EconomicsRural sales moderating - Sales have slowed down from the rapid growth recorded earlier this year.
Real Estate Institute of New Zealand's statistics reveal there were 13 more farm sales for the three months ended in June compared to the three months ended in June 2011.
Winter usually cools the rural property market and this is reflected by a 13.1 percent fall in farm sales in the three months ended in June compared to the three months ended in May.
Although the number of sales has fallen, prices have increased.
The median price per hectare for all farms sold in the three months ended in June was $17,565.
This was a 12.8 percent increase on the $15,568 recorded for the three months ended in June 2011 and an increase of 3.1 percent on the $17,031 recorded for the three months ended in May 2012.
Food prices up in June - Food prices rose 1.4 percent in June 2012, but are lower than this time last year. The rise reflects seasonally higher vegetable prices, according to Statistics New Zealand's Food Price Index.
Fruit and vegetable prices were up nine percent and meat, poultry and fish prices were up 1.3 percent.
The price of bread was down 2.8 percent and fresh milk was down 0.7 percent, its third consecutive monthly drop. While food prices rose in June 2012, they were 0.2 percent lower than in June last year.
The price of fresh milk is down eight percent compared to June last year, cheese is down 16 percent and butter is down 24 percent.
Westpac Agribiz: Milk matters, a closer look at dairy - There is no dispute the dairy industry has grown to become the dominant player in New Zealand's agricultural economy over the last decade.
Spurred on by high prices and a positive outlook for global demand for dairy, resources have poured into the sector.
Yet despite positive longer-term dynamics, dairy prices have been volatile and will remain so. Most recently there have been significant falls in prices.
To read this quarter's Agribiz to learn more about these recent movements and what the outlook might be from here, click here.
Rabobank Agribusiness Review - The latest review released in July provides a snapshot of the food and agribusiness sectors, as well as recent prices and market trend data and analysis. Click here to read the latest review.
NoticesThanks - Many thanks to the hundreds of farmers who participated in Federated Farmers' Farm Confidence Survey. The survey is now closed and we are analysing the results. Keep an eye out for the results from 23 July.
ETS and Forestry meetings - The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is holding a number of meetings to explain forestry under the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The need for these meetings came from a combination of poor information reaching post-1989 forests owners and a small number of owners, registering their forests under the ETS.
The next meeting is being held in Kaikohe's Council chambers on Monday 16 July at 6pm
To find out where the nearest meeting is to you and if you would like to attend contact the Ministry on 0800 254 628
Stay safe when NAIT tagging - With the National Animal and Identification (NAIT) scheme now implemented, NAIT is reminding people to stay safe when tagging cattle.
Remember, there is an exemption in place for animals too dangerous to tag, if they are going directly to a meat processor and have already been tagged with an AHB bar coded primary tag. For 2012/13 a levy of $13 per head, excluding GST, will apply to these animals.
If you are using this exemption you are not required to pay the cost of a tag, around $5, or the NAIT tag and slaughter levies, $2.45 excluding GST, so the net additional cost, of not tagging an animal, is around $5.50. If you cannot tag an animal safely, the ‘impractical to tag' exemption is the right option.
Preparing stock for coming home - Many dairy farmers will be thinking about bringing their in-calf cow's home from the winter run-off.
There is some preparation required to do this successfully and without stressing the cows too much, especially as some will be close to calving.
Transporting stock is also difficult for the transport operator. Work with yours to get the best outcome for everyone.
For more information click here.
EventsProbitas Systems NZ Ltd Winter seminar - Guest speakers Greg and Judy from Missouri will speak on "Pasture management" and the key to optimum pasture production and plant energy availability. Also featuring presentations on soil testing, total mineral soil audits, and herbage analysis.
Seminars will be held on:
- Tuesday 31 July at Waitawheta Camp in Waihi
- Tuesday 7 August at Village and Valley Centre in Ashhurst
- Friday 10 August at Rotherham Hall in Canterbury
- Tuesday 14 August at James Cumming Wing in Gore.
