Combinable Cropping Area to Shrink
A growing number of arable producers are giving up due to the cost-price squeeze.
The editor of Farmers Weekly noted an unusually large number of arable kit dispersal sales this autumn.
Poor land quality may be the reason, as subsidies have masked difficulties for over 80 years.
Subsidies have masked the difficulties of cropping poorer quality arable land where costs tend to be higher and yields lower.
Historically, subsidies helped clear land in the 1950s and 1960s when grain prices were low due to cheap imports.
Author's summary: Arable producers struggle with cost-price squeeze.