ATS Newsbrief October 2013
By now the clean-up from last month’s devastating winds is well underway, with repairs to irrigation, fencing and buildings in full swing. While the true financial cost of the wind storm remains unknown, the visual impact on the district will leave permanent scars for generations, with thousands of trees literally wiped out. The event not only left thousands without power, but tested emergency services, who risked life and limb to help others. By nature, farmers are a resilient bunch and while Mother Nature’s recent powerful display is undoubtedly frustrating, it’s just one of a long list of challenges Neal Shaw, Group CEO farmers face regularly. Outside of dramatic weather events (drought, snow, floods and wind), farmers have to deal with constant problems with bureaucracy, commodity prices, interest rates and biosecurity threats, all of which are out of their immediate control. Recent media coverage surrounding the roadside spill of grass seed in Mid Canterbury containing the invasive black grass or meadow fox tail, an invader of winter crops in Britain and Europe, has served to further heighten the potential risk the agriculture sector is at in terms of a biosecurity outbreak. The challenges of life on the farm are far from easy, but in true Kiwi can-do fashion, the farming community bounce back time and time again. It’s the very nature of the agricultural industry, and there is nothing to suggest this time it will be any different.
Annual General Meeting—First Notice
Upcoming Events
22 October & 19 November Farm Safety Manual and Training for Ruralco Cardholders For more information or to RSVP, call Unique Solutions on 03 423 2273 or online at www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety
28 October Labour Day ATS will be closed Saturday 26 to Monday 28 October. If members have any emergency requirements the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
1 & 2 November Ashburton A&P Show Please come join us at the ATS marquee for lunch. Don’t forget your Ruralco Card as you’ll need it for admittance.
15 November Canterbury Anniversary ATS will be closed Friday 15 to Sunday 17 November. If members have any emergency requirements the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
Upcoming Industry Events
In accordance with Rule 5 (a)(i), notice is given that Monday 18th November 2013 has been selected as the date of the 50th Annual General Meeting of the Ashburton Trading Society Ltd, which will be held at the Hotel Ashburton, Valetta and Arrowsmith Lounges, Racecourse Road, Ashburton, at 7.30pm.
15 October
Formal notice of that meeting will be given in due course.
Wintering for Success— Mid Canterbury
NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
For more information, please contact Ian Knowles on 027 4968 496 or email ian.knowles@beeflambnz.com
Messers James Sim and Phil McKendry retire by rotation in accordance with Rule 6(c). Mr Sim is not seeking re-election. Mr McKendry is available for re-election. If you wish to nominate a member for the position of a Director of the Ashburton Trading Society Ltd, your attention is drawn to the following: 1. You are required to be a financial member—your account must be current to the satisfaction of the Society. 2. The completed form of nomination must be in the hands of the Secretary by 12 noon, 20th October 2013. Nomination forms are available from ATS, Level 1, 18 Kermode Street, Ashburton. Alternatively telephone (03) 307 5100 to request one and it will be sent to you.
Neal Shaw Chief Executive/Company Secretary
18 October Ballance Farm Environment Awards Field Day—Canterbury For more information, please contact Jocelyn.Muller@ecan.govt.nz
22 October National Ewe Hogget Competition 2013 winner’s field day For more information, please contact Ian Knowles on 027 4968 496 or email ian.knowles@beeflambnz.com
13–15 November Canterbury A&P Show
50 CELEBRATING
YEARS
Payment terms of your account Please remember that under the rules of the Ashburton Trading Society, payment of accounts are due strictly on the 20th of the month. A forfeit of rebate charge of 7.5% of the month’s balance will be incurred for late payment. This applies to Shareholder/Parent accounts and sub-account holders. One of the benefits of being an ATS member is the discount you receive from Ruralco Suppliers for goods and services. The continued success of this scheme relies on members paying their account by the 20th of every month, so ATS can forward those funds to suppliers on the due date according to its payment terms. Make your accounting easy and order a second or third card to split your farm and family spend. If you have any queries regarding your account, please contact the ATS Administration team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) before the 15th of the month.
