Manager’s Report - Bruce Hamilton

So far this year we have recorded 300mm of rain at the office which is a record. Things however are now drying well and spring sowing has begun.

We have had a busy winter visiting 300 members and recruiting another 22, bringing the membership up to 800. As you can see from the Chairman’s report, the Ring made another small profit last year and the turnover increased yet again.

The chart of fuel prices shows that we had very stable fuel prices for 3 years between 30-40ppl however it has risen this year to 55ppl and rising. We often have a spread of 5p between companies and so it is more important than ever to buy your fuel through the Ring to ensure you get the best price on the day. Please also make sure that you get your fuel or charge for it on all jobs as it can amount to a high proportion of the job now.

Labour is again in very short supply and we appeal to members to keep us informed if they are available.

New Members

Jacqueline M Raeside, Chesters Farmhouse, Dunino

Allan Wilson, South Falfield, Leven

Margaret & Frank Donnelly, 108a Main Street, Glenboig

Wellside Power Wash, Howgait, Main Street

PDM, Randolph Court, Randolph Ind. Est., Kirkcady

Sandy Hay, Blairview, Milnathort

Marion McOuat, 3 Beech Court, Dunblane

Andrew Pullar Snr, Milldeans Cottage, Milldeans, Leslie

J S Pullar, Braeview, 8 Valley Drive, Leslie

H.J & M.R Queiffer, Glenearn House, By Bridge Of Earn

Jennifer Adams, Nether Troustie, Crail

Angus MacAndrew, 42 Goshen Road, Scone

S & R Transport, 9 Proudfoot Way, Kinglassie

Thomson Homes (Construction), High Street, Cowdenbeath

P & G Martin, 2 Hillhead Farm Steadings, Auchterarder

Duncan Godfrey, 6 Commercial Street, Coupar Angus

Terry Murray Plant Hire, 10 Miller Place, Airth

Campbell Scott Landscape, 77 Demoreham Avenue, Denny

McDonald Recycling Ltd, Viewfield Ind Est, Glenrothes

Dunira Estate Partnership, Dunira Home Farm, Comrie

L.A Harrison, 4 Little Inch Farm Cott, Balmerino

Northern Hydroseeding Ltd, East Gogar Farm, Blairlogie

AGM 2008 by John Hutcheson (Chairman)

In my view, this year we have witnessed the start of a fundamental change to our industry. Some sectors are now showing good returns after many years of low profitability, and I am convinced that it is only a matter of time before other sectors follow suit. Your Machinery Ring has also fared well during the period.

I am pleased to report that 2007 has produced both record turnover and pre-tax profit. Turnover has risen by over 5% to £5.8M, and profit is £11,174 before tax to give £8,102 after tax which when added to shareholders funds gives reserves of £114,400 at 31st December 2007.

It is particularly pleasing to note that this is not due to rising fuel costs, but to increased activity in provision of services such as fieldwork, labour and machinery hires. Membership at the end of 2007 stood at 787, up from  761 at the end of 2006.

I would like to thank the rest of the board for their time and input over the last year, and to Bruce and his staff for making this another good year for TayForth Machinery Ring.

E-mailing Invoices

We have had a great response from members accepting their invoices by e-mail with 143 of you moving to this (that leaves 657 who have not yet!).

If you would like to help save a bit of time and money and you check your e-mails more than once a month then please give us a ring and we will move you onto this. It saves us 2 stamps, some of Judith’s valuable time and it gives you the paperwork 2 days quicker. It also keeps an electronic copy for you.

New & Improved Services

Waste Tyre Disposal - This had been a problem waste for some years now with many of you building up sizable quantities. It costs £95/t delivered in to Glenrothes (tractor rears +£5).

Land Drainage - We now have better access to  Drainage Pipes and Gravel. So please phone for all your drainage requirements.

Fuel Tanks - With the new tank regulations coming into play on 1st April 2008, we have a full range of bunded tanks on offer. This one is a mobile metal 1,000 litre bunded tank and pump.

Risk Assessments - We now have a company that can provide Risk Assessments and Method Statements.

