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BUSINESS

VAT and diversification - beware the pitfalls

Diversification raises many tax issues, among them the differences in how VAT is accounted for compared with traditional farm produce sales. Accountant Julie Butler of Butler & Co says VAT…

PARTNERSHIPS

Partnership court case clarifies inheritance issue

Farming partnership and inheritance issues continue to lead to stressful, expensive and lengthy legal proceedings. Partnerships are still governed by Victorian legislation – the Partnership Act 1890 – points out…

LAND MARKETS

Farms for sale offer diversification opportunity at all scales

Diversification opportunities are a key feature of farms coming to the market for sale or to let this week. Ellacott, a 320-acre farming and sporting property at Bratton Clovelly, near Okehampton…

BUSINESS

Welsh government vetting in spotlight after dairy collapses

Dairy insiders have questioned the Welsh government’s vetting processes for investment in the sector, after Mona Island Dairy collapsed into administration. This is the third processor which has received public…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How a business LPA can provide farming continuity

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) allows a trusted person (or a group of people) to make certain decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. There are two…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK crop conditions improve in May but supplies still tight

More favourable weather during the past month has helped cereals to recover slightly as harvest approaches, however overall crop conditions remain a concern. Approximately 55% of winter wheat was rated…

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BUSINESS

Job losses as Lincs potato packer goes into administration

Lincolnshire potato packer and supplier QV Realisations – part of the AH Worth Group of agri-businesses – has been placed in administration following two years of trading losses. Joint administrator…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Digital grain passports redesigned to address concerns

A revised business case for digital grain passports has been unveiled by its leadership group following an industry-wide consultation on the project’s future earlier this year. The leadership group includes…

DIVERSIFICATION

Scotland to host World Agritourism Conference in 2026

Scotland’s agri-tourism sector is celebrating after being selected to host the World Agritourism Conference in 2026.  The announcement was made in Bolzano, Italy at a gathering of world leaders in…

COMPLIANCE

Red Tractor appoints new interim chairman

Red Tractor has announced the appointment of a new interim chairman following the departure of Christine Tacon from the role. Cumbrian beef and sheep farmer Alistair Mackintosh, who is currently…

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Latest from farm management Know How

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BUSINESS

VAT and diversification - beware the pitfalls

Diversification raises many tax issues, among them the differences in how VAT is accounted for compared with traditional farm produce sales. Accountant Julie Butler of Butler & Co says VAT…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How a business LPA can provide farming continuity

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) allows a trusted person (or a group of people) to make certain decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. There are two…

TAX

Advisers highlight legal issues following election call

The Finance Bill received royal assent on 24 May and included most of the main changes in the Budget. As well as cuts to national insurance rates and an extension…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Should we use a trust to protect assets?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Carly Drummond, senior tax manager at accountant MHA advise on the many considerations…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Do planning changes affect barn conversion?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Nicola Quick, associate partner, Carter Jonas Rural, advises on planning and use…

DIVERSIFICATION

Devon farmers add value to straw through pelleting business

The production and sale of straw pellets for the pet industry made from wheat straw has created a new valuable business venture for Farmers Weekly 2023 Diversification Farmer of the…

PLANNING PERMISSION

What's new with Class Q permitted development rights?

Changes to Class Q permitted development rights (PDRs), which allow farmers to convert agricultural buildings into residential dwellings, have both positive and negative aspects, according to planning experts. The government…

TENANCIES AND RENTS

Rent review advice for tenants as activity increases

Demands for higher farm rents have in some cases been driven by evidence of generally better arable results from harvest 2022, higher dairy profits in the milk year ended March…

PARTNERSHIPS

Limited partnerships can help to smooth the succession path

Land and asset values, Basic Payment Scheme cuts, inheritance and capital gains taxes, management responsibility and business risks are all important elements in succession considerations – and in whether a…

DIVERSIFICATION

How farms can help meet electric vehicle charging demands

The RAC estimates around 1.1m fully electric vehicles (EVs) are on UK roads, and with sales of new petrol and diesel cars set to end by 2035, that figure is…

