@Pet-Cow Our accountant has access to our Cashmanager database. It is very beneficial to allow them access as they are able to estimate tax payments throughout the season to ensure there are no big surprises at the end of the financial year or to help with the cash flow throughout the year.
It is also beneficial during budget preparation time as the accountant has easy access to be able to give feedback on the budget that has been created.

@RuaFarm Hi, sounds like you need to open the 2018 financial year, to allow transactions from June onward to come into your transaction screen.
Check out the following link, for details on how to open the new financial year https://community.crssoftware.co.nz/topic/168/how-do-i-create-a-new-financial-year

What thoughts and tips are out there for owners, employers, employees on how to start difficult conversations with other party's. It could be relating to a conflict that has arisen with a rural professional, conflict with another staff member, contract disputes or many other tough situations that arise. What is the best way to start these conversations - email, text, in person, phoning? Do you discuss the area of issue straight away or do you organise a meeting after a cooling period? Is it best to just let be and move on?

@hardgraft when is your sibling over next? Could be worth organising a meeting with all family members. I know of a few families that have found amazing value using rural coach approach so could be worth while popping the article above about them on your parents newspaper pile 😉

This is a fantastic article from Coach Approach Rural, who several families I know have used and found fantastic 0_1488749463675_The Orchardist Feb 2017 - Facing the fear, family & future.pdf

With new contracts being looked over and signed for the new season, it is important to get other parties to look over your contracts as well. Quite often with new jobs and roles people can look at these contracts with the best of faith and not understand their contractual obligations that they are signing up for. Another pair of eyes in a neutral position can often see if everything is fair for both parties, and also explain any areas that are not fully understood.
Contracts are in place to protect both parties so ensure that all areas are filled out and not taken by word, unless it is in the contract neither farm owner, contractor or staff have to comply with that area.
It is always better to have hard/awkward conversations during contract negotiation time so each party has a good understanding of what is expected of them, this usually takes several meetings.
Do you have any other advice for farmers starting contract negotiations?

I am very similar to Anna, except my dates can sometimes be popping in bills on the 20th..... I complete any invoices that need to be sent around the 8/10th as often need to wait for invoices to come in for materials from other business that we need to invoice out for.
When I am coding I also mark of any paid invoices.
I often find myself running the reconciliation around the same time as sending invoices.
I use cashmanager wages for staff payment & paye, & I usually run those reports around 8th/10th aswell. When I have filed online I write filed and then note paid once payment has been paid as offer these dates differ.
I am re-viewing budgets all season round and start to build a new budget in February to produce to our business advisors for input.
I have a big red box which I put any mail into for the business and go through on 10 or around the 20th.
For rosters I build on excel with a month template, email to staff and have hard copies at cowshed and home as well as a photo on my phone.
I have a page at front of folder when tax is due.

Millie & Elsa getting champion lamb for bred

@Annie I have done a bit of research and have found Hazard Co are very well priced and offer a great service. Farmers do need to put together there own farm policies and procedures but Hazard Co but in place the overall farm policy and have great tools for induction and a paper trail for monthly h/s meetings that need to take place.
DWN ran a great h/s module with hazard co. I took home a 90 day plan that was really simple to follow with all the links to resources.
I am currently putting together new h/s policies, procedures, maps, signage etc as we are on a new farm this season so have been using the dwn resource again.

@Anna Husband uses tail paint and observation. He also touches up tail paint every couple of days - the more tidy your tail paint is the better decisions you will make

Do you use a Farm Consultant on your farm? If yes what do you find the benefits are? If no why not?

@Tony-McKeage any tips for those wanting to go contract milking from a banking point of view? What they should be preparing etc?

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@Anna We are very lucky this season and can get broadband however at our previous job we found a great local company, rural wireless, that we heard of through word of mouth. I would definitely recommend asking around about different internet company's especially for price difference.

@RuaFarm We went contract milking 3 seasons ago. We had a business plan (which I created via primary ito paper) which we took to anz bank manager and then were approved for start up package. We did have enough from a house sale to put towards gear but were lucky that we were on a small herd and gear was minimal. My husband is a ex-builder so he worked through the dry seasons to tie us over. The $ you need to get started will depend on the size of the herd etc. Some farm owners pay contract milkers a retainer through the year so that would decrease amount you would need to borrow or have on o/d.
I would recommend putting yourself out there that you are after a contract milking position or/and approaching your current farm owner to see if that option is available where you are.
Fed farmers contracts are great to use, but ensure that every part is filled out and that you get a independent party to look over the contract and contract price also.

Was speaking to our local stock agent said reasonable to good crossbred cows have been going for $1500-$1700 but is dependant on age bw etc

After having a drawn out calving this season, what is the most effective way to compact calving for next season?

@Abi thanks! when is a good time to wean though? I cant seem to see that on the sheet or anything about any shots they need cheers

@Garnerdale what would define quality - size? markings? thanks

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