ETS creates mess - Federated Farmers has consistently opposed the emissions trading scheme legislation and president, Don Nicolson said parliament has made a bad mistake in passing it this week. "This has been rushed through for short-term political gain rather than any sound economic or environmental reasons. The reality is it will cost New Zealand significant real money and is unlikely to achieve the improved global environmental outcomes sought. For some politicians the passing of this bill is seen as a clever political public relations stunt," he said. Read more »

Election date - The Prime Minister has set the election date for November 8, 2008. Helen Clark made the announcement at a media conference at the Beehive in Wellington at 12.30pm today. Federated Farmers has identified 10 high priority issues farmers need most from government. Download the Federation's election checklist and use it in your discussions with candidates in your area. Read more »

Fight still on - Chairman of Federated Farmers Bees, John Hartnell says it is incredibly disappointing that varroa has been found in beehives outside of the current South Island controlled area. "As an industry it is imperative that we remain united in our defence against varroa, to achieve this requires a high level of communication and generous goodwill within the beekeeping community and with MAF Biosecurity New Zealand," he said. Mr Hartnell urges MAFBNZ and government to maintain current funding to ensure the continuation of an ongoing programme of regional surveillance, monitoring and education. Read more »

From hope to optimism - Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairman, Bruce Wills said sheep and beef farmers can look forward to a future where meat and fibre is once again a sustainable and profitable business. He made the comments after the special general meeting of Silver Fern Farms, where farming shareholders voted in favour of a proposed partnership with PGG Wrightson. "When this partnership was first proposed, I made the comment that it may be the catalyst the industry needs to move forward. With the partnership now a reality, the onus is firmly on the farmer suppliers of Silver Fern Farms to support the new venture." Read more »

Price predictions - Maize growers are indicating that they need $520 a tonne for maize grain this year to remain viable. Growers are not seeking to rip off dairy famers as has been reported. Drought and now water logging of pastures has resulted in an increased demand for stock feed. growers suggest that dairy farmers sign up early this year so they have a security of feed supply and keep costs down. Last season demand and prices escalated towards the end of the season. Read more »

Waste not - The government is considering imposing new regulations for the maintenance and inspection of on-site wastewater systems, including septic tanks. Councils would be authorised to require property owners to hold a current warrant of fitness confirming that their wastewater system is functioning properly and being maintained to an appropriate standard. The cost of inspection, maintenance and any required remedial work would be borne by the owner of the system. Federated Farmers is concerned about the costs this would place on rural people and welcomes feedback from members for its submission. Contact: Lionel Hume, lhume@fedfarm.org.nz 0800 327646. View proposed standard.

Levies let loose - ACC began its levy consultation this week, releasing its proposed levies for 2009/2010. There will be a significant drop in levies for self-employed farmers although levies for employers will rise. ACC is also proposing a significant increase in motor vehicle levies with increases in both the petrol levy and the license fee. Read more »

Farmers say no to line proposal - Transpower's proposed transmission line between Whakamaru and Auckland will result in significant and unnecessary adverse effects on the environment Federated Farmers president, Don Nicolson said this week. Mr Nicolson with Waikato president, Stew Wadey and Auckland Federated Farmers representative, John Sexton presented to the Board of Inquiry appointed to hear Transpower's proposal. "The impact on rural landscapes is huge. Many farmers along the route of the line will lose production. Many farmers will find future production opportunities are curtailed. Transpower is not offering any compensation for ongoing production losses," Mr Nicolson said.

Mangrove review timely - The Auckland Regional Council heard Auckland Federated Farmers' submissions on the review of the provisions concerning the management of mangroves in the Auckland Region as provided for in the Auckland Regional Coastal Plan. Rodney sub-provincial chair, James Colville and senior policy advisor, Richard Gardner told the council of the positive and negative effects of mangroves, and particularised the difficulties that the Plan causes to farmers with land adjacent to Coastal Protection Area 1 (CPA1) areas, where drainage is a prohibited activity. Members of the hearings panel indicated that council was considering allowing drainage through specified CPA1 areas, and sought Federated Farmers' assistance in identifying areas where CPA1 areas were causing drainage problems.

Auckland drain - Readers of the Flash who are aware of farms and other land in the Auckland region that are adjacent to Coastal Protection Area 1 and where the restrictions on drainage activity in the CPA1 areas is creating difficulties for land owners are invited to contact senior policy advisor, Richard Gardner 0800 327 646. The Auckland Regional Council has indicated it is considering allowing drainage to take place on specific sites in CPA1 areas, so needs to know in which CPA1 areas there are drainage problems. Federated Farmers has agreed to assist the council in collating the information.

