9 October 2025

A new online course to help farmers to understand – and cope with – the financial requirements of the business has been launched by the Royal Agricultural University (RAU).

Farmer-friendly Finance is one of a raft of new CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses that has been developed by the University specifically for those working in the agricultural and land-based sectors.

Teresa North, Executive Transformation Director at the RAU, explained: “We have run a range of very successful and popular CPD courses for many years and, when we reviewed our offering, we realised that there was a demand for more courses in this sector.

“In particular, we know that mental health is a big issue for farmers and some of that stress stems from dealing with the financial planning involved in running a farm.

“This new Farmer-friendly Finance course is aimed at farmers who are keen to boost their confidence in dealing with financial planning and monitoring to improve their business strategy and help them with discussions with advisors.

“We know farmers are busy - and work 24/7 - so we have specifically tailored this course to the rhythm of the agricultural calendar well as delivering the course online to make it as easy as  possible for them to access the training and support they need to help their business thrive.”

The University continues to offer CPD courses in the agriculture and real estate and land management sectors as well as brand new courses in the areas of environment, cultural heritage, and business and entrepreneurship.

The courses, which are designed and delivered by experts in the field, are offered both online and face-to-face on the University’s historic Cirencester campus.

The Farmer-friendly Finance course will take place online over four days between November 2025 and the spring of 2026 and will be delivered by Abby Cook a farm business consultant and farmer based in Gloucestershire.

With fifteen years’ experience as a consultant, combined with her own practical farming skills, Abby brings a wealth of experience, delivered in a farmer-friendly, jargon-free way, to break down the barriers for farmers wanting to take control of their farm business confidently.

Abby explained: “As a farmer myself, I understand the importance of having a solid grasp of finances and figures in order to get the most out of the business and out of conversations when speaking to advisors and lenders. There is a lot of financial jargon used, and a lot of facts and figures required, to put a comprehensive business plan or budget together and it can often be difficult to know where to start. 

“While most farmers are confident on the technical side of farming, some can lack confidence and understanding when it comes to the financial side of the business and that, on top of juggling day to day management of the business, can be overwhelming and stressful. 

“Our aim is to give farmers the confidence to analyse their results, plan ahead for each enterprise, compile basic financial reports, and challenge advisors and lenders to move their business forwards.”

The course will cover the basics - from gross margins, cash flow, and how to construct them - right up to more complicated tasks like debt level management, risk management, and also putting business plans and tenancy applications together. 

For more information – and to book a place on any of the RAU’s CPD courses – please visit https://www.rau.ac.uk/courses/cpd.