Shetland Monitor Farm Meeting to Focus on Planning for the Future

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE OF THIS MEETING IS NOW SUNDAY  2ND DECEMBER

The next Shetland monitor farm meeting on Sunday 2nd December will encourage farmers and crofters to plan for the future.

Margi Campbell from Saffery Champness Chartered Accountants will outline the mechanics of the succession planning process, along with some of the tax efficient options available to farmers and crofters, to help ensure assets and the farming business are passed to next generations with minimal stress and minimal tax.

She said: “Every farm business is unique, and so any succession planning must consider the legal and tax implications alongside the family dynamic.  The right answer for one family is often the wrong answer for others.”

She will be joined by Paul Rutherford and Andrea Ross, solicitors from Harper Macleod LLP in Lerwick, who will highlight the importance of making a will and the implications of passing on croft land.

Also at the meeting, vet Karis Stevenson will give a presentation about the research study she recently completed on the management of footrot in sheep. The project, which was conducted whilst Ms Stevenson was in her final year at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, involved surveying farmers and crofters on Shetland.

Ms Stevenson, who grew up on a small croft in South Nesting and now works in practice in Aberdeen, is keen to share her research findings with the group.

She said: “This project would not have been successful without the participation of the crofters and farmers from Shetland, so I am really looking forward to discussing the results with them.”

After lunch, Kirsty and Aimee Budge from Bigton Farm, Shetland’s monitor farm, will update the group on developments at Bigton since the last meeting and Ms Stevenson will lead a practical session examining sheep’s feet.

The Shetland Monitor Farm is one of nine monitor farms that have been established around Scotland in a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. The aim of the programme, which is funded by Scottish Government, is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.

The meeting on Sunday 2nd December, which is free to attend, will begin at Bigton Hall at 11.00.  Lunch will be provided and the meeting will finish at approximately 3.00pm.

To book your attendance (and lunch) please contact Graham Fraser, SAC Consulting Lerwick on 01595 693520 or email frbslerwick@sac.co.uk

For more information about the monitor farm programme visit www.monitorfarms.co.uk