Use your Ruralco Card today It’s everything ATS members appreciate plus some. The only change for members is that your Ruralco Card replaces your old ATS Card. The rules around its use remain the same, so put the Ruralco Card in your wallet, cut up your ATS Card and away you go. If you have not received your Ruralco Card yet or need extra cards for your account, please contact ATS on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287). The Ruralco Card is accepted at Mobil Service Stations throughout New Zealand. Purchasing is as simple as swiping your card, hitting “credit”, entering your pin, and collecting your receipt. However, currently there are some Mobil Service Stations that have unattended payment terminals for after-hours purchases, or on their Truck Stop pumps. To purchase fuel at these unattended payment terminals you will need a Mobilcard. Ruralco is working to enable you to use your Ruralco Card at Truckstops and unattended payment terminals. We will advise you when this is complete. Customer Service Centre staff will be calling you to update your Mobilcard details. For more information regarding your Ruralco Card or to check out new suppliers, please visit www.ruralco.co.nz
Is your Approved Handler Certificate valid? Your Approved Handler Certificate may be expired or is 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.
Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton
Ruralco Supplier updates
ATS Administration is now the ATS Finance team The ATS Administration team has been renamed and are now known as the ATS Finance team. The name change was decided on as it better reflects the services the team provides for members. The finance team has also relocated to 18 Kermode Street; ATS now has all head office functions on the one site. To talk to any of the team, please call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Changes to the ATS freight delivery service Introduced in 2001 as part of our offering to members, the cost of this service has increased substantially over recent years leading to a review and decision that ATS is no longer able to offer the free freight service to members in its current form. From October 1 the ATS freight free delivery service will be available for individual orders over $3000 in value, with delivery to one address. For orders less than $3000, ATS is happy to continue arranging delivery on-farm of your products, but it will be on a user pays basis with our partner TNL. Where the freight free delivery service has been a condition of this season’s quoted business, ATS will honour this commitment.
Check out www.ruralco.co.nz for the list of new Ruralco Suppliers
NEW SUPPLIERS
Bleeker & Weith
43 Treneglos St Washdyke, Timaru Tel 03 688 2227 Fax 03 688 2237 bleekerweith@callsouth.net.nz 10% on materials 5% on labour
Darfield ITM
85 North Tce, Darfield Tel 03 318 7474 Fax 03 318 7476 info@darfielditm.co.nz www.itmstores.co.nz/darfield 7% on building supplies 1% farm sheds
Federated Farmers
Tel 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING) www.fedfarm.org.nz Annual members subscription/ contracts & agreements–net
Greymouth Mitsubishi
17 Tarapuhi St, Greymouth Tel 03 768 5905 Fax 03 768 5906 info@greymouthmitsubishi.co.nz 10–15% off parts 5% off labour
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter further, please contact GM Operations, Jono Pavey on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Have you got the best out of your electricity provider? Pre-season checks: With the busy season starting it’s a good time to check you are on the best option for the new season. Contact ATS Energy to have a check done on your electricity account so you can see exactly what you are paying for electricity. ATS Energy can provide you with no obligation comparisons from our energy partners and see if there are any potential savings to be had for your home or business by paying your electricity accounts through ATS. Call Tracey on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz
Greymouth Showcase Jewellers
Corner Mackay and Tainui Sts Greymouth Tel 03 768 6949 Fax 03 768 4501 greymouth@showcasejeweller.com www.facebook.com/ greymouthshowcase 10% on jewellery and watch products
Northtown Fuels Limited
84 Evans St Waimataitai, Timaru Tel 03 684 5439 9¢ per litre discount
Sutherland Tyres
4 Adderley St, Westport Tel 03 789 7160 Fax 03 789 7561 info@suthtyres@xtra.co.nz 20% off batteries 15% off brake parts 25% off vehicle and tractor tubes 5% off labour Sale/special items nett
Wallace & Cooper
Dawson St, Timaru Tel 03 684 7159 Fax 03 688 3239 nikki@wce.co.nz www.wce.co.nz 10% on hose and hydraulic fittings
New Ruralco Supplier Branch Locations Check out where you can now use your Ruralco Card at the new branch locations for the below suppliers on www.ruralco.co.nz. • • • • • •
Allied Concrete Bridon NZ Dominator Garage Doors Great Southern Timber Humes Pipeline Systems Mico Plumbing and Pipelines • Repco
• Smiths City • Telecom Orb Communication Stores • Tyre General • Veterinary Enterprises • Vetlife • VTNZ • Whitcoulls NZ
United Travel are on the move
As of the 7th October, Kevin and the team will be located just around the corner, in the old PGG Wrightson building on Tancred St while their existing site is redeveloped. They are holding an Adventure Travel info evening on the 14th October, all welcome.
www.ats.co.nz