The Farm Business Survey

The Farm Business Survey (FBS) is widely recognised as the most authoritative survey of the financial position and performance of the businesses of farmers and growers in England. It is funded by Defra. It is supported by the farming unions, CLA and TFA. The survey is strictly confidential.

A new and exciting collaboration between the Rural Business School at Duchy College and the Centre for Rural Policy Research from the University of Exeter has now been formed.

Jointly they are now responsible for FBS in the South West of England. For the farms that participate, comprehensive farm management data is produced including comparative analysis against similar farms in the region or nationally.

We help the farming community by:

Undertaking the Farm Business Survey
Analysing and presenting the results of the survey
By the production of regional reports for the agricultural industry
By being involved in other activities such as the National Hill Report (National level reports for Cereals, Dairy, Horticulture, Pigs and Poultry)
And providing other collaborative organisations with data and information which may assist them with their own business venture

The FBS is conducted in the South West by a team of Research Officers, plus support staff, based either at the University of Exeter or Duchy College at Stoke Climsland. Our unique knowledge of the industry and management accounting plus the co-operation of farmers and growers makes it possible for us to complete over 300 accounts per year.

The FBS team is headed by Keith Robbins, Research Officers: Robert Lloyd, Greg MacQueen, Sally Thompson, Liz Reddaway, Ed Hammond base at Exeter, Mark Fogerty and Jamie Blake who are base at Duchy College Stoke Climsland.

The FBS is conducted in England by Rural Business Research (RBR) which is a consortium of Universities and College.