Bulk Gas - Shell Gas, our bulk gas supplier has fixed their harvest fuel price through the Ring at very little more than last year. Phone for more info.

Water Drilling - We now have access to a drilling rig that can provide water for domestic or irrigation.

Power Washing - We have a member who can power hose your cattle courts, buildings, roofs, gutters, patios etc.

Forklift Hire - If you need to hire an extra forklift this year, please remember that you need to book well in advance - especially for potato stores where a triple mast and side shift are usually required.              

Training Update – By Vicky

Following on from my article in the Autumn 2007 newsletter, I can now advise that over 50 candidates have passed their Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Transport of Animals by Road, with many more hopeful candidates to come. 

The online testing facility here at the office has been a great success.  The few initial teething problems have now been ironed out and the system is running smoothly.  I found that allowing members to choose their test date and time worked better than operating on specific days only.  A quiet hour or poor weather conditions could be put to use by giving me a call and visiting the office.  So, if you still have to obtain this certification, please phone and get your assessment arranged.

For those who are unaware of the Level 2 Certificate of Competence in the Transport of Animals by Road. It is compulsory for journeys of up to 8 hours in duration where the journey is in connection with an economic activity.  Journeys over 8 hours require a further practical assessment in addition to the online test.  For journeys within the UK, competence certificates must be obtained by the end of April 2008 and for those exporting animals, this certificate had to be achieved before 5 January 2008.

The same online assessment system is also being used for spray training/pesticide certificates of competence.  We are the only training provider that we know of who can arrange the training course and assessment in the same day for Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1).  This is a convenient method for those busy and unable to spend too much time away from the workplace and the course work is fresh in your mind.

If you have any training requirement, please give me a call on 01577 830616.

New Oil Storage Regulations for 2008

We regularly get asked about the law is on existing and new tanks, so here is a simple guide to when a tank must be bunded. The bund can be either integral in the tank or built underneath.

Domestic Heating Tanks: Up to 2,500 litres and more than 10 metres away from any surface water - no bund required.

Diesel Tanks: New tanks must be bunded. Existing tanks less than 10m from any surface water must be bunded by 01 April 2008. All tanks must be bunded by 01 April 2010

We can provide new and second hand bunded tanks in both plastic and steel. We can also build a bund under your existing tanks and provide a low level fill pipe to stop the fuel delivery tanker climbing up a ladder which is becoming a bigger and bigger Health & Safety issue.

Tractors and Forklifts Running on Red Diesel - How to Keep within the law

· Keep below a Gross Train Weight of  24.39 t

· Strap or rope your load - it cannot be held on by its own weight

· Cover your load if anything could fall out

· Do not get caught over 20mph unless you have airbrakes and suspension on all 4 wheels (i.e. Fastrac)

· If stopped,  please do not say you are  ‘carting’ as haulage is not permitted on red diesel -  You are of course ‘assisting with an agricultural operation’ e.g. Sowing, Silage making or Harvesting

· If you are caught doing non-agricultural work, we can have no sympathy!

Dealing with dangerous trees: Tree Hazard Assessments by Langton Tree Specialists

‘Trees, like many things in the world, are essential to our lives but also contribute to the hazards of life’ (Lonsdale, 1999).

For all the benefits that trees convey, it is self evident that they can also present a potential hazard to people and property.  A tree hazard assessment (THA) generally involves undertaking some form of risk assessment on the potential for any given tree to cause harm.  A number of factors are considered including:-

· Tree characteristics such as age, species, structure and biology

· Site and climatic conditions

· Location: proximity to people and occupied buildings: farm buildings and roadside trees

· Past and present management

Few would disagree that such an assessment, whether carried out formally or informally, should be part of sound woodland or tree management.

The benefits of having your trees inspected are that :

· You are demonstrating an appropriate standard of care and therefore reduce the potential for litigation in the unfortunate event of an accident.

· You reduce the danger to people and property from trees on your land.

· You can identify problem trees at an early stage and therefore reduce future costs.

For  (Annual fee for inspections from £100)