2017 UNITED WHEATGROWERS DIRECTORS ELECTIONS & AGM NOTICE

As per last year we will continue to have an Electoral Committee meeting combined with the United Wheatgrowers AGM.  This year’s Electoral Committee & Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday 28 June 2017 in Lincoln. Details to follow.

Nominations are called for one (1) vacancy on the United Wheatgrowers Board of Directors.  One director is elected each year, giving each director a 4 year term. This year Brian Leadley is up for re-election by rotational retirement and has indicated he is available for re-election.

See here for a nomination form.

Notices advertising the nominations will be placed in The Christchurch Press.

The advertisement will indicate the availability of additional nomination forms at the offices of Brown Glassford & Co Ltd.  These forms must be in the hands of the United Wheatgrowers Returning Office, PO Box 39-195, Christchurch 8545 by 4:00pm on Friday 23^rd June 2017.

Election will be held by secret ballot at the United Wheatgrowers AGM.

2017 Newsletter

Welcome to the new year, and the beginning of the 2017 harvest. As final husbandry takes place and machinery gets brought out of the sheds I would like to take the opportunity for a couple of timely reminders for the coming harvest.

Chemical Residues and Withholding Periods
It is a requirement that MPI do testing on New Zealand food products to ensure chemical residues fall within the Maximum Residue Levels (MRI) and the World Health Standards (WHS). Given this it is important that we remind ourselves our grain is going into the food chain and MPI will draw random samples for testing. UWG reminds growers to be vigilant in keeping within label recommendations particularly around withholding periods as harvesting commences.

Grain Sampling
It is good practice, and becoming increasingly important, that we take responsibility for collecting good running samples of each of line during harvesting. It is best to collect this on each silo and clearly label samples with the silo number, even if several silos have been filled from one paddock. From a marketing perspective, the more accurate the sample is with the consistency of what we deliver, the more reliable we are to our end users and so the better the long-term outcome.

Record Keeping
Quality record keeping is an ever-increasing requirement of our farming businesses. With the obligation to keep agronomic records from a Traceability and Quality Assurance perspective. While this can seem regulatory and onerous at times, it is important we recognise the many benefits from this. One such benefit is proof of our inputs for food safety and the benefits this gives when marketing our grain. The ability to trace all agronomic inputs can prove invaluable if any discrepancies or issues arise during deliveries or at later dates.

Wheat Insurance
The Board has negotiated with Farmers Mutual for the levy for the 2016/17 harvest to remain the same as last season at $4.25+gst per tonne, with a disaster relief payout of $225+gst per tonne claimed. For further details on this and a reminder on how the scheme works, or what to do if you have a disaster, please visit the insurance section of the website at http://uwg.co.nz/insurance.cfm  

Wheat Competition
We held our Annual Wheat Competition in conjunction with ATS Seeds again last year with a view to promoting the wheat industry and excellence in wheat production. The event was a huge success with record entries covering the four classes of Feed Wheat, Biscuit Wheat, Milling Wheat and Premium Wheat. The Directors would like to thank all our sponsors, and congratulate all participants, and particularly class winners. This event will be run again this year and I encourage all growers to enter.

UWG Directorship News
For the team of Directors on the United Wheat Growers Board 2016 has seen a few changes. Jim Sim retired from the Board of Directors. Jim has had a long involvement with United Wheat Growers firstly as an Electoral Committee member, then as a Director and for the past five years as Chairman.

Having been appointed as Chairman, I would like to thank Jim for his years of service and commitment to the industry and the support he has shown me in accepting this role. We wish Jim and Sandy all the best in their farming and personal lives.

In August, last year we welcomed Michael Tayler onto the Board of Directors. Michael has stepped into the roles of Finance and managing the Wheat Competition.  Michael joins myself, Guy Wigley and Syd Worsfold on the Board, with Syd taking the role of Vice Chairman.

As we watch the World Grain Price eagerly for further strengthening trends, we wish you and your teams all the best for a safe and successful harvest.

