All eyes on PGG Wrightson takeover - Read more »

Food is the new black as commodities rise - Read more »

Get ‘out in the paddock' with Farm Day 2011 - Read more »

Ovine varietals the future of meat - Read more »

Farmers recruit the dung beetle - Read more »

New EPA could tame the RMA - Read more »

Rural Broadband demands a step change to deliver future proofing - Read more »

Who dares wins broadband - Read more »

To view the full list of media releases or to view any other publications, click here.

Commodity prices continue their surge - The ANZ Commodity Price Index rose another 3.8 percent over the first month of 2011, to hit yet another new high. Thirteen of the seventeen commodity groups registered a price rise in January. This is the fifth consecutive monthly increase in the index, with cumulative gains of 18 percent since August 2010. Looking at individual commodities, the price of skim milk powder lifted 14 percent in January, while the price of whole milk powder rose 7 percent. Wool prices lifted 11 percent in January and beef prices increased 7 percent, with both the wool and beef series at their highest levels since 1986, when the series began. Sheep meat prices rose by a more modest one percent. The New Zealand dollar (NZD) strengthened against all our major trading partners over the first month of the new year. This has dampened the lift in export commodity prices when measured in local currency terms, but nevertheless, the NZD Commodity Price Index also hit a new record high, lifting 2.3 percent in January.

Labour market disappoints - Flying in the face of good news on commodity prices, New Zealand's unemployment rate rose from 6.4 percent to 6.8 percent during the December 2010 quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand's Household Labour Force Survey. The increase in unemployment reflects a stalling of the domestic economy in the second half of 2010 as the wider economy goes through a necessary rebalancing in favour of the tradable sector. The New Zealand Dollar fell sharply in immediate response to unemployment data as financial markets digested more evidence of the sluggish recovery which puts less pressure on the Reserve Bank to tighten monetary policy. Although the increase in unemployment took the markets by surprise, economists still expect employment to rise on the back of stronger economic growth. This might take time given that the labour market is usually the last indicator to respond.

Voting for the goats Industry Group executive - Voting is underway for a committee member for Federated Farmers Goats Board. Two nominations were received for the South Island based position being vacated by Bruce Wilson, they are Dawn Sangster and Irene Campbell who are both goat farmers from the Central Otago area. Voting papers were mailed out last week to those eligible to vote.

Consultation meetings on the Red Meat Sector Strategy - Discussion of the preliminary findings of Deloitte's work continues, with five meetings scheduled between 7 and 14 February. Farmers are welcome to attend these meetings to help add value to the strategy development process. In addition, other mechanisms to enable farmers to have input into the process are being investigated.  For details of the meeting locations and times click here.  

Recommendations from the Land and Water Forum - This is your chance to hear the final report recommending standards, targets and limits, as well as having more effective and efficient ways of allocating and transferring permits to include a more strategic and consultative approach to water management, which includes storage.  You will be able to discuss and offer ideas with Forum members and others from your area before the Government makes its decisions.  The Land and Water Forum engagement meetings are taking place in Christchurch, on Wednesday,  9 February and Timaru, on Thursday, 10 February, click here to read the whole report and to find out more details. RSVP by emailing info@landandwater.org.nz

Beef + Lamb New Zealand director elections - Voters in the Beef + Lamb North Island and Southern South Island electorates are encouraged to check that they are on the electoral roll - this can be done by calling the Election Hotline on 0508 666 336. Farmers who are not registered need to fill out a voter registration form by Thursday 17 February 2011. To be eligible to vote, a livestock farmer must have owned at least 250 sheep, 50 beef cattle or 100 dairy cattle on 30 June 2010. Election day is Thursday 17 March 2011. Elections will be conducted by postal and internet voting and forms will be posted out in February 2011.

Wool Partners Cooperative offer extended - Wool Partners Co-operative Limited has amended the terms of its capital raising and has extended the closing date until 16 February 2011.  Click here for further information.

Growing your business through pasture renewal - If your business is based on growing grass, the Pasture Renewable Charitable Trust's latest free e-book is for you. It is packed full of incredibly useful advice for the dairy, sheep and beef sectors. This e-book is not about ‘a one size fits all' set of recommendations, but makes a sound business case for renewing farm pasture. As Federated Farmers President, Don Nicolson, notes in the foreword, "Farmers may not be able to do much about weather events, aside from sound preparation, but we can do a lot about the engine room of our farming system - pasture". The e-book explains why pasture renewal could put an additional $1.6 billion into farm incomes. To get your copy of the Pasture Renewable Charitable Trust's, How to be more popular with the girls e-book, then please click here.

Good time for a BBQ? - Farmers affected by October's storms in Otago and Southland have long moved on and got back to the business of farming (at least we're not getting cyclones). While higher meat and wool prices and firm milk prices will help, there will be some who will realise a significant financial impact from lost stock  or production over the next month. It is important to keep up social contact with neighbours and friends, especially within your local community. A BBQ along your road or something similar could be a good way of socialising. The Rural Support Trusts are available for contact on 0800 787 254.

Shooters available - Several members of the Whangamarino Wetland Society are offering to shoot Canada Geese over the special hunting season on 26 and 27 February. Whanagamarino Wetland Society committee member Glenn Evans said he and other members of the group are keen shooters and between them have managed to clear the geese off his North Waikato farm and also off several neighbours' farms. They are keen to keep up the practice and help out fellow farmers in the region. If Waikato members are interested in having the shooters come to their property they can contact Glenn Evans on 027 228 1222 or email drainpro@xtra.co.nz

Animal feed scam - Farmers beware, there is a scam involving out-of-town fraudsters using online auction websites to sell non-existent silage and animal feed.  Apparently the fraudsters are quite knowledgeable about the materials they are supposedly selling. The fraud is a little more elaborate than usual so please be extra vigilant if you are looking at purchasing animal feed this way.

