More than spilt milk - Federated Farmers Dairy chairman, Lachlan McKenzie says he is devastated that Chinese babies have been harmed by sabotaged milk. Through his experiences in China he has seen first hand how milk goes from a peasant with six cows into a cream can to a milk trader who on sells it to the processing companies. He says it is a completely different supply system to New Zealand and obviously this chain system has been exploited with milk being sabotaged prior to arrival at the processing factories. "It seems the practice of adding melamine to boost protein is widespread in China. Fonterra should be applauded for sticking to its guns and exposing this scandal to the world," he said. Fonterra's actions in asking the New Zealand government to intervene at the highest political level is to be commended. At the other end of the spectrum New Zealand has excellent food safety practices. There have been no Fonterra products contaminated with the chemical melamine and no New Zealand milk involved in the scandal. New Zealand has an independent government body called the New Zealand Food Safety Authority that does independent tests on both exported and imported products. This gives added assurance to customers of quality New Zealand products. Testing by NZFSA is being increased in the wake of the Chinese scandal and to date there has been no positive results for melamine in any New Zealand milk products. Hopefully Fonterra is allowed to use its New Zealand expertise in food safety in its Chinese interests so such a scandal never happens again.

Increased assistance welcomed - Federated Farmers adverse events spokesman, Frank Brenmuhl welcomed the announcement by government this week of increased rural assistance payments for farming families facing hardship. He said this gesture will be appreciated for those farmers whose incomes have dropped to the point where they require this assistance. Federated Farmers has a major role in coordination during adverse events. All farmers are subject to the challenges of the weather from time to time, so it is important that we have measures in place to assist when farmers need help. Federated Farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry have worked together to establish a network of rural support trusts throughout the country. If farmers require assistance with adverse events they should call the Federation's hotline 0800 327 646. Read more »

To bee or not to bee - Beekeeper's fears were confirmed this week with positive findings of varroa in the Canterbury region. Federated Farmers Bee chairman, John Hartnell says varroa was found in a wide geographic area on the foothills of North Canterbury and there is now also positive identification between the Waimakarere and Rakaia Rivers. Further investigation is underway to determine if varroa infestation has reached Otago and Westland. Mr Hartnell said beekeepers should continue to be vigilant, especially in light of the current situation. He says it is important that beekeepers in the South Island regularly undertake surveillance work. Beekeepers detecting varroa in their hives should immediately report the find to MAF Biosecurity on 0800 80 99 66. Federated Farmers urges the government to continue its funding for control of the varroa bee mite. Read more »

Cheesed off - Cheeses made from unpasteurised milk, never before allowed in New Zealand may be imported or produced if a proposal from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority goes ahead. Currently it is against the law for cheese makers in New Zealand to sell unpasteurised milk products and only a few unpasteurised cheeses can be imported. There has been increasing interest within New Zealand for access to these products for reasons varying from of choice to health. Federated Farmers would like to know members' opinions on the proposal. Read more about the NZFSA proposal and have your say on unpasteurised milk products. 

Minimum Wage - The government is currently reviewing the minimum wage for 2008. There have been significant increases in the minimum wage in the last decade or so. The Federation has opposed large increases in the minimum wage as an unsustainable way of raising wages. Federated Farmers believes instead the focus should be on increasing productivity as only productivity can bring the higher wages everyone wants.

Work time progress - This week the Federation submitted on changes to the driver licensing rules which would allow tractors and agricultural vehicles of up to 18 tonnes to be driven on a class 1 license, so long as they are driven at speeds not exceeding 30kph on road. The effect of this change would be to exempt tractors and agricultural vehicles from the work-time and logbooks rules as these rules do not apply to vehicles driven on a class1 licence. The Federation has lobbied hard for these changes and appears to be making solid progress.

Concerns over coast rules - Representatives from Federated Farmers told the hearing panel for Horizons regional council's One Plan this week that facilitating public access to beaches was fine but restricting vehicle access in some areas was necessary.  Wanganui Federated Farmers vice-president, Tim Matthews told the panel that the reason for the Federation's submission is that beaches can be used to gain access in a limited number of cases to coastal farms, and farmers, with local district council support, wished to limit access for vehicles where problems were occurring on beaches such as Wanganui's South Beach. "Farmers are not seeking to stop public access, only vehicle access which results in the majority of problems for farmers including cut fences, vandalism, fire and stock theft." Mr Matthews, with Tararua president Andrew Day, was presenting to the panel on new rules proposed for the topic, Coast. There are 13 topics that make up Horizons One Plan. Federated Farmers has submitted on 12 topics in the plan. Read more »

Heartbreaking hearing - Lake Taupo Catchment farmers were invited to an inter-provincial meeting of Ruapehu and Rotorua/Taupo provinces this week. The meeting was chaired by Ruapehu provincial president Lyn Neeson. Lyn who is new to her role asked the catchment's farmers to each talk about how the Lake Taupo restrictions on farming affected them personally. It was heartbreaking to hear, as they spoke, of how their futures had turned to water and how their lives were put on hold. Also present at the meeting was Lachlan Mckenzie, environmental spokesman on Federated Farmers National Board, provincial president for Rotorua/Taupo, Gifford McFadden and Ruapehu Meat & Fibre chairwoman, Kirsten Bryant. The feedback the members got from Federated Farmers officials did some good and the meeting ended on a positive note. One member said with support there was hope. The biggest message the officials gave was that the catchment members were not alone, and Federated Farmers was committed to helping them.

