OUR THOUGHTS
From time to time, our experienced consultants take a moment to reflect on recent work, policy news or industry trends. Read what they have to say below and don’t forget, if you’d like to receive updates from us, including news and insights, business updates, and Ceres Publications, subscribe to mailing list.
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Jock Willmott
Dec, 05 2023We’re pleased to share with you our Yield Summary for 2023. This is a free publication detailing conclusions and learnings from harvest. We have analysed results across a breadth of crops, using a significant Ceres Rural dataset built over the last three seasons. The objective is to provide you with an independent view of crop […]
Beth Speakman
Dec, 04 2023
Defra Clarifies Future of ELMs and Opens New SFI Round Defra has provided much-needed clarity on the future of Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) and agri-environmental funding. At the same time, another round of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has opened for applications. This round includes several easy wins for farmers, such as funding for […]
Sebastian Young
Sep, 18 2023We’ve reviewed the data and put together a detailed comparison report reviewing the costs and returns across the last five years in relation to Contract Farming Agreements (CFAs) for both contractors and landowners. There is a complete dataset of 52 CFAs up to 2022, spanning a geography across the south and east of England. For […]
Phillip Norden
Jun, 02 2023Second Round of Water Management Grant Opens On 19 April 2023, the second round of the Water Management Grant opened. This grant supports arable and horticultural businesses in England that grow, or plan to grow, irrigated food crops, ornamentals, or forestry nurseries. Funding Details The grant can cover up to 40% of eligible project costs. […]
Edward Hutley
May, 23 2023 A ten-year sustainability plan put in place just over a year ago at Squerryes Estate at Westerham in Kent has provided a framework for the business, as it navigates its way through the agricultural transition. With six priorities – access, community, terroir, ecology, flooding and carbon – the plan was developed to show how the […]
Tim Isaac
Feb, 21 2023Don’t Miss Your Chance to Get the Answers You Need to Drive Your Business Forward We’re excited to join CLA experts, Defra, and the RPA at a series of events focused on the latest developments in the agricultural transition. Announcements about the new Environmental Land Management schemes seem to come almost daily. Many farmers are […]
Beth Speakman
Jan, 31 2023 Published on 26th January, Defra announced the roll out of six new standards under the Sustainable Farming Incentive with the three-year agreements aimed at promoting biodiversity, air quality, climate change adaptation and water quality. The new standards include: Nutrient Management Standard Integrated Pest Management Standard Hedgerow Standard Arable & Horticultural Land Standard Improved Grassland Standard […]
Tim Isaac
Jan, 10 2023 Featured in several publications, including Farmers Weekly, Farmers Guardian, Agronomist and Arable Farmer and Anglia Farmer, our Associate Partner Tim Isaac details all the things to think about when it comes to reducing costs in 2023 with top 10 tips. Read the blog here. Remember, if you want some more detailed FREE advice, tailored specifically to your […]
Phillip Norden
Jan, 10 2023Announced on 5th January at the Oxford Farming Conference by Defra farming minister Mark Spencer, payments for the Countryside Stewardship and SFI have been revised to encourage uptake of environmental schemes and to reflect agricultural markets and scheme costs. Countryside Stewardship Payment Rates Payment rates for both Countryside Stewardship revenue options and capital items will […]
Louise Penn
Jan, 03 2023The book ‘Dirt to Soil’ by Gabe Brown introduced me to regenerative agriculture like it has for so many others. I have always had an interest in sustainability, but the concept of regeneration was an ideology that made so much sense after reading the book. Why would we want to sustain our soils and stand […]