Around 60 representatives from government, academia and industry came together at Defra in York on 17 September for the Farm Business Survey Seminar Day 2026.
The day explored how Farm Business Survey (FBS) data is used to deepen our understanding of farming in England, highlighting the contribution of participating farmers to research and agricultural policy.
Presentations covered a wide range of topics, including farm household incomes, profitability, resilience, productivity, agroecology and regenerative agriculture. Together, they demonstrated how the information farmers share through the survey helps build a fuller picture of farm businesses, the challenges they face and the changes taking place across the sector.
The seminar also marked 90 years of farm income data and the official launch of FBS through the decades, our anniversary timeline. An accompanying display gave attendees the opportunity to explore how farming and the survey have evolved since 1936.
From its early beginnings to today’s survey, the timeline tells the story of nine decades of collecting evidence about English farming. It is now available on our website for everyone to explore.
Alongside this look back, the closing presentation looked ahead, considering how we can continue building the FBS of the future.
Thank you to Defra for hosting, to the speakers for sharing their research, and to everyone who helped make the day a success. Above all, thank you to the farmers who participate in the FBS, and to the Research Officers and wider teams whose work makes this valuable evidence possible.
Explore FBS through the decades and discover 90 years of farming and evidence.