Biodiversity - West Coast president, Basil Meyer, with supporters, met with representatives from each of the four West Coast councils last week to explore options in working more closely on biodiversity issues. The aim of the meeting was to give farmers increased certainty and to make plan provisions consistent in the region. 

Clearly more confident - New Zealand farmer confidence has staged a dramatic improvement according to the latest Rabobank/Nielsen Rural Confidence Survey. The survey showed the number of farmers expecting the rural economy to improve has leapt to 59 per cent, compared to just 18 percent back in April this year. Farmers' income expectations have improved, with 45 percent expecting their gross farm incomes to increase over the next 12 months (compared to 31 per cent in the previous survey) and only 12 per cent expecting incomes to fall (compared to 41 per cent previously). Improved agricultural returns and considerable falls in the New Zealand exchange rate are likely to have been major drivers behind the big turnaround in farmer confidence. It is noteworthy that the turnaround in farmer confidence came at a time when the overall New Zealand economy was showing significant signs of slowing. 

Employment advice

Opting out of Kiwisaver - A reminder that if a new employee decides they want to opt out of Kiwisaver and gives you a "New employee opt out request" (KS10), you can only act on it when they've been employed for two weeks and up to eight weeks (on or after day 14 and on or before day 56). You may then stop making deductions and refund any contributions that haven't been passed on to IRD or send them to IRD with your next employer monthly schedule and IRD will refund the employee direct with interest. IRD will also refund to you the employer contributions you've made with interest, net of any employer tax credit claimed. For further advice call: 0800 327 646 

Employment seminars - Learn more about performance management and getting the best out of your staff. Federated Farmers' employment seminar series starts on October 14 in Hastings and runs through to November 19 in Albany. The cost to members is only $30.  Register for a seminar in October or November by calling 0800 327 646.

Special discounts

Beef up security - DataDot is an initiative being used to fight rural crime. Each 1mm diameter microdot is laser-etched with a PIN or identification code. Dots are applied to anything from farm equipment, computers and laptops to sports equipment, musical instruments and cameras. Login to the website for special pricing for members or find out more about special discounts for members by calling 0800 327 646.

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.

Council coming - Federated Farmers National Council meeting will be held at Te Papa in Wellington on 18 & 19 November. Since it falls just after the election the theme is "everything political". If you are interested in attending, please contact: Eva Johnston, 0800 327 646, ejohnston@fedfarm.org.nz

Having a ball - Wellington Young Farmers Club is hosting a ball at the Boatshed in Wellington on 11 October. It starts from 7pm, tickets are $85 for Young Farmer members and $95 for non-members. Ticket includes dinner and drinks.  RSVP to Natalie Fraser, Deer Industry NZ, PO Box 10702, Wellington, or Natalie.fraser@deernz.org

Ways with water - Early bird registration for the Irrigation NZ conference closes on September 28. Irrigation NZ's Annette Scott says the programme will be of great interest to farmers and focuses on the challenges of water allocation for irrigated agriculture into the future. Visit the Irrigation NZ website for more information or email Helen@conference.co.nz

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

Future of farming - Dairy chairman, Lachlan McKenzie is one of a number of speakers at the Waikato Future of Farming Day on October 2 in Hamilton. The day is for dairy farmers to discuss, hear and ask questions about topics that relate to the future of farming in New Zealand. There is no charge for farmers. The venue is Sky City Convention Centre (Deck Bar) from 9am - 2.45pm with tea coffee and lunch provided. As well as Federated Farmers Dairy chairman, Lachlan McKenzie, speakers are: Jim Anderton, Minister Agriculture & Fisheries; David Carter, National Party Agriculture spokesman; Bala Tikkisetty, Environment Waikato Sustainable Agriculture coordinator; and John Hutchings, Fonterra Sustainable Production Manager. For more information contact: Tane Bradley, 07 862 8424.

Forward Flash campaign - 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.

Work for members - 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.

Tell your injury story - ACC is continuing with their agriculture safety campaign and wants to hear from farmers who have been injured on the farm and are keen to tell their story. Farmers learn best from other farmers so ACC wants injured farmers to talk about their experiences of injury, how it's affected their lifestyle and their bottom line. If you're interested in helping spread the safety in farming message, email: megan.nagel@acc.co.nz, or call Megan on 04 918 7497.

Quote of the week - ‘Meat, no matter where it comes from, comes from an animal." It may seem that Lachlan McKenzie, spokesman on animal welfare for Federated Farmers, has come down with a case of stating the bleeding obvious, but "people have to get a grip on where their food comes from", he says. NZ Listener 13-19 September 2008