Federated Farmers
1,189 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 are again ranked in the top half of New Zealand’s most trusted occupations, according to the Readers Digest New Zealand's Most Trusted Professions for 2009.
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ROTORUA — I believe the outlook for grass-based dairy farming has never looked better.
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AUCKLAND — Between 30 June and 2 July, several hundred farming leaders will descend upon New Zealand’s largest and most metropolitan city for the 110th annual meeting of Federated Farmers, including its antecedent bodies.
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With changes to income and expense streams, cash flow is critical to the agricultural sector, which is carrying some $45 billion dollars in debt.
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Federated Farmers is warning farmers not to purchase ear tags in anticipation of the proposed National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme.
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The recent increase in mohair fibre prices is a potential indication that the luxury end of the international consumer market may be rebounding.
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AUCKLAND CITY — Federated Farmers is set to recognise the very best New Zealand agriculture has to offer by holding the first Cream of the Crop awards evening, as part of its 2009 One Event national conference.
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Federated Farmers has welcomed the paper released today by Massey University’s Centre for Public Health Research, as an important contribution to occupational safety and health.
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Federated Farmers is questioning the cost and value of the latest Citizens Initiated Referendum that is forecast to cost taxpayers almost $9 million.
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Hundreds of vital migrant dairy workers will now be able to continue working in New Zealand thanks to lobbying by Federated Farmers.
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The growing number of resource consent applications not processed on time is symptomatic of councils do as I say and not as I do attitude.
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Today’s decision to stay further cuts to the Official Cash Rate (OCR) places the emphasis firmly on the banks to pass on the full extent of previous cuts.
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Farm leaders from around the world have joined with Federated Farmers to condemn protectionism and international trade barriers.
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Farmers’ overdraft interest rates may have fallen by the same amount as wholesale interest rates, but they still don’t reflect cuts to the Official Cash Rate (OCR).
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Farmers are being invited by Federated Farmers to ‘talk back’ to the U.S.
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The prestigious Wall Street Journal is today carrying an opinion piece on U.S.
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New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers are battling on-farm inflation well over twice the general rate of inflation.
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Consultation by NZX to create a New Zealand futures market is being welcomed by Federated Farmers.
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Farmers and transport operators deserve a big pat on the back for keeping stock effluent off the roads this Gypsy Day.
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Federated Farmers is congratulating the Government on yesterday’s conclusion of a free trade agreement with Malaysia.
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Federated Farmers is embracing the $323 million home insulation package announced in Budget 2009.
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Federated Farmers has lobbied hard to promote policies that will ensure farmers, the economy and the country are all on the road to success.
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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.
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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.
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Federated Farmers is describing President Obama's Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) as 'un-American'.
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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.
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The lack of compensation under the Resource Management Act (RMA) has gone from the farm and struck deep into the heart of metropolitan Wellington.
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Federated Farmers is stepping up to promote vacancies in the rural sector by launching the eponymously named website, ruraljobs.co.nz.
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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.
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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.
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WELLINGTON — Federated Farmers has rightly labelled Fish & Game New Zealand’s ill-fated High Court challenge a disaster.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The National-led Government should swiftly abandon any suggestion of a new tax on diesel, says Donald Aubrey, Federated Farmers transport spokesperson.
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Ravensdown has pledged not to leave the North Island’s drought-stricken farmers high and dry this winter.
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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.
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The Dairy Industry Strategy provides a blueprint for New Zealand to leap up the league tables of the OECD.
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Federated Farmers is pushing government to recognise the role of bees by boosting biosecurity response and research.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Federated Farmers has welcomed Telecom’s fibre to the premise proposal designed to meet the Government’s $1.5 billion broadband investment initiative.
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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.
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OTAGO — Federated Farmers is defending the environmental record of Otago’s dairy farmers.
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GISBORNE — Federated Farmers successful 0800 DROUGHT (0800 376 844) line is back matching farmers with feed to sell, with those needing it.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Todays net position report on Kyoto Liabilities, which shows a possible surplus, represents an important reality check for New Zealand.
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The release of provisional health standards for imported pork has got Federated Farmers deeply concerned about the biosecurity precedent this recommendation sets.
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WELLINGTON — Federated Farmers has welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s report, Change in the high country: Environmental stewardship and tenure review.
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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.
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“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.
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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A new report argues that income redistribution policies should continue to be the responsibility of central government, not councils.
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AUCKLAND — Central government should reject any bigger social role for Auckland local government, said Charles Finny, Chair of the Local Government Forum.
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"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.
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“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.
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“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.
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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.
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If live sheep shipments resume, Federated Farmers believes the welfare of animals during shipment and afterwards must be the prime consideration.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“Federated Farmers congratulates the Reserve Bank for its 50 basis points cut to the OCR this morning,” says Don Nicolson, President of Federated Farmers.
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CHRISTCHURCH — “Federated Farmers applauds both Lincoln University and AgResearch.
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“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.
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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.
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“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.
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“Fonterra’s proposed new Effluent Improvement System (EIS) has good intentions, but the detail is flawed,” says Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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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.
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“The key focus about this jobs summit is to ensure we don’t fall into a trap of creating non-jobs.
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“Given the world needs to eat, the fundamentals are all there for a highly profitable dairy industry.
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“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.
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“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.
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Since being elected as chairman in June 2008, it has been a very busy and turbulent time.
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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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“Federated Farmers applauds the news that New Zealand is to commence negotiations with India for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
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“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.
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“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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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“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.
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“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.
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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.
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