Farming Corner
A farming pioneer was the special guest at a northern Lincolnshire breakfast briefing organized by the National Farmers’ Union and sponsored by the agriculture team at RNS.
Keith Norman has dedicated his 25-year career to seeking out scientific solutions and conducting independent farm trials to determine the best methods of crop production.
The event was held at the Hickman Hill Hotel in Gainsborough.
The technical director of Velcourt Farming, Mr Norman addressed the issues facing farmers around agronomy, the science and technology of producing and using plants for food and fuel.
His appetite for exploring new science and harnessing its potential in practice has not diminished, setting him apart as one of the country’s leading influences on arable production.
Adrian Ingleton, a partner at RNS, said: “It was a successful, informative event that we were delighted to sponsor.”
Guest Keith Norman (third from left) at the event with (left to right), Nick Reed, Adrian Ingleton (both respresenting sponors RNS Chartered Accountants) and organiser from the NFU Michael Anyan.
Farmers will have noted Chancellor George Osborne raising the amount of Annual investment Allowance (tax allowance on capital additions) available at 100%.
It will be increased from £250,000 to £500,000 until December 2015. This still leaves uncertainty after December 2015.
RNS partner Adrian Ingleton said: “While the temptation might be to spend when you see new machinery at the agricultural dealers, the key decision before tax allowance comes into the equation is does the business need the machinery and can it afford it?
“If not needed for this harvest, then it may be worth waiting until the harvest is in and budgets are revised.
“If machinery is purchased on finance, it must be on the farm before the year end, or allowances will be restricted.”
For further details please contact Adrian Ingleton