Changes to the Farm Business Survey
Published 8 November 2022
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2022
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Farm Business Survey: An exciting new era.
Since the 1930’s, data from the Farm Business Survey have provided a wealth of financial information that has helped evaluate and inform government farming policies. The original survey objective of “systematically collecting information on the economic condition of farming”, remains as relevant now as it was then. This has been possible through the dedication and hard work of the highly experienced Research Officers who have ensured the survey data has been of the highest quality for all its users for many years.
Following a recent procurement exercise the Farm Business Survey team are now starting an exciting new period working with Promar International who have been awarded the next data collection contract. Promar are a leading provider of agricultural consultancy services and offer Defra excellent value for money whilst also bringing innovative improvements to modernise the data collection process which will increase the value of the data collected and reduce the burden on participating farms. Their solution is centred around their farm financial management software package Agstute. Participating farmers can benefit from free access to the package (worth £600/year to the farmer) if they wish to use it.
Promar will run the Farm Business Survey as a ring-fenced activity away from their commercial activities so the data collected in the survey can only be used for statistical and analytical purposes as directed by Defra. Data will be treated in the strictest confidence in line with GDPR legislation and will not be shared with any other parties, so participating farmers can be reassured their confidential information will only be used for analytical purposes.
Interested in taking part in the Farm Business Survey?
Defra are extremely grateful to the farmers and growers who already participate in the survey, many of whom have been involved for a long time. This year a number of additional farmers and growers will be offered the opportunity to participate in the survey and in return receive the free benefits available. If you are interested in knowing more about participating in the survey, please contact Natalie at Promar: 07890 425 834 or Natalie.Stoppard@genusplc.com.
In return for taking part in the survey, Promar will offer the following benefits for free;
- Access to financial farm management software Agstute, (worth £600/year to the farmer). You can of course continue to use your own accounting and management software if you prefer
- Reconciled management accounts for your farm
- Tailored feedback on aspects of your business performance, including benchmark reports (comparing your farms data to that of a similar type and size in your region).
2021/22 Farm Business Survey results
2021/22 Farm Business Incomes have been published on 8th November 2022, see Farm business income - GOV.UK. This data is a key data source for a range of analysis, including monitoring the impact of rising input prices, the development of Environmental Land Management Schemes and monitoring the impact of the phasing out of Direct Payments.
For more information on the survey see Farm Business Survey or contact fbs.queries@defra.gov.uk.