Aussies Say Thanks

The National Farmers Federation of Australia said a special thank you to kiwi farmers for providing their members with free farm holidays in New Zealand during the past year's terrible drought across the Tasman. President of the National Farmers Federation, David Crombie presented the president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand with a special plaque thanking farmers for their generous gesture. About 150 Australian farmers took up the free holidays.

Fair Rates Message

Federated Farmers this week gave National Party members of parliament the farmers view on rates and local government funding. A delegation including president Charlie Pedersen, vice-president Don Nicolson and rates expert Nigel Billings presented the case for change to the way local government is funded. Rates are a particularly huge burden for farms simply because they are based on the value of land. The MPs showed they understood the issues and there was good discussion both on the problem and on solutions to reduce councils' reliance on property-value rates. The Federation is looking for all political parties to commit to meaningful reform of local government funding.

Fuel Storage Decision

The Environmental Risk Management Authority has changed rules to make life easier for farmers storing fuel. Those who have existing (prior to 2004) above ground diesel tanks of up to 2500 litres will no longer require secondary containment, provided the tank complies with the old dangerous goods requirements. Previously, the requirement for secondary containment kicked-in at 2000 litres. The change reflects the fact that many farmers have the old 500 gallon tanks and that requiring them to install secondary containment would be a significant compliance cost with little safety to be gained where tanks already complying with the dangerous goods regulations. ERMA has updated their approved practice guide. Find out more online or email: wmcgimpsey@fedfarm.org.nz for more information.

Permit Scheme Applauded

Federated Farmers applauds the government for trialling a permit scheme which would allow greater payloads on trucks. Up to 50 tonnes will now be allowed to be carried by the trucks of permitted operators as opposed to 44 tonnes. The measure will have economic, social and environmental benefits all due to less truck trips being required to carry the same amount of freight. The Federation is hopeful that this trial will lead to bigger and better things.

Positive Position

Former president of Bay of Plenty, Derek Spratt spoke at the hearing on the Bay of Plenty Conservation Management Strategy in Rotorua on Wednesday. He highlighted the need for the Department of Conservation to develop and maintain a positive working relationship with landowners, and that it was vital DOC consults with farmers regarding decisions that impact on them. He also indicated the importance of pest management on DOC land to minimise pest encroachment on neighbouring properties. Mr Spratt's comments were well received and he hopes for a positive working relationship between DOC and landowners in the future.

Fertiliser Quality Council Promotion

Chairman of the Fertiliser Quality Council, Neil Barton was at the launch of a new promotional DVD called, "Four Steps to Sustainable Farming". The DVD was launched at Lincoln University yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon Jim Anderton. The DVD displayed the work of the South Island Dairy Development Centre farm, where optimum financial performance was achieved with minimal environmental impact. Neil said the combination of sound science and skilled farm management demonstrates that intensive farming does not damage the environment. The four steps to sustainable farming are; soil testing, the use of a nutrient management plan, use Fertmark fertilisers and spread Fertmark fertilisers with a Spreadmark accredited spreader.

High Country Conference

Federated Farmers High Country is holding its annual conference in Wanaka, June 6 and 7. The theme of the conference is "options and opportunities for high country farmers". Federated Farmers High Country chairman, Donald Aubrey will speak on the valuation of pastoral lease properties and government's attitude. The keynote address is from Hon David Carter, National Party spokesman for agriculture. Other topics to be covered at the conference include pest management, working with LINZ, organic opportunities and ways forward in the meat industry. For more information contact Bob Douglas on 0800 327 646 or view conference agenda here.

Payout Welcome

Federated Farmers has welcomed Fonterra's announcement of a record payout of $7.90 per kilogram of milk solids for the 2007/08 year. The vice-chairman of Federated Farmers Dairy section, Lachlan McKenzie says this is good news and that the season has been an exceptional one for dairy farmers. He says even with the drought, rising fertiliser and supplementary feed prices, farmers have had a good year. He says the payout will benefit the whole country in what is otherwise a challenging economic time.

Business Outlook Survey

Agriculture is again the most pessimistic sector surveyed by the National Bank's monthly business outlook survey. A net 69.2 percent of those in the sector surveyed predict deteriorating business conditions to come.

One Plan

Federated Farmers members in the Manawatu-Wanganui region are busy preparing hearing evidence to support Federated Farmers' submission on Horizons One Plan provisions. In its submission, Federated Farmers has objected to the emphasis on farming as the key cause of accelerated erosion and poor water-quality. The submission also raises concerns about the impact of some provisions, particularly nutrient leaching targets on the viability of farming in the region. Hearings are expected to run from 1 July through to February 2009. For further information on the hearings contact Julie Ireland email: jireland@fedfarm.org.nz. Waitomo branch chair Charles Digby spoke on the Federation's submission to the Waitomo District plan this week. He focused on council's problems with historic debt and the effect on farmers expected to fix the problem through substantial rate increases. He told councillors that farmers felt let down and believe that council could do more to prune its expenditure to essential services. He urged councillors and staff to "sweat the small stuff" in the balance sheet, do more to explain new expenditure in the annual plan, and review the rating policy so that rates paid were better aligned to levels of service. A delegation later met with senior council staff to talk about a way forward.

Stock Take

Federated Farmers has submitted on the draft annual plans released in the Manawatu-Wanganui region. Federated Farmers objected to rates increases and unbudgeted expenditure and pointed out where individual councils could rein-in expenditure. Submissions were backed up by the presentation of economic and financial information, on a district-by-district basis, and the value farming adds to the regional economy. Federated Farmers showed councils the impact of recent poor prices, drought and increasing costs affecting farm-profit, particularly on hill-country farmers' ability to pay rates increases. This information generated plenty of discussion and in some cases councillors were shocked that some farming families were earning less than the average minimum wage.

