Rural Business Research

Rural Business Research is the largest specialist group of its kind in the UK.

Here you can find excellent research, data and analysis, important tools for business, government and universities – delivered to you by people with real knowledge.

Rural Business Research combines the forces of some of Britain’s top researchers

RBR is totally independent, a consortium of leading academic units delivering projects for government, levy-funded research bodies, research councils, and commercial clients.

Rural Business Research are valued suppliers to many organisations

We are looking for rigorous, fundamental and applied research and the powerful application of data.

About RBR

Rural Business Research are valued suppliers to many organisations looking for rigorous fundamental and applied research and the powerful application of data.

From our research teams around the country, RBR provides exceptional expertise with deep local knowledge, from specific regional studies, data collection and analysis, economic and environmental modelling and assessments, with experience in previous delivery of the Farm Business Survey for Defra.

Rigorous Research Internationally recognised academic bases are a good starting point if you’re looking for a partner in research. RBR provides top quality research for some of the most demanding clients in the world. From years of working with Defra, agricultural levy boards, research councils and other large contractors, we’ve developed unrivalled expertise in driving projects, implementing methodology, undertaking in-depth analysis and delivering high quality results.

Local and National RBR’s structure, with regional research expertise around the country, means that we understand local variations and issues, and can also place them in the national context. Our links with farmers are very strong. They value our independence from government and industry. They trust us and like us. This gives us great advantages with projects, helping them move more smoothly. There’s also responsibility – to ensure that, like the organisation commissioning a project – these key contributors clearly see benefits to their business by getting involved in our research projects.

Flexible and Adaptable Rural Business Research is an easy organisation to work with. Unlike some monolithic research organisations, where change is a problem, RBR offers a tailored approach to projects. From initial project conception, our teams of experts establish the needs of our clients, and work in collaboration – not at arms length – to develop research programmes to fit the changing policy and economic environments.

Publications

Farm Business Survey 2021-22

Dairy Farming in England 2021-22

Dairy Farming in England covers dairy margins and farm profitability, on a regional, herd size and lowland/upland basis. Includes 12 months of detailed analysis of the Dairy industry.

Horticulture Production in England 2021-22

Horticulture Production in England is focussed on the financial performance of the horticulture sector, including trends and challenges of the most recent financial year. Detailed, sector specific analysis covers top and soft fruit, outdoor vegetables, ornamentals, hardy nursery stock and glasshouse production.

Organic Farming in England 2021-22

Organic Farming in England is a comprehensive assessment of Organic production in England. It covers six organic farm types for which data are available and compares the changing fortunes of organic production version the conventional counterparts. The report provides whole-farm and enterprise level analysis.

Hill Farming in England 2021-22

Hill Farming in England takes a closer look at the 1.8 million hectares of farmland in the Less Favoured Areas (LFA’s). Analysis includes financial performance of agricultural and non-farming enterprises and measures of technical efficiency.

Lowland Grazing Livestock Production in England 2021-22

Lowland Grazing Livestock Production in England is a comprehensive assessment of grazing livestock farms in England. It explores agricultural and non farming income, also looking at regional, enterprise type and farm size trends. Analysis includes sheep flocks, breeding, store and fattening cattle units.

Poultry Production in England 2021-22

Poultry Production in England is a unique, cross-sector analysis of the poultry industry providing detailed analysis of the physical and financial performance of free range, barn and deep litter egg and broiler production systems.

Farm Business Survey Archive Publications

Farm Business Survey 2020-21

Farm Business Survey 2019-20

Farm Business Survey 2018-19

Farm Business Survey 2017-18

Farm Business Survey 2016-17

Farm Business Survey 2015-16

Farm Business Survey 2014-15

Farm Business Survey 2013-14

Farm Business Survey 2012-13

Farm Business Survey 2011-12

Farm Business Survey 2020-21

Farm Business Survey 2019-20

Farm Business Survey 2018-19

Farm Business Survey 2017-18

Farm Business Survey 2016-17

Farm Business Survey 2015-16

Farm Business Survey 2014-15

Farm Business Survey 2013-14

Farm Business Survey 2012-13

Farm Business Survey 2011-12

Technical Reports

Evidence Collection and Synthesis to Determine the Barriers to, and Appetite for, Risk Management Tools by Farmers in England

The Impact of Education on Farm Performance

A further investigation into the impact of the ban on neonicotinoid seed dressings on oilseed rape production in England, 2015-16

Rural Business Research combines the forces of five Higher and Further Education institutions with specialist expertise in rural and agricultural business management

About RBR

Farm Business Survey 2021-22

Farm Business Survey Archive Publications

Intelligence Reports

Technical Reports

Rural Business Research combines the forces of five Higher and Further Education institutions with specialist expertise in rural and agricultural business management

Contact Us

Prof. Paul Wilson Rural Business Research University of Nottingham Sutton Bonington Campus LE12 5RD

0115 951 6075

Prof. Paul Wilson
Rural Business Research
University of Nottingham
Sutton Bonington Campus
LE12 5RD