Dear AFIA Members,
Welcome to another weekly update and hay & grain report. In this weeks update we are encouraging you to contact AFIA if you are facing a policy issue that AFIA may be able to assist with, read on to see some of the work we are currently doing.
Also, by now you might have received the 2014 National Fodder Conference Speaking and Workshop Program in the mail. Have you registered for the 2014 National Fodder Conference Yet? Find out more information below.
HAY & GRAIN REPORT 02/05/2014
This weeks hay and grain report is now available on the AFIA website. To view the hay report please click here. Remember that you need to log in using your AFIA username and password. If you have forgotten you username please contact Caitlin [email protected]
NSW WEEDS REGULATIONS
The NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC) has recently conducted a review of weed management in NSW. AFIA has reviewed the draft report which contain a number of recommendations that unfairly single out the fodder industry and should be of concern for anyone who produces hay in NSW. The draft report recommends that anyone in NSW who intends to sell fodder will need to be registered. This is effectively a licence to sell hay. The report makes no recommendations on other agricultural products that spread weeds, such as grains or livestock, and as it has no power to place restrictions on non NSW hay will unfairly disadvantage NSW producers. A copy of the report can be found here Weed Management Review | NSW Have Your Say
While we can’t argue against governments taking a more active role in controlling weeds these proposals will do little but add red tape and cost to farmers in NSW. AFIA continues to support the use of vendor declarations (such as Fodder Care) as the best way of ensuring buyers know what they are getting with their hay and strongly opposes this draft report. We expect the report to be finalised later this month before going to parliament later this year. All members, especially those in NSW or who trade hay into and out of NSW, are encouraged to contact your local NSW member of parliament and let them know this proposal is not on.
To discuss this issue further please contact Darren Keating in the AFIA office on 03 9530 2199
WHEN A DONE DEAL ISN’T DONE – TALKING CONTRACTS AT CONFERENCE
In some regions, like South West WA, fodder trading on the domestic market is unusually active for this time of year. In other regions trading is steady and should pick up when temperatures cool down in the coming weeks and months. So we move into for the peak fodder trading period, it is a good time to think about contracts when selling hay. Jeremy Loeliger of Holding Redlich will be speaking at the National Fodder Conference this year on the legal aspect of both written and verbal contracts when selling hay.
Jeremy specialises in corporate and commercial law with a particular focus on large scale resources and agribusiness projects. When a Done Deal isn’t Done will be the topic of Jeremy’s presentation at Conference. You can read more about this topic in the Holding Redlich article When is a done deal not done?
2014 CONFERENCE PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE
The latest 2014 National Fodder Conference Program is now available on the AFIA website. The theme for this year’s conference is Pushing the Boundaries. Click here to view the full program.
Register for the 2014 National Fodder Conference today!
2014 AFIA PRE-CONFERENCE TOUR
This year’s pre-conference tour is taking in more than just fodder . It will be an interesting tour of the agricultural industry in South East South Australia visiting a turf farmer, lucerne seed and hay producers, wineries and even checking out the fishing industry. To join the AFIA pre-conference tour complete a registration form and return it to AFIA. Numbers are limited so get in early to avoid disappointment.
2014 AFIA PHOTO COMPETITION
Some happy snaps are coming in on facebook and email for the 2014 AFIA photo competition, sponsored by Integrated Packaging.These are two entries provided by some of our younger members Luke Felmin
gham (Left) Silage at Sunset and Leigh O’Sullivan (right)Keep Out!
To get involved in the photo competition simply share your photos on our Facebook page or email them to[email protected]
HOW CAN AFIA HELP YOU?
When it comes to policy there are a number of issues that can impact of the ability of AFIA members to conduct their business effectively. Of late many of these issues have related to efficiency and consistency of transport regulations. AFIA is now engaging with the NHVR and state based transport regulators to ensure that appropriate considerations are made for the fodder industry nationally. At present we are working with SA around limitations with Road Trains.
We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you, our members, that as your peak body in the fodder industry we are here to help with any policy or other issues that may impact your business. We encourage you to contact the AFIA team (03 9530 2199) if you think there is an area where we may be able to do further work that will benefit industry.
That’s it from the AFIA team. Have a great weekend.
From the AFIA Team; Ann, Darren, Pru & Caitlin