How Can You Build a More Resilient Farm Business?

Insights from Groundswell 2025

At Groundswell 2025, we gathered a panel of farming experts to explore the question: How can farmers build more resilient businesses in the face of policy change, market volatility and environmental pressures?

In this blog, we share the key takeaways from our live podcast recording at the Agrii stand.

Part 1: Features Ed Barker (AIC), Vicki Robinson (AIC), Mike Gooding (AHDB), and Agrii’s own Neil Harper,

Part 2: We go into the soil pit with Tom Perrott, and Libby Richards.

Watch Part One

Why Should Farm Businesses Pay Close Attention to Policy?

Post-Brexit, UK agricultural policy is now entirely shaped at home rather than in Brussels. That means policy decisions - particularly around subsidies, sustainability and regulation - can change quickly and often. As Ed Barker explained, this puts UK farmers in the driver’s seat, but also under pressure to stay ahead of shorter political cycles and rapidly changing schemes.

From Mike Gooding’s point of view, the real power lies with the consumer. Market access and profitability are tied not only to government policy but also to meeting consumer demands for traceability, sustainability and standards.

Your takeaway: Policy change isn’t just red tape, it affects profitability, compliance, and access to markets. Staying informed helps you plan and adapt.

What Are the Biggest Challenges Farmers Face from Rapid Policy Change?

A major concern raised was the short-term nature of UK policy cycles. Compared to the EU’s seven-year CAP system, UK farming now faces four-year election cycles. That makes long-term planning difficult, especially for those in multi-year rotations or tenancy agreements.

Neil Harper noted that the uncertainty of "what might change next year" creates stress and confusion, especially across different age groups and attitudes toward risk.

As Vicki Robinson pointed out, policy changes also come with more compliance pressure, not only for environmental schemes like SFI, but increasingly for carbon reporting and supply chain sustainability goals.

Your takeaway: The more you understand the incoming changes, the better you can turn them into business opportunities rather than seeing them purely as risks.

What Policies Should You Be Watching Closely?

According to Vicki, farms will soon feel the impact of sustainability reporting requirements. Even if you're not directly required to report, your data will likely feed into someone else’s—whether that’s a buyer, processor or retailer.

• Scope 3 emissions reporting
• Product carbon footprints
• Demonstrating ‘green’ claims with evidence

Your takeaway: Better data is coming, but for now, choose one reporting method and stick with it to reduce confusion and start building consistent records.

What Can You Do to De-Risk Your Farming Business?

Ed Barker broke it down into “Feed, Fertiliser and the French”:

• Feed: Domestic demand for alternative proteins is rising. Farmers supplying peas, beans, rapeseed or lupins into UK feed markets may see increasing demand.
• Fertiliser: A carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will apply a carbon price to imported fertiliser. Expect changes in price structures and product availability.
• The French (and the EU): New agreements could align our pesticide actives with EU approvals, potentially bringing new products to market, or removing others.

Your takeaway: Stay close to your supply chain, talk to your buyers, and monitor upcoming changes in fertiliser and crop protection regulation.

What’s the One Thing You Should Do to Prepare for Change?

Mike Gooding’s advice was simple:
“Be clear about what you’re trying to achieve.”

Whether it’s reducing sheep lameness or improving your soils, focusing on prevention and purpose leads to more resilience and often, better profits.

Practical Tips to Build Better Farm Resilience

Watch Part Two

How Can You Build Crop Resilience from the Ground Up?

Agrii Nutrition Specialist Tom Perrott and RHIZA specialist Libby Richards took us from policy talk to the soil pit, literally digging into the foundation of resilient cropping.

Tom’s message:
“Your biggest asset isn’t your tractor or buildings. It’s your soil.”

Start with a spade. Understand your soil structure, texture, pH and organic matter. That’s the foundation for improving:

• Nutrient use efficiency
• Water infiltration
• Drought tolerance

Libby added that while many farmers are already doing Red Tractor soil tests every 4–5 years, these are often treated as tick-box exercises. Instead, map your results across the farm, analyse trends, and use that insight to inform cultivation and nutrition decisions.

Are Digital Tools Making Soil Management Easier?

Absolutely! When used the right way.

From electrical conductivity scanning to satellite imagery, RHIZA offers tools that:

• Identify variability across fields
• Help zone your sampling and input applications
• Track biomass and crop performance over time

Tom said:
“Digital tools can feel overwhelming, but they help you work smarter, not harder.”

Your takeaway: Use tech to back up what you’re already seeing in the field. Let it guide your next steps, not drown you in data.

Final Tips for Building Resilience on Your Farm

• Tell your story: Farmers must shape policy by sharing the real-world impact of schemes, good and bad.
• Don’t go it alone: Talk to peers, agronomists and support networks.
• Use what you already have: Reframe routine tasks (like soil testing) as business intelligence.
• Be goal-driven: Know what your business wants to achieve, and build a plan that aligns with it.

Need Help Navigating Policy, Programmes or Soils?

We’re here to support your farm business through technical advice, digital tools, and practical solutions backed by R&D.

🔍 Visit agrii.co.uk/contact
📞 Or speak to your local Agrii advisor