When the National Farmers' Union (NFU) published its annual Farmer Confidence Survey last year, it recorded the lowest figures since the study began 15 years ago.

But this year, short-term confidence has decreased by another 10 points to -35 and mid-term confidence has dropped by 16 points to -38, setting a new record and illustrating a "worrying" impact on the investment intentions of farm businesses.

The NFU says this follows "an ongoing cashflow crisis and a bombshell Budget last October", with measures including the accelerated phase-out of EU-era subsidies - and the controversial........

© Eastern Daily Press