71

Fruit / Re: Recommended Cherry Trees Aberdeenshire

« Last post by Lambic on August 19, 2025, 10:44:17 pm »

Sorry for late reply. Been somewhat overwhelmed with work.

Orchard project went from basic Mowing  to moving 250 tonnes of earth ...

72

Wildlife / Re: Swallows'25

« Last post by Rupert the bear on August 19, 2025, 09:51:18 pm »

Well all our swallows have departed, gone its all quiet. two weeks earlier than last year, it seems to get sooner every year.
But the pair of cranes that nested and brought up two offspring down on the edge of the hay field by the burn, have been active in the mornings picking away at the aftermath, its quite striking to see the adults standing next to a 4ft round bale they are as tall as the bale. Its like Jurassic park when they fly about and call out, looking like wee  pterosaurs. Its a great sight looking out from my bed a six in the morning !

73

Equipment / Re: Voluntary VAT Registration Advice

« Last post by Womble on August 19, 2025, 05:56:19 pm »

Yes.

Any accountant worth their salt will be able to help you with this. It's not too difficult, and gives us a refund of a hundred or so pounds a month.

The key thing to understand is whether any of the things you're going to be selling will be VAT-rated, because that will in effect increase the prices customers have to pay by 20%. However, if you're selling food, that won't apply (because 0% rated).

There are some funny wee anomalies though. For example, honey bees are 0% rated for VAT, whereas if you're selling bumblebees,  you'd have to charge 20% VAT on them. [IDK who sells bumblebees, but seemingly somebody must, or it wouldn't be a rule.]

74

Equipment / Voluntary VAT Registration Advice

« Last post by Lambic on August 19, 2025, 05:53:40 pm »

Hello Folks,

I have a registered smallholding.

I would like to start a very small business selling bits n bobs from around the place, with a view in the future to selling fruit from orchards and a polytunnel perhaps. A retired business generating a small turnover from products supplied by the smallholding.

Having spend large amounts of cash on equipment over the last 30 months, a work colleague suggested investigated looking at voluntary VAT registration

My focus has been on improving the environment for wildlife and amenity value, but I need to be a bit more switched on financially.

Are there any forum members who have gone down this route and can advise ?

Many thanks

75

Land Management / Re: Strange field drains

« Last post by Lambic on August 19, 2025, 05:45:09 pm »

Have you looked on Google earth ?

I can see stone field drains and also clay field drains on there.

76

Land Management / Re: Thistle management with herbicide

« Last post by Lambic on August 19, 2025, 05:43:17 pm »

My limited understanding is that you do not need the training certificates to buy the nuclear strength products, but you are supposed to have them too apply the product.

The chrmicals should be avoided at all costs really, but sometimes it just has to be done. 

I apply as little possible and extremely cautious near my ponds / burn / ditch.

We literally have 100,000s of amphibians because of the pond network. They are very sensitive to pollution, as are my trout

77

Land Management / Re: Thistle management with herbicide

« Last post by Lambic on August 19, 2025, 05:37:14 pm »

For what it is worth.

I have used Grazon on my place, in an epic battle against docks.  Spot spraying with Stihl battery powered backpack.

Unbelievably I have won, after 2 years.  Many thousands of them dealt with.

Grazon is highly effective.  It also works on thistles and nettles

It will also too expensive

Last week I finished my 5L of Grazon and have now bought 5L of depitox.

If you mow the thistles strategically, especially before flowering, they will eventually give up.  Basically get the plants to expensive asucj energy as possible, then chop and drop as green mulch before going through seed

78

Land Management / Re: Red Diesel - Ellon / Pitmeddon Area, Aberdeenshire

« Last post by Lambic on August 19, 2025, 05:29:26 pm »

Well a quick update.

Bought 4 x 20L jerry cans and been using them to refill my compact tractor and hired plant

Starting to get a bit annoying because I am using 400 to 500 L per year.

Getting to the point where a diesel dispensing tank would be useful, especially if move from a 25hp to 40hp tractor

Can any fellow smallholders give me some advice on a good bunded tank to get ?  Local firm said delivery is 500L or more, and bunded tanks only

So I guess I need something decent 500L to 1000L, bunded and can dispense the fuel.

Could be either stored in my shed or outside.

Many thanks !

79

Goats / Trial ownership of Goats - Yes or No ?

« Last post by Lambic on August 19, 2025, 05:24:03 pm »

Hello Folks

Not sure how everything else, but the drought conditions in my area are insane. Pretty much had no proper rain since December. All the events seems to miss us. 

We bought our 30 acres 2.5 years ago.

I had designs on getting some goats, but the stories about their bad behaviour and persistent escape attempts has delayed the process.  However they do have character.

Been too busy creating ponds, planting trees, preparing an orchard etc

However, now I am thinking, it would nice to try owning some when I retire.

Can anybody advise temporary fencing etc ? Or advise not to do it

Secondly, my other half is keen on the hares and roe deer who live around the place. I know deer hate cattle and sheep, I assume they are not fond of goats either ?

Cheers

80

Pests and diseases / Re: Cat puncturing polytunnel

« Last post by doganjo on August 18, 2025, 06:48:26 pm »

 

Sorry to laugh 

I love cats for the mischief they get up to

Keep us posted