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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 […]

Three new offices are being opened by Ceres Group as the leading rural consultancy responds to sky-rocketing demand for its services and expertise. Ceres Group’s geographic reach is being extended to both the north and the south-west as it establishes offices in Northampton, Newbury and Stamford, in a move which will see staff numbers grow […]

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 […]

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 […]

New Hall Wine Estate in Purleigh, Crouch Valley, Essex, has a central focus on sustainable innovation and maximising vine health and prosperity, whilst enhancing the ecology and biodiversity of the surrounding habitat of the vineyard.  The family-run vineyard was seeking to enhance the biodiversity benefits achievable on all aspects of the land, including the land […]

It is often said that farming is facing the biggest period of change for a generation. There is a complex range of challenges and opportunities, with various interdependencies between them, which can make them difficult to navigate. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer or silver bullet, but doing nothing is clearly not a viable strategy. […]

Forestry Commission Announces Increased EWCO Payments On 18 March, the Forestry Commission (FC) announced an immediate increase in payments for England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) grant recipients. The uplift applies to all existing and new agreement holders. Higher Payment Rates and New Premium Options The maximum payment per hectare rises from £8,000 to £11,600 or […]

Welcome to the Ceres Rural Farming Update March 2024, 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 – March 2024. For a printer-friendly version, click here. Please consider the environment before printing this publication.

Day one of the conference, Senior Consultant Christopher Monk attended and saw Steve Barclay (the new Secretary of State) announce an unexpected increase in Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) / Countryside Stewardship (CS) payments of 10%, which will apply to both existing and new agreements. He also announced a number of new premium actions/options and confirmed […]