Unpaid Voluntary Environmental Land Management

Defra recently released data concerning the unpaid voluntary environmental management of land and attitudes towards the environment and understanding and awareness of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment. The data was collected from farms of at least 10 hectares of crops or grassland.

The findings show that during the crop year 2013-14, 450,000 hectares of land was managed under listed unpaid voluntary environmental measures with an additional 9,760 skylark plots and 7,387km of fenced watercourses. The largest land area of the measures listed was 161,000 hectares of fertiliser free permanent pasture followed by 109,000 hectares of over-wintered stubbles. The findings also show that 44% of farmers surveyed do some form of unpaid voluntary environmental land management. Many farmers think they are already doing enough for the environment and it was the main reason given by the 56% of farmers surveyed who do not have any form of unpaid environmental land management for not doing so. When those without any land already in unpaid voluntary environmental management measures were asked if they intended to do so, 15% answered 'Yes'.

The attitudes of farmers towards the environment are reflected also in their involvement in agri-environment schemes and 51% answered positively regarding membership of Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) scheme. When asked about their decision making regarding the environment about 80% of farmers surveyed put the greatest importance on the efficient use of inputs and protecting soil and water and considered that these should be put in the 'very important' category. Protecting wildlife was also important to a majority of farmers with 59% considering it 'very important'.

The number of farmers who consider that they have a good understanding and awareness of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment remained steady at around 15% between 2012-13 and 2013-14, 47% having some understanding and 12% having little or no idea. The most common source of information regarding the CFE was the farming press (64%) and CFE leaflets (43%) with 22% saying they had none.

Farm Business Income Up By 15%

Average farm business income increased across all farm types in England in 2010-11 by 15% mainly due to higher prices for cereals, oilseed rape and milk.

Farm business income is the main income measure used in the Farm Accounts of England which is the most important publication from the Farm Business Survey. It comprises 4 different segments or cost centres: agriculture, agri-environment, diversification and the single payment scheme. The agriculture and Single Payment Scheme cost centres contribute about 40% each to total farm business income. Agri-environment and diversification contribute smaller average amounts.

Average farm business income per farm results by broad farm types shows that cereal farms income was £94,6000 and increased by 12% mainly due to increases from the oilseed rape crop partly offset by increases in costs for fertiliser and soil improvement. General cropping farms suffered a decrease of 10% to £100,900. Potato output was considerably lower due to a fall in prices. Mixed farms farm business income increased by 30% in 2011-12 to £66,000 due to improved prices in both livestock and cropping enterprises. Horticultural-type farms covering fruit, vegetables and non-edibles increased by 15% to £55,300 even though total output was 3% lower than 2011-12. Fall in outputs was affected by the cold weather.

On livestock farms dairy farms' farm business income was up over 30% to £86,700 in 2011-12. Milk prices were 12% higher than in 2010-11 at over 28p/litre with average production costs of 26.2p/litre and better prices for dairy beef also helped increase total farm business output. Higher costs fro concentrates offset the increase in income. Lowland grazing livestock farms increased their income by around 50% to £32,200, still low in comparison to other farms. LFA grazing livestock farms increased their farm business income by about 37% to £29,200. Average farm business income on specialist pig farms was down by 15% at £38,000 compared to 2010-11. Prices and output were higher but were offset by higher feed costs.

Many farm businesses are responding to the changes faced by agriculture in the economy by trying to increase their incomes by diversification into non-agricultural work of an entrepreneurial nature on or off the farm but using the farms resources. Over 50% of farms in England fit this definition and have some diversified activity. This figure has been more or less stable for 5 years. The main one has traditionally been letting out buildings for non-agricultural use. Outside of this diversified activity the proportion of farms with diversified activity falls to 27%. Diversified farm activity accounts for up to a quarter of total farm income for 30% of businesses. For 16% of businesses diversified income accounts for more than the rest of the farm business. The 29,500 farms diversifying generated £380m of diversified income. The half of all farms diversifying generated only 4% (£730m) of total farm business output of £16,360m. The largest enterprises by value of output are those involved in the processing and retailing of farm produce (£31,500) and tourist accomodation and catering (£21,300) compared with sport and recreation (£11,900).