The July Editorial is written by Management Consultant Greg Easton. Greg consults to clients throughout the northern, central and southern wheatbelt of WA. Here is an excerpt:
Educated growers are aware of a greater number of innovations, including new management practices and strategies. Although formal education is important, ongoing training and attending events such as field days and training days have been shown to be the biggest driver for increases in farm profitability. Larger farm businesses are likely to invest more in training and field days, which increases with the scale of the business. 80% of Australian farm businesses participate in training. A third of these businesses only attend field days as their main form of training. The most profitable businesses are more likely to participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, industry meetings and courses.
Article Key Points include:
Bookkeeping July 2020
by Eve Kent, Lead Consultant
Bookkeeping to do list
Tax Rates: Covid-19 impact on business
Work from home deductions
Instant asset write-off for eligible businesses
Pasture legumes in the dryland regions of WA
by Peter Borstel (Agronomist)
Early flowering variety selection is essential
Select paddocks with a controllable weed spectrum suitable for the legume pasture
Be mindful of input costs ensuring that grazing value or nitrogen input will cover this cost
Hard seeded varieties will persist better than soft seeded varieties
Plant species suitable to soil type and pH
Update on harvest weed seed control tools
by David Cameron (Agronomist)
A large part of the cost of Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC) is associated with the nutrient loss or distribution
The harvester mounted mill solutions are becoming more affordable
There are mills accepting lower levels of control and providing cost and operational benefits
Sham contracting: What is it and how to ensure your business isn’t at risk
by Stacey Bell (Management Consultant)
Having an ABN or issuing invoices doesn’t automatically make a person an independent contractor
Sham contracting can be done intentionally or carelessly by an employer. Regardless of how the arrangement comes about, it is illegal
The difference between an employee and an independent contractor is based on many different factors, not just one singular marker
Is India a new market for our Malt Barley?
by Mae Connelly (Grain Marketer)
China’s 80% tariff on Australian barley effectively blocks us from our biggest market
India has been suggested as a replacement malt barley market
The potential growth in Indian beer consumption, and therefore malt barley demand, is exciting
However, the market will need to be developed from a low base and is expected to take years to reach a 500,000t target
Cover Cropping & Companion Cropping
by Eric Nankivell (Management Consultant)
They are two distinct practices
Both have advantages and disadvantages
Cover crop – generally better in lower rainfall zones
Companion cropping – generally better in higher rainfall zones and mixed farms
These systems can be more productive but don’t necessarily apply everywhere
Every Farmanco Facts edition includes:
WA & NSW / VIC Wool & Livestock Market Reports.
You can subscribe to any Farmanco publications through our Shop. OR access our 14 Free Trial via the Farmanco App.
Comments