Tax & Management

'While prospects have greatly improved, farmers must take the advice of the liquor adverts and “enjoy the better times responsibly”.'

'The percentage spent on grain decreases with an increase in income and the percentage spent on dairy products increases.'

'Joint action between farmers, agribusinesses and government is urgently needed to protect and improve our global competitiveness.'

'It's simple, really. The answer is computer technology, and an excellent analysis and understanding of the difference between fixed and variable cost.'

'You must know the difference between fixed and variable costs, and understand the vital concept of marginal cost and income… and it's really a piece of cake.'

'There is still a lot of misunderstanding about the proper way to use baseline projections in future planning.'

'Here we were both speaking English, but without understanding each other. It's often like this in business too, and it's a mess.'

'The outlook for agricultural product prices remains good; there is little sign of a downturn in demand ...'

'A reasonably accurate crop estimate is an essential step in the annual management cycle... and with fruit we seem to get it hopelessly wrong...'

'Livestock producers will face higher feed costs, [but] fortunately the higher feed prices will result in higher US and world prices for livestock products.'

'If you're producing a food product that the bappies consider unpalatable, you're heading for trouble.'

'A decrease in import tariffs will only result in lower consumer prices in a perfectly competitive market.'

'There is a lot of money to be made in agriculture - most of it lands in the pockets of agribusinesses while the farmers' share decreases.' Issue date 15 June 2007

Small business owners, who may not have access to computer ­software for calculating business income and expenses, can now heave a sigh of relief. Issue date 8 June 2007

'It's all about energy efficiency, which apart from saving the planet, saves the cash flow.

'In the absence of a controlled market, farmers are responsible for their own marketing decisions.'

'Our economy from an emissions perspective is more inefficient than Poland, India and even the US.'
Issue Date: 30 March 2007

'In every month this summer, evaporation has been much higher than the long-term average.'...
Issue date:23 March 2007

'Without understanding the key words of accounting-speak, it's a bit like trying to read Greek.'
Issue Date 16 March 2007

Sharp increases in prices have a psychological effect on market participants. This is true for share prices and also for agricultural prices. Increasing prices create a feeling of well-being amongst market participants. They soon believe that the price increases will be permanent.
Issue Date 16 March 2007