Compliance cost from hell - Federated Farmers is yet to be convinced a proper needs analysis has been completed for the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) concept. President, Don Nicolson says the proposal has the potential to be a compliance cost from hell. There is no market research and information to date saying there is a requirement for mandatory electronic animal identification. NAIT should not be railroaded without proper scrutiny. The Federation wants good outcomes in terms of robust biosecurity systems and safe food that meets consumer expectations but at this time it is not clear that the risks and marginal benefits of a new tracing system, exceeds the costs. Read more »

Arms wide open - Federated Farmers welcomes news the United States will enter negotiations on joining the Comprehensive Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement. The potential for New Zealand in this is immense. The United States is New Zealand's second largest export market at around $4.1 billion. In terms of agricultural products, it is our largest export market for both meat and dairy products. While a comprehensive global agreement via the World Trade Organisation (WTO) remains Federated Farmers objective, the potential for a free trade agreement with the world's largest economy was something to be savoured. Moves to negotiate multilateral agreements with likeminded countries by the United States, sends a clear signal to the WTO to get Doha back on track.  Federated Farmers welcomes this with both arms. Read more »

Turn about - Federated Farmers High Country chairman, Donald Aubrey, has slammed Fish & Game for trying to wreck the consensus behind this week's passing of the Walking Access Act. Fish & Game's ill-advised filing of court action earlier this week flies in the face of an overwhelming Parliamentary majority. Mr Aubrey said the Act is the culmination of over five year's extensive public consultation. Fish & Game has filed for a declaratory judgment in the High Court in respect of the rights attributable to the South Island pastoral leases. These high country properties cover large areas of land and require particular care in their management. Fish & Game seeks the right for its members to wander at will on these privately held properties, in many instances with loaded firearms, at any time of the day or night. In an earlier media release Mr Aubrey described this move as something akin to ‘the wild west of old'. Read more »

Reduced payout will hit economy - Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Lachlan McKenzie advised that while New Zealand's major economic tap is not being turned off, it is being turned down. He made the comments following the announcement on Wednesday by Fonterra the payout is set to reduce from $7.66 to $6.60 per kilogram of milksolids. Dairy is not the ‘one-way bet' some commentators, politicians and policy makers may have believed until now. With large on-farm debt levels this reduced payout forecast will have a major economic impact. Read more »

Still fighting for bees - The announcement by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand confirming the revoking of all movement controls associated with the varroa bee mite is disappointing but not unexpected said chairman of Federated Farmers Bees, John Hartnell. Biosecurity New Zealand has confirmed this week varroa infestation in the Waimakariri and Selwyn districts. Mr Hartnell says industry members would still like to discuss with MAF Biosecurity the opportunity for a southern control line so as to delay the arrival of the devastating mite in the south. He said the fight won't be over until varroa reaches Bluff. Read more »

Hooked up - Representatives of Federated Farmers this week attended a Digital Development Forum in Wellington aimed at discussing ways of getting New Zealanders to make the most of Broadband. The Forum discussed a wide range of topics. The Federation's message was to emphasize the importance of the rural community and to place emphasis on getting them hooked up to decent internet connections.

Facing up to central issues - Otago Federated Farmers and Central Otago District Council staff and councillors came face to face in an informal meeting this week aimed at adding depth to the discussion and outcomes that result from more formal submission processes. Issues ranged from landscape protection to management of rural fire. The value of discussion at this level should not be underestimated; already Federated Farmers and council staff are planning to work collaboratively on promoting best practice in relation to the management of stock on roads and streamlining obtaining and using a fire permit.

Time for a tourism levy - Farmers around the country collectively contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund district and regional tourism promotion. This was the key message delivered to the Central Otago District Council when Otago Federated Farmers presented its submission to the council's review of its revenue and financing policy this week. The submission specified that farmers invest over $2000 on average to Meat & Wool New Zealand to grow the industry, and subsequently the economic and social growth of the district. Why should tourism benefit from residents and farmers contributing thousands of dollars to promote the district and to run tourism based infrastructure? No one doubts the value of spending money on tourism, but Federated Farmers seriously questions whose pocket it should come from.

Burn baby burn - Mid-Canterbury Federated Farmers submitted on Variation 13 to the Proposed Natural Resources Regional Plan this week. President of Mid-Canterbury, Michael Morrow, told Environment Canterbury that farmers are concerned about a complete prohibition on outdoor burning in winter. While Federated Farmers recognises there is an air quality issue in Ashburton, there must be provision for burning some materials that cannot be stored for long periods such as animal carcasses and vegetation.

GDP figures out - GDP declined 0.2 percent in the June 2008 quarter. This follows a decline of 0.3 percent in the March 2008 quarter and confirms New Zealand is in a recession. The last time there were consecutive quarters of decline in economic activity was the three quarters ending March 1998. Economic activity in the agricultural sector decreased 0.6 percent.

Monetary policy okay - The Finance and Expenditure Select Committee has completed its inquiry into monetary policy. The committee, which ran for 16 months and considered hundreds of submissions, has recommended no change either to the Reserve Bank Act or to the Reserve Bank's conduct of monetary policy. The committee did not support replacing or supplementing the Official Cash Rate with other instruments, saying that the costs of doing so would outweigh any benefits. The committee considers that increasing productivity is critical for enabling the economy to grow at a faster rate without generating inflationary pressures. See full report ».

