1,171 posts | 8 images
New Zealand's leading rural sector organisation, Federated Farmers of New Zealand represents 17,000 member farmers and rural families throughout New Zealand. A network of 24 provinces, together with associated area networks or branches, provides a locally based, democratic organisation that gives farmers a collective voice nationally and within each province.
Farmers and transport operators deserve a big pat on the back for keeping stock effluent off the roads this Gypsy Day.
202 views
Federated Farmers is congratulating the Government on yesterday’s conclusion of a free trade agreement with Malaysia.
269 views
Federated Farmers is embracing the $323 million home insulation package announced in Budget 2009.
453 views
Federated Farmers has lobbied hard to promote policies that will ensure farmers, the economy and the country are all on the road to success.
152 views
Fonterra’s 2009/2010 season forecast of $4.55 per kilogram of milksolids (kg/MS) is a serious wake-up call for the Minister of Finance ahead of Budget 2009.
252 views
Federated Farmers has welcomed the Government’s appointment of an Infrastructure Board to provide independent strategic advice to the infrastructure Minister, the Hon Bill English MP.
211 views
Federated Farmers is describing President Obama's Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) as 'un-American'.
325 views
Federated Farmers is asking President Obama to come and explain to New Zealand’s subsidy-free farmers, why his administration has decided to subsidise 92,000 tonnes of American dairy products destined for international markets.
377 views
The lack of compensation under the Resource Management Act (RMA) has gone from the farm and struck deep into the heart of metropolitan Wellington.
237 views
Federated Farmers is stepping up to promote vacancies in the rural sector by launching the eponymously named website, ruraljobs.co.nz.
3,772 views
South Island farmers are being urged to prepare for widespread snow to low levels and strong winds over the next few days, especially in Canterbury.
497 views
Federated Farmers Dairy wishes to invite former Sex Pistols front man, John Lyndon (aka Johnny Rotten), to come down under to see for himself, the difference free range cows makes to the quality of butter and other dairy products.
191 views
WELLINGTON — Federated Farmers has rightly labelled Fish & Game New Zealand’s ill-fated High Court challenge a disaster.
471 views
Last week’s release of the Strategy for New Zealand Dairy Farming, produced by DairyNZ in conjunction with Federated Farmers and the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand, should serve as a wake up call for the red meat industry.
605 views
While four people worldwide lost their lives in 2008 from shark attacks, there were 20 farm related fatalities in New Zealand over the same period.
221 views
With the annual Gypsy Day coming up on 1 June, Waikato dairy farmers are being urged to make a special effort to keep stock effluent off roads by standing cows off green pasture before transporting them on trucks.
271 views
Federated Farmers has welcomed the decision by the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, the Hon David Carter MP, to extend drought relief to parts of North Canterbury, the Central Plateau, Taihape and Wairarapa.
184 views
The National-led Government should swiftly abandon any suggestion of a new tax on diesel, says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers transport spokesperson.
306 views
Ravensdown has pledged not to leave the North Island’s drought-stricken farmers high and dry this winter.
266 views
WELLINGTON — The buzz was louder than usual at The Beehive yesterday, as Federated Farmers joined the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Hon David Carter MP and National Beekeepers Association chief executive, Jim Edwards, around a real beehive.
1,036 views
The Dairy Industry Strategy provides a blueprint for New Zealand to leap up the league tables of the OECD.
208 views
Federated Farmers is pushing government to recognise the role of bees by boosting biosecurity response and research.
353 views
DUNEDIN — The Otago Regional Stadium, for which contracts were signed last week, is being held up by Federated Farmers as a prime example of how farmers are being farmed by councils for their rates.
291 views
The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) should either be scrapped or substantially amended, the Select Committee reviewing the ETS has been told today by Federated Farmers.
174 views
Federated Farmers is toasting Fonterra’s decision to revise upwards, its forecast payout for the 2008/09 season from $5.10 per kilogram of milksolids (kgMS) announced in late January, to $5.20 per kgMS announced today.
238 views
Federated Farmers has welcomed Telecom’s fibre to the premise proposal designed to meet the Government’s $1.5 billion broadband investment initiative.
