Targeting $150 a lamb - Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre section this week launched the T150 campaign. T150 sets a goal of $150 a lamb for the sheep-meat and wool industries to work towards over the next five years. The average lamb price received by farmers over the past three years was only $55 per lamb, with the average sheep farmer's income being $19,400 last year. The Federation believes that the targeted return should be at least $150 to restore viability to the sector.  Read more »

Settlement delay - Federated Farmers has linked the delay of the PGG Wrightson/Silver Fern Farms settlement on upheaval in global finance markets. Meat & Fibre chairman, Bruce Wills, said raising capital is very difficult given the current turmoil in the financial sector. What the situation really highlights is just how important farming is to the New Zealand economy. The poor GDP figures released late last week confirm New Zealand is in recession; further proof of the importance of food production to the economy. Campaigns like T150, targeting $150 for lamb, and a reduction in the compliance burden on farmers, are highly important if New Zealand is to farm its way out of recession.  Read more »

Picture perfect - The T150 campaign launch at Hastings' Stortford Lodge Sale Yards saw excellent media coverage with the vibrant setting perfect for film and photo opportunities. For more on the action see pictures in Federated Farmers photo gallery.

How can I get T150? - Federated Farmers of New Zealand wants all those involved in the lamb supply chain to lift their sights to help achieve the T150 goal. Anyone involved from the paddock to the plate, from farmer members to processors, researchers, marketers, transporters and supermarkets should be thinking T150. Have your say on how farmers and others could make a difference towards T150.

Shout out - Taupo farmer, Bryan Hamerton, wants all to know he would not have got the outcome he did during his battle with Environment Waikato and the Lake Taupo Protection Trust, without the huge effort, support and input from Federated Farmers.  "When you are told you must reduce production and therefore compromise profitability, what choice do you have? While I didn't attain full reparation in selling my farm to the Trust, I had to make a personal decision to move on and rebuild my life. Federated Farmers former president, Charlie Pedersen and now president, Don Nicolson, along with staff and provincial presidents have been fantastic." Mr Hamerton now feels for other farmers in the catchment who have to either go through the process of selling up, or have no choice but to have a Nitrogen Discharge Allowance in their future farming mix. Federated Farmers advocates for farmers where the public seek to restrict using land to its productive potential.  The Federation's position is that full market value needs to be paid by the public and that full market value should be assessed as if no stigma affect existed. Federated Farmers also believes there should also be payment for ‘anguish' because as Bryan Hamerton says, it has been a harrowing experience. 

Working towards clean streams - Federated Farmers intends to have a peer review carried out on a report, Dairying and Clean Streams Accord, released this week by Fish and Game and Forest and Bird. While Federated Farmers Environment spokesperson, Lachlan McKenzie, did not necessarily accept the report's findings he is ensuring Federated Farmers applies scientific discipline to the report as a ‘peer reviewer.' Initial analysis has found problems with the methodology, research execution and analysis. The peer review will be issued to the media and stakeholders next week.

Listen up - Today Southland president David Rose kicked off a regular feature on Radio BSport called regional wrap. Starting from the bottom and work our way up presenter, Richard Loe will feature a Federated Farmers provincial president every Friday at 11.20 as part of his Farming on the field show. David did a great job of pushing the importance of the rural sector in New Zealand and was absolutely, positively pro Southland. Listen to David's interview.

Bee disease - Federated Farmers Bee chairman John Hartnell advises that the National Pest Management Strategy for the bee disease American foulbrood is up for review. He encourages all beekeepers to review the discussion document from MAF Biosecurity. Federated Farmers will be submitting on the strategy. Members with a view point should contact Shona Sluys 0800 327 646 or John Hartnell 03 349 5590.

Flood risk management - Federated Farmers has submitted on the Ministry for the Environment's National Policy Statement on Flood Risk Management, supporting the direction to let local communities decide on risks and management tools for themselves.  The Federation has called for acknowledgment of the different nature of rural and urban land regarding flood management. 

