ATS Newsbrief August 2014
At the time of writing this article there is a lot of speculation from economists and industry analysts around the predicted dairy pay-outs for 2014/15 following the recent drop in global dairy prices. The prediction is dairy farmers are facing a $3.8 billion pay cut next season if the dairy payout drops below $7.00kg/milk solids, with some industry commentators predicting the payout could be as low as $6.00. If reported figures are right, and 25 percent of dairy farmers have production costs of more than $5.00kg/milk solids, then it is certainly creating a tenuous position for some. Neal Shaw, Group CEO
Upcoming Events
Farm Safety Training 19 August 16 September 21 October 18 November
For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/ farmsafety
7 September Father’s Day
22 September South Canterbury Anniversary day
We are all familiar with the cyclic nature of farming, across all sectors—dairy, meat and arable. There are always highs and lows and the current dairy situation is likely to be no different.
28 September
Past experience shows us that when prices are up, there’s a bit more of a relaxed attitude to spending. Price is always important, but is not the only focus during buoyant times.
Labour Day
Conversely, when market prices drop, we start to see a significant change in spending habits with non-essentials being the first to drop off the shopping list. This is why it is so important to ensure the running costs of your business are such that they can sustain these market fluctuations. If you have control of your costs during the good times, it sets you up for the tough times when they arrive. By doing this, it allows you to manage your spending and ultimately your business throughout all the peaks and troughs the farming sector faces. ATS is no different, and we have also been repositioning the business over the last 12 months because we know there will inevitably be fluctuations within the market and it will have an effect on us. We know we have to be prepared for changes when they occur. We have to control our costs to ensure we provide value for our members through the good and the bad times. Farmers are looking to keep input costs as low as possible, our role is to facilitate this and ensure that our costs are managed in such a way that we can deliver on that expectation of best price and best service.
ATS Ashburton account payment boxes As of 04/08/2014 there will only be one account box located in the ATS Ashburton store located next to the reception desk. This means we will no longer have an after hours payment box located outside the store. This change is being made to ensure security of payments received. We have not had any issues with theft in this form previously but we want to minimise the potential risk. For more information contact ATS Finance on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Daylight Savings
27 October 31 October & 1 November Ashburton A&P Show
ATS are proud to support the 2014 Ashburton A&P Show. Please come and join us at the ATS marquee for lunch. Don’t forget your Ruralco Card as you’ll need it for admittance.
14 November
Canterbury Anniversary (Show weekend)
Upcoming Industry Events
6 August
Beef+LambNZ Industry Awards The third annual Beef+Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards will be presented in the War Memorial Conference Centre, Napier. For more information contact mark.harris@beeflambnz.co.nz or phone him on 027 577 9991.
19 August
South Canterbury Agribusiness Group A discussion on the environmental road ahead. Held at the Timaru RSA function room. For more information contact erin.sinclair@dairynz.co.nz or on 021 243 7337.
Is your Approved Handler Certificate valid? Don’t get caught short. Make sure your Growsafe and Approved Handler Certificates are valid and up-to-date. If yours is about to expire it’s important they are renewed so you can continue to purchase or apply chemicals. 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.
Do you have your spring pasture seed requirements ordered? Early sowing of your pastures will ensure maximum pasture growth for spring grazing, so now is the time to make sure you have all your spring pasture requirements ordered. ATS Seed can supply you with all your spring pasture and seed treatment requirements. Contact us now on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Ruralco Supplier updates Check out www.ruralco.co.nz for the list of new Ruralco Suppliers Real discounts for real farmers
NEW Suppliers
Alexandra
Motueka
Classic Clothing 7% off clothing and accessories
Hot Mama’s Café 10% off total bill Free dessert with main ordered on Sunday Westrupp Jewellers 20% off jewellery 15% off watches Sale items: nett
Ashburton
Improve farm safety and lower ACC costs Are you looking for a way to lower your ACC costs while also improving health and safety procedures on your farm? ATS, in conjunction with Unique Solutions, is providing members with farm safety training and access to the ATS Farm Safety Manual, with the added bonus that members can apply for a discount on their ACC levies once they have completed their training. The training course includes hazard identification and management; information, training and supervision; incident and accident management; emergency planning and readiness; visitors and contractors; and ACC workplace safety discounts. Forthcoming training dates are 19 August, 16 September, 21 October and 18 November 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
Pallet returns for 2014 Seales Winslow Calf Feeds are not charging for pallets this 2014 season, but they would like all pallets from last season, including any lime flour pallets, returned directly to Seales Winslow as soon as possible to receive a credit. Milligans are also not charging for milk powder pallets this season, but would like them returned. For more information, call the ATS Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton
Direct debit improvements ATS’s direct debit process has been improved so returns are now excluded. This 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 Farm Supplies 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).
Classic Clothing 7% off clothing and accessories Nandos Ashburton 5% off total food bill Drinks: nett
Christchurch Ashford Motor Lodge Special rates per night CC Collections Colombo Street 7% off clothing and accessories Classic Clothing Bush Inn, Homebase, Papanui, Sydneham & Tower Junction 7% off clothing and accessories
Culverden Stocker Dairy North Ltd Dairy: 7.5% off all Milfos products Pumps: 7.5% off all parts Pumps, labour and travel: nett
Dunedin
Change to ATS Freight Service Last year we made some changes to the ATS freight service which saw charges imposed for orders under $3000. Since then we have taken on board feedback from members and are pleased to advise that from now on, if you order more than $1,000 worth of product within the same order it can be delivered free on farm. For orders of less than $1,000 we are happy to continue arranging delivery on farm of your products but it will be on a user pays basis with our partner TNL. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter further please contact ATS on 0800 BUY ATS (298 287).
Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz
ARTHUR BARNETT 6% off across the board, including sale items Cable Court Motel Special rates per night Classic Clothing Centre City Mall & George St 7% off clothing and accessories
Gore Classic Clothing 7% off clothing and accessories
Invercargill Classic Clothing Tay St & South City Mall 7% off clothing and accessories
Methven Advanced Feed 5% off bagged calf pellets and calf blends
Mosgiel
Oamaru Classic Clothing 7% off clothing and accessories
Port Nelson The Anchor Restaurant & Bar 10% off total bill
Rangiora CC Collections 7% off clothing and accessories
Richmond Bar 321 4% off total bill Franks Trees 10% off trees 5% off shrubs Richmond Auto 10% off total invoice
Temuka Temuka Hammer Hardware 10% off homeware and retail items 5% off paint and building supplies Sale items and specials: nett
Timaru Classic Clothing Northtown Mall & Stafford St 7% off clothing and accessories Laser Plumbing 10% off home heating solutions and materials Quoted jobs and sale items: nett
Resigned Suppliers Fashion Focus Oamaru Turnballs Butchery
Classic Clothing 7% off clothing and accessories Downes Showcase Jeweller 10% off all retail products Labour and sale items: nett
www.ats.co.nz