For many farms, diversification is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s becoming essential. Margins are tighter, costs are harder to predict, and traditional income streams are under more pressure than they’ve been for years. Against that backdrop, renewable energy is moving from the sidelines into the mainstream of farm business planning. Not as […]
Farming has never been a business built on certainty — but heading into 2026, the margin for error feels thinner than ever. Interest rates remain high by recent standards, input costs are stubborn, and selling prices continue to move in ways that are hard to predict. Add in weather volatility, labour pressures and tighter environmental […]
Every farm has a machine that’s “still going” — until it isn’t. Repairs feel cheaper than replacement, especially when cash is tight. But breakdowns don’t respect timing, and lost hours during a busy spell can cost more than the fix itself. In today’s climate, machinery decisions aren’t just mechanical — they’re financial. The Real Cost […]
Ask any farmer what’s changed most in recent years and the answer is usually the same: costs. Feed prices move quickly. Fuel jumps without warning. Fertiliser remains expensive. Labour costs keep edging up. Machinery and parts cost more and take longer to arrive. Much of that is outside your control — and pretending otherwise only […]
If you run a farm, you don’t need reminding that cash flow doesn’t arrive neatly every month. Money comes in when crops are sold, livestock moves, or contracts are settled — but the bills turn up regardless. That reality has always been part of farming. What’s changed is how little margin there is for error. […]
Farming has always been a balancing act — weather, inputs, markets, labour, and margins. But in 2025, that balancing act has become tougher than ever. Costs are high, prices are unpredictable, and many farms are having to make big decisions with less certainty than they’ve ever had before. That’s why more farmers are turning to […]
Top Business Trends to Watch in 2026: What Businesses Should Prepare For As we close out 2025, one reality is hard to ignore: the landscape has fundamentally changed. Costs are higher, demand is uneven, and the long-term economic picture remains uncertain. Yet in that uncertainty sits opportunity — especially for businesses that prepare early. Here […]
Autumn Budget 2025: What It Really Means for SMEs The Autumn Budget has landed, and while it wasn’t the radical reset some were hoping for, it marks a clear shift in direction. For SMEs already working through rising costs, tight margins, and uncertain demand, this Budget lays out the economic landscape for 2026 — and […]
The Autumn Budget is set for 26 November 2025, and all eyes are on Chancellor Rachel Reeves as she prepares her second major fiscal statement. With borrowing still high, inflation proving stubborn, and growth flatlining, the government faces one of the toughest balancing acts in years. Reeves has signalled her intention to build extra “headroom” […]
Running a business is never without challenges, but 2025 has tested SMEs in particular. Inflation is proving sticky, interest rates remain elevated despite recent cuts, and costs across wages, fuel, and energy show little sign of easing. Against this backdrop, financial planning has never been more important. Here are five practical tips to help SMEs […]
