A time for change in the farming sector

East Midlands farmers adapting to changes and challenges in crop production can receive expert guidance at two business events next month.

The Farm Business Updates will provide specialist advice on managing volatility in crop marketing, highlight the impact of a new subsidy system and offer tips on tax planning and pension matters.

Sponsored by chartered accountants Duncan & Toplis and property and business consultants Brown & Co, the Time for Change events will take place in Oakham and Woodhall Spa on Thursday 5th February 2015.

Dr Christopher Green of Crop Management Information Limited and Mark Worrell, Director of Sales and Trading at Openfield, are the guest speakers. Dr Green will speak on moving towards a different path to crop production while Mr Worrell will talk about UK and overseas markets plus future commodities and prices.

Mark Chatterton, Director in the Newark office of Duncan & Toplis, will discuss tax planning in these unstable times.


He said: “Working within a fast-changing environment is something that we have all become used to in the farming world. However at present there seems to be more change and challenges.

“Over the next 12 months farmers will have to adopt a new subsidy, environmental and grant system. They also have the constantly changing commodity tax and pension markets to contend with.”

Other speakers at the events are Sam Gibson, a financial planner with Castlegate Financial Management, and Brown & Co’s Martin Herbert, Paul Waberski and Paul White.

The first event will take place from 8.30am at Greetham Valley Golf Club near Oakham and the second event will be held at 2pm in The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa. The Oakham event includes a buffet lunch, and an evening buffet will be provided at the Woodhall Spa event.