General advice

Check markers - The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is warning about the liberal use of a crop spray marker on bobby calves. The marker called Country Mile Red Marker dye contains Rhodamine B and while stock marking compounds are generally exempt from registration, this is limited to topical use only. In addition, this compound is designed for crop marking, not for animals. Due to calf licking behaviour, this incident has led to ingestion. This product has no warning for oral use in animals. Consequently, there is no human or animal safety data available. The lack of data means the human safety and trade risk cannot be evaluated. This creates an unquantifiable risk which requires that affected product be deemed unfit for human or animal consumption. NZFSA reminds primary producers of their obligations to use care when using all agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines on animals, to follow label directions and seek advice from a registered veterinarian if unsure.

Employment advice

Signed contracts - The importance of having a signed agreement in place, whether you are a sharemilker, farm owner, or grazier should not be overlooked. The advantage of having a signed agreement is that both parties are aware of their rights and obligations under the agreement and should matters come into dispute between the parties there are provisions in the agreement to deal with these difficulties. If no agreement has been signed then a verbal agreement only exists. Verbal agreements are very hard to enforce, therefore if a dispute arises due to one party not meeting their obligations it is very hard for the aggrieved party to enforce their rights. 

Stopping bad language - If you have a worker that consistently uses bad unacceptable language in the workplace and they don't seem to be heeding your requests to refrain, then you need to provide some consequences for their failing to change. Unless there is a serious consequence, the behaviour will continue. This behaviour is potentially exposing the employer to a personal grievance.

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 $30 for members. To register for a seminar in October or November call 0800 327 646.

Sponsors advice

Bull time - It is mating season and bulls are in short supply. PGG Wrightson recommends farmers get plenty of bulls on the farm early. As a minimum have one per 75 cows. For more information contact your local PGGW livestock agent.

Make sure you are covered - With demand for your crop increasing and unpredictable weather, it makes sense to protect your income by insuring your crop. Talk to FMG about insurance cover by calling 0800 366 466.

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 the postcode system and the handy on-line postcode finder visit: www.nzpost.co.nz

Special discounts

Bank this - As a Federated Farmers member, if you take up a Westpac standard or Gold MasterCard for your personal spending, you won't have to pay the annual account fee the first year saving you up to $70. In addition you also receive hotpoints on you card spend which can then be redeemed to pay for you Federated Farmers membership subscription. 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.

Account with CRT, Fonterra or Tatua? - Remember, you can opt to pay your annual membership subscription via your account with one of these companies. All you need to do is ring Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646, with your CRT (Combined Rural Traders), Fonterra or Tatua account number and we can set up your annual subscription to be deducted from this account accordingly when it is next due. You can also pay your subscription via direct debit, just call 0800 327 646 and request a direct debit authority form be sent to you.

National Council - Federated Farmers National Council meeting is at Te Papa in Wellington on 18 and 19 November 2008. Registration forms have been sent out, and completed forms are due back in the Wellington office by October 1. If you have not received a registration form and believe you should have, please contact Eva Johnston, ejohnston@fedfarm.org.nz or 04 494 9195. Remits have also been called for this meeting, to be forwarded to Eva Johnston by 1 October to be included in the council papers. These can be sent via email, ejohnston@fedfarm.org.nz Fax 04 473 1081, or post, PO Box 715, Wellington.

Meat & Fibre meeting - Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre Council meeting is at the Mercure Wellington (on The Terrace) in Wellington on 12 & 13 November 2008. Registration forms for this event have been sent out, and completed forms are due back in the Wellington Office by 1 October.  If you have not received a registration form and believe you should have, please contact Eva Johnston, ejohnston@fedfarm.org.nz or 04 494 9195. Remits have also been called for this meeting, to be forwarded to Eva Johnston by 1 October to be included in the Meat & Fibre Council Papers.  These can be sent via email, ejohnston@fedfarm.org.nz Fax 04 473 1081, or post, PO Box 715, Wellington.

Taranaki sharemilkers - Frances Cooper, chairperson for Taranaki Federated Farmers Sharemilkers is holding a meeting on Friday October 3 at the T.E.T Multisports Centre in Stratford at 11am. The guest speaker is Jo Deutz-Ebeling who will be speaking about DairyNZ's InCalf programme.  The meeting will be followed by a café style lunch (at own cost).  Frances would like to see more Sharemilkers, both Variable Order and 50/50 attend this meeting.  It is a great way of discussing issues or problems in the industry that Sharemilkers are experiencing. The Taranaki Federated Farmers Executive would like to encourage its Sharemilking members to attend these meetings and be the "voice" of Sharemilkers in the Taranaki province".  If you have any questions please contact Francis on 06 7658025 or email taranaki@fedfarm.org.nz

Last day for remuneration survey - 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. 

Political forum - Waikato Federated Farmers encourages members to attend a political forum titled "Does agricultural research have a future in New Zealand". It is on Thursday 2 October 3pm - 5.30pm. Farmers Hall, Ruakura Research Centre, East Street, Hamilton. Confirmation received from: Hon Pete Hodgson (Labour), Hon Jim Anderton (Progressive), Dr Paul Hutchison (National), Jeanette Fitzsimons (Greens), Doug Woolerton (NZ First).  Chair: John Lancashire. RSVP to: Jenny Taylor secretariat@agscience.org.nz. Members can download the Federation's top 10 issues for farmers here.

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 - Cm on, cm on. Who this? U got my interest @ $150/lamb! :-) More »