Agenda item

The South Kesteven Agricultural Sector report was introduced by the Leader of the Council.

The report sought to inform the Committee on the sector’s value to the local

economy, the challenges facing the sector and the policy context for state

support.

As of June 2021 (latest release), there were 452 holdings in South Kesteven,

farming a total area of 71,920 hectares. This equated to 12.93% of the total

holdings and 14.71% of the total farmed area in Lincolnshire. Both the number of holdings and farmed land was in decline. Holdings had fallen by 4% since 2013 and 8.5% since 2021. 9.27% less land was farmed compared to 2016. These trends were mirrored regionally.

55,357 hectares, or 76% of the total South Kesteven farmed area (excluding horticultural crops) was used for arable crops (including cereals).

Only small proportions of the total farmed livestock were located in South Kesteven. Within Lincolnshire, the district was home to 11.54% of the county’s cattle and 23.74% of sheep. South Kesteven’s total herds and flocks were typically smaller than neighbouring districts.

Overall, the estimated total value for the agricultural sector within South Kesteven was £146.64 million (2023 prices). Of this, £108.64 million were contributed by crops and £38 million by livestock. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Primary Industries estimate was £176.24 million. That figure included agriculture, mining, energy, water and waste.

As of 2021, the sector employed 1426 people within SKDC.

The report outlined the challenges currently faced within the agricultural sector. Food production was vulnerable to a range of factors including: changes in climate and extreme weather events, prices offered by purchasers, high energy costs, international supply chains, labour shortages, biodiversity, soil and water quality, and biosecurity and animal health.

Since 2020, farming had come under particular pressure from the inflationary and supply chains crisis initially caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, then intensified by the onset of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. Input prices for fuel, fertiliser, pesticides and feed reached near record levels, ameliorated partially by a rise in output prices.

Individuals in the agricultural sector were also at an elevated risk of developing physical and mental health issues. Citing the Royal Agricultural Benevolant Institution (RABI) Big Farming Survey, the review noted that: 

-       Over a third of the farming community suffered depression and a further 30-36% of the community have notably low mental wellbeing.

-       Working age 16-64-year-olds suffered from significantly lower levels of mental wellbeing and higher levels of anxiety within the farming community. This was strongly linked with not taking a break or leaving the farm, with 49% reporting that they were not taking a holiday and 20% never leaving the farm itself for any leisure purpose. 

-       Over 52% of the farming community were recorded as experiencing pain and discomfort every day.

During discussions, Members commented on the following:

-       Members noted the valuable role played by the farming community within SKDC.

-       Given the sensitive information included within subsection 3.5 of the report that individuals in the agricultural sector were at an elevated risk of developing physical or mental health issues, a Member proposed further work to be undertaken to see how best SKDC could offer appropriate support. Such support in line with intervention seen by the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network Programme delivered between LCC and Melton Borough Council. It was AGREED to add this to the Work Programme.

The Committee noted the South Kesteven Agricultural Sector report.