ATS Newsbrief July 2014
It has been interesting to reflect on the feedback I have received following our announcement to discontinue our dairy representative service and to adjust the threshold for freight free deliveries. Generally, those who contacted me regarding freight free were in favour of the decision, in regards to the removal of the dairy reps, 70 percent were supportive of the move, and 30 percent opposed. To put this into perspective, Neal Shaw, Group CEO I received nine emails and one phone call. Not a huge response but probably fairly indicative of the world we live in where people are too busy to make time to have their say. Many businesses and organisations will recognise and have experienced this. It may also be because many realise the disestablishment of the dairy rep service won’t mean a loss of service for our members. We already have a huge variety of support and expertise within our own business, and the agricultural sector is well served by industry groups such as FAR and DairyNZ, independent consultants and individual manufacturing companies who have their own reps. ATS already has a dedicated electricity specialist, fuel has a dedicated representative within Ruralco, and the fertiliser supply companies have representatives with nutrient and budgeting advice. ATS also retains two dedicated arable and pasture representatives that can provide technical advice on maize, fodder beet and pasture renewal and we have a Customer Services team who can assist with the ordering all of your commodity products. The services we provide support all kinds of farming, because that’s what our membership is made up of—a variety of farming practices and operations. By streamlining our services in this way, we are able to meet all of our members needs and we can offer the best price by keeping control of our costs. There is already a lot of duplication in the market place, so why would we want to add to that within our own business? If we need outside expertise, we can draw on it, and if members want on-farm visits, we can come out when required. It just means our assistance will be more targeted rather than cold-calling. Just because we are a co-operative operating in your best interests doesn’t entitle us any special treatment from you, we must be relevant and competitive. Make use of your ATS team, they are there to help and support all sectors of our farming community. ATS’s presence in the market place holds prices down, by all means take advantage of that but remember who creates that environment. Regional co-ops like ATS are almost a thing of the past and yet the benefits of large scale are yet to be realised by farmers. If we are creating an environment that drives costs out of your business then it would make sense to strengthen that position by supporting ATS.
Better Genesis discount negotiated ATS Energy has negotiated a new contract with Genesis and this became affective as from 18 May 2014. The changes include an increase in the prompt payment discount and having fixed rates no matter your usage. While you are paying your electricity accounts through ATS Energy they will be on a fixed term contract until the 18 May 2016, only the energy portion will be fixed for this term and any increases by the Networks pricing will be passed on to you. Talk to Tracey at ATS Energy on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) today if you are a customer of Genesis and have further questions on the changes or if you are not paying through ATS Energy as we have a very competitive offer for you.
Upcoming Events
10–11 July ATS Instore days
16 July ATS Bell-Booth Calf Development Discussion Discussion on how the first 12 weeks of a dairy heifer’s life can have a significant effect on developing udder tissue. Held at Hotel Ashburton 11am–1pm. Contact Mark Gilmour, Bell-Booth Consultant Vet. Seats are limited so please RSVP by visiting www.ats.co.nz/calfdevelopmentdiscussion.
Farm Safety Training for Members 22 July 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 Upcoming Industry Events
21 July Tectra learner shearing course Learner shearing courses are designed to give trainees a general understanding of woolshed operations, from hazards and terminology, to the roles and responsibilities of each team member. For more information or to secure a space, please contact Mark Herlihy on 03 310 3024 or 027 292 4767.
23 July Famers flick night Three short videos on innovative farmer approaches to intensive livestock systems: Stimulating grazing behaviour, multi-fodder cropping and improving soil water holding capacity. Held at St Johns room, Tancred Street, Ashburton 7.00pm-8.30pm. For more information, email John King john@succession.co.nz or call him on 027 6737 885.
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.
You’re invited…
Ruralco Supplier updates
Now is a good time to check your Approved Handler Certificate and Growsafe expiry status. If yours is about to expire it is 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.
ATS and Bell-Booth invite you to join us from 11am–1pm, Wednesday 16 July, at the Hotel Ashburton for a discussion on how the first 12 weeks of a dairy heifer’s life can have a significant effect on developing udder tissue. Presented by Mark Gilmour, Bell-Booth Consultant Vet. Seats are limited so please RSVP by visiting www.ats.co.nz/ calfdevelopmentdiscussion.
Check out www.ruralco.co.nz for the list of new Ruralco Suppliers
Farm safety training for Ruralco Cardholders
Have you got the best deal with your fuel card?
