Farming Figures provides a data hub for information relating to agriculture in the South West of England
At the NFU, we believe that data should be freely available and comprehensive so that decisions can be made based on a strong foundation of evidence.
This website aims to demystify the agricultural statistics available in an accessible and fun format, providing an in depth analysis of all the agricultural sectors across the SW, refining them to reflect local areas, including those administered by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).
Available data is displayed on a:
Regional level
Displaying agricultural statistics on the South West region.
County level
Displaying agricultural statistics from counties in the South West region (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire).
LEP level
Displaying agricultural statistics on Local Enterprise Partnerships in the South West region. (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP, Heart of the South West LEP, West of England LEP, Dorset For You LEP, Swindon and Wiltshire LEP, Gloucestershire LEP).
As well as providing a hub of relevant data, Farming Figures also includes:
Sector level account profiles
The South West NFU has collated sector profiles which aim to provide examples of on-farm cost-analyses for different sector establishments, thereby providing an insight into the impact that even a single farm can have on the economy.
Localism and Agriculture
PlanningLocalism
With the introduction of the Localism Bill in December 2010, so began the transfer of power away from central government and towards the people whose lives are affected by the administrative decisions. This included providing new flexibility for local government; opportunities for local communities and individuals to have a greater say in what transpires in their area; a reform of planning systems; and changes to local housing decision-making. The Department for Communities and Local Government defines Localism as, “a radical shift in the balance of power...to the lowest level, including individuals, neighbourhoods, professionals and communities as well as local councils and other local institutions.”
Hand and pen, adminChallenges
With these changes came the unavoidable, and not altogether unsurprising challenge of a national re-structure to the way local planning functions. The abolition of the Regional Development Agencies removed an important hub of rural data, and reductions in the budgets available for local data collection has created the potential for an information void. The Coalition government’s plans for growth revolved around the development of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPS) to provide the vision, knowledge and strategic leadership required for the sustainable growth of the private sector and job generation in local areas. Despite the UK’s now-full LEP coverage of the country, the changes in administrative areas have the potential to result in a fragmented approach to data collection and issues in the future when comparing different LEPs unless coordination is achieved.
The importance of data availability
Given that communities are being given increasingly important roles when it comes to decision-making in their areas, it is essential that they are provided with the most up-to-date and robust data upon which to inform their decisions. Similarly, with financial pressures limiting the amount of money available for developmental ventures, it is also important for planning applicants that useful information is available so that they can reliably justify the importance of their ventures.
Giving agriculture a voiceFood chain, produce
To ensure that agriculture is fairly represented in this new structure, we have compiled a hub of information for rural businesses to find a voice. Be it a planning application for a new farm building; a request for funding for a new business venture in the agricultural sector; emphasising your point at a parish meeting or ensuring that farming is given the recognition it deserves within your Local Enterprise Partnership, Farming Figures is designed to make available agricultural figures accessible and meaningful, empowering you to get involved with influencing and decision-making in your area.
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Regional level data
Glastonbury cows South West
Area profile
The South West has one of the richest and most diverse environments in the UK, with many species and habitats claiming national, European and global importance. The region supports a vast array of priority habitats, including 62% of the UK’s calcareous grassland (e.g. Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire; and Portland, Dorset), 57% of the UK’s lowland meadows, and 20% of England’s ancient semi-natural woodland.
Around 7% of the region’s land area is designated as nationally and internationally important for wildlife, some of which is unique to Europe. The South West supports 25 species of global importance; over 700 species of national conservation concern; and 34 species unique to the UK – 11 of which are only found in the South West.
Regions mapThe South West boasts 60% of England’s protected coastline, four World Heritage Sites and almost 40% of the South West falls under a landscape designation, receiving special protection for the outstanding quality of its landscape, including:
> Two National Parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor) covering approximately 7% of the land area.
> 14 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) make up a further 30% of the land area.
> Approaching a quarter of England’s sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
> 7 Environmentally Sensitive Areas.
Nearly all of these areas of environmental, ecological and cultural importance are farmed, thereby emphasising the influence that agriculture has in protecting and maintaining these valuable resources.
Farming in the South West
The importance of farming in the South West is often overlooked.
For headline agricultural figures for the Region: from the contribution to the economy; employment; food produced; landscape maintained; and environment managed - click the link below.
South West factsheet
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County level data
South West counties map
Each county in the South West possesses a unique agricultural identity that helps define the area, and together, contributes to the vastly diverse environment found in the Region.
The following factsheets focus on the headline agricultural figures for each county—click on the link.
Cornwall
Devon
Dorset
Gloucestershire
Somerset
Wiltshire
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Local Enterprise Partnership-level data
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are partnerships between local authorities and businesses formed to drive sustainable local economic growth and create conditions for private sector job growth in their communities. Formed in 2011, LEPs have assumed some of the functions carried out by the now-abolished Regional Development Agencies.
South West LEPs map
The following factsheets focus on the headline agricultural figures for each LEP—click on the link.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP
Dorset For You LEP
Gloucestershire LEP
Heart of the South West LEP
Swindon and Wiltshire LEP
West of England LEP
For more information on your LEP, choose from the following links:
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP
Heart of the South West LEP (http://www.heartofswlep.co.uk/home)
West of England LEP (http://www.westofenglandlep.co.uk/)
Dorset For You LEP (http://www.dorsetforyou.com/localenterprisepartnership)
Swindon and Wiltshire LEP (http://www.swlep.biz/home)
Gloucestershire LEP (http://www.gloslep.co.uk/)
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Sector data
What does an ‘average’ farmer contribute to the economy?
Most economic analyses look at Net Profit (Gross Output minus Costs) to determine the ‘success’ of a business. But when establishing the “value” of a business, consideration must be given to both the end of year balance on-farm and the expenditure of the business (ie the costs). Every penny spent on variable and fixed costs impact the wider economy, through dependent industries and service providers. Analysis of farm accounts can help quantify this.
However, defining the ‘average’ farm is fraught with problems, and choosing a single farm for accounts analysis would misrepresent the diversity of farms in the region. Therefore, using information from the Farm Business Survey collected on behalf of and financed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, it is possible to calculate average accounts figures for different sector farms.
Other impacts such as environmental management, effects on house prices, visual attractiveness to tourists (amongst others) are all influenced by the quality of the landscape and the way in which farmers manage it. As such, these figures must not be discounted.
The following PDF documents show the financial value of an average farm from these sectors in the South West.
CerealSwaledale sheep
Dairy
Horticulture
LFA Grazing Livestock
Lowland Grazing Livestock
Poultry
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