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Abstract
Analysing data from 2,029 respondents to the 2023 Farm Intentions Survey, this briefing assesses the capital investment decisions of Scottish farmers.
Key Findings:
· Investment was positively related to farm turnover and profit.
· Investment was also related to socio- economic factors, notably age and whether a successor was identified, with younger farmers and those planning for succession more likely to report having increased investment.
· The proportion of farmers who reported having increased investment was above average in traditionally strong agricultural regions, Lothian, Fife, Scottish Borders and North- East Scotland, and below average in Shetland, Na h-Eileanan an lar, and among respondents who identified as crofters.
· Changes in investment were also associated with the reported influence of external market, political and regulatory factors (fertiliser; feed; energy; commodities; labour availability; land availability; subsidies; regulations; and EU- exit). Those reporting that their business had been significantly impacted by changes in external factors were more likely to report a change in investment, either an increase or a decrease, and less likely to report no change in investment.
Takeaways:
· Associations between investment, age and succession status highlight the importance of farm family life-cycle factors to future investment.
· Lower reported investment among islands respondents highlights constraints within these communities.
· The variable (positive and negative) response of farmers investment to changes in external factors requires further investigation.
Key Findings:
· Investment was positively related to farm turnover and profit.
· Investment was also related to socio- economic factors, notably age and whether a successor was identified, with younger farmers and those planning for succession more likely to report having increased investment.
· The proportion of farmers who reported having increased investment was above average in traditionally strong agricultural regions, Lothian, Fife, Scottish Borders and North- East Scotland, and below average in Shetland, Na h-Eileanan an lar, and among respondents who identified as crofters.
· Changes in investment were also associated with the reported influence of external market, political and regulatory factors (fertiliser; feed; energy; commodities; labour availability; land availability; subsidies; regulations; and EU- exit). Those reporting that their business had been significantly impacted by changes in external factors were more likely to report a change in investment, either an increase or a decrease, and less likely to report no change in investment.
Takeaways:
· Associations between investment, age and succession status highlight the importance of farm family life-cycle factors to future investment.
· Lower reported investment among islands respondents highlights constraints within these communities.
· The variable (positive and negative) response of farmers investment to changes in external factors requires further investigation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Edinburgh |
| Publisher | Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) |
| Commissioning body | Scottish Government |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Print publication - 4 Mar 2025 |
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RESAS 22-27: SRUC-b3-1 Ensuring Positive Behavioural Change For Farmers Towards Best Practice For Clean Growth: Economic And Behavioural Investigations.
Glenk, K. (PI), Lawson, M. (CoI), Burns, J. (CoI), Toma, L. (CoI), Eory, V. (CoI), Pate, L. (CoI), Shrestha, S. (CoI), Thomson, S. (CoI), Thompson, B. (CoI), McMillan, J. (CoI), Begho, T. (CoI) & Barnes, A. (CoI)
Scottish Government: Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services
1/04/22 → 31/03/27
Project: Research
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RESAS 22-27: SRUC-e3-1 Impacts Of Land-based Financial Support Mechanisms On Land Values, Landownership Diversification And Land Use Outcomes * Joint With SRUC-c3-1
Merrell, I. (PI), Barnes, A. (CoI), Glendinning, J. (CoI), McVittie, A. (CoI), Thomson, S. (CoI), Gibson-Poole, S. (CoI), Merrell, I. (PI), Pate, L. (CoI), Thomson, S. (CoI), Gibson-Poole, S. (CoI), Sepulveda, I. (CoI), Glendinning, J. (CoI), McVittie, A. (CoI) & Vuin, A. (CoI)
Scottish Government: Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services
1/04/22 → 31/03/27
Project: Research
-
RESAS 22-27: SRUC-c3-1 Impacts Of Land-based Financial Support Mechanisms On Land Values, Landownership Diversification And Land Use Outcomes * Joint With SRUC-e3-1
Merrell, I. (PI), Thomson, S. (CoI), Gibson-Poole, S. (CoI), Glass, J. (CoI), Glendinning, J. (CoI), Thomson, S. (CoI), Gibson-Poole, S. (CoI), Sepulveda, I. (CoI), McVittie, A. (CoI), Merrell, I. (PI), Pate, L. (CoI), Glendinning, J. (CoI) & Vuin, A. (CoI)
Scottish Government: Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services
1/04/22 → 31/03/27
Project: Research