Is your Approved Handler Certificate valid?
How up to date are your health and safety procedures? Today’s farmers and land owners are required to actively manage all aspects of health and safety around the farm. To assist with this process ATS is providing members with access to the ATS Farm Safety Manual and appropriate training in conjunction with Unique Solutions. Upon completion of the training, members will be able to apply for a discount on their ACC levies.
There are a number of fuel options available to keep your farm and family on the move. All are designed to be convenient and to help lower your farm’s input costs. Through Ruralco you can get a fuel card for Mobil and you can also access Allied Petroleum for bulk fuel supplies. Through ATS you can get a BP, Z, or Caltex card and you can access RD Petroleum for bulk fuel supplies. Discounts available differ for each provider/supplier. Contact ATS Customer Service Centre on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or check out www.ats.co.nz for discounts and to check you are getting the best deal.
The training course includes hazard identification and management; information, training & supervision; incident and accident management; emergency planning and readiness; visitors and contractors; and ACC workplace safety discounts. Training dates are 22 July, 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
Are you moving? Don’t wait until you take occupancy of a new farm. Arrange your new electricity accounts ahead of time to ensure there’s a smooth transition from one property to another when you are moving. This will ensure accounts are set up ready to go, old accounts have arranged final reads, and power supply is not interrupted. Call Tracey at ATS Energy to manage this transition for you on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Have you returned your pallet? Please return any pallets that are charged to ATS as soon as you can. This will ensure you get credited for the pallet return in the season that you were charged for it. The terms and conditions are available from the ATS website. For more information, call the Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
The 2014 ATS Instore Days are here
Do you have your spring pasture seed requirements ordered? Now that the grazing of brassica crops is all but finished, farmers will be looking to get these paddocks back into production as soon as they can. So now is the time to look at your spring pasture requirements. Early sowing of your pastures will ensure maximum pasture growth for spring grazing. ATS Seed can supply you with all your spring pasture and seed treatment requirements. Contact us now on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton
The ATS Instore Days are a long standing tradition in Canterbury; focused on bringing farmers together to benefit from all their local farming co-operative ATS and its Supplier network have to offer. Held in Ashburton, the days themselves are run in the format of a large rural sale for the farmer and the farming family. As well as securing great deals for farm supplies, farmers and their families use this event as a time to catch up with and network amongst neighbours, industry partners and agricultural professionals.
Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz
New Suppliers
Motueka
Please visit www.ruralco.co.nz for information on locations and contact details.
Reliance Betta Electrical 5% discount Catalogue, sale and promotional items: nett
National Adria New Zealand Limited Convenience
Nelson
Blenheim Auto and Marine Electrics 10% off parts Labour - nett Basis Ltd 15% off all filters and Teng tools 5% off Exide batteries and Penrite oils 10% off all other retail products Mikes Mowers and Chainsaws 7% discount Motorbikes, sale and promotional items: nett Tractor Repairs & Spares 5–10% off parts Unichem Redwoodtown Pharmacy 10% off all retail items Prescriptions and sale items: nett
Paper Plus Nelson 7.5% discount Sale and promotional items: nett
Oamaru Milligans Café & Store 7.5% off café items Milligans Food Group Ltd 7.5% discount
Renwick Tractor Repairs & Spares 5–10% off parts
Richmond Active Electrical 10% off all lighting and electrical parts, including labour 5% off heat pumps, solar units, central vacuum units and security systems Big Plant Depot 15% discount
Seddon
Gore Southern Oil 13% discount
Tractor Repairs & Spares 5–10% off parts
Invercargill
Supplier changes
Southland Honda 4% off parts only
Murray Implements is now Farmchief Ltd
Kaikoura Kaikoura ITM Building Centre Trade pricing
The Front Store’s workshop is now ANDAR Engineering Solutions
The new Anti Money Laundering legislation The new government legislation means that you will now need to provide more extensive ID when you deal with ATS and other credit providers. This impacts members when requesting new cards, sub accounts, transferring shares, and other changes to accounts. ATS will be required to obtain further information (similar to what a bank does) from you and any persons associated to your account. We will walk you through what is needed at the time. We ask you please help us with this as it is a legislative requirement and although we know who you are and you may have been trading with us for many years we are required by law to make this change and show compliance through retaining copies of documents we will request. If you have more than one account you will only need to provide the information once. Your co-operation is appreciated. For more information around the new Anti Money Laundering legislation please contact the ATS Finance team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287)
www.ats.co.nz