Federated Farmers has launched its own election manifesto, calling on the next government to invest in infrastructure, water storage, and slamming agriculture's inclusion in the Emissions Trading Scheme.
The federation, which represents 26,000 farmers, says it is not corralling votes, but support for policies that support farming.
"Our manifesto is a blueprint for any party to engage with us on. Being apolitical, we hope whoever forms the next government will sit down and talk with us about a positive policy agenda," president Bruce Wills said.
Government should invest wisely in strategic infrastructure and water storage represented New Zealand's strategic ace, he said.
"Water storage removes the annual lottery all New Zealanders face from La Nina, El Nino or a changing climate. Our rainfall is plentiful but we miss opportunities with most of it washing out to sea."
Mr Wills also attacked the plan for agriculture to be included in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) - Labour says it will include agriculture in the ETS from 2013 and National from 2015.
Mr Wills says New Zealand is the only country looking to do so and it will hurt productivity.
"The ETS arose from the late 1990s and the last decade. We've got to look to the future and not to the past when one in seven billion humans are going hungry right now."
NZN