ACC levies consultation - ACC is currently consulting on its levies for 2009/10. They are proposing significant falls in levies for self-employed farmers, small rises for farmer-employers and large increases in the Motor Vehicle Levy. Federated Farmers will be submitting to ensure levy increases are constrained.

Buttered up - Federated Farmers Wanganui province buttered up local councillors and policy staff with homemade country morning tea last week. In a meet and greet organised by the province, Wanganui District councillors and senior policy staff were reminded about the economic value agricultural brings to the district. President Brian Doughty told the group that agriculture was responsible for $2.5 billion of earnings in the district annually. Councillors and staff from the council also learnt that dairying is not a big player in Wanganui and the sheep and beef farmers who make up the majority of rural rate payers are finding it tough with increasing costs and low lamb prices. Mr Doughty said the meeting was very useful in building working relationships with council decision makers.

Right balance - Auckland Federated Farmers told the Auckland City Council Hearing Committee that the heritage section of its proposed Hauraki Gulf Islands District Plan did not properly balance the rights of private property owners to use their land against the values of the Islands' heritage resources. Giving evidence for Federated Farmers, David Chamberlin, who farms on an island in the Gulf, told the Hearing Committee that there was no ecological justification for mapping his entire family farm as a Site of Ecological Significance (SES). He told the committee that indigenous ecology had been well looked after by generations of his family, demonstrated by a lack of invasive weeds and other pests and the fencing-off of sections of bush, including a large area that now contained over 700 kiwi. Mr Chamberlin said the "blanket" approach to mapping SES areas should be deleted, and changes made to the plan to enable an appropriate balance to be struck between providing for viable farming activities and the environment. Federated Farmers asked that the heritage section be removed from the Plan or completely reworked to take proper account of private property rights.

Power station supported - Auckland Federated Farmers turned out in numbers at a resource consent hearing in support of a proposed gas-fired power station on the Kaipara Harbour near Kaukapakapa. Rodney sub-provincial chairman, James Colville, South Kaipara chairman, John Glasson, Meat and Fibre chairman, Dean Blythen, and Senior Policy Advisor, Richard Gardner, told the Hearings Commission that electricity is a significant input for farm production as well as being important for the well-being of farming families. They said that the farming community has a vital interest in ensuring reliable energy and other utility services are available.  Security of supply issues were such that something needed to be done expeditiously to ensure continued electricity supply to the north of Auckland, and to Auckland itself. While supporting the proposal, Federated Farmers asked the Hearings Commission to ensure that noise controls on the proposal were adequate to retain the amenity of a quiet rural area.

Wairarapa mediation - Wairarapa Federated Farmers spent much of this week in mediation hearings on the Wairarapa Combined District Plan. Topics covered were: Significant Waterbodies, Freshwater Policies, Rural Zones, Landscape, Hazardous Substances, Biodiversity and Flood Hazard. Some issues have been satisfactorily resolved others remain under discussion. Present were Hilary Gubb (policy analyst), Anders Crofoot, Joe Taylor, with support from Ed Campbell, Graeme Holmes, Murray Schofield and Dan Riddiford.

Dairy prices drop again - The ANZ World Commodity Price Index recorded another sharp fall in September, dropping 4.9 percent from August. Dairy lead the decline falling 7.9 percent for the month. Overall the drop in September was the largest monthly fall in 21 years. It therefore no surprise that Fonterra has reduced its forecast dairy payout for the current 2008/09 season, albeit of a high peak. Beef also recorded a sharp decline, dropping 7.2 percent. Wool prices also dropped 3.4 percent and skins slipped 1.5 percent. On the positive side lamb recorded a modest rise of 0.8 percent and the decline in the value of the New Zealand dollar partially offset the falling prices.

