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Rise in farming incomes LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Highest productivity ever is recorded for the sector. Dear Editor....
otal farming
income and
productivity are on
the rise, latest
estimates for 2017
show.
Total income from farming is the
profit from all UK farms in a
calendar year, measuring the
return to all businesses for their
management, labour and capital
invested.
First estimates published today
show total income from farming
rose by £1,683 million from 2016
to 2017, an increase of 41%. The
£5,742 million estimated for 2017
highlights farming remains a
profitable and rewarding business
for established farmers and new
entrants who are in a strong
position ahead of the UK’s exit
from the EU.
The increased productivity
recorded in 2017 also shows
farmers are producing more with
less, which suggests they are
using smarter more efficient
methods and embracing
innovation. The volume of all
outputs increased by 3.6%
compared to 2016 whilst the
volume of all inputs increased by any farmers are
currently facing
fodder shortages
and flooding,
serious
problems that
impact on their ability to feed
animals and plant crops.
In some regions, persistent
and heavy rains have followed
on swiftly from extreme
snowfalls – and to make matters
worse, the current weather-
related problems come whilst
many are in the midst of lambing
and calving.
The Royal Agricultural
Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I)
has been around since 1860 and
is farming’s oldest and largest
welfare charity. In 2017, we gave
out grants of close to £2 million
to people of all ages in financial
need.
We have welfare officers
across England and Wales who
understand the current
difficulties. Our welfare officer for
Northumberland and Durham,
for example, recently reported
that many people in his area had
lost sheep in snow drifts and
T
just 0.7%.
A strong harvest in 2017 helped
to drive productivity higher for
2017, with a 7.3% increase in the
volume of all crops estimated.
Livestock outputs for meat and
other products also rose by 1.8%
from 2016. More productive
farming across all sectors is
directly benefitting farmers’ bank
balances as the total income from
farming per person engaged in
entrepreneurial labour in the
sector rose by 41% in real terms to
£29,794 a year.
Farming Minister George
Eustice said:
“Estimates show 2017 was a
good year for the farming industry,
in particular those in the arable
and livestock sectors. Whilst the
increase in farm gate prices has
helped, it’s also encoura