ATS Newsbrief April 2014
It’s nine months since ATS members received the red box in their mailboxes, signalling the launch of Ruralco, the ATS and Ravensdown joint venture. These two trusted farmer co-operatives joined forces for the benefit of real farmers, their families and our community and it’s fair to say, the initiative has been well received by all involved. This is despite the deliberate lack of notice given at the time. Commercial sensitivity around the Ruralco concept meant Neal Shaw, Group CEO we were unable to pre-warn the market and members about what we were doing. The first ATS members knew was when they received the red box in the mail. Initially, Ruralco was launched to the central South Island—from the Waiau River in the north, to the Waitaki River in the south and the West Coast. Members also had access to the nationwide Mobil service station network. This was a conscious decision made to ensure we did not get too big, too quickly. It has allowed us to make sure the right infrastructure is in place to handle all transactions. Once this was assured, we were able to start the roll-out of Ruralco to other regions. In February the Ruralco Card was introduced in the Otago and Southland regions, with the launch aptly coinciding with the South Island Field Days at Waimumu. By the time you read this, the Nelson and Marlborough regional launch will be imminent. This means the Ruralco Card will be available to ATS and Ravensdown shareholders throughout the whole of the South Island. The thinking behind the establishment of Ruralco was to grow the supplier network outside the traditional ATS supplier base, to enable shareholders to have the ability to transact anywhere in the country. To date, potential suppliers outside of the historic ATS region have been very interested in the Ruralco Card and significant discounts with meaningful suppliers have been negotiated all over the South Island, and in some cases, nationally. The next phase of development for Ruralco will look at launching the card to Ravensdown shareholders in the North Island in 2015 and continuing to expand the network of businesses that accept the Ruralco Card. This will further enhance the offer to ATS shareholders who wish to use their card across New Zealand. We will continue to keep you informed of these developments as they occur.
Upcoming Events
22 April and 20 May Farm Safety Manual and Training for Members For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/ farmsafety
Easter Holidays 18 April Good Friday 21 April Easter Monday
25 April ANZAC Day
Upcoming Industry Events
Wintering for Success 8 April North Canterbury 10 April Culverden 15 April Mid Canterbury 16 April South Canterbury For more information on the event in your area, visit www.dairynz.co.nz/events
8 & 10 April Tectra Course—Wool handling level 4 course For more information contact Tina Rimene, 03 314 2390, 027 702 8269 or Tectra Office 0800 496 657.
21 April Mackenzie Highland Show This event is held at the Fairlie Showgrounds
Are you scam savvy? Scams are designed to trick you into giving away your personal details or money and are becoming more prevalent, especially on the internet and via email. A lot of scams can look genuine, making it hard to tell that they’re not real. It might be a scam if: • You don’t know the sender • It’s addressed to ‘My Dear’ or another generic term • There are many grammatical or spelling errors • A bank you don’t have an account with contacts you • You are urged to visit a website to update your account information or fill in a form with personal information • You’re advised to act fast to claim money or some other prize in a lottery or competition that you never entered • You inherit money or possessions from someone you’ve never heard of • You receive a request from a stranger who needs your help (usually to send money) A good rule of thumb is to never open emails that are from an unknown or dubious source. To check out if its a scam visit www.consumeraffairs.govt.nz/scams.
29 April ‘Harnessing the power of Microbugs’ Presenting key science and exploring the latest uses of microbial activity for profit. Looking at clovers, lucerne, seed coatings, silage inoculants and nutrition in our young animals. A must for all enquiring farmers. A free AgBoard seminar, supported by BioBrew Ltd. This event is held at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre, 211a Wills St (Bradford Room). For more information contact Malcolm Deverson 034183188, cadb@ihug.co.nz
Improving direct debits
Credit card payment option
Ruralco Supplier updates
Improvements to ATS’s Direct Debit process now excludes returns, which means the amount on your statement will now be the same as the amount taken from your bank account. If you have a query regarding a Ruralco Supplier or ATS Retail invoice please contact us and if required we will be able to hold this amount from the Direct Debit. If you would like a Direct Debit Authority form or require any further information please contact ATS on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
You could receive up to 55 days credit (depending on when purchases are made during the month) if you pay your ATS account by credit card through BNZ.
Check out www.ruralco.co.nz for the list of new Ruralco Suppliers
Is your Approved Handler Certificate valid?
For more information, call the Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287). The terms and conditions are available from the ATS website www.ats.co.nz/Services/ Payment+Options.
Your Approved Handler Certificate may have expired or be about to expire. Please contact Peter Jacob on 03 307 5124 or 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) and he will be able to help you with the renewal process.
