Women in Agriculture – Argyll – Event Summary

Get the Record Straight

Record keeping is a hugely important aspect of running an agricultural business.  We decided to start the Women in Agriculture meetings with ‘Get the Record Straight’ looking at both livestock record and book keeping/accounts.

Morven MacArthur, SAC Consulting,  covered the rules and regulations on Sheep and Cattle identification and registration, followed by a session looking at ScotEID and ScotMoves.

Top tips for Sheep Tagging & Records include:

• Replace missing tags as soon as possble
• Maintain record of replacement tags
• Have a stock of ‘Red replacement’ tags on farm
• Ensure all moves are reported to SAMU (you can check this using Scot EID) & recorded in records.
• Do a physical count at each gather and record numbers in the flock register. (You can use ‘missing’ and ‘found’ if less or more sheep are counted)

Top Tips for Cattle Tagging & Records include:

• Replace missing tags as soon as possible
• Report an animal death within 7 days AND return passport to BCMS
• You can print a list of animals that should be present on the holding from BCMS. This is a good check to do to ensure that farm records are accurate.
• Tag new beef calves within 20 days of birth and registered within 27 days
• Report moves to Scotmove after a move takes place or 48hours prior

In the afternoon, Brona MacDougal, Accountant from R A Clements Associates, Oban held a session on book keeping, VAT and accounts.

In Summary Brona covered:

• Outline of legal obligations with regard to declaring income and VAT liabilities, along with a review of the penalties system.
• Bookkeeping exercise with the aim of decreasing accountancy fees
• Discussion of the idiosyncrasies of farm accounting and VAT, including the opportunities and options available to taxpayers.

Below you will find copies of the presentations from this event;

Women in Agriculture Introduction

Livestock Record

Bookkeeping and Accounts