The industry’s response to DEFRA's latest farm income figures has been lukewarm and rightly so.
The figures do show an increase in the Total Income from Farming and in average farm incomes. But when you look at the figures in more detail they are pretty dismal.
Average net farm income per cereals farm for 2006/7 is estimated at £27,900 but the figure for lowland grazing livestock farms is just £7,700 and the figure for hill livestock producers only £9,300.
Comments (2)
Lies, lies, damned lies and statistics. You rightly point out that farm incomes vary hugely. A few reasonable results conceal a myriad poor ones. British farming is a fragmented industry. As long as people talk averages they consign many small, potentially vibrant family farms to the scrap-heap, in favour of large, semi-industrial agribusinesses. Both should have a future. UK farm policy needs to restore a greater social element unless we want to create a uniform, feature-less farming community of efficient, but ultimately dull, super-producers.
Comment left on February 6, 2007 12:31 PM
Posted on February 6, 2007 12:31
What in the name of Jerry Brightonhammer was that all about?
I dont' know but it doesn't make sense to me.
Comment left on March 30, 2007 10:32 PM
Posted on March 30, 2007 22:32