Environmental Management

The latest announcement from Defra is exciting: a new national forest will be in the Oxford-Cambridge (Ox-Cam) corridor. This Ox-Cam national forest is the second to be announced, following the Western Forest announced earlier this year. A further location is due to be decided in early 2026, reportedly either in the Midlands or the North […]

With applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive and capital grants currently closed, many farmers are looking for alternative sources of financial support to continue marking improvements. The Thames Water Catchment Fund offers an opportunity to help bridge that gap. The Fund aims to support farmers in reducing agricultural herbicide pollution at its source, protecting local […]

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. 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 […]

At 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 […]

Many 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 […]

Last 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 […]

September 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 […]

It is now over a year since the introduction of mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). The Environment Act 2021 stipulates a minimum compulsory requirement of 10% uplift for a 30-year period, however some local planning authorities are requiring a greater uplift to offset development. Around half of BNG requirements are currently delivered on-site by developers […]

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. 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 […]