• FEB / MAR 2021
FARM PLASTIC WARNING
AGRICULTURAL or farm plastic has become incredibly widely used across the entire agricultural cycle – it can increase yields and soil temperature , reduce weed and pest pressure , aid moisture conservation , support soil fumigation and even keep silage fresh for much longer .
The effectiveness of every single one of these is controlled by the vapour permeability of the plastic – not just for water vapour , but also to control the flow of oxygen , carbon dioxide and ethylene , the gaseous plant ripening hormone . Using the right plastic in any situation is critical to optimize success and the way to do this is through testing - Versaperm ’ s latest permeability measurement and testing equipment is designed to do just that .
The system is optimized not just for traditional plastics but also for the modern multi-layer “ designer ” plastics which can provide highly specific control over the diverse flows of different gasses .
• Self Adhesive labels on rolls
• All types , including milk & dairy labels
• Made to your specifica�on
It is also important for the increasingly widespread photodegradable and biodegradable materials . Some applications need to allow a gas , such as oxygen , to flow but prevent water vapour from flowing out . The exact mixture of permeabilities depends on the specific crop , season , climate and even daily diurnal changes in temperature .
Versaperm ’ s new single and multi-chamber ranges can provide measurements of vapour permeability for all farm plastics and gases , sometimes in as little as thirty minutes as opposed to the weeks taken with conventional gravimetric
measurement systems . They can also , optionally , cycle through diurnal and seasonal changes .
The Versaperm system is typically accurate to a few parts Per Million ( PPM ) or even Parts Per Billion in some cases .
Also important is that the plastic tarps used to control emissions from soil fumigation have been shown to be permeable to fumigant vapours , resulting in escape to the environment . Minimizing emissions of soil fumigants is critical for both protecting human and environmental health
For more information visit www . versaperm . com UK Tel : + 44 ( 01628 ) 777668
Northern Labels Ltd Riparian Court , Cross Hills , Keighley , BD20 7BW . www . northernlabels . co . uk Email : print @ northernlabels . co . uk
• Laminated op�on for durability
• Large range of adhesives to suit any use
• Designs created from files or descrip�on
Contact Stuart or Arley on : 01535 635742
FARM NEWS 5
Forward plan finances for 2021
PLANNING financial obligations for the year ahead can ease cash flow and help farmers with their budgeting , according to rural accountant Old Mill .
“ Whether your business has been affected by Covid-19 or not , planning for the year ahead can take the pressure off you and the farm , especially if there are advantageous schemes to opt in for ,” says Oliver Bond , rural accountant and business adviser at Old Mill .
“ Having a clear idea of what you can expect financially in the year ahead allows for better understanding of how the business is faring and whether there ’ s room for investment .”
Here are some key financial dates to plan for in 2021
Spring 2021 : Bounce Back Loan Scheme repayments
The one-year repayment holiday on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme will soon come to end , particularly for those who applied early , and businesses should expect repayments to begin automatically from that point . The loans can be repaid in full without incurring charges .
31 March 2021 : Deferred VAT payments
Any VAT payments that were deferred during the first coronavirus lockdown are due to be paid on 31 March , explains Mr Bond . “ However , businesses can now opt into a new scheme to repay VAT in instalments between 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2022 , without incurring interest . It ’ s important to note that this is not automatic and you must opt-in .”
Quarter Days : Rent payments
Traditionally , quarterly land rents are payable by 25 March , 24 June , 29 September and 25 December . “ If your forecasts indicate that these dates could be a problem for your business , now might be the time to start negotiating with your landlord . A switch to monthly rental payments would help to smooth cash flows .”
Oliver Bond
31 May 2021 : Countryside Productivity Small Grant claims
The RPA deadline to submit claims for the Countryside Productivity Small Grant ( CPSG ) scheme has been extended to the end of May 2021 , says Mr Bond . “ This is key for those who successfully applied for the third round of the scheme , but who have not yet claimed . If the deadline is missed , you will not have the opportunity to claim .”
31 July : Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions
This is the deadline for self-assessment taxpayers to make their second ‘ payment on account ’, which is normally based on the previous year ’ s tax liability – being 50 % of the tax paid for the 2019-20 tax year .
December 2021 : Basic Payment Scheme income ( reduced )
Do not budget cashflow on timely payments from the RPA and prepare for a percentage reduction of the BPS payments - between 5 % and 25 % reduction in value for 2021 .
For more information contact Ben Carter Rural Business Development Manager . on 07825 620052 .