Farmers rising in popularity and in income

Total farming income in Yorkshire rose to more than 500m last year, figure from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show, a surge on figures from 2005 when incomes stood at just under 300m.

It is the second-highest growth rate in the country with only farmers in the Eastern region of the UK enjoying larger growths in income. Statisticians at Defra said the rise in earnings has been driven by greater increases in the value of goods produced by farmers and a slowing growth in overheads.

Total farming income rose across all of the UK's regions.

Meanwhile, the importance of food security, quality produce and animal welfare are just some of the reasons cited by British people for why they think farming matters.

An independent survey, commissioned by the National Farmers' Union, revealed that 75 per cent of people thought of farmers favourably or very favourably, up from 68 per cent in 2005.

And with a growing demand for food as the world population increases, 86 per cent of people also agree that farming will be more important in the future.

Recent months have seen fluctuating weather and Russia's ban on wheat exports – putting increased emphasis on the pivotal role that a viable and self-sustaining British farming industry will have on the ability of the country to feed itself.

NFU president Peter Kendall said: "These figures clearly demonstrate that the general public supports British farming and recognises the importance of food production to our future and a growing interest in where our food comes from means that the public perception of farming is at a five-year high. And when we're looking to effect change on Government or retail policy then that is what really matters.

"When people think about what farmers do, it seems obvious, but not many people realise we are providing the building blocks for our food and drink manufacturing sector that is worth 22bn to our national economy. It is the largest manufacturing sector we have.

"One thing our survey tells us is that people believe farmers have many key roles, both for agriculture and the environment, but their highest priority for us is to produce food and to look after our animals to the highest standards.

"The reality is more and more we should be doing both while producing more and impacting less. We must continue to meet the growing demand for food and ensure we take the favourability of our customers with us; we need every available tool at our fingertips.

"Farming will become increasingly important in the coming years, but don't just take my word for it; 86 per cent of those people surveyed agree."

But a different view has emerged from one of the country's biggest farmers' co-ops, Anglia Farmers, which publishes a well-respected annual inflation index covering a range of farm products and farm requirements.

According to this year's report, agricultural input prices have risen faster than food prices.

The Anglia Farmers Agricultural Inflation Index says costs rose 5.27 per cent while retail food inflation was 3.3 per cent between September 2009 and August 2010.

Costs for beef and lamb production have gone up most – 9.3 per cent over the 12 months – because of feed-price rises caused by the uncertain market in grains and protein. This has also affected dairy production, where costs have risen 6.49 per cent.