Know How / Business management

Agriculture is changing rapidly so farmers need the right mix of practical, financial and management skills to drive their businesses forward.

This page will help improve your day-to-day decision-making through better measuring and monitoring, as well as looking at what to consider if making more strategic decisions such as buying land or diversifying.

Key areas of focus:

  • Budgeting, benchmarking and business planning advice
  • Getting the right business structure in place
  • People management and staffing issues
  • How to approach succession planning
  • Expert advice from the Business Clinic team

Latest Know How

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

How focus on 'cost of doing work' lifts dairy efficiency

Steep milk price cuts after better returns in the first half of the current milk year mean budgeting, cost management and cashflow forecasting need extra attention. Many dairy businesses, especially…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Outlook 2026: Consolidation poses threats to pork sector

Are integrated supply chains good for the industry? And who actually controls the UK’s pig supply chain? As we look towards a further year of uncertain financial stability in the…

BUSINESS

Outlook 2026: Dairy sector to see continued price pressure

The UK dairy sector is reflecting on a year of contrasts, with localised forage shortages, a once-again volatile milk price and a widening gap between milk contracts in terms of…

SHEEP

Young couple transform livestock farm with focus on costs

Streamlining operations, a tighter grip on costs and a proper renumeration package are among key changes a young Northumberland farming couple has made since completing a profit-focused business course. Rich…

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