47% of farmers have off-farm income

Farmers have evolved, and almost half (47%) now have off-farm household income, with a quarter of farmers themselves having a second job off the farm, as do a fifth of farm spouses.

Those farmers that have a second job are more likely to have a smaller holding. Recent censuses also illustrated that it is smaller land holders that are gradually exiting from farming.

The greatest proportion of income for 61% of respondents comes from farming itself, and just a fifth indicate that they primarily survive on their off-farm work or investments. The Single Farm Payment is particularly important, regarded as a source of income by 83% of farmers and the primary or secondary source by 70%. Thus, many farmers are dependent upon support payments, notwithstanding the relative prosperity of the sector, and half still choose to maintain another occupation off the farm, maybe by choice, but certainly to boost the family finances.

* Larry Ryan, director, Behaviour & Attitudes