Interest rate cut - Reserve Bank governor, Dr Alan Bollard surprised economists yesterday by announcing a bigger than expected cut in interest rates. Expectations were for a 0.25% cut but Bollard went for a cut of 0.5%. The Official Cash Rate has been reduced from 8% to 7.5%. As a result, the New Zealand dollar fell below 65c US to reach its lowest level against the greenback in two years.

Agribusiness update - According to the Rabobank September agribusiness review global dairy prices have declined through August with demand slowing in response to record high prices and expectations on exportable supply improving. The full impact has been buffered by the falling dollar. Global beef markets remain strong despite the return of the US product to north Asian markets, driven by lower supply availability from key exporters such as Australia, New Zealand and Brazil. New Zealand cattle prices are 25% higher than the same time last year. Sheep meat prices maintained higher levels in New Zealand through August. Prices are at, or near their highest point in 18 months.

General advice

Happy hoarding - Golden Bay president, Graham Ball says farmers should think carefully before scrapping heritage farm machinery and implements. He says with high prices being paid for metal there is a risk farming history will be lost forever. He suggests using old implements as garden features or parking them by the road for public or tourist viewing.

Stand your stock - Representatives of Federated Farmers met this week with the National Stock Effluent Working Group to discuss the problem of stock effluent on roads. Stock need to be stood off green feed from four to six hours before transportation, sending stock away without standing them in an attempt to get a higher live-weight does nothing to improve returns for farmers. If stock are not stood, then the holding tanks on the trucks are normally full within 20 minutes, meaning that effluent has nowhere to go but onto the road. This is an unacceptable and undesirable practice, and the Federation advises its members not to engage in it.

Sponsor advice

Stay farm safe - ACC recommends these safety tip to farmers: always move steadily and smoothly around cattle; use your voice to let cattle know where you are; keep a safe distance - use a plastic pipe or stick to make gentle contact; position yourself so that cattle go the way you want them to; always approach animals from the front, or the side - where they can see you. Read more farm safety tips from ACC.

Training

Employment seminars - The Federation has secured funding from both MAF's Sustainable Farming Fund and Department of Labour's ERE fund to hold employment seminars around the country. The cost is now only $30 for members. To register for a seminar in October or November call 0800 327 646.

Special discounts

Protect your assets with Guardian Trust - Safeguard your assets from unwanted claims and business risks. Speak to the experts at Guardian Trust about how you could benefit from a family trust. To find out more about special discounts for members call 0800 327 646 or log in the members area for special discounts.

Contracts, agreements and books

Members can purchase Federated Farmers contracts and agreements at a discounted rate. To order phone 0800327 646.

Employment agreements: job application forms leave forms, drug and alcohol agreements, time/wage/holiday registers.

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

Great reading: Ghosts in the Valley by Richard Steele and Farming and Subsidies: Debunking the Myths by Brian Chamberlin.

Dung burying beetles - New Zealand lacks native dung-burying beetles and Landcare Research is researching the feasibility of importing pastoral dung beetles. Dung beetles have environmental and economic benefits including improved soil health, reduced nitrous oxide emissions, greater pasture productivity and reduced disease amongst livestock. The initial research will be centred in the top of the North Island. Public meetings are being held in the Rodney District. The first is at Warkworth Masonic Hall at 7.30pm on 24 September and the second at Helensville War Memorial Hall on 25 September at 7.30pm. All interested members are invited to attend.

Cocky call - American senior policy advisor for Federated Farmers Sonia Voldseth wants to know where the word ‘cocky' comes from. Where she is from, farmers are called ranchers. If anyone knows where the term originated or comes up with a tall story please email svoldseth@fedfarm.org.nz.

Remuneration reminder - September 26 is the final day to get your completed remuneration survey back to Federated Farmers. The survey results provide members with a reference guide to help build and enhance their businesses.

Membership drive - Send a copy of the Federated Farmers Friday Flash to a non-member. If they join up as a full member, you will both receive $50.

Get paid for sign ups - Federated Farmers is looking for contractors to help increase its membership. Contractor roles are locally based and ideal for someone who has great farming knowledge, knows local people and wants to earn extra money. For more information contact Di Wyllie on 0800 327 646 or email: dwyllie@fedfarm.org.nz.

Quote of the week - The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways. John F. Kennedy