independent advice they are offering under the Farm Business Advice Service (FBAS) which will be delivered as part of Defra’s £32m Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF) Scale Up Project.
Farmers are facing the imminent end of BPS payments, dramatic inflation and rising interest rates which makes future business planning vital.
The GSC Grays team of experts will help farmers adapt to changes in farming through specialist and tailored support.
A key element of the GSC Grays support will be a free on farm business review which will:
- identify their business goals for the next 5-10 years
- develop an action plan detailing what they will need to do and when
- build a business which is profitable and sustainable without support.
More than 300 farmers benefitted from GSC Grays expertise through the previous AHDB scheme, seeing first-hand how invaluable budgeting advice and other simple steps can be in preparing farm businesses for the future.
Robert Sullivan, Head of Farm Business at GSC Grays explained: “One year out from payments being halved, over 60% of farm business remain unprofitable without their BPS payment. Combined with inflation and rising interest rates, there is real concern for the future. All farms are different, and one size does not fit all, so we made sure that our FBAS scheme can be shaped to fit the farmer and their individual situation and needs.”
The focus of support is on:
- Production management
- Environmental resource management
- Business and financial management
- New enterprises and diversification opportunities
- Business restructuring, success and exit planning
Farm businesses will be offered free one-to-one support (up to two and a half days of time), and group support through on farm events and workshops, webinar and business group meetings.
Farmers can find out more information, or sign up to the service, by calling 03333 059059 or visiting www.gscgrays.co.uk/fbas.