All seminars will run from 10am - 3.30pm.
ToThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it register please contact Kaye Roskham on 07 862 7542 or probitaspaeroa@clear.net.nz
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Federated Farmers Nelson, ‘Get together' - Federated Farmers invites its members to join them at the Tapawera Hotel, Wednesday 18 July. This is an informal "get together" for the Nelson Federated Farmers Executive and members from the greater Nelson and Waimea area. For more information contact Tarsh Newport on 03 522 4919 or at thefeds@xtra.co.nz
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Meet the Federated Farmers Southland team - The Southland executive invites its members to join them next Wednesday 20 July for a short meeting preceded by a light luncheon and followed by a personalised tour of the Bill Richardson Truck Museum. It is an ideal chance to put faces to names and really get to know your executive team.
When: Wednesday 20 July, 12.30pm
Where: Federated Farmers, 70 Forth Street, Invercargill
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Federated Farmers Rural Butchers Conference - All Rural Butcher members are invited to attend the Rural Butchers Conference for 2012 on 1-2 September in Hamilton. More information will be available for this event closer to the time.
When: 1-2 September , 9am- 5pm
Training and developmentFarm smarter, not harder - Beef + Lamb New Zealand invites Sheep and beef farmers to be part of a pilot training programme focusing on agribusiness profitability in the red meat sector.
The six pilot workshops will cover pasture production, animal production, animal health and welfare, whole farm plan, risk and market forces.
On completing the workshops attendees will qualify for a level five certificate in production management.
The first pasture production workshop will be held in Whangarei on 16 July, in Dunedin on 23 July and in Waipukurau on 27 July.
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You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 04 474 0808.
Post calving courses are enrolling now - If you are looking to improve job performance, advance your career or take your business to the next level, training with AgITO can help you achieve your goals.
We are taking enrolments for courses in your area now. If you are keen to improve your skills and knowledge in feeding, pastures, animal health and husbandry, dealing with dairy effluent and milk quality, now is the perfect time to call us and discuss your training options.
To enrol, contact your local AgITO adviser on 0800 691 111, or visit www.agito.ac.nz for more information.
Member benefitsXCM Clothing - XCM Clothing has been a business partner of Federated Farmers for some years and supply branded clothing, uniforms, sportswear and promotional products throughout New Zealand. Benefit from member preferential prices by clicking here.
OSH manual & worksheets - Remember you can purchase a copy of Federated Farmers Occupational Health and Safety manual by calling 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646).
The manual is written especially for farm operations, includes worksheets for recording hazards and accidents.
Farmsafe - You can access Farmsafe products and services from Federated Farmers website.
Farmsafe offers a series of OSH courses specifically tailored to the rural industry for certifications and training such as chemical handling and quad bikes.
Dairy agreements - There are a range of these to suit most situations: Variable Order Sharemilking, Herd Owning Sharemilking, Contract Milking, Individual Employment Agreements, Casual Employment Agreements and more.
All you need to do is call 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646), to discuss your contract needs with our customer services team and purchase the documents to suit your farming situation.
If you need a recommendation, just look at the thousands of colleagues who purchase and use these agreements every year.
Help us to help you - Federated Farmers need to have your email addresses up to date and accurate so we can effectively and efficiently communicate with you.
Please call 0800 327 646 and let the membership team know your details; otherwise you may not be sent information that is important to you and your farming business.
We want to be able to provide you with relevant information but can only do this with your help.
Use your membership and save on fuel - Make the move for fuel savings at the pump and on farm deliveries by calling 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) and our team can connect you with the appropriate fuel business partner.
You can also call them direct on 0800 Mobilcard (0800 732 277) or Allied Petroleum freephone 0800 383 566. Membership has its "back pocket" benefits.
Winesonline - For great wines, free chocolates, no rural delivery fees and to support Federated Farmers, look no further than here.
Quote of the week“In a language farmers understand, we’re not here to suck the rivers dry” Federated Farmers National President Bruce Wills, Wairarapa News, Wednesday 11 July
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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