Some farming families have been surprised to learn from their tax agents that they qualify for the $1500 per person JobKeeper allowance.
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Because of serious revenue falls from the previous year that has been caused by the economic downturn, even mum and dad partnerships that only employ peak season staff may qualify for at least one allowance.
As a rule of thumb, a fall of 30 per cent in turnover that attracts GST may trigger the JobKeeper allowance.
A NSW chartered accountant estimates that about two-thirds of his 80 farming clients had signed on to the allowance and would use the grant as a business stimulus.
Businesses have until June 30 to make application and are urged to discuss their strategy with an accountant this week.
Now the time to buy?
THE immediate income tax write-off of up to $150,000 will have a big impact on end of year sales to those who are in a sound enough position to utilise this stimulus measure.
This scheme can involve both new and used business inputs and it should be a hand-up to both machinery and motor dealers who service the rural sector.
Industry sources tell me that the new model Mazda BT50 ute will have quite a lot in common with the respected Isuzu ute and that each brand will hit the market in the short term.
The Mazda motor company has been a huge success story from the day that an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and almost destroyed the Mazda factory, to its present position as a motor industry leader.
Chance to network
AS our local economy opens up towards partly normal, it seems a great opportunity for one of our rural suppliers to put together a series of workshops - say, four a year - to give farmers a venue to network, keep in touch with friends and hear the newest updates.
Some years ago a farmers' breakfast at the RSL club, an accountants' financial night for country people at Panthers and various on-farm mini field days used to attract groups of about 100 people.
These events gave farmers much more than simply looking at sheep and I think modern people would be happy to pay at the door to attend well organised events.
Which rural supplier is a leader of the pack in Bathurst?
Weeding out weeds
UPPER Macquarie Weeds County Council has a massive task in trying to help landholders control serious weed infestations that involve some really nasty noxious weeds.
Control or eradication methods are costly and time consuming and council staffers don't always get keen co-operation from landholders.
Questions are often raised on the problem of blue heliotrope invasion and these mongrel plants are even seen on new subdivisions and on town footpaths.
Some reports tell of promising results with the use of Metsulphuron with Consume as a penetrant.
A suggestion has been made that an on-farm workshop of several hours to discuss the blue heliotrope problem would be well received.
Auctions going online
THE tried and proven auction selling system by open cry in modern saleyards will probably always be the price setter for livestock sales and the people who are involved with these sales are some of our nation's busiest workers.
Several online real estate auctions have been real successes.
Auctions Plus is tried and true over several decades and this autumn's stud bull sales have produced excellent results.
With specialist videos to show the animals the possible next step may be working dog auctions and, of course, prospective buyers would need to see a dog in action on property before bidding on line.
Make a difference
WE have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stay at home and lay on the couch in front of the television to save the world.
Please don't screw it up.
Who's that calling?
HIS mother said that just over two million people work in call centres in Mumbai.
She says: "I know that for a fact, because every one of the buggers called me at tea time since June last year."
And another thing ...
WHILE we're all stuck at home, why not all call random numbers in India and ask them about their extended car warranty?
Point made. Full stop
PUNCTUATION is everything.
"I'm giving up drinking for a month" is something very different to, "I'm giving up. Drinking for a month".
Post-pandemic party
IN medieval times, celebrations took place for many weeks following the end of a pandemic.
The festivities took the form of lots of wine drinking and orgies.
Has anyone made plans for Bathurst and surrounds at this stage?
