FARMART EXPERTS


PAUL DAVIES


Slurry Pump & Mixer Specialist Helping farmers deal with slurry


Who do you work for? I'm with Landia UK, based in Whitchurch, Shropshire, which has been celebrating its 25th anniversary this year – although the business began in Denmark in 1933, making slurry pumps. We are a manufacturer, but more like problem-solvers.


What are some of the common problems that farmers face when pumping slurry? Nobody likes a blocked pump, but the debris that can get into slurry such as twine, wood, the heads from syringes – you name it – can all cause a pump to stop working. Some pumps are much sturdier than others of course, so it is best to choose good quality equipment that lasts. It sounds obvious, but get the right pump for the right job – and work with a company that cares about how that pump performs.


How else can you stop a pump from blocking? The pump always gets the blame! – even if it is doing everything and more than is expected of it. We often find that it is really a mixing problem – simply not having a mixer in the slurry pit to keep everything moving. It is very common indeed to find a slurry pit with tons of grit at the bottom and layers of crust at the top – yet a relatively simple installation of a mixer would make everything much easier, less labour-intensive and easier for the pump!


Are there particular mixers that are better for certain types of slurry? For pig slurry, for example, we'd recommend a mobile trolley mixer, which is much better value for money. Pig farmers have multiple tanks in multiple buildings – and as much as we'd love to sell a mixer for each one (!), it is far more cost-effective for a pig farmer to have a mobile mixer that's easy to move around.


And what advice would you give to famers who diversify into producing biogas? Given the lack of encouragement from government and the endless obstacles that get put in a farmer's way, I'd say 'good luck'! That said, there are some very encouraging success stories, where all the hard work has paid off, especially those who have chosen a mixing system where there are no wearing or moving parts inside the digester.


T: 01948 661 200 e: pd@landia.co.uk www.landia.co.uk


MIKE BRACEGIRDLE Agricultural Lawyer


Specialist Solicitor Advising the Agricultural and Rural Community


Whilst succession planning in any business is important, in a family farming enterprise it is particularly vital. Independent evidence reveals approximately 60% of family farms don't have a written plan.


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When considering the future of the family farming business, we will look at the following matters:


We will identify who owns what parcels of land.


Over the years family farms have often been inherited (some land remaining unregistered title) and other parcels of land may have been purchased at a later date. Ownership may not be as thought.


We will look at the business structure. If it is a sole


trader arrangement, reviewing (and potentially putting in place) contracts of employment with family members will ensure stability and certainty.


For those farming in partnership, the partnership


agreement may either be purely verbal or it may have been prepared many years ago and require updating, with particular reference to the retirement provisions.


For a limited company, we will review the position


regarding the shareholders agreement. Is there one in place and should it be updated? This will provide that the ownership of the business ends up in the right hands at the right time.


Taxation is always relevant to succession planning


and there are two key taxes that we will advise you on from a legal perspective; a.Inheritance Tax (IHT) – Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief can help to reduce or eliminate IHT on farming businesses.


b.Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – giving away assets can trigger a CGT bill.


Holdover Relief which allows any immediate CGT to be deferred.


We will consider how your pension, life insurance


and other investments affect your succession planning.


Finally, but by no means least, we will review your


Wills. It is important for those farmers who have children who they are not intending to inherit the farm to make sure that they have made adequate financial provision in their Will to leave suitable bequests for those of their children who are not following in their footsteps.


T: 01606 334 309


e: mbracegirdle@butcher-barlow.co.uk www.butcher-barlow.co.uk


IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A FARMART EXPERT CALL US ON 01625 529 900 December 2019 Keep The Farmart coming free..... Tell’em where you saw’em Page 21 It may be possible to claim


SIMON HALEY Rural Business Adviser


Expert in agricultural grant funding & diversification


For the rural industry, 2019 has been characterised by ongoing political uncertainty and irregular and destructive weather patterns.


However, 2020 is shaping up to offer a number of attractive grant funding opportunities under the Rural Development Programme for England.


These include the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the Countryside Productivity Scheme Small Grants opening again for application, with funding offered for environmental improvements and for the purchase of equipment to improve productivity.


But I wanted to focus this column in more detail on the recently re-opened Growth Programme grants, and to offer some tips for the best chance of a successful application.


Firstly, Expression of Interest forms can be submitted from now until 16th February 2020 for projects that improve efficiency, create jobs or help enhance the rural economy.


The grant will cover up to 40% of eligible capital costs, and focusses on themes of business development, food processing, and rural tourism infrastructure. With a minimum £20,000 award, project costs need to be in excess of £50,000 to be eligible for a grant.


If you are invited to submit a Full Application, there are three fundamentals that are needed – planning permission, three comparable quotes for each item grant funded, and proof of match funding. Without any or all of these, you won't be able to proceed.


Improving productivity, efficiency and resilience underpins the grant application business case. The funding is competitive in nature, so developing a high quality application is essential to win the grant.


Submit a comprehensive business plan with market research, competitor analysis, budgets, measurable outputs and a clear demonstration of how the project meets the national and local priorities for funding.


With up to £175,000 on offer for farming and rural businesses, it's definitely not one to miss out on.


If you would like more information, feel free to contact me at your convenience. I'm always keen for a brew and a chat.


T: 07783 103 951


e: simon@srhagribusiness.co.uk www.srhagribusiness.co.uk


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