dO YOU WASH IN A TROUGH BEFORE BEING ALLOWED INTO THE HOUSE? FARMART EXPERTS


PIP ELMS


Pip Elms is an accountant in Whittingham Riddell's specialist agricultural team based in Wrexham.


What is Making Tax Digital?


Making Tax Digital - or MTD – is the UK's biggest tax shake-up in a generation. It is being introduced in stages and your annual taxable turnover will determine when you need to start taking part.


Many VAT registered businesses, where the turnover exceeds the VAT threshold (currently £85,000), will be required to keep their records digitally and file their returns through a compatible accounting software, bridging software or via an Application Programming Interface (API) enabled spreadsheet from 1st April 2019.


Businesses affected from April will no longer be able to submit VAT returns via HMRC's website.


What do I need to do to be compliant?


If you already use accounting software, check if it is MTD-compatible. If you don't, or your software won't be compatible, you'll need to consider software suitable for your requirements, or appoint an agent to submit your VAT returns on your behalf.


Cloud accounting packages such as QuickBooks or Xero are compliant. Alongside simplifying traditional accounting, this software can automate processing and improve efficiency.


How else can Cloud Accounting help me?


It lets you know what's happening in real-time, which can improve your farm’s efficiency, by using direct feeds for banks and farm suppliers.


It enables business advisors; like accountants to have remote access to your data and assist with your plans for the future, rather than reviewing the past.


Available add on apps, including; budgeting tools, cash flow forecasting, stock management, property management etc. gives a greater overall view, identifying areas where performance can be improved.


It can also allow you the visibility to consider project appraisal for new ventures, allowing you to understand the impact on profitability and cash flow that an increase/decrease in income, such as milk price fluctuations, grain price rises or a change in interest rates, may have.


T: 01978 261 579 e: pe@wrllp.co.uk www.whittinghamriddell.co.uk


NAZIA NAWAZ Nazia Nawaz is a litigation and dispute


resolution solicitor at Fieldings Porter Solicitors, with particular expertise in acting for farmers in land, property and estate disputes.


What type of legal disputes do you commonly come across in the farming & agricultural sector?


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Just like in any other sector, farmers and owners of agricultural land can find themselves in various types of disputes including but not limited to the following:


Disputes with neighbouring farmers over for instance boundary or rights of way issues


Disputes with family members over distribution of profits or general management of the farming business


Disputes relating to farming equipment, plant and machinery


Disputes with suppliers of materials and others with whom farmers have business dealings


Inheritance disputes Partnership disputes


Proprietary Estoppel claims to claim interests in land owned by another person.


How can these disputes be resolved generally?


There is a general expectation by the courts for the parties to have attempted to resolve the dispute amicably and through alternative methods. Court proceedings are expected to be a last resort.


We would normally investigate the case and gather sufficient evidence with a view to initially exploring other settlement methods such as mediation, assuming that both parties to the dispute are agreeable to engage in such discussions.


If the parties are simply not prepared to attend a joint meeting or a mediation or indeed if a settlement is not reached at mediation, then we would prepare the case for a trial so that a judge can make a decision.


What does it cost to resolve disputes in this way?


Every case is different and therefore we do not have a set generic fee, however we do offer a range of funding options depending on the facts of each individual case and these will be discussed with you during your first meeting with us.


Please contact us for further advice and information. T: 0161 834 4722


e: nazia.nawaz@fieldingsporter.co.uk www.fieldingsporter.co.uk


JOHN HOOD


John Hood is an independent consultant and owner of John Hood Agronomy based in Cheshire and covering the whole of the Northwest.


Why would I use an independent agronomist?


Using an independent agronomist enables farmers to separate the technical issues of growing crops from the commercial buying decisions, enabling reduced growing costs.


True agronomy includes farm management, crop choice, rotations, varieties, soils, nutrition, environmental care and crop assurance, not just the sales of chemicals.


What's the benefit of separating technical advice from product supply?


Combining the two may be convenient but it comes at a price. With an independent agronomist you are free to buy from wherever you choose - getting the right products at the right price. That's why an increasing number of arable and dairy farmers recognise the benefits of independent agronomic advice.


Is there one thing I can do to get bigger crop yields?


If you have all your other ducks in a row then maybe there is, but more than likely you will need to improve in several different areas if your yields are suffering. Crop yields are influenced by dozens maybe even hundreds of varying drivers. These can be split into groups, those we can influence and those forced upon us. The first group we can play about with to get the right economic balance of yield to spend, the second which includes weather and soil type, you can only adapt the rest of your strategy to work alongside. There is no point applying inputs to grow a barn or clamp busting harvest if your soil won't support such a crop or if there is no moisture to get the crop to its full potential. This is where it is important to keep adjusting your plans as you move through a season to suit what the season provides.


If you are struggling to get the yields you should, or are spending more than you need, then why not give me a call and we can see if we can work together to make your business more profitable even in the difficult years!


T: 07879 685 296 e: johnhood@jhagronomy.co.uk www. jhagronomy.co.uk


IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A FARMART EXPERT CALL US ON 01625 529 900 April 2019 Keep The Farmart coming free..... Tell’em where you saw’em Page 33


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