How should I diversify my farm business?

How should I diversify? [caption id="attachment_1615" align="aligncenter" width="682"] Source: Farm Accounts England 2017/18[/caption] The enterprises that generated the highest incomes in 2017/18 were food processing and retailing enterprises, letting out buildings, and renewable energy (excluding solar energy). However, not all types of diversification will suit your farm. You will need to take

Should I diversify my farm business?

66% of farm businesses in England have diversified in some way, but what return are they seeing for their efforts? How does this sound? On average farms need to invest £10,500 (fixed and variable costs) to produce an output valuing £22800. This generates a farm business income of £12,400. In other word,

Let’s talk Diversification

For many, diversification is a viable way forward in a time of economic change within the agricultural industry and the UK as a whole. [caption id="attachment_1451" align="alignright" width="844"] Source: Farm Business Survey[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1467" align="alignright" width="300"] Source: Farm Business Survey[/caption] In the 2017/18 financial year farms on average generated a farm business

The B word

With Brexit on the horizon there are some big changes coming to the agricultural industry. No longer will we be able to rely on payments under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy as the UK develops a new policy framework for agriculture. The European market is also important for UK exports and imports,

Is UK agriculture losing its competitive edge?

Although UK agriculture as become more efficient over the years, when compared to the technical efficacy and performance of principle international competitors, the industry faces a huge challenge. Cornish Agriculture faces an additional challenge with its geographical location and the distance from the principal markets for its produce. [caption id="attachment_1447" align="alignnone" width="640"]

Removing the succession planning elephant from the room

Succession Planning – How to remove the elephants from the room

[caption id="attachment_1348" align="alignright" width="300"] Click to download your copy[/caption] So how do you remove the elephants from the room when it comes to succession planning? Perhaps we can use a technique from business circles known as a ‘premortem’. It involves imagining at the start of a project that it has failed, allowing

Broken rubic cube

4 stress busting tools

Yesterday I went on a stress awareness course run by Healthy Cornwall. I thought that I would share with you the four tools the course leader shared with us. 1. A jar of positivity I had heard of this concept before but have never been inspired to implement it. I suspect that

stressed farmer

Why are farmers so stressed?

There are many sources of stress in the farming environment which can impact on us both psychologically and physically. In theory, we should worry about the things that are within our circle of influence and not the things we can not control (outside our circle of influence). Easier said that done, we

tractor tyre

The Tractor Wheel of Life – a quick way to check the pulse of your business

“I’ll think of something.” That’s a farmer’s answer to every problem – and usually they do as they’re incredibly resourceful, talented people with an amazing work ethic. They do it until it comes to their own wellbeing. Many of you reading the words ‘farmer’s wellbeing’ are probably starting to feel uncomfortable, a

tractor in a coastal field with a roller attached

A tractor cab guide to self-care

Looking after ourselves is a priority. Just like your tractor, without regular maintenance you won’t run efficiently and will eventually breakdown. Taking a little time to take care of ourselves can improve all areas of our lives. Even small changes can make large differences to our mental wellbeing. You may want to