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Farm planning handbook published

Tuesday, 10 February 2009

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) have announced publication of the farm planning handbook ‘Farm Business Data 2009’.

‘Farm Business Data 2009’ will be a valuable source of information for farmers, their professional advisors, those undertaking formal training in agriculture or anyone who requires planning and budgetary data relating to farming in Northern Ireland. The role of ‘Farm Business Data’ is to provide a comprehensive and authoritative source of physical and financial information that is tailored to farm planning needs in Northern Ireland.

Budgets for all the crop and livestock enterprises commonly found in Northern Ireland are presented in the handbook. A section on Farm Support Schemes details the operation of selected schemes such as the Single Farm Payment Scheme.

A range of useful information in the 'Miscellaneous' section includes a summary of nitrates and phosphorous regulations. It also includes details on taxation, fixed costs, building costs, machinery costs, hire charges, contractors’ charges, conacre rents and key DARD contact points.

Farm Business Data 2009 is available on the DARD website at: www.dardni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-dard-statistics/farm-business-data-2009.htm

Notes to Editors

  1. Data presented in the enterprise budgets is in ‘normalised’ gross margin format and is unsuitable for comparing the performance of individual businesses against standards of performance for the sector as a whole. Data suitable for this purpose are published in ‘Northern Ireland Farm Performance Indicators 2007/08.’
  2. Farm Business Data 2009 is available on the DARD website at: www.dardni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-dard-statistics/farm-business-data-2009.htm Hard copies of the handbook may be obtained (£7.50 each), from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Policy and Economics Division, Room 656, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB, Tel: 028 9052 4839 or by e-mail farmsurvey.PED@dardni.gov.uk.
  3. All media enquiries to DARD press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of hours, contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 997 5440 and your call will be returned.