ATS Newsbrief October 2015
ATS, and I include Ruralco when I say ATS, is the only small rural supplies co-operative left in New Zealand— the rest are gone. They have all been swallowed up and yet ATS is still here, being disruptive, creating competition and ensuring your farm input costs are kept as low as possible. That is exactly what we Neal Shaw, Group CEO should be doing and it is why small players are so important. They keep meaningful competition alive in the marketplace and without them there is no one to keep the big players in check. Scale doesn’t matter so much—it is the impact we create that is important. If you took ATS out of the marketplace, you would also lose the local connection and the ability for individuals to have a real say in how their rural supplies co-operative operates. Farmers would become only one of the masses in a big group with little sway over what matters to them in their region and on their farms.
As we look to the future, it is worth keeping these questions in mind: Why are we still here? How can we possibly survive? What makes ATS so unique? Part of our success and longevity is down to people, our culture, our single-minded focus to reduce costs for our members, and some of it is due to the care taken by the people who have worked in the co-op over its 52 year history and helped to build its reputation. ATS’s staff and its members are a team; a farming family. We work hard to encourage and foster this approach and we do it by making staff always accessible to members and by providing opportunities for the two to come together. One such example is this month’s Ashburton A&P Show. The ring-side ATS marquee at the show is a popular meeting place and we are looking forward to seeing you there again this year. No matter how small we may seem in the rural supplies market, it is worth remembering the significance of our collective ATS family and the large impact it continues to make.
UPCOMING EVENTS
26 October Labour Day
ATS will be closed Saturday 24 to Monday 26 October. If members have any emergency requirements the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
30 October & 31 October Ashburton A&P Show
ATS are proud to support the 2015 Ashburton A&P Show. Please join us at the ATS marquee for lunch. Don’t forget your Ruralco Card as you’ll need it for admittance.
13 November
Canterbury Anniversary (Show weekend) ATS will be closed Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November. If members have any emergency requirements the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
16 November
ATS Annual General Meeting Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road, Ashburton
17 November
ATS Farm Health & Safety Training For more information or to RSVP, call 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) or go to www.ats.co.nz/farmsafety.
Spring pasture requirements covered
Expanding the Ruralco fuel network We have been busy growing our fuel network; this means at select Allied fuel stops across the country you can now use your Ruralco Card. Have an Allied fuel stop near you? Look for the Ruralco acceptance signage or check the Ruralco Fuel directory or Ruralco website to see whether you can use your Ruralco Card or Ruralco Mobilcard at this site and save 12¢ per litre off fuel every day. To get your own copy of the Ruralco Fuel Directory contact Ruralco on 0800 RURALNZ (787 256). Terms and conditions apply.
ATS Seed has all your spring seed requirements covered. Talk to us now about your pasture seed options and advice on what to sow after your kale, cereal green feed and fodder beet crops. It’s also a good time to look at short term ryegrass to grow some quick feed, and now is the optimum time for sowing fodder beet, maize and kale. Secure your seed supplies early along with great early season prices from ATS Seed. Contact the ATS Seed team or your Arable and Pastoral Representative on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
STORE HOURS
Ashburton Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm Saturday, 9am–12pm
Methven Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm
Rakaia Monday–Friday, 8am–5.30pm If you have any urgent requirements during closed hours and public holidays, the duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.
Fuel up in Hinds The ATS Allied Truckstop in Hinds now accepts the Ruralco Card. This means you can use your Ruralco Card or Ruralco Mobilcard at this site and save from 12¢ per litre off fuel every day. Plus keep an eye out for any special fuel promotions at this site. Terms and conditions apply.
Have you got an incorrect charge? A reminder that if you are short paying your account due to an incorrect or disputed charge or invoice, you need to advise ATS so a deduction in payment to suppliers can be made. Please let us know by the 15th of each month by phoning 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Is it time to renew your Approved Handler Certificate? Up-to-date Approved Handler Certificates are necessary to purchase or apply chemicals so now is a good time to ensure yours is still current. If it is time to renew your certificate, please contact Peter Jacob on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) and he will be able to assist you with the renewal process.
Rubberware experts available for on-farm solutions A Skellerup Representative will be available for you to do an on-farm shed inspection to ensure your shed set up and rubberware are performing at an optimal level. To find out more please contact the ATS Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
ATS Energy can provide you with a free, no obligation electricity comparison from our energy partners to see if there are any potential savings to be had for your home or business when paying your electricity accounts through ATS. To find out more, contact Tracey Gordon today on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).