Waikato Regional Policy Statement - Federated Farmers is working on a submission as we are concerned Environment Waikato's water allocation policy is coming through the back door. Enviroment Waikato dropped the prioritisation idea from Variation 6 recently. The Regional Policy Statement says that when the Council is looking at applications for water takes, they will give the first priority to town and domestic supplies, then any existing consents, with all other applications last. This will allow the slice of the pie to get bigger and bigger for municipal takes and they always get the first choice, with the portion that is left for all other uses getting smaller. If you want to apply for a new take that will be used for farming, then you might miss out.  Federated Farmers will continue to fight prioritisation of water allocation through the Regional Policy Statement.

One weekend left to register for Federated Farmers New Zealand Goats conference - A reminder that registrations for the Federated Farmers Goats conference in Alexandra close on Monday, 7 February. For more details and to register click here.

The Pahiatua Long Lunch - Get into the swing of summer this Waitangi Day at the Pahiatua Long Lunch in the town square. The afternoon will feature a formal three course meal served by the Black Stump Café.  Palmerston North based singer Erna Ferry and her band will be entertaining the crowd with jazz music. The theme is garden party, so get out the glad rags and don't forget your hat.  Tickets are $50 per person and are available from the Pahiatua Information Centre or the Black Stump Café. Numbers are limited, for further information, contact Andrea Beagley Tararua Field Officer at abeagley@fedfarm.org.nz on 027 551 1673.

Fencing in Action - On February 10 and 11 is a demonstration event bringing together fencing industry exhibitors.  There will be four demonstration areas where exhibitors can interact and show their products.  Look for Fencing in Action at site 14 at Ag in Action. For more details click here

Cut out the hassle and turn effluent into dollars - On Friday, February 11 Fonterra and the staff of Awaroa Farm in the Bay of Plenty invite Federated Farmers members to view a comprehensive approach to designing and running an effluent system. They have recently installed Re:Gen to provide daily effluent irrigation recommendations and to monitor pond levels. Re:Gen automatically collects farm data on rainfall, soil moisture and soil temperature and provides a daily recommendation for effluent irrigation to ensure the right amount of effluent is applied each day. Also featuring on the day is the Travelling Irrigator Shut Down Monitor System from Trac Map NZ Ltd.  For more details email john@regenerated.co.nz.

2011 Land Treatment Collective annual conference - Registrations for the 2011 New Zealand Land Treatment Collective (NZLTC) annual conference, which is to be held from 23 - 25 March in Palmerston North, are now open. The conference theme, ‘Winds of change: land treatment in challenging times', covers a broad range of topics including the application of biosolids to land, dairy effluent and water quality, onsite wastewater designs and issues  in a new lifestyle block subdivision, GIS mapping and modelling and a preview of the New Zealand greywater guidelines. The 2011 conference is being held in cooperation with Small Wastewater and Natural Systems Special Interest Group (SWANS-SIG) of WaterNZ. To enquire about registration, please email the organisers by clicking here or, if you are a member, you may visit the website by clicking here.

Farming to Succeed applications - There are only two weeks left to apply for Agriculture ITO's Farming to Succeed programme sponsored by FIL New Zealand, so be in quick! This free career development programme explores the key ingredients needed to achieve personal and business success.    Applications for the North Island course are closing on 18 February and on the 21 February for the South Island course.  Click here for full terms and  conditions and to apply for a week of life changing learning and networking. To enrol or find out more about their qualifications, contact your local Agriculture ITO training adviser today on 0800 691 111 or click here to visit their website. 

Shining Under the Spotlight (level two) Leadership Course 6 - 7 April 2011 - Build on your leadership skills to influence and inspire others! Registrations are currently open for Federated Farmers Shining Under the Spotlight leadership course in April. This is a level two course which offers a challenging and positive environment to practice your presentation skills and strategic thinking. The course will be run in Wellington on 6 - 7 April 2011. For more information, please download the programme flyer by clicking here, or register by clicking here. Alternatively, call Emily Florance, Events Assistant, on 0800 327 646 or email events@fedfarm.org.nz. Places are limited so register now to ensure a place.

Contract for services - If you have contractors working on your farm performing tasks such as fencing, shearing or shelter belt trimming you should complete a Contract for Services Agreement. This is to ensure the contractor and yourself agree and are aware of such things as remuneration, tax plus GST, performance obligations and insurance aspects necessary for the work to be completed. To safe guard against misunderstandings and potential issues call the Federated Farmers customer services team today on 0800 327 646, 0800 FARMING and order a pad of 15 Contract for Services agreements for just $50 plus GST for members or $150 plus GST for non members. 

Versatile's Flamin' hot February sale - Outrageous deals on garage and carport kitsets and 15 percent off all farm building kitsets! Or, purchase any fully constructed Versatile home and get a FREE Fisher and Paykel appliance package valued at $7385!  Terms and conditions apply. Hurry, this is for February only! To find out what great deals are available, call 0800 VERSATILE or visit www.versatile.co.nz.

Member benefits and offers - Februarys Member Benefits newsletter was emailed  yesterday with fresh new offers and partners. Make sure you have a look to see what amazing offers are available to members  this month!. 

Quote of the week - Commentator Jim Hopkins said all of his ex-wives were attractive "in their own way". He thinks that Federated Farmers president Don Nicolson and Green MP Sue Kedgley are also "hot" -  From the Farming Show on Radio Sport.