Kind Regards

Brian Leadley
Chairman United Wheat Growers
brian.rachel@xtra.co.nz

027 450 5305

2016 WHEAT COMPETITION, SUPPORTED BY ATS

ATS Seed is proud to support the 2016 United Wheat Growers competition for a sixth consecutive year, and in a bid to raise the profile nationally, this year it’s pushing to attract more entries from wheat growers nationwide.

Started in February 2011 the objective of the competition is to celebrate success in the New Zealand wheat industry, encouraging growers and grain industry members to enter samples of wheat they feel has performed well on-farm from the 2016 harvest.

 “ATS Seed is proud to sponsor the competition as we see it as a good opportunity to highlight the success of wheat growers, and to give them the opportunity to showcase their crops and to expose new varieties that are coming through,” says ATS Seed General Manager Tim Dale.

“Wheat growing is still a cornerstone crop for most arable growers and they take a lot of pride and satisfaction when they achieve good grain yields and high quality levels from the testing process.”

 United Wheat Growers Director Brian Leadley says the judging process takes into account of several factors.

“There’s a number of quality tests they do,” he says. “When we grow our wheat there’s a number of criteria in our contracts, such as grain moisture, grain weight, grain size, and if it’s a milling class, then protein levels are very important for bread making. Passing these quality standards are important to try and exceed the minimum standards and achieve a good price for your end product.

“The judges will look at the physical appearance of the wheat too; for example a crop that has not been harvested when it was ready can lose some of its colour and quality which may limit the end use of the wheat.”

The five award categories again this year are: biscuit wheat, feed protein, feed wheat, milling/gristing wheat and premium milling wheat.

The 2016 competition is open to crops harvested in 2016, with entries closing May 31 2016. Juding will take place in Autumn with prize giving in July 2016.

If you have any questions or need clarification about the competition please contact George Walker, ATS Seed General Manager, on (03) 307 5102 or george.walker@ats.co.nz or Brian Leadley, Director United Wheat Growers, on 027 450 5305 or brian.rachel@xtra.co.nz. ATS Seed and the United Wheat Growers look forward to your support of the 2016 UWG wheat competition.

For an entry form, contact ATS on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287), www.ats.co.nz or follow the link below.

2016 Entry Form

2016 UNITED WHEATGROWERS DIRECTORS ELECTIONS RESULTS

Congratulations to Michael Tayler of South Canterbury who was appointed to the board of United Wheatgrowers (NZ) Limited last Tuesday at our AGM. James Sim has now retired from the board. Brian Leadley was appointed Chairman, with Syd Worsfold as Vice Chairman.

The board of United Wheatgrowers is now:

Brian Leadley (Chairman)

Syd Worsfold (Vice Chairman)

Guy Wigley

Michael Tayler

The Levy for the 2016/17 harvest

The levy was set at $4.25 + gst  per tonne .  No change.

Payout for the 2016/17 harvest

Growers will receive a  pay out  of  $225 + gst per tonne on a claim. This is not full cover, but disaster relief to meet the cost of production. Growers can additionally top up the premium with their farm insurers.

A Reminder of how the scheme works

The premium is paid in arrears on the tonnage delivered, regardless of whether this is to a flourmill or any other end  user.  The levy is deducted from the payment and sent on to UWG. This is a compulsory legal requirement, endorsed by the recently held  grower election.

UWG has no problem with farmer to farmer trading, providing the levy is paid. The situation is the same if the wheat is not sold, but used within the same operation. In this case the grower is responsible for sending the payment to UWG.

Levy payment forms are available from  the UWG office, Brown Glassford. The contact is Erin Coakley. You can contact Erin at erin.coakley@brownglass.co.nz

If you have a disaster

If a grower is unfortunate enough to have a disaster they should first telephone FMG, our insurers to register their claim, on 0800 366 466. FMG will then appoint an assessor, this person will be a local grower, possibly a director or an Electoral Committee member. The assessor will make an initial appointment to visit your crop, then subsequent visits if necessary   to determine the loss.

When there is a serious event finding enough assessors can be a problem, so growers may have to wait for an inspection. We are always looking for more volunteers at these times.