265 views
HAWKE'S BAY — “Federated Farmers is committed to helping all drought-stricken Hawke’s Bay farmers through it’s 0800 drought line (0800 376 844),” said Kevin Mitchell, Federated Farmers’ Hawke’s Bay president.
386 views
OTAGO — Federated Farmers is defending the environmental record of Otago’s dairy farmers.
258 views
GISBORNE — Federated Farmers successful 0800 DROUGHT (0800 376 844) line is back matching farmers with feed to sell, with those needing it.
482 views
The population explosion of introduced Canada Geese is seriously impacting New Zealands farmers, waterways and waterfowl due to the irresponsible actions of Fish & Game New Zealand, which has failed its statutory obligation to manage this pest by spreading it to new parts of the country.
330 views
FAIRLIE — Green Party co-leader Dr Russel Norman is to see first hand from Federated Farmers the economic and environmental benefits that water storage projects can offer New Zealand.
925 views
GISBORNE — Federated Farmers has welcomed the Government’s rapid response today, to declare the Gisborne/Wairoa region to be in a small scale adverse event.
518 views
With the world population predicted to rise on the back of increasing living standards in Asia, China and India, and no decrease in the birth rate in the developing world, increasing food production to meet human demand is essential.
273 views
Todays net position report on Kyoto Liabilities, which shows a possible surplus, represents an important reality check for New Zealand.
161 views
The release of provisional health standards for imported pork has got Federated Farmers deeply concerned about the biosecurity precedent this recommendation sets.
199 views
WELLINGTON — Federated Farmers has welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report, Change in the high country: Environmental stewardship and tenure review.
222 views
WELLINGTON — The destocking of St James Station, the lease of which was purchased by the Crown last year for $40 million, continues apace today at the Canterbury Park sales, where 1,000 ewes and their lambs are being sold.
494 views
“Federated Farmers endorses the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s (RBNZ) view that the recent strength of long-term wholesale interest rates is unwarranted and pressure on our productive sector is unwelcome,” says Philip York, Federated Farmers economic spokesperson.
355 views
Federated Farmers is challenging the Government to prove it is committed to rural economic development, after yesterday’s announcement that ultra-fast broadband will be rolled out to 75 percent of New Zealand within the next ten years.
174 views
"The accident involving 30 cows from a farm in the Waikato this morning has served as a timely warning for farmers to ensure their stock are secured at all times," says Federated Farmers Dairy vice-chairman John Bluett.
145 views
WELLINGTON — The recommendation by the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance to create Australasia's largest local authority is a bold step into the future, but urban domination must not impact the viability of farm businesses.
239 views
A new report argues that income redistribution policies should continue to be the responsibility of central government, not councils.
192 views
AUCKLAND — Central government should reject any bigger social role for Auckland local government, said Charles Finny, Chair of the Local Government Forum.
612 views
"The recent resurgence of rabbits threatens New Zealand’s productivity and environment and must be halted as a matter of urgency,” says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers pest animal management spokesperson.
266 views
“Meat & Wool New Zealand (MWNZ) needs to convince farmers that increasing its levy is both justified and warranted,” says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers meat and fibre spokesperson.
202 views
“Denmark is showing the way for New Zealand to follow on emissions trading by ditching its proposed tax on farm animal emissions,” says Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.
198 views
WELLINGTON — The half-year result for Fonterra Co-operative Group has been welcomed by Federated Farmers as excellent, given the unprecedented negative international trading environment.
513 views
If live sheep shipments resume, Federated Farmers believes the welfare of animals during shipment and afterwards must be the prime consideration.
189 views
“Today’s 150th anniversary of the introduction of bees to New Zealand represents a milestone for the industry in this country,” said John Hartnell, Federated Farmers bee industry group spokesperson.
218 views
“The Government’s draft policy statement on electricity governance opens the door for landowners to be railroaded in the haste to fast-track major electricity projects,” says Federated Farmers President Don Nicolson.
