HC Deb 12 November 1976 vol 919 c294W
Dr. Phipps

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what would be the average capital per acre of investment required in land, stock and equipment for a new farm today of the following types: (a) arable, (b) mixed, (c) dairy and (d) hill; and what are the current average net pre-tax yields per acre of such farms.

Mr. Bishop

The capital required for a new farm would depend on so many factors, including, for example, its location, and the particular system of farming to be followed, that any estimate would be unsatisfactory. Financial yields vary from year to year depending on weather and other factors. "Farm Incomes in England and Wales 1974/75" contains information about capital assets (tables 83–89) and about average net farm incomes per hectare (table 50). A copy is available in the Library of the House.