DIVERSIFICATION

Time to plan for threat to holiday let tax regime

Furnished holiday lets (FHLs) are an integral part of many farm tourism ventures and enjoy favourable tax treatment, provided they meet certain requirements including their availability and actual occupation by…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: How do we structure our business/succession?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Conor Melvin, associate at Thrings, Carly Drummond, senior tax manager at MHA and Joe…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: What should my grazing agreement include?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Caroline Raspison, associate, Carter Jonas, Truro, advises on a grazing agreement. See also: Business…

DIVERSIFICATION

Farm recycling sideline grows into full-time enterprise

Henry Harrison and Edward Medforth launched H&M Recycling four years ago to provide a service for farm plastics. They began by baling polypropylene fertiliser and seed bags, also taking polyethylene…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How to manage business change for agricultural transition

While farmers have always faced change, the agricultural transition period requires most of them to implement new practices and embrace new thinking to achieve successful business transformations, at a scale…

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How to set up a farm machinery sharing syndicate

As farmers transition to more resilient systems, greater scrutiny is applied to fertiliser, seed, herbicide and other agronomy costs, but is that same degree of analysis applied to machinery outlay?…

Business Clinic

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Faulty telehandler – what are my options?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Russell Reeves, a partner in Thrings’ agriculture team, sets out how a…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Should we use a trust to protect assets?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Carly Drummond, senior tax manager at accountant MHA advise on the many considerations…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: Do planning changes affect barn conversion?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Here Nicola Quick, associate partner, Carter Jonas Rural, advises on planning and use…

BUSINESS CLINIC

Business Clinic: How do we structure our business/succession?

Whether it’s a legal, tax, insurance, management or land issue, Farmers Weekly’s Business Clinic experts can help. Conor Melvin, associate at Thrings, Carly Drummond, senior tax manager at MHA and Joe…

 
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Markets and trends

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CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Digital grain passports redesigned to address concerns

A revised business case for digital grain passports has been unveiled by its leadership group following an industry-wide consultation on the project’s future earlier this year. The leadership group includes…

FARM POLICY

Aussie farmers in backlash over ban on live sheep exports

Farmers in Australia have been launching protests after their government announced plans to ban live sheep exports by 1 May 2028, which they say will put them out of business.…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

UK pork producers gain market access to Vietnam

UK pork has been granted market access to Vietnam for the first time in a new deal estimated to be worth £12m to the sector during the first five years…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Russia's wheat harvest prospects dented by dry, cold spell

Analysts have lowered their prospects for Russia’s 2024 wheat harvest following extreme weather events this spring. Southern Russia, which grows up to 40% of the country’s wheat crop, has been…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

UK plantings improve but still poor as wheat hits £190/t

Winter wheat crop conditions in April made some improvements on the previous month but remain very poor by historic standards with yields expected to be low this harvest. Almost half…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Store cattle hit £2,000 a head peak at Scots auction marts

Scottish livestock farmers have been receiving higher returns for store cattle at auction markets so far this year, with prices consistently above the same period in 2023. Store cattle prices…

BREXIT

New border controls to prioritise 'highest risk goods'

Post-Brexit border checks on animal, plant and food products will not be fully implemented when they are introduced later this month amid concerns this could cause “significant disruption”. Less than…

CROPS MARKETS AND PRICES

Hectare launches instant grain payments system for farmers

Crop-trading platform Hectare has launched a new agricultural finance product that enables arable farmers to be paid within three days for up to 80% of a contract’s value. The agri-tech…

Commodities

Futures markets and commodity risk management online course

Learn all you need to know about the futures markets and how you can benefit from them:

  • Risk management strategies for a more predictable financial performance
  • Educated conversations when collaborating with your advisors
  • Negotiate better prices with your grain merchants

Find out more

 
 

Land in your area

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LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2023: East of England

The land market in the east of England is bucking the national trend, with farmers accounting for the bulk of buyers in this region. Although 2023 saw growth in the…

LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2023: West Midlands

The acreage of land offered for sale in the West Midlands in 2023 is up by about one-third on the previous 12 months, pushing supply higher than the 10-year average.…

LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2023: Wales

Intense competition among farmers in some Welsh regions led to farmland changing hands at more than £20,000/acre in 2023. Known hotspots, including Anglesey and the Vale of Clwyd which have…

LAND MARKETS

Farmland in your area 2023: East Midlands

Public and private market activity for land and farms in the East Midlands has increased in 2023, with what agents suggest is a reasonable supply and a good level of…

 
 
 

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