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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Beth Speakman
Nov, 03 2025Viticulture 2025 Harvest For many in the UK, the 2025 harvest was very promising, with extended warm weather helping to reduce disease pressure, improve sugars and increase ripening rates, leading to a speedy and bumper crop, for both sparkling and still wines. Unlike many other crops, vines benefitted from the extreme dry weather, allowing for […]
Jock Willmott
Oct, 29 2025Welcome to the Ceres Rural Farming Update, a publication that provides independent insights on agricultural issues, from policy and grant funding, to administrative updates and key market information. Read the update here. For a printer-friendly version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing this publication. A ‘PLUS‘ version of this publication is now available to […]
Katie Crawford
Oct, 15 2025This morning, following successful lobbying efforts, Defra confirmed that one-year extensions will be offered to 5,000 Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship agreement holders whose schemes are due to end on 31st December 2025. These extensions will provide a crucial bridge for farms that currently have no alternative funding route once their agreements expire, helping farms maintain […]
Rowan Venables
Oct, 07 2025At Ceres Group, we’re proud to support and champion young talent in the rural sector. Many of our team members are actively involved in Young Farmers Clubs – from organising local shows and serving on executive committees to mentoring others and promoting rural careers. As we celebrate National Young Farmers’ Week 2025, we take a […]
Robert Gazely
Oct, 06 2025Each quarter, we produce a health & safety report, updating 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 carriage of passengers on farm trailers, risks involved with mezzanine floors and safe use of working dogs […]
Rosie Uden
Oct, 02 2025Many farm businesses are seeking reliable, knowledgeable support to stay compliant with evolving regulations and assurance schemes. At Ceres Rural, we’re proud to confirm that not only do we already deliver these services for a wide range of clients – we also have the capacity to take on more. Our Ceres Rural Compliance Service is designed […]
Sophia Slater
Sep, 18 2025Last week, Ceres Rural attended the Agroforestry Show in Maple Cross and came away with some valuable insights into emerging systems and funding opportunities. Here’s a summary of the most relevant points.   Agroforestry in Pasture: Forage and Shelter Agroforestry systems that integrate trees into pasture offer multiple benefits: Trees can provide high-quality forage, especially […]
Lydia Dayan
Sep, 10 2025September is the month of Heritage Open Days, and for those of us who enjoy dabbling in the antiquarian, we might be found heading to our local town centre to explore some historic gems as part of this annual festival. But how often do we turn our thoughts to the heritage of the countryside, and […]
Annis Cousins
Sep, 03 2025As we move into the latter half of the year, the agronomy landscape continues to be shaped by unpredictable weather patterns and shifting input markets. With an early harvest behind us and autumn preparations underway, we explore the current state of cultivations, crop establishment, and input planning. From blackgrass control to OSR resilience, we take […]
Beth Ashley
Sep, 03 2025Across the UK, organic flour consumption is on the rise, driven by a growing trend among homemade sourdough enthusiasts and artisan bakeries. Consumers cite health considerations, environmental impact, and a preference for transparent ingredients as key motivators. For flour mills, obtaining organic certification is both a compliance requirement and a strategic business opportunity. Certification Organic […]