The McCain Farmdex report surveyed 200 British farmers during July and uses a mixture of statistics and personal testimonies to capture the sentiment of the industry.
There are fears around the future of family farms, with 95% expecting them to decline over the next decade if the current trajectory persists, the report says.
Of those surveyed, 61% said their work negatively impacts their mental health. McCain said this is largely driven by a combination of stress about finances, anxiety about the future of farming, and overwork.
“With the Autumn Budget just weeks away, our message to government is clear – look at the alternatives on offer to the family farm tax and deliver policies that will help build resilience, profitability and productivity.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
The report identifies government policies, rising costs, and lack of investment as the top three biggest threats to the long-term growth of British farming.
There is cause for optimism however, with farmers embracing innovation and technology to build a sustainable future. More than two-thirds said investment in technology was critical for the sector's future and 71% have already adopted sustainable practices on farm.
Autumn Budget just weeks away
Responding to the report's findings, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The results of this survey are not surprising and highlight the stark realities of farming in 2025. Farmers and growers are continuing to face huge challenges from price volatility, extreme weather, uncertainty around the future of environmental schemes and changes to inheritance tax, which are impacting hugely on mental health and left confidence within the sector at a record low.
“Our own farmer confidence survey revealed that the current state of farming has, for the first time ever, resulted in investment across the board drying up, with farmers not able to make investments in key areas such as machinery, infrastructure and energy efficiency, creating a significant barrier to growth.
“With the Autumn Budget just weeks away, our message to government is clear – look at the alternatives on offer to the family farm tax and deliver policies that will help build resilience, profitability and productivity in the farming sector and allow farmers to invest. In turn, we can continue to produce more sustainable, climate-friendly food, meet our domestic environmental targets and deliver national food security.”
Vice-president of agriculture at McCain GB James Young called for a cross-sector approach to tackle the challenges facing the industry: “It is crucial that industry bodies, the government and businesses work together to heed the warning signs in the Farmdex and take action to support farmers.”