Email option available for statements We now have the capability to email statements and invoices on the fifth working day of each month. If you have an unreliable postal service or would simply prefer your statements electronically please contact ATS on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) to arrange this.
Visit us at the Ashburton A&P Show 30–31 OCTOBER 2015 ATS and Ruralco invite you to join us at the Ashburton A&P Show on 30 and 31 October at the Ashburton Showgrounds. The Ashburton Show is the perfect family outing with lots of things to see and do. You will find a variety of technology, animals, home industries, shearing and dog trials as well as a range of food and trade stalls. Visit the ATS/Ruralco marquee at site 801 and swipe your Ruralco Card for lunch on us. Plus grab a drink and relax, you’ll have the best view of the show ring.
Farm Safety Manual and Training for Members
Excise tax refund If you’re a business owner who uses petrolpowered equipment in your operations, you may be entitled to an excise tax refund of up to 69¢ per litre. You could be eligible if you use petrol powered equipment to: • Move about the land you and your staff work on (i.e. ATV’s used by farmers); • Work the land the equipment operates on (i.e. lawnmowers used by green keepers, hydraladas used by orchardists); • Keep your businesses operating (i.e. builders using generators, chainsaws used in forestry). To lodge a claim to refund fuel excise duty, contact Kerry Aldrich from the NZTA (New Zealand Transport Authority) on 06 953 7021 or 0800 108 809 (Ext 7021). She will advise you on your claim, register your request and ensure you have the correct forms to fill out.
Ashburton Trading Society Ltd 97 Burnett Street, PO Box 131 Ashburton
Have you checked the prices you are paying for your electricity?
Today’s farmers and land owners are required to actively manage all aspects of health and safety around the farm. The new Health & Safety at Work Act comes into force 4 April 2016. To assist with this process ATS can provide members with access to a farm safety manual and relevant training. Upon completion of the training, members will be able to apply for a discount on their ACC levies. The final training date for 2015 is 17 November. Training for 2016 starts again on 23 February, with additional courses scheduled for 22 March and 19 April. Courses cost $550 (GST and member discount inclusive). Seating is limited so get in fast. For more information or to reserve your spot 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.
Tel 03 307 5100 Fax 03 307 6723 ats@ats.co.nz
RURALCO SUPPLIER UPDATES Below is snapshot of the many new suppliers nationwide that accept the Ruralco Card or Ruralco Mobilcard. For more new suppliers and information on locations and contact details please visit www.ruralco.co.nz. NEW SUPPLIERS
Timaru
Amberley
AUTO GAS SPECIALISTS Up to 15% discount
AMBERLEY AUTO ELECTRIC Up to 5% discount
CENTRAL STOCKFEED COMPANY Up to 2% discount
Christchurch
COUPLANDS STOCKFEED Up to 2.5% discount
ASURE 306 ON RICCARTON MOTEL Best deal of the day PAK ‘N’ SAVE WAINONI 12¢ off per litre of fuel
DON MCLEAN FLOORING FIRST Up to 7% discount GUTHRIE BOWRON Up to 20% discount
POWERSTORE MAX MOORHOUSE Up to 15% discount & special pricing
MAREE HYNES INTERIOR & GIFTS Up to 7% discount
POWERSTORE NORTHWOOD Up to 15% discount & special pricing
Waimate
Darfield CHALLIS MOTORCYCLES Up to 7% discount
Kaiapoi DEANS AUTO ELECTRIC Up to 5% discount
Methven METHVEN SUPERVALUE (NEW OWNER) Convenience
Orari
HAMMER HARDWARE WAIMATE Up to 10% discount
Winchester MCRAE MECHANICAL Up to 10% discount
Woodend NORTH CANTERBURY STOCKFEED SUPPLIES Convenience
Nationwide HYNDS PIPES Up to 30% discount
ORARI IRRIGATION Up to 2.5% discount
RESIGNED SUPPLIERS
Rangiora
Body Teats 4 U Ashburton Y-Not’s Furniture & Gifts Rolleston
PAK ‘N’ SAVE RANGIORA 12¢ off per litre of fuel
Temuka TEMUKA MOTORS 1999 Up to 10% discount
Real discounts for real farmers
www.ats.co.nz