December 2015 Newsletter

The Levy for the 2015/16 harvest

The levy is now $4.25 + gst  per tonne .  This has been reduced this season.

Payout for the 2015/16 harvest

Growers will receive a  pay out  of  $225 + gst per tonne on a claim. This is not full cover, but disaster relief to meet the cost of production. Growers can additionally top up the premium with their farm insurers.

A Reminder of how the scheme works

The premium is paid in arrears on the tonnage delivered, regardless of whether this is to a flourmill or any other end  user.  The levy is deducted from the payment and sent on to UWG. This is a compulsory legal requirement, endorsed by the recently held  grower election.

UWG has no problem with farmer to farmer trading, providing the levy is paid. The situation is the same if the wheat is not sold, but used within the same operation. In this case the grower is responsible for sending the payment to UWG.

Levy payment forms are available from  the UWG office, Brown Glassford. The contact is Erin Coakley. You can contact Erin at erin.coakley@brownglass.co.nz

If you have a disaster

If a grower is unfortunate enough to have a disaster they should first telephone FMG, our insurers to register their claim, on 0800 366 466. FMG will then appoint an assessor, this person will be a local grower, possibly a director or an Electoral Committee member. The assessor will make an initial appointment to visit your crop, then subsequent visits if necessary   to determine the loss.

When there is a serious event finding enough assessors can be a problem, so growers may have to wait for an inspection.                                                                                                            

We are always looking for more volunteers at these times.

The directors wish growers an enjoyable festive season, and good luck for a safe successful harvest

WHEAT COMPETITION 2014

Brian Leadley currently organising the annual United Wheatgrowers Wheat Competition for the 2014 year with the ongong support of ATS. Prize giving will take place in July 2014 with details to follow. Judging will take place in the Autumn for milling, feed and biscuit classes, with each category having a 1st, 2nd and 3rd placing. Entry forms can be downloaded from the link below.

All crops harvested in 2014 are eligible and growers are encouraged to start gathering (245K) samples for the competition now. All entries must be received by 31st May 2014. One entry per class per farm, with each entry being tested on the visual and tested quality for the particular end use of the wheat. The judge's decison will be final.

 2014 Entry Form

2014 Wheat Insurance Commodity Levy Referendum

Due to administrative issues the United Wheatgrowers Board have decided to cancel this current levy vote and replace it with another voting period that will start on April 25 and close on May 21. New voting packs will be posted out to all growers and these will include new access codes for voting. All votes that have been cast will be deleted and all existing voting material will be securely destroyed. The United Wheatgrowers Board apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.

James Sim, Chair United Wheatgrowers

WHEAT COMPETITION 2013

Brian Leadley is once again organising the annual United Wheatgrowers Wheat Competition for 2013 with the support of ATS. Prize giving will take place at the annual Federated Farmers Grains Conference scheduled for 2nd & 3rd July 2013. Judging will take place in the Autumn for milling, feed and biscuit classes, with each category having a 1st, 2nd and 3rd placing. Entry forms can be downloaded from the link below.

All crops harvested in 2013 are eligible and growers are encouraged to start gathering samples for the competition now. All entries must be received by 20th May 2013 for judging to take place in autumn with results announced at the UWG AGM. One entry per class per farm, with each entry being tested on the visual and tested quality for the particular end use of the wheat.

Entry Form (261K)

November Electoral Committee Meeting 2013

The annual November Electoral Committee meeting was held on Friday 30th November 2012 at the Comfort Hotel Benvenue in Timaru. James Sim was re-appointed as director after standing unopposed. After the compliance part of the meeting, directors and Electoral Committee members visited the Seedlands' construction site of their new farmer-owned flour mill currently being built (47 Meadows Road, Washdyke). As previously reported in the Farmers Weekly in May last year, the “Farmers Mill” project is being driven by a consortium of 12 South Canterbury farmers and will complement Seedlands Grainstor Ltd grain storage facility which is owned by the same producers. The General Manager and Chairman met with members and reported on their progress and future strategies.

2014 Wheat Insurance Commodity Levy Referendum