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Why Take Part

Taking part in the Farm Business Survey gives you access to free, detailed benchmarking reports based on real data from farms like yours.

Taking part in the Farm Business Survey gives you access to free, detailed benchmarking reports based on real data from farms like yours.

You’ll be contributing to vital research that informs agricultural policy and supports a more sustainable future for farming.

Benefits

  • Free personalised reports
  • Free Standard Xero licence for as long as you participate
  • Farm benchmarking
  • Anonymised and secure
  • Funded by Defra
  • Contribute to the bigger picture
Aerial view of a green forage harvester beside a tractor with a blue trailer, harvesting a row of maize in a large, partially harvested field.

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A man in a red beanie and checked jacket stands by a fence in a misty rural field, with two sheep grazing behind him and a farmhouse in the distance.

Real impact: How your data shapes farming policy in England

Every farm that takes part in the Farm Business Survey contributes to decisions that shape the future of agriculture. The anonymised data collected each year is used by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in England to design support schemes, measure farm resilience, and assess sector performance.

This trusted evidence base ensures that farmers’ voices are reflected in national policy.

Examples of impact

Farming Schemes
Evidence from the FBS helps government design schemes that reflect the realities of different farm types across all parts of England. FBS data has been heavily used by Defra to understand how changes to the Direct Payments and the rollout of Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes affect farm incomes.

Farm Resilience & Profitability
The FBS produces many economic measures including Farm Business Income (FBI) and performance ratios; these provide insight into how farms respond to challenges such as rising input costs, trade changes, or extreme weather. This data supports policies that strengthen farm resilience and ensure resources are directed where they are most needed.

Diversification & Rural Development
From farm shops to renewable energy, the FBS collects a wealth of information on diversification income which has helped inform rural development programmes and grant schemes, ensuring policy supports farms creating additional income streams.

Productivity & Innovation
FBS produces Total Factor Productivity (TFP) by farm type statistics, which measure how efficiently different farm types in England turn inputs into outputs. These insights guide policies on technology, training, and innovation to help farms become more productive and competitive.

See what your data helps create

Curious about what the Farm Business Survey produces?

Visit our Resources section to explore real reports, anonymised data, and interactive tools built from the information farmers like you provide. It’s a clear example of how your contribution supports the wider industry and helps shape agricultural policy.

View resources
A stacked bar chart from the Farm Business Survey Data Dashboard displays average farm business incomes in England by cost centre from 2007/08 to 2023/24, covering agricultural, direct payment, diversified, agri-environment, and total incomes.

Yes. The Farm Business Survey is fully funded by Defra in England. There’s no cost to take part.

Farms based in England, turning over at least £21,000 per year from farming, across all sectors — including dairy, cereals, livestock, poultry, pigs, horticulture, mixed farms and organic farms.

Yes. Organic farms are welcome to participate in the Farm Business Survey. We collect data from a wide range of farming systems — including organic, conventional, and mixed businesses — to ensure our results are representative of the whole sector.

You’ll meet with a local Research Officer (online or in person) once a year for a few hours. They’ll help collect key financial and production information from your accounts.

Absolutely. All data is anonymised before analysis. No individual farm names or locations are ever published or identifiable.

You’ll receive a free Xero licence and a confidential, easy-to-understand benchmarking report comparing your business to similar farms — helping you spot risks, track progress, and support long-term planning.

No. Your data is used for research and policy purposes only. It is never shared with HMRC or used to assess eligibility for funding.

Want to explore the data behind the reports?

You can explore this data yourself using the Farm Business Data Dashboard.

Visit the data dashboard