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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John Price
Jun, 11 2025HIGHER LEVEL STEWARDSHIP (HLS) PAYMENT RATES INCREASE The Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) payment rates are set to increase for the first time in over a decade, with a £30 million investment aimed at aligning these rates with the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) and Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) schemes. The new rates will be effective […]
Toby Eve
May, 13 2025Defra has now confirmed that the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2025, will open for application on 29 May 2025 and will close at midday on 10 July 2025. In preparation for the application window, Defra has released further detail on items that will be funded this year. Similar to last year’s offer the […]
George Badger
Apr, 28 2025Ceres Group Respond To: UK Land Use Framework Consultation The UK Government recently consulted on a Land Use Framework for England, seeking views on how land can be used to balance competing demands including food production, environmental outcomes and development. Ceres Group submitted a public response during the consultation phase, drawing on our experience across […]
George Catchpole
Apr, 09 2025
Welcome 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: Farming Update – April 2025. For a downloadable version click here, and for a printer-friendly version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing […]
Robert Gazely
Apr, 01 2025Each quarter, we release our Health & Safety Bulletin, 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 highlights the most common hazards associated with silage clamps and outlines the important purposes of electrical fixed wire testing. […]
Richard Means
Mar, 11 202511th March, a day the rural industry was served not just one piece of news which increases concern for farming practices and their future resilience, but two. The first – the information published within The Planning & Infrastructure Bill, which includes measures that will see farmers having to sacrifice land through compulsory purchase for less […]
Katie Arden
Feb, 26 2025 Yesterday at the NFU Conference, the government announced a range of farming updates, including increased funding for environmental and innovation grants, new support for farmers, and improvements to existing schemes. These measures aim to boost sustainability, enhance productivity, and ensure fairer access to financial support. ELM Capital Grants The popular stand alone 2024 scheme […]
Charlie Ireland
Feb, 12 2025 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 […]
Rosalie Sanders
Jan, 29 2025Quite easily missed in Defra’s update on January 6th was the announcement of 14 new endorsed SFI options and a host of new capital items to support both Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) agreements. These will both be available from summer 2025, with the CSHT capital options available as soon […]
Robert Gazely
Jan, 15 2025Each 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 highlights key considerations associated with LPG storage and explains the importance of health and safety inductions. It outlines your legal responsibilities regarding asbestos management and […]