ETS action email - Federated Farmers president, Don Nicolson has responded to the Green Party asking whether it should support or oppose proposed Emission Trading Scheme legislation and he wants every New Zealand farmer to respond too. The legislation requires the support of both the Green Party and New Zealand First if it is to be passed into law. Feedback from the public will help the Green Party make a decision on Tuesday 26 August 2008 as to whether or not the legislation should be passed prior to the general election. "I encourage you to take up the Green Party request for feedback by sending them an email this weekend," said Mr Nicolson. Click on the link: ets@greens.org.nz to email your views on what the emission trading scheme means to you, your future, your family, your community, your industry, your sector and your country. Your say will have an effect on whether the emissions trading legislation succeeds or fails under the current government.

Not perfect, but better - Federated Farmers Dairy chairman, Lachlan McKenzie says changes to the milk regulation system in New Zealand are better and fairer but not perfect. The government announced today it has decided to alter regulations after the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry completed an intensive Raw Milk Review. "It is good to see the government has taken a decision on this as it is a complex issue. While not perfect, it does give more certainty to all parties involved. Federated Farmers is pleased to see the government has recognised that there are problems with current raw milk regulations specifically with the price setting mechanism. Read more»

Listening to farmers - It is a huge relief commissioners considering Horizons regional council's proposed One Plan are listening to farmers concerns and are recommending changes to the plan. The chairperson of the One Plan hearing panel, Joan Allin released a minute on the first topic, land, this week. Commissioners have taken on board farmer's appeals that the plan needed to be more flexible and practical. The commissioners have addressed specific concerns raised by Federated Farmers and offered workable solutions. Farmer leaders and policy advisors have spent thousands of hours getting their heads around One Plan, it is great see their work is paying off. Read more»

Farmer to Farmer talks - Federated Farmers national board member Phil York is to meet with his counterparts in England and Holland while visiting Europe at the end of August. Mr York is to meet Dr Frank van Oorschot, senior specialist in international affairs for the Dutch Federation of Agriculture and Horticulture, on August 27. He will also meet vice-president of the National Farmers Union for England, Paul Temple on his farm in East Yorkshire, on August 31. Mr York will discuss trade issues and the New Zealand story of "life after subsidies". He says these discussions are particularly relevant given the halt to World Trade Organisation negotiations recently. Read more»

Backing the wrong horse? - Don Nicolson and Lachlan McKenzie attended a science forum in Taupo yesterday that discussed work surrounding nutrient management for the lake. One of the matters discussed was whether phosphorus or nitrogen should be the priority target for water body health. A recently release report, Schindler's on Eutrophication of Lakes sheds new light on the matter. Read more»

In the news - See Federated Farmers in the news this week.

Representation on river - Waikato Federated Farmers president, Stew Wadey, has requested that farmers have representation on a new committee that is to oversee the Waikato River. The deed of settlement was signed today between the Crown and Tainui at the Turangawaewae Marae. Federated Farmers recognises that the Iwi of Waikato have a special relationship with the Waikato River and supports the intent of the deed. However, Federated Farmers has some serious concerns in regards to the deed strategy and the overall process of implementation. The Federation is particularly concerned about potential implications for future economic growth in the region. The Waikato agricultural sector and in particular the dairy sector is undertaking a programme of research and adoption investment to ensure the farming sector is environmentally sustainable into the future. The Federation believes that a working partnership will achieve more robust and enduring outcomes.

Serious about improvements - If anyone was unsure how serious Lake Taupo farmers are about being environmentally sustainable, they only had to see the 50 farmers listening to soil and fertilizer scientists at Waihi Pukawa Station on Thursday. Four scientists discussed fertilizer regimes and how focusing on soil health will improve fertilizer uptake, reduce leaching and improve stock health. Ruapehu president, Lyn Neeson said farmers are very open minded to new technology and councils could learn from this. Don Nicolson and Lachlan McKenzie gave members a well received update on Federated Farmers' efforts to date on the Lake Taupo Variation 5 recommendation from Environment Waikato which has finished its hearing in the Environment Court. Farmers in the catchment are in limbo while decisions about their future are made by councils and independently appointed trustees. These farmers appreciate the support Federated Farmers has given thus far. It is an unenviable position to be in and they deserve all the support the Federation can give.

Plan mediation - Rotorua/Taupo Federated Farmers attended mediation this week regarding plan changes to the Taupo District Plan for growth management and rural development.  Issues relating to reverse sensitivity, subdivision in the geothermal areas, and development along water margins were discussed. Further mediations will be held next month.

Power struggle - Federated Farmers South Canterbury President, David Williams, and senior policy advisor, Sonia Voldseth, met with the South Canterbury Pylon Group, chairman of the Transpower Board, Wayne Brown, and Transpower CEO, Patrick Strange on Wednesday. Transpower wishes to work with Federated Farmers to ensure that landowners are not faced with uncapped liability for power outages, and have agreed to sit down with Federated Farmers after the general election to further discuss compensation issues.  Transpower is taking its board meetings around the country in an effort to improve relationships with landowners. Topics discussed at the meeting included annuity payments for landowners with pylons or wires across their land and issues surrounding liability.