Confidence picks up - Optimists finally outnumber pessimists and business confidence has turned positive for the first time since May 2002. This is according to the National Bank's Business Outlook Survey released this week. A net 2 percent of respondents expect the general economic environment to be better over the coming year with optimists accounting for over 31 percent of responses and pessimists just under 30 percent.  Agriculture is more negative than most at -35.3% expecting a deterioration in business conditions over the coming year. This survey was done prior to this week's turmoil in global financial markets.

General advice

Agrichemical advice - Growers are urged to make sure they read the labels on agrichemicals before application. This reminder comes after scores of bee deaths in the Ashburton region recently. Federated Famers Bees chairman, John Hartnell says beekeepers accept that in most cases of poisoning it is accidental, but he says there is no excuse for agrichemical users failing to read labels, or using leftover spray without thought for the consequences. More »

Employment advice

Behaving outside work - The Employment Relations Act 2000, states that an employer must clearly provide justified reasons for the dismissal of an employee. Not only must the employer follow a correct and fair process in carrying out the dismissal, but there must also be a ‘good cause' for it. The basic employment law principle is that an employer can justifiably dismiss an employee for misconduct occurring outside of work hours if the conduct undermines the employer's trust and confidence in the employee and in certain circumstances where the employee's conduct brings the employer into disrepute.

Employment seminars - The Federation has secured funding from both MAF's Sustainable Farming Fund and the Department of Labour 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.

Training

Employment seminars - Learn more about performance management and getting the best out of your staff. See below for the location of the first week of this series of three hour seminars. The cost to members is only $30 so to find out when there is one in your area or to register for a seminar in October or November call 0800 327 646.

Leadership training - Become a Federated Farmers of New Zealand leader by attending one of our two leadership courses in November and December. For more information visit the Federated Farmers website or call 0800 327 646 to speak with your local provincial president. Spaces are limited so be in quick.

Rural jobs

Employment - Looking for a job or trying to find someone then make your first stop a visit to Federated Farmers website.  You can both advertise for employees or see what is available. Read more about rural jobs ». Call 0800 327 646 if you have trouble logging on to the Federated Farmers website.

Special discounts

Mobile plan - Total Network is the preferred Telecom dealer. Total Network has three brand new mobile rate plans available to Federated Farmer members. 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.

Goats going offshore - Federated Farmers Goats is holding the 2009 industry group conference in Melbourne to coincide with the Australasian Goat Show in Horsham. The conference will be based at the Airport Motel and Conference Centre and will start at mid-day on Tuesday February 17 with a field visit to the Viewbank Angora Stud in Balliang. The Mohair NZ AGM will be held on February 18 and Dr Bruce McGregor has agreed to continue where he left off this year and will be the speaker for the afternoon. Conference dinner will be held on the evening of February 18 and then follows an optional four day bus trip to Horsham for the show on February 20 and 21. A newsletter and registration forms will be going out to all Federated Farmers Goat members in mid-October with a more detailed programme and accommodation information. In the meantime look online to book your flight. For more information contact: Bob Douglas, 03 688 4096 or email: bdouglas@fedfarm.org.nz

Diary advertising - Members who would like to advertise their services to other members in the Federated Farmers diary please call 0800 327 646 to find out the rates. The Federated Farmers diary will be distributed to all members so is a great way to let your fellow members know what services you can offer them.

Right Balance - Entries for the 2009 Ballance Farm Environment Awards are now open and the Federation would encourage members to either enter or nominate someone you think should be entered. This awards programme has great recognition throughout New Zealand and a number of members have entered and won in the past. To find out more about the entry process and the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, go to www.bfea.org.nz.

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.

Tell your injury story - ACC is continuing with the agriculture safety campaign and wants to hear from farmers who have been injured on the farm and who 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 has affected their lifestyle and their bottom line. The idea is to share the lessons learned. If you are interested in helping spread the safety in farming message, please email megan.nagel@acc.co.nz, or call Megan on 04 918 7497.

Quote of the week - Nothing is better, more fruitful, more pleasant, and more worthy of a free man, than agriculture. Cicero (106 bc-43 bc) from De Officiis (On Duties) I.151