259 views
“The spectre of UK-style colour coded diesel has been avoided by National dumping the previous Government’s proposed Regional Fuel Tax (RFT),” says Don Aubrey, Federated Farmers transport spokesperson.
245 views
“Federated Farmers congratulates the Reserve Bank for its 50 basis points cut to the OCR this morning,” says Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.
266 views
CHRISTCHURCH — “Federated Farmers applauds both Lincoln University and AgResearch.
482 views
“The expansion of the Community Irrigation Fund (CIF) enabling local authorities to apply for rural water storage grants represents a significant boost for New Zealand’s farmers,” says Hugh Ritchie, Federated Farmers water spokesperson.
206 views
Farm overdraft interest rates remain stubbornly high, despite major cuts to the New Zealand Official Cash Rate (OCR) and steep falls in 90 day interest rates.
309 views
“The reported announcement by United States President Barrack Obama that talks on the Trans Pacific Partnership were to be postponed were a significant concern,” Federated Farmers President Don Nicolson said tonight.
233 views
“Fonterra’s proposed new Effluent Improvement System (EIS) has good intentions, but the detail is flawed,” says Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.
220 views
“The establishment of a National Infrastructure Unit (NIU) is good news for farmers if it can facilitate key infrastructure projects in rural New Zealand,” says Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.
521 views
“Today’s increase in the price of whole milk powder reinforces Federated Farmers prediction that commodity prices may be levelling out,” says Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers dairy chairman.
552 views
“The announcement that formal talks between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea over a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are to begin shortly represents a shot in the arm for New Zealand’s farmers,” says Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.
174 views
“With the conclusion of today’s inaugural Federated Farmers Farm Day, a big thank you goes out to everyone involved in making the event a success,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
492 views
“Hundreds of families have donned their gumboots today to visit a Federated Farmers Farm Day being held at 25 farms across New Zealand,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
599 views
Despite the recent heavy weather, all Federated Farmers open farms will be open today with just one postponement in the Bay of Plenty, says Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.
1,407 views
“The key focus about this jobs summit is to ensure we don’t fall into a trap of creating non-jobs.
238 views
“Given the world needs to eat, the fundamentals are all there for a highly profitable dairy industry.
379 views
“The proposed halving of Vehicle Testing New Zealand’s (VTNZ) Certificate of Fitness (CoF) offsite testing stations throughout New Zealand, will increase traffic congestion and negatively impact the rural economy,” says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers transport spokesperson.
471 views
“Given the current outlook for dairy commodities, the first meeting this year between Federated Farmers and members of Fonterra’s Board and senior management has taken on even greater importance," says Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers Dairy chairman.
189 views
Since being elected as chairman in June 2008, it has been a very busy and turbulent time.
233 views
Banks need to be clear about which guarantee they are talking about and what it costs when they say it is a reason for higher interest rates than otherwise, Conor English, CEO of Federated Farmers said tonight.
257 views
“With the news that Jeanette Fitzsimons is to resign as the Green Party’s Co-Leader, the Green Party now stands at a crossroads,” says Frank Brenmuhl, Federated Farmers climate change spokesperson.
189 views
“The cherished notion that every New Zealander knows a farmer is now an urban myth and the genesis behind Federated Farmers Farm Day being held this Sunday, 1 March,” says Frank Brenmuhl, Federated Farmers education spokesperson.
191 views
“Federated Farmers invites families to celebrate New Zealand’s International Children’s Day by visiting the country for Federated Farmers Farm Day on 1 March,” says Frank Brenmuhl, Federated Farmers vice president.
235 views
“Federated Farmers applauds the news that New Zealand is to commence negotiations with India for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
235 views
“It’s time to find out if local government is prepared to step up to the plate and show leadership by controlling its own costs,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
187 views
“Today’s fast tracked list of public projects reflects the Government grabbing some low hanging fruit,” says Philip York, Federated Farmers economics and commerce spokesperson.
168 views
A year of lobbying by the Agricultural Transport Forum (ATF) and Federated Farmers has led to the exemption of tractors and agricultural vehicles from the 2007 Land Transport Rule: Work Time and Logbooks.
