Red diesel still carries its discount, which counts for something at a time when very little else about running a farm feels settled. Energy prices have swung through 2026 on the back of events in the Middle East, and inflation is expected to climb again before the year is out. The honest summary is costs […]
The Sustainable Farming Incentive is reopening in 2026, and for many farms it’s a genuinely useful source of income. The trouble is that subsidy money and investment timing have never been on speaking terms, and this year is no exception. The redesigned scheme opened its first window in June for smaller farms and those […]
Ask a farmer what the business is worth and they’ll struggle to tell you in money they could lay their hands on by Friday. The wealth is real. It’s standing in the fields and parked in the sheds. It just isn’t liquid, and for most of agricultural history that distinction never troubled HMRC. From 6 […]
Recruitment remains difficult across many sectors. Skilled candidates are scarce, competition between employers is strong and wage expectations have risen. For SMEs without large HR departments or brand recognition, attracting talent can be particularly challenging. Higher salaries directly increase operating costs, but understaffing creates its own problems: delayed projects, reduced capacity and increased pressure on […]
Many SME owners are cautious about major spending in 2026 — and understandably so. Economic uncertainty, fluctuating demand and rising costs make long-term commitments feel risky. However, delaying investment also carries consequences. Ageing equipment becomes less reliable, maintenance costs increase, efficiency falls and opportunities may be missed. In competitive markets, falling behind can happen gradually […]
Most grounds operations budget for routine maintenance: servicing, fuel, consumables and seasonal work. The real disruption comes from unplanned events — major equipment failures, vehicle breakdowns, storm damage or irrigation problems. In 2026, financial resilience is particularly important because income streams can be uncertain. Private contractors may face fluctuating workloads, while public-sector teams operate under […]
Fewer Hands, Same Workload Recruiting skilled grounds staff remains difficult in 2026. Many teams are operating below ideal staffing levels, while demand for services has not reduced. Seasonal peaks — spring growth or autumn leaf fall — place additional strain on already stretched crews. Overtime and contractor support can fill gaps, but both increase costs. […]
Whether you maintain parks, sports pitches, school fields, estates, roadside verges or commercial landscapes, expectations haven’t dropped — if anything, they’ve increased. Surfaces must be safe, tidy and usable year-round, even as budgets tighten and workloads grow. Across the UK, organisations responsible for grounds are dealing with rising costs for fuel, fertiliser, seed, parts and […]
Most farmers don’t need telling that things have changed. Costs are up. Margins are tighter. Prices move around more than they used to. And relying on one source of income is becoming harder to make work year after year. That’s why more farms are looking at ways to bring extra income into the business. Not […]
Most farmers don’t need telling that things have changed. Costs are up. Margins are tighter. Prices move around more than they used to. And relying on one source of income is becoming harder to make work year after year. That’s why more farms are looking at ways to bring extra income into the business. Not […]
