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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Rosie Uden
Jun, 17 2026With the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI 2026) now underway, farmers across England are facing a more competitive and more restrictive scheme than in previous years. While payment reductions and new limits have rightly attracted attention, recent clarification from Defra has also provided greater certainty in several important areas.  For many businesses, the focus is now shifting […]
Tim Isaac
Jun, 01 2026This month marks the launch of the Ceres Innovation Group, a joint initiative between Ceres Research and Ceres Rural, focused on identifying, testing, and rolling out new ways of working in agronomy and farm management. At Ceres Research, our focus is clear: bridging the gap between innovation and on-farm adoption. We work with farmers, agronomists, and Ag Innovators to […]
Sophia Slater
May, 27 2026The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) fund has now been extended for a further three years and will now run until March 2029. So far the fund has allocated £4.5 million to over 170 projects. FiPL is available in National Landscapes (formerly AONBs), National Parks and the Broads. The programme funds one‑off projects that: Support […]
Anna Bromley
May, 14 2026This season has delivered some of the strongest-looking oilseed rape (OSR) crops we’ve seen for a while, with strong autumn establishment, good spring growth, and plenty of ‘corner-to-corner’ flowering. A combination of kinder establishment conditions, leftover nitrogen residues, and more considered cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB) husbandry has helped set crops up well. The key now is not to […]
Robert Gazely
Apr, 13 2026Each quarter, we update you on industry news, topical issues, and safety alerts with the aim of supporting you in achieving best practice on your farm or estate. This edition covers safe use of abrasive wheels, an outline of workplace requirements, manual handling, and what health surveillance is and when it might be required. We […]
Charlie Ireland
Apr, 10 2026Livestock Manager Opportunity in North Norfolk: Lead a Progressive Organic Farming Enterprise Are you an experienced Livestock Manager looking to take the next step in your career? An exciting opportunity has arisen in North Norfolk to lead and shape the future of a large-scale, forward-thinking farming business. A Unique Role in a Diverse Farming Operation […]
Phoebe Eglington
Mar, 24 2026The Farming Profitability Review led by Minette Batters, examined the financial, structural, environmental, and policy-related challenges for UK agriculture, outlining 57 actionable recommendations in response. Commissioned by DEFRA in April 2025, the review highlighted increasing economic pressures, rising production costs, volatile markets and ongoing policy uncertainty that has left many farmers questioning the future viability […]
Tim Isaac
Mar, 18 2026LENs is introducing a farmer training programme for the East of England and Yorkshire. The development is part of its commitment to provide more support for farmers participating LENs. Following a competitive tender, LENs appointed Ceres Rural, an experience-led farming consultancy, to develop and deliver training and support materials, designed to equip farmers with a […]
Beth Speakman
Mar, 12 2026Sustainable Farming Incentive Defra has recently announced the impending release of new application windows for the Sustainable Farming Incentive, (SFI) to offer grant funding to horticultural and agricultural businesses for the deliverance of environmental benefit. The preliminary round opens in June (for businesses of under 50ha), before expanding to larger businesses in September. This presents […]
Greg Clark
Feb, 24 2026Ceres Rural is advising farmers and land managers to take early note of emerging changes to the 2026 Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), following announcements made at the NFU Conference, which signal a marked shift in both the structure and financial framework of the scheme. Current indications suggest that the 2025 SFI offer will be limited […]