Income rise masks mixed results for some sectors

HEADLINE figures which show that farm incomes increased by an average of 7.3% in 2007 hide the reality that while it has been a relatively good year for some sectors, those involved in other enterprises have not been so fortunate.

The CSO figures put the national average improvement at 7.3%. Some of the farming leaders believe that the outcome is less optimistic.

It has been the best year on record for dairy farmers, after more than a decade of depressed prices. Any increase which dairy farmers have received through the improved world market for dairy products has been long overdue. They could not have survived for much longer at prices on a par with what they were being paid two decades ago. Many did not survive, having quit dairy farming in the lean years up to 2007.