under the Spotlight - Level 2 courses will be held in 2012 on 4 - 5 April, 11 - 12 July and 28 - 29 November.

These courses provide members with valuable opportunities to develop their leadership skills to benefit both the sector and their businesses.

Use your Membership and SAVE - Extract value from your membership by joining up for the Mobilcard "at pump" or the Allied Petroleum "farm delivery" fuel offers. Call 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) and our team can connect you with the appropriate fuel business partner. You can also call them direct on 0800 Mobilcard (0800 732 277) or Allied Petroleum freephone 0800 383 566. The Federation is using the scheme for the Field Officer's vehicles as it reduces the operational costs.

Benefits available to all members from Federated Farmers Sponsors and Partners - Federated Farmers is proudly sponsored by many key businesses that give members special offers and great purchasing discounts off products such as mobile communications, paint, water tanks, health insurance, clothing, stationary, Bunnings products, accommodation, tyres and much more.  Click here to see what is available to all members when you show your Federated Farmers New Zealand membership card.

Considering new staff? - Call our customer services team on 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING) to order the correct employment contract for your staff needs.  An up to date range of Individual Agreements is available including Fixed Term, Casual and Permanent employment contracts.  These employment products are just $50 + GST for members, non members may also purchase these at the unsubsidised price of $150 + GST. 

Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre
Please remember that if you have any issues or queries you would like to discuss, please feel free to contact Federated Farmers on 0800 FARMING (327 646) or contact your local Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre representative or one of the executive team as listed below.

Head Office
PO Box 715
Wellington 6140
Tel:  04 473 7269
Fax: 04 473 1081
www.fedfarm.org.nz

Staff contact - David Burt
Tel:  0800 327 646
Fax: 04 473 1081
Email: dburt@fedfarm.org.nz

Chairperson - Jeanette Maxwell
Tel:        03 302 8860
Fax:       03 302 8849
Mobile:   027 357 4464
Email:  jmaxwell@fedfarm.org.nz

Vice-chairperson - Dugald Mclean
Tel/Fax:  03 313 5442
Email: mcleanfam@xtra.co.nz 

Executive members:

Tim Mackintosh
Tel:  07 322 1039
Email: timmack@xtra.co.nz

Will Foley
T: 06 855 8009
F: 06 855 8008
M: 027 499 6947
E: wfoley@clear.net.nz

Lyn Neeson
T/F: 07 893 8547
M: 027 353 7907
E: alyn@xtra.co.nz

A full list of the Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre team can be found by clicking here.