Complex consents - Federated Farmers met with the Environment Canterbury consent application team on Wednesday to discuss ways that the consent process could work better. Federated Farmers said it would lead to better relationships if farmers could call the regional council with questions on how to comply without being charged for it. Federated Farmers also raised issues about the time that it takes to process consents, review processes and the complexity of the consent conditions. The regional council said that it is working to increase staff resources so that consents do not take so long to process and is willing to speak with farmers about consent conditions, within 15 working days of the consent being approved, at no charge.

Farm expenses up - Farm expenses accelerated in the June quarter according to Statistics New Zealand's Farm Expenses Price Index.  For the year ended June 2008, this official measure of on-farm inflation increased to hit 7.9 percent for ‘all farms'.  Although the biggest annual increases came from fuel (39.5%), feed and grazing (14.9%), fertiliser, lime and seeds (13.9%), and electricity (11.4%), the prices of all other measured inputs also increased, showing that on-farm cost pressures are widespread.  Cost pressure is a huge problem and threatens to overwhelm the revenue gains from higher world commodity prices so it is therefore very important to have good, timely information on price pressures. Federated Farmers is extremely disappointed Statistics NZ has decided to downgrade the publication of this index from quarterly to annually and is urging them to reconsider this decision.

Economy update - See the August agribusiness review from Rabobank.

Employment agreements - Federated Farmers' Employment Law advisors note with concern that some farmers are using ‘out-of-date' employment agreements. There are many dangers with this practice and the consequences can be costly. An example is where a farmer has photocopied an old agreement without a clause saying they can recover money owed by an employee. The resultant fall out of such a situation can be significant with awards of tens of thousands of dollars going to the ex-employee as it is illegal to deduct money without written consent. If one photocopies an agreement not only is it illegal, as it is a copyright breach, but if you pass it on to a neighbour you are considered to be offering legal advice. For more Information call 0800-327-646.

Wet under foot - Currently conditions are wet under foot and of concern is damage to new spring growth. A long first round of growth is important, as is avoiding damage caused by vehicles around the farm. It is a good time for nitrogen application but as it is prone to leaching in water logged soils be sensible. There appears to be some metabolic issues about, and the wet weather is not helping, make sure the stock are getting sufficient magnesium, bear in mind dry cows are not drinking much water. Heifer matings are approaching and condition is important. For more information call Mark Dodd, Dairy Project Manager, PGG Wrightson on 027-644-2324 or 07-576-1709

New postcodes - New Zealand Post's new postcodes and addressing standards create a unique address for every delivery point in New Zealand. From 1 July 2008 they replaced the old postcode system. To find out more about our new postcode system, to access postcode information, or to use the handy on-line Postcode Finder tool just visit the New Zealand Post website.

Competition

A night away on Accor - Federated Farmers and Accor Hotels are giving members a chance to win a night at the Yacht Club Hotel in Picton. Read more »

Membership drive

Sign up your friends - Forward the Flash to a non-member. If they see the benefits and join at the full rate, Federated Farmers will send you and the new member $50. Call 0800-327-646 and quote "Friday Flash deal".

Special discounts

Business reward - If you want to separate your business and personal credit card spending without missing out on rewards you can do it with Westpac's BusinessPLUS Gold MasterCard, the only business credit card that earns rewards on business spending. For every dollar spent on the card you will earn 1.25 hotpoints, which you can convert vouchers, travel, or to pay your annual Federated Farmers membership fee. And as a special deal, Federated Farmers members don't have to pay the BusinessPLUS annual account fee the first year.

To find out more about special discounts for members call 0800-327-646 or login to the members area for special discounts.

Contracts, agreements and books

Members can purchase Federated Farmers contracts and agreements at a discounted rate. To order:

Employment agreements

Other products and agreements: including: lease; contractor; sales and purchase; agreement to grow; log books; access pads; and Over Dimension Certificates:

Books for sale: Ghosts in the Valley by Richard Steele  and Farming and Subsidies: Debunking the Myths by Brian Chamberlin.

Employment seminars - Sign up for a Federated Farmers Employment Seminar in October or November. The cost is $65 for members and $165 for non-members. Call 0800-327-646 to register.

Diary date - The Federated Farmers National Council Meeting will be held in Wellington on the 18 and 19 November 2008, at Te Papa. Further information will be sent to delegates soon.

Rural Butchers meet - This will be held in Dunedin on Saturday 13 September at the Accor Mercure Hotel. Highlights of the conference will include a trip to the Inox Stirling Meat Equipment Centre and Saturday night dinner with fellow rural butchers. To book your accommodation, contact Eva Johnston; email: ejohnston@fedfarm.org.nz or phone 0800-327-646. See the agenda here: See agenda here.

Safety begins at home - This year, Safety Week will be the first week of September. ACC invites members to visit the new Safety Week website.

Quote of the week - "I've always said I want a farmer, not a hunter. Hunters go for the kill and they move on. A farmer nurtures; he watches things grow." - Eva Longoria