Culture Change

Rotorua/Taupo president Gifford McFadden spoke at the Rotorua District Council Annual Plan hearing on Wednesday, to raise concerns over the use of council money for tourism activities, the lack of transparency in the annual plan, and how the council could better use the uniform annual general charge cap. The positive reception to the submission seemed to show a culture change amongst some councillors. Gifford McFadden said the clarity, readability and detail of the submission prepared by Federated Farmers gave the councillors a helpful comparison to information provided to them by council staff.

Not Caving In

The council that hosts one of New Zealand's leading tourist attractions, Waitomo Caves, was congratulated this week in a submission by Federated Farmers to its draft annual plan. The congratulations came in wake of the council's plan to overhaul its rating system. But Federation members called for the review to go much further than that proposed, and urged the council to also apply a smarter use of differentials and targeted rates. Federated Farmers said that the council must take a bold approach to a fairer rating system and not cave in to pressures from ratepayer groups that could undermine the robustness of the policy.

Willing To Change

Farmer submitters were well received at the Franklin District Council's draft annual plan hearing yesterday. Auckland vice-president Wendy Clark said council indicated a willingness to change the public/private good ratios on stormwater activity for the benefit of rural ratepayers. The change is for the 2008/09 year until a proper review can be untaken. This is good news for the rural community who have been essentially subsidising urban stormwater for many years.

Revised Review

Stratford District Council is calling for submissions on their district plan as required under the Resource Management Act. Federated Farmers is opposed to a number of changes the council has made, including that woolsheds, milking-sheds, calf-sheds and stables will be considered intensive farming operations. Federated Farmers is also opposed to an existing rule in the plan that states, goats cannot be farmed within 1km of a National Park. Federated Farmers' argument is a buffer distance will not stop a goat, only a decent fence will solve the problem. For more information on Federated Farmers' position contact Nicola Ekdahl, on 0800 327 646.

Frank and Fair

The rates farmers pay in proportion to urban-dwellers are unfair, was the message Taranaki Federated Farmers members gave to the South Taranaki District Council last week. The council heard oral submissions from members Neville Wallace and Alastair Keech for its 2008/2009 annual plan. The men told councillors that rural ratepayers pays 72.2 percent of the total rate-take, yet only make up 42 percent of South Taranaki's ratepayers. The combined general rate this year is expected to increase 6.1 percent.

Stand Stock Before Moving

Federated Farmers recommends standing stock off green-feed for four to six hours before trucking. Standing stock and giving them access only to water and dry feed is not harmful. The practice keeps effluent off the road and stock will travel better and arrive cleaner. Adequate notice of pick-up times should be given by trucking firms so that standing can be arranged.

Drought Stress

Things may still not be right on the farm. It has been recognised that post-drought stress can be a real problem. Federated Farmers is still running the 0800 DROUGHT (0800 376 844) phone line, members can ask for emotional support as well as request feed.

Veterinary Medicines

Federated Farmers has recently had enquires about prescription animal remedies. Members should be aware the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Council is overseeing the implementation of 2007 amendment to the ACVM Act 1997. Part of the work involves updating the current classification system for registered veterinary medicine products. While there are proposed changes to the terminology there will be minimal impact on the majority of existing Prescription Animal Remedy products. It is also proposed that these changes are phased in. For more information, contact Ann Thompson email: athompson@fedfarm.org.nz.

Show your Federated Farmer's membership card when accessing special discounts. This week check out the specials available from Orbit Travel and Avis Rental Cars. For other special offers for members visit our website or call 0800 327 646.

Order contracts or agreements online or call 0800 FARMING (327 646).

Acting CEO

Charlie Pedersen will be the acting chief executive from today. He can be contacted by email: cpedersen@fedfarm.org.nz.

Meat & Fibre Conference Elections

A reminder that nominations for positions on the Meat & Fibre council executive close at 5pm on Tuesday 3 June.

Gypsy Day

Watch for stock on the road this week as sharemilkers do their annual farm swap. Also a reminder to anyone who is moving; let Federated Farmers know your new address. Phone 0800 327 646 to update your details.

Recruit New Members

Help Federated Farmers to help you by passing on the names of potential new members in your area. Call before June 30 on 0800 327 646; provide the name of someone you think would benefit from being a member, and you go in the draw to win a $500 Telecom credit. Potential new members will be contacted by one of our friendly field officers.

Leadership Two

This week saw the advanced leadership course happen at Federated Farmers' Wellington office. Members who attended developed important practical leadership skills such as, running effective meetings, dealing with conflict in groups and being a persuasive speaker. The course also provided an opportunity for members to network. If you are interested in attending a Federated Farmers leadership course contact your provincial president or call 0800 327 646. Spaces are limited so be in quick or you will miss out.

Employment Seminars

Due to demand further employment seminars will run in October and November. The seminars are held over two-hours and follow a question-and-answer style format. The major topic is performance management. Price is $65 for members and $165 for non-members. to find the one nearest to you click here Find out when a seminar is near you or call 0800 327 646 to register.

Membership Payment

Members who received invoices in March and have not yet paid, from the first of June you will not be able to access the Federation's member-only benefits; to avoid this scenario, send in your payment to PO Box 447, Waikato Mail Centre or call 0800 327 646 to pay by credit card.