Farm performance in 2006/07

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has published the booklet 'Northern Ireland Farm Performance Indicators 2006/07.'

This is the fifth edition of this annual publication, which is designed to provide farmers with reliable data, to assess the current performance of their farm businesses.

Data in the booklet are extracted from farm account information, collected as part of the 2006/07 Northern Ireland Farm Business Survey, by Policy and Economics Division, DARD. The Northern Ireland Farm Business Survey is composed of a representative sample of farm businesses and the data accurately reflect performance levels achieved on Northern Ireland farms.

Enterprise data are presented in gross margin format. Included are details of the value of output, variable costs and gross margin for each of the main enterprises found on Northern Ireland farms. For the more popular enterprises, data are presented for four different levels of performance, according to the gross margin achieved, i.e. 'Excellent', 'Good', 'Moderate' and 'Poor'. These represent the levels of performance achieved around the average performance for any particular enterprise.

The 2006/07 Farm Business Survey year is the second which covers the Single Farm Payment (SFP). As the SFP is decoupled from production and not linked to any particular enterprise, the gross margin results published do not include direct subsidies.

In addition to enterprise gross margin data, the booklet contains information on hay, silage and grazing costs and average fixed costs by type of farm. However, given the range in fixed costs encountered at farm level, the average values published should be treated with some caution.

Farmers, who require assistance in using the data to assess their farm's performance, are strongly recommended to seek the assistance of their DARD Development Adviser, who may be contacted through the local DARD office.

Copies of 'Northern Ireland Farm Performance Indicators 2006/07’ are available, free of charge, from Policy and Economics Division, DARD, Room 817 Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB or by e-mailing: Farmsurvey.PED@dardni.gov.uk

The booklet can be accessed on the DARDNI website at DARD statistics/statistical publications on: www.dardni.gov.uk/index/agricultural-statistics-farm-business-survey

Notes to Editors:

All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.