In the face of Brexit uncertainty, falling food prices, and rising energy costs, many UK farmers are seeking new income streams to remain sustainable. In fact, 62% of farmers are now diversifying to grow their assets and protect their livelihoods. Next month, we’ll be exhibiting at the Farm Business Innovation 2018 show at Birmingham’s NEC — and it’s got us thinking about how Cotterills can help you diversify and boost your income.
Here are our top 5 tips on how to do just that:
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1. Make Unusable Land Usable Again
Is some of your land unusable due to waterlogging or poor drainage? With farmland now averaging around £9,000 per acre*, maximising every piece of ground matters. Land drainage can revitalise neglected ground — improving soil structure and potentially increasing crop yields by up to 150%. We supply a wide range of land drainage pipe coils and accessories at competitive prices to help get your land back in action and earning again.
2. Glamping and Luxury Camping
“Glamping” — glamorous camping — continues to grow in popularity among UK holidaymakers who love the countryside but want comfort. With the sector expected to reach £3.2 billion by 2020, it’s a prime diversification opportunity for farmers. Whether you’re planning log cabins, yurts, or treehouses, Cotterills can provide and install everything from sewage treatment systems for toilets and showers to rainwater harvesting solutions — helping you create a luxury rural retreat that delivers real returns.
3. Fish Rearing Tanks
Aquaculture — the farming of fish for food or ornamental use — is another exciting diversification route. Using fish rearing tanks means you can start aquaculture inland, turning underutilised land into a productive business. In the UK, tanks are most commonly used for farming salmon, but they can also be adapted for shellfish or algae cultivation. Our aquaculture solutions include durable, low-maintenance tanks with life expectancies of up to 30 years — supplied with installation and maintenance support.
4. Wedding Venues
Outdoor and barn weddings are booming — only one in three couples now marry in a church. If your land offers scenic views or convertible buildings, you could be sitting on the perfect wedding venue. At Cotterills, we help farmers transform their land into event-ready spaces, providing sewage treatment installations, groundwork, and building conversions. One example is Packington Moor Farm in the Midlands, where we installed a sewage treatment plant to support increased wastewater from weddings. Click here to read the full case study.
5. Office Buildings & Holiday Homes
Converting unused barns or land into office space or holiday cottages is another profitable way to diversify. With more people seeking rural working environments and countryside breaks, farm-based developments are in demand. If your property has potential, our experienced team can advise on farm building conversions and installations — helping you create new, income-generating spaces on your land.
See Us at the Farm Business Innovation Show
Visit Cotterill Civils at Stand 3802 during the Farm Business Innovation Show on 7th & 8th November at Birmingham’s NEC. Alternatively, for expert advice on any of these ideas, call us on 0121 351 3230.
Alternatively, fill out our enquiry form:
*Data source: Savills UK Farmland Report
