CERES RURAL BACKS FARMERS BY CONTINUING FREE BUSINESS ADVICE OFFER

Free farm business advice will continue to be offered by Ceres Rural after the valuable Future Farming Resilience Fund ends in March, in a move of support for the farming industry and in recognition of the many challenges that lie ahead.

The policy changes and financial pressures faced by farming have prompted the leading consultancy to announce that it will carry on providing free-of-charge, one-to-one farm visits, with a focus on those who haven’t been able to take advantage of previous offers or are now needing more specialist advice.

That means farms who weren’t receiving BPS payments before 2022 are eligible for this new offer, as are those who want to improve business performance or are considering a change of direction or diversification.

Initially, 500 visits will be available – with business reviews being provided for those not previously advised by the consultancy and diversification reviews for existing clients.

The reasons for extending the service free of charge beyond March are clear, says Charlie Ireland, Managing Partner of Ceres Rural, who points to the increased pace of change imposed by the Government’s Budget announcements and the on-going need for independent advice.

“The sudden slashing of BPS means there’s no way of avoiding the fact that harvest 2025 margins are going to be very tough,” he comments.

“At a time of great anxiety and stress for many, it would be very difficult for us to walk away from providing our bespoke advice and guidance that almost 1500 businesses have already received and benefited from when we know that there’s still a need for it.”

Charlie adds that farming is going through a period of unprecedented and transformational change. “Standing together at a time like this is important. Ceres Rural remains committed to helping farms and rural businesses make the right choices for the future.

“In such turbulent times, there will be challenges as well as opportunities. Having the business resilience and financial performance to either overcome or take advantage of these will be key.”

After March, consultations and follow-up action plans produced by experienced farm business consultants will prioritise pressing issues, from improving productivity to setting up diversification projects and finding additional income streams.

In addition, Ceres Rural’s partnership with Ceres Property will allow clients, where relevant, to benefit from links with their planning, development, farm agency and land consultancy teams, covering various disciplines including valuations, estate management, minerals advice and more. This makes a notable difference to the offer and reflects wider, important considerations faced by farm businesses.

To find out more about Ceres Rural’s 2025 free business support advice, consider the terms and conditions that apply and have an initial discussion, contact futurefarming@ceresrural.co.uk.