Latest Blog Posts

Livestock Movements – Changes in rules

Wednesday, June 14, 2017 - 10:34

Defra are making changes to the way keepers can register their holdings in England for the purpose of recording and reporting livestock movements.

For some farmers, this may simplify how the holdings are registered and reduce the number of livestock movement reports that need to be submitted.

The new system is expected to be completed by summer 2017.

You may be affected by the changes if you keep cattle, sheep, goats or pigs.

If you are directly affected by any of these changes, you should receive a letter from Defra before July 2017. That letter will detail what the changes mean, the options available to you and… Read More

Potential changes to greening – be prepared

Thursday, June 1, 2017 - 09:47

We are barely past the deadline for the 2017 BPS submissions, but planning must start for the 2018 BPS form.

The big changes which has prompted this blog is that the commission is reviewing and look set to implement a ban on pesticides on greening land. This is going to affect peas and beans and make them virtually impossible to use, but it will also affect the traditional fallow fields as Blackgrass will not be able to be controlled by Glyphosate until July 1st.

Many clients use protein crops as greening, or fallow to assist with blackgrass control, please email us to discuss these changes and possibly arrange a meeting. We can then review other options for… Read More

Successful North Somerset Show attended by AKC.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017 - 13:49

We attended the North Somerset Show this Year, and were pleased to have the opportunity to catch up with a number of existing clients on our stand and also discuss the services that we offer to lots of others.

See below for the up and coming shows in 2017:

Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show - 16th August,

www.gillshaftshow.co.uk

Bath & West, The Dairy Show - 4th October,

www.bathandwest.com/the-dairy-show

Frome and Agricultural Cheese Show - 9th September,

www.… Read More

Dairy Cattle for sale

Thursday, May 4, 2017 - 11:05

138 Holstein Friesians for sale from Hampshire Estate. TB Free and pre-movement tested.

118 cows in-milk plus 20 Dry cows/ heifers.

Contact Barrie; 07866 733 558 or James 07391 408 771

Poultry Farming in a post-Brexit environment?

Monday, April 10, 2017 - 10:03

Having attended the recent WCLA (West Country Layers Association) Conference in Exeter there is clearly a current air of optimism in the Poultry sector with many of the key packers and processors looking to take on new egg producers. However, with the current retail price being driven down, and current cost of production around £0.89- £0.90/ dozen is this a long-term opportunity for producers looking to diversify post Brexit?

The industry is undergoing two key challenges currently- Avian Flu & the resultant impact on labelling of ‘free-range’ products & the outlaw of caged systems in 2025 both which are likely to result in pressure on provenance and added value for the sector.

Basic Payment Scheme,2017 Key Points

Monday, March 27, 2017 - 14:18

Application window now open

DEADLINE MIDNIGHT 15th MAY 2017

RPA encouraging claims to be made online

Entitlements and land can be transferred online

RLE1 forms still required to make mapping changes

Be aware of the two-year entitlement usage rules

Supporting documents must be submitted by post (Young Farmer applications, New Farmer applications, continuation books, Organic certification)

Double check greening calculations, don’t rely on the RPA calculation online

Be aware of environmental stewardship options and cross check these against your land use code under BPS

2018 and beyond:

Likely to be some changes to… Read More

Spring Budget 2017 – A mixed bag for SME's?

Monday, March 27, 2017 - 14:14

Wednesday 8th March was an important date for the Chancellor and more so for UK businesses. The spring budget has been dubbed a ‘mixed bag’ for SMEs, particularly after the Chancellor announced a rise in national insurance and then performed a swift U-turn on issue.

It has been announced that tax-free dividend allowance will be reduced from £5,000 to £2,000 from April 2018. The measure is thought to reduce the tax difference between the self-employed and those working through a company.

In other budget news, the Chancellor has pledged that landlords and small businesses who come under the VAT threshold (currently £83,000) will have an extra year to prepare for making tax digital. This will… Read More

Livestock Holdings - CPH Rationalisation

Monday, January 30, 2017 - 15:45

Under New legislation livestock keepers will be able to apply to register all land they use within 10 miles of their holding under one CPH Number. Some holdings will be able to be merged into one.

Merging permanent holdings and using the new process to register new temporary land use will be the keeper’s choice. But, Keepers must still adhere to the recording and reporting rules when they will apply e.g. for moves between different holdings. DEFRA will be writing to affected farmers detailing how to merge their affected land. Keepers using land on a temporary basis within a 10 mile radius and within the same TB risk area will have the option to ‘associate’ that land to it via a ‘TLA’ (Temporary… Read More

Milk Prices Stabilising, Feb 2017

Monday, January 30, 2017 - 15:41

The latest predictions from FC Stone and the futures market for milk highlight that commodity prices are now plateauing. Volumes look to be recovering and strengthening of the pound will continue to put pressure on prices. The anticipated Net UK Milk Futures Equivalent Price (accounting for processor margin) for the next six months is currently calculated @ 24.62ppl, rising to 24.65ppl heading into 2018. With prices likely to stabilise it is an important time for Dairy Farmers to assess their cost of production and also the affect that the recent downturn has had on their business, when planning for the future. To help with this analysis of your business, please contact the consultancy team at AKC.… Read More