We have an opening for a part-time secretary -2 days per week. Experience not essential but agricultural knowledge an advantage. Please ring office for more details. Role will include some VAT, BCMS, customer queries, typing etc.

77pence to the Euro exchange rate on 30th September will be used to calculate SFP to be received in December. This is less than last year?

Please don’t forget to inform Welsh Government of all business partners national insurance numbers – either on provided form or on RPW online

Most farmers will have to complete a Field Maintenance form detailing where hedges are adjacent to arable land. This involves marking the hedges on a map, and listing the fields on the form. This must be done by 31st October.

Points to note:
1. Hedge must be at least 20metres long
2. Hedge must be in effect stock proof
3. Hedge must be adjacent to arable field – no track, ditch between field and hedge!
4. Arable fields include temporary grass.

If you require us to assist in this process please phone the office

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all customers, old and new to join us on our stand at the Pembrokeshire show http://www.pembsshow.org/
Look forward to seeing you for cheese, wine an flight refreshments.

Deadline day is fast approaching – get the forms in by 15th May

We are proud to be joint hosts of the 2nd South Wales dairy conference with BOCM PAULS and HSBC. This year the event is on 4th February, with some excellent speakers. For more information please contact the office.

May all of us at Cara extend best wishes to all customers for Christmas, and we look forward to a prosperous 2014.
The office will be operated on a skeleton staff basis over the festive period. If your call is urgent please contact Iwan, Wendy or John on their mobile phones.

CARA recently presented its annual benchmark results to other industry professionals at a conference in St Clears. The results show clear distinctions between top 25%, average and bottom 25%. The main points are as follows:

1. Dairy – fertility and yield from forage still are profit drivers
2. Overhead cost control imperative
3. Herd expansion still happening, perhaps at increased pace
4. Beef and sheep producers must focus on stocking rate
5. There is intensification potential in all sectors
6. Potential Single Payment changes will see some producers become loss making
7. Uncertainty is still around regarding Single Payment proposed changes

For more details, please contact Iwan, Wendy or John

Be cautious of phone calls around Single payment time, claiming there is a problem with bank details and asking you to reconfirm them. There were a few cases last year, where SFP was diverted and stolen. If you do get a phone call, hang up and phone your divisional office to confirm if there is a problem. NEVER GIVE BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS OVER THE PHONE.