Farm Management Jottings with Peter Walker
Sugar Beet
With the dry conditions through September and into early October, beet lifting was difficult in many locations. Very high sugars, in excess of 20%, were recorded in the early days of the campaign, leading to adjusted tonnages filling quota for many and activating the C Beet price of £12.50 for additional volume.
Looking to the future, an agreement on the 2010/11 sugar beet price was finally announced in October after the long haul. At £26/t with a conditional £1 towards transport, it is no improvement on the 2009/10 contract price. The NFU and British Sugar are committed to a better long term IPA. The additional £1 transport allowance is linked to outcome on these continued negotiations. Further information is still awaited as we go to press.
Prices
Price fluctuation continues in the crop markets. Those who may be waiting on significant market gains before selling grain still in store are likely to be disappointed though.
Forward market planning and trading to give price surety for the business may in these times be even more prudent than waiting upon that ‘spot’ windfall. Why leave your future income to chance, when you can manage it!
Fertiliser prices were much kinder earlier on, with a low of £175 in June and gradual increases since then. Large quantities were booked through the summer and autumn and for those still in the market, £250/tonne is now in sight again.
Single Farm Payment and the RPA
The Euro rate for the 2009 conversion for £ sterling payments is 90.93p/€. This is a 14% increase over the 2008 rate.
Mapping issues, in readiness for the 2010 SFP claim, are still being dealt with. If you have not received a first set of new maps yet, you do need to speak to the RPA, 0845 603 7777 to obtain these.
Forms for the transfer of land and entitlements (RLE1) for changes necessary before the 2010 SFP claim have to be with the RPA by 2nd April. If you need to adjust your available entitlements to the land area you are to claim on this year, there is still a little time left to trade entitlements through Cheffins.
Cheffins ran an on-line trial last year for Single Farm Payment applications and are now looking to increase the number of electronic submissions it makes on behalf of clients in 2010. If you require assistance to submit your 2010 SFP claim, either on-line or conventionally, do make sure to contact us early. This will help us to schedule for what is a busy time and to avoid disappointment.
New Software
As the shooting season is drawing to a close, maybe now is a good time to bring together future planning ideas to take the business forwards.
Here at Cheffins we have added, alongside our business budgeting package for our clients, a leading computerised farm accounts package and so are now able to offer the complete management tools available to assist your business. This can undoubtedly take some of the routine out of running the business and give you what you really need, good management information to base those future plans on!
VAT
VAT standard rate moved up to 17.5% on the 1st January 2010.
From the 1st April 2010 all VAT Returns to HMC will have to be on-line. We know that not all farm businesses have a computer or indeed want to use one, so do talk to us about how your business can deal with this change.
New Projects
When it comes to those major projects, the Cheffins Professionals are available to assist. Currently, for example, we are working with clients on new winter storage reservoirs, from planning permission, abstraction licence application, Environment Impact Assessment and archaeological aspects with our specialist partners, and then through to grant application to project management. What is your next project going to be?
Our Core Business
Other areas of our work for which we are more easily recognised will be our involvement with rent reviews, farm business tenancies, valuation, contract farming agreements, acting as agent for pipeline and other public works in the countryside, planning permission, Single Farm Payment Scheme or environmental stewardship schemes. If it’s rural or relates to the farm business, Cheffins Rural Professionals are able to help.
To discuss any of the above and your future business requirements, do speak with Peter Walker on 01223 213777.
