Carver Knowles News about Farm Business Advice
The new Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) is about to be formally launched by Natural England (NE) with applications invited for the Mid and Higher Tiers between the 1st July and 30th September with agreements starting from 1st January 2016. The scheme boosts some 130 management options and 110 capital items to chose from many of which […]
Posted on June 23rd, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Following the announcement that the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will now be done using paper forms rather than the Rural Payments System and that the deadline is now the 15th June, we now have a different timeline of actions that need to be taken. We have summarised the key issues and when they need to be […]
Posted on March 23rd, 2015 by Mike Cluley
The new £5m Countryside Productivity Scheme was launched on the 9th March 2015. The scheme offers funding for up to 40% of the capital costs of a variety of equipment and applications must be for between £2,500 – £35,000 (Small Grant) or £35,000 – £100,000 (Large Grant) of grant funding depending on the equipment […]
Posted on March 9th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Whilst the main Countryside Stewardship Scheme will not begin until 1st January 2016, some more targeted grants are currently in the process of being released. Applications are now invited for the following: Woodland Capital Grants – Application Window: NOW until 30th June Applications are currently invited for: Woodland Creation Woodland Management Plans (in preparation for other […]
Posted on February 26th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
Over the last couple of years you will have seen headlines in the press saying that farmland is a better investment than gold. Returns on land have been excellent, with prices rising by a further 12% last year, as outlined by the RICS Farmland Market Survey. Questions are being asked about how long it can be […]
Posted on February 16th, 2015 by Mike Cluley
The beginning of the year is typically the time when farmers take stock of their finances – often in readiness for the annual bank manager review. Given the generally poor outlook for farm-gate prices especially in sectors such as potatoes and dairy, the task this year may not be one to be relished. However, finding […]
Posted on February 12th, 2015 by Julie Newton
With the 25th March now less than 2 months away it is worth thinking about whether to serve a notice to review your farm rent. Likewise some landlords served notices in March 2014 hoping for rent increases, so with these rents needing to be agreed by the 25th March action should be taken now. Agricultural […]
Posted on February 4th, 2015 by Andrew Troughton
This blog introduces the main criteria to consider when borrowing against a farm and helps you understand want lenders are looking for and how to put stronger loan applications together. This should help ensure that proposals stand out and have a better chance of being approved. There are 2 key elements: Security The more simple part is […]
Posted on January 30th, 2015 by Andrew Troughton
It is tempting that once you have got a Contract Farming Agreement in place to forget about it especially if everyone seems happy. However with the volatility in commodity prices and the Greening requirements under the new Basic Payment Scheme now needing to be considered, what was considered suitable before may no longer be suitable […]
Posted on December 22nd, 2014 by Mike Cluley Whilst definitely not being tax experts, we are frequently asked by farmers and landowners where to start with Capital Gain Tax when selling property. Capital gains tax (CGT) is paid on gains arising from the growth in value of property. Typically tax is paid on the difference between the base value (either when it was […]
Posted on December 22nd, 2014 by Andrew Troughton