Welsh farms increase output

THE ANNUAL survey of Welsh farm businesses in 2003/2004 has revealed an increase in output and higher incomes on all units, except those running lowland cattle and sheep.

The biggest rise in the value of outputs was 22% on the 70 hill and upland dairy farms in the 607 farm sample, though inputs also climbed by 17%.

Excluding breeding livestock appreciation average net farm income on these units was £13,165 compared with £7799 the year before.

On the 72 lowland dairy farms surveyed output was worth 10% more than in 2002/2003, and costs rose by 8%. The average net farm income was £18,350, or £3506 higher.

The 90 hill sheep farms in the sample increased output by 10%, but much of the improvement was swallowed up by an 8% rise in costs.

This still generated a net farm income of £15,445, which was £2289 up.

A 9% hike in input costs countered the 12% rise in output value on 142 hill cattle and sheep farms, but net farm income excluding stock revaluation was up from £11,928 to £14,971.

On 65 upland cattle and sheep farms the average net income figure increased by £3726 to £10,293 as the result of a 15% boost in the value of outputs.

A 15% lift in production input costs on the 51 lowland cattle and sheep units surveyed wiped out the 12% greater value of outputs.

This meant that the average net farm income fell by nearly 7% to £6861 before livestock revaluation.