Farm Safety Manual and Training for Members Are you looking for a way to best manage your on-farm health and safety requirements and lower your costs? ATS provides members with access to relevant health and safety training, including a farm safety manual, and upon completion of training, members will be able to apply for a discount on their ACC levies. Upcoming training dates are the 22 April and 20 May 2014 at a cost of $550 (GST and member discount inclusive). Seating is limited, so get in fast. For more information or to reserve your place, please contact Peter Jacob on 03 307 5124 or 0800 BUY ATS (289 287), email book@ats.co.nz or reserve your spot online at www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety
Have you got any uncontracted grain to sell? ATS Seed is always looking for all types of grain to supply a wide range of end users. If you have free or uncontracted grain that you would like to sell please contact ATS Seed. Drop in your sample at any ATS Store, with an ATS Rep or contact the ATS Customer Service Centre on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) to arrange sample bags or pick up.
Moving address? Are you on the move? Please let ATS know so we can keep our database up to date, and to make sure you don’t miss out on any important information. Please contact the Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) to update your details.
Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton
Surcharges for this service apply (1% for regular recurring payments set up between ATS and BNZ and 1.75% for payments made on an ad hoc basis). All surcharges will be charged by ATS to your credit card at the time payments are processed and will appear on your ATS statement. The surcharge shown on your statement will be offset by the credit card payment you have already made.
Do you have an award winning crop? The ever-popular United Wheat Growers Annual Wheat Competition is once again being held with support from ATS Seed. Crops harvested in 2014 are eligible for entry, with judging taking place this autumn. Presentations and prize giving will take place shortly after judging. Entries are invited across four classes of wheat (milling—both premium milling and gristing wheat, feed and biscuit) from growers nationwide. Entries close 31 May 2014. If you would like more information on how to enter your wheat crop please contact the ATS Seed team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
New Suppliers Please visit www.ruralco.co.nz for information on locations and contact details.
Blenheim Mango Tel 03 577 8781 10% discount Matthews Eyeware Eyecare Tel 03 578 5880 15% off all eyeware, lenses and contacts 50% off any second pair purchase
Motueka Paper Plus Motueka Tel 03 528 8886 7.5% discount, excluding sale and promotion items Mango Tel 03 528 0999 10% discount Matthews Eyeware Eyecare Tel 03 528 8724 15% off all eyeware, lenses and contacts 50% off any second pair purchase
Nelson
Start your generator now and be prepared for winter! With winter’s colder temperatures on the way and the ever-present possibility of winter and snow, now is a good time to check your standby or portable generator. It needs to be in good working order and reliable for when you need it, and that means starting and running reliably in cold temperatures. Most engines do not start as easily when it is cold, and the engine in your generator is no different. In addition to parts that don’t move as easily and oil that is thicker in colder temperatures, it is also harder to make the fuel burn efficiently and keep the engine running. Modern engines have seen great improvements over recent years which help them start easily and keep them running. But you still need to check it out before the snow arrives. Being prepared and checking that your generator is in top condition will help ensure its ready when you need it. For more information about your generator, talk to Richard and Roy in the Spray Hardware team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz
About Beauty at Monaco Tel 03 547 0798 20% off retail 10% off services Sale or promotion items nett Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Tel 03 547 8233 10% discount off the daily flexible rate or hot deals rate Jeff Neilson Waterblasting Tel 03 547 7856 15% discount Mango Tel 03 539 4916 10% discount Matthews Eyeware Eyecare Tel 03 548 3249 15% off all eyeware, lenses and contacts 50% off any second pair purchase
Nelson Beds Tel 03 547 4567 10% discount Paul Harris Jewellers Tel 03 538 0813 20% off everything and manufacturing Pumps Nelson Ltd Tel 03 547 2514 15% off GPS Pumps 10% other pumps Labour nett 623 In The City Tel 03 546 8623 10% off everything 623 On The Rocks Tel 03 546 8623 10% off everything
Richmond Avanti Plus Richmond Tel 03 544 5429 10% off all retail items Sale or promotion items nett Frys Pharmacy Tel 03 544 1044 10% off retail Prescriptions, sale and promotion items nett Gate It Direct Tel 021 204 0050 10% or more depending on product Mango Tel 03 544 3278 10% discount Matthews Eyeware Eyecare Tel 03 544 4319 15% off all eyeware, lenses and contacts 50% off any second pair purchase Plankville Ltd Tel 03 544 1993 10% off sheds, garden edging, slabs, custom beams, joinery timber, flitches. All other wholesale products at wholesale prices Vanilla Bean Café Tel 03 544 1644 10% off everything
Resigned Suppliers Asure Quality Seed Lab AgRural Fashion Focus Ashburton
Monaco Hair Tel 022 698 9770 10% off everything
www.ats.co.nz