A few days have passed since the Cereals Event 2025 in Lincolnshire, and what an event it was! As a recruitment consultancy that lives and breathes the rural and agricultural sectors, this event is always a big one for us.
With over 400 exhibitors and thousands of visitors, Cereals once again proved why it’s the go-to event for arable farming in the UK. For us, it was more than just a chance to see the latest kit or catch a few talks (though we did plenty of that too!). It was about staying close to the pulse of the industry, meeting the people who make it tick, and understanding where things are headed – so we can keep doing what we do best: connecting great people with great opportunities.
The Big Picture: Change, Challenge, and Innovation
There was a sense of unease in the air this year. From food security and climate resilience to the role of tech in farming, the conversations were big and bold. NFU President Tom Bradshaw kicked things off with a strong message: food security should be treated as a national defence issue. That really set the tone, and he isn’t wrong. The #backafarmernotstarmer flags elicited more than a few wry smiles, and Steve Reed and Daniel Zeichner were conspicuous only by their absence, though this wasn’t necessarily surprising. I can’t imagine them feeling entirely comfortable in a field full of people that their government seems to be hell-bent on kicking at every turn.
But amongst the restlessness, there was also a feeling of optimism and forward thinking. We saw some incredible innovations – from drone spraying demos to AI-powered crop analytics – and it’s clear that the sector is evolving fast. It’s now less about who can plough the straightest furrow and more about ‘who can adapt to technology’.
For us, that means the types of roles we’re recruiting for are changing too. There’s growing demand for people who can bridge the gap between traditional farming and modern tech, and who understand both the land and the data.
Hannah Cuthbert at the Careers Luncheon
A standout moment for our team was seeing our very own Hannah Cuthbert speak at the Careers Luncheon. She joined a panel of industry voices to talk about career pathways in agriculture, and she absolutely nailed it.
Hannah spoke passionately about the variety of roles available in the sector today – not just on farms, but in agronomy, sustainability, tech, and rural business. She highlighted how important it is to support young people coming into the industry and to show them that the sector is full of opportunity, purpose, and innovation. We couldn’t have been prouder. It was a brilliant reminder of why we do what we do: helping people find meaningful careers in a sector that really matters.
Reconnecting with Clients and Candidates
One of the best parts of Cereals is the people. We had so many great conversations – some planned, some spontaneous – with clients, candidates, and industry friends. It was lovely to catch up with familiar faces and to meet new ones too. We spoke with candidates who are thinking about their next move, and with businesses that are growing and looking for the right talent to take them forward. These chats are invaluable. They help us understand what’s happening on the ground, what challenges people are facing, and where the opportunities are.
And let’s be honest. There’s something about chatting face-to-face, in a field, with a coffee in hand, that just can’t be replicated over email or Zoom.
The Great Big (Green) Elephant in the Field
Of course, we couldn’t leave Cereals 2025 without mentioning the new John Deere 9RX – a true beast of a machine that drew plenty of attention. It’s undeniably impressive in scale and engineering but seeing it up close only reinforced my feelings outlined in my recent blog post, “How Big Is Too Big?”. For UK farming, where field sizes and terrain often demand a bit more agility over brute strength, the 9RX feels like a mismatch. It’s a marvel, yes, but it’s hard to see it being practical for most British operations. The horsepower race continues, but I remain unconvinced that bigger always means better, especially in our corner of the world.
What We Took Away
Here are a few things that really stood out to us this year:
Food and energy security are now front and centre. This is going to shape policy, funding, and hiring in a big way – especially in areas like soil management, biofuels, and supply chain resilience.
Tech is transforming the sector. From robotics to data analytics, the future of farming is digital. That means new skills, new roles, and new opportunities.
Young people are key. There was a real focus on the next generation, and it’s clear we need to keep investing in them – not just with training, but with clear career pathways and support.
Climate resilience is critical. Farmers are under pressure to adapt, and that’s driving demand for expertise in sustainability, regenerative practices, and environmental compliance.
Business skills matter more than ever. As farms become more complex and diversified, there’s a growing need for people who can think strategically and manage operations like any other business.
Why Events Like This Matter to Us
For us, Cereals isn’t just a day out. It’s a chance to listen, learn, and stay connected. It helps us to:
Keep up with what’s happening in the industry
Understand what our clients and candidates need
Spot trends and opportunities early
Strengthen relationships and build new ones
It also reminds us why we love working in this space. Agriculture is full of passionate, innovative, and resilient people, and we’re proud to play a part in helping them thrive.
Looking Ahead
We left Cereals 2025 feeling informed and energised. There’s a lot of change happening in the sector, but also a lot of opportunity, and we’re excited to help our clients and candidates navigate it all.
If we saw you at the event, thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. And if we missed you, we’d love to catch up. Whether you’re hiring, job hunting, or just want to chat about what’s next for the industry, we’re here.
Let’s keep the conversation going.