237 views
Urban dwellers have the chance to visit one of New Zealands largest working farms after the announcement that Landcorps Molesworth Station will host a Federated Farmers Farm Day, says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers high country spokesperson.
252 views
“Broadly speaking Federated Farmers welcomes the Government’s announcement and supports many of the changes to speed up the RMA process, but feels the discussion document to the much heralded Resource Management Act (Simplify & Streamline) Amendment Bill, is just an okay first stab,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
241 views
“For urban dwellers looking to discover the country, a big step forward has come with the Federated Farmers Farm Day website going live at midday today,” says Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.
268 views
“The jet of hot steam unleashed last week by Federated Farmers in its bank overdraft survey has won its first result,” says Philip York, Federated Farmers economics and commerce spokesperson.
236 views
The 150 basis point cut will be welcomed by farmers, but only if the banks play ball and pass this large cut onto their business customers, says Philip York, Federated Farmers economics spokesperson.
202 views
The detail behind the latest revised forecast payout figure of $5.10 per kilogram of milksolids (kgMS), for the 2008/09 season, means it will be tough but manageable for well run farm businesses, says Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers Dairy chairman.
216 views
“Cutting the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by a further 100 basis points will bolster farm businesses – but only if the banks play ball,” says Philip York, Federated Farmers economics spokesperson.
209 views
New Zealand’s farm businesses have received only around half of the 150 basis points cut from the Official Cash Rate (OCR) since 4 December.
359 views
“The reintroduction of export subsidies for dairy products by the European Union (EU) is deeply unsettling,” says Philip York, economics and commerce spokesperson for Federated Farmers.
348 views
With 88.6 percent of respondents backing the inland option for Transmission Gully, Federated Farmers has found a way that would all but fund the $1 billion project.
238 views
WAIKATO — Waikato farmers are being reminded they are not allowed to graze stock in designated conservation areas on privately owned land.
423 views
“With the Government’s economic ministers meeting in Wellington this Thursday, Federated Farmers has offered five words of advice, ‘back growth by backing agriculture’,” says Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President.
203 views
“Falling New Zealand grain prices may finally be reaching the bottom of the cycle given prices this month,” says Ian Morten, Federated Farmers Grain and Seed chairperson.
433 views
“Federated Farmers wish Ingrid Baynes and her mother, Marg, the best of luck for their world record sheep shearing attempt tomorrow,” says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers Meat and Fibre spokesperson.
230 views
“What could farmers on the North Island’s east coast do with a smidgen of the water Meridian Energy is currently spilling from its southern lakes?” asks Hugh Ritchie, Federated Farmers water spokesperson.
282 views
“Agribusiness lender Rabobank revealed yesterday that skyrocketing fertiliser prices are finally on the decline,” says Philip York, Federated Farmers economics and commerce spokesperson.
198 views
"The latest 9.3 percent fall in the price of Whole Milk Powder (WMP) on Fonterra’s new internet-based auction highlights the need for an independent review of the auction system,” says Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers Dairy spokesperson.
236 views
“If the proposed compulsory national ID system for livestock isn’t about food assurance and boosting farmer returns, then why on earth is the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry pouring millions of dollars into it?," asked Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers board spokesperson.
217 views
GISBORNE — “Rains in late December have helped relieve the immediate risk of drought in parts of East Coast of the North Island.
656 views
CANTERBURY — “The man who survived for more than 30 hours adrift on a jet ski during Saturday’s hail storm was incredibly lucky, but that storm hit many North Canterbury cropping farmers hard,” says Paul Stackhouse, North Canterbury Federated Farmers Grain and Seed chairman.
751 views
“New Zealand's superb on farm verification standards means we are streets ahead of Australia in terms of sheep meat and other exports into the European Union," said Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers board spokesperson.
222 views
"Fonterra’s warning of a likely revision downwards in the current milksolids forecast payout is not unexpected," says Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers Dairy chairman.
222 views
“Christmas is a great time for relaxation with family and friends but it’s also a very busy period for farmers the length and breadth of New Zealand,” said Federated president, Don Nicolson.
208 views