Chris Solt, agricultural partner at Norfolk-based accountancy firm Lovewell Blake, said farming has "never been an easy way to earn a living" - but the profitability of many farm businesses has reached a low point in recent months.

He said the war in Iran is the latest geopolitical shock to hit farms, sending input costs soaring, especially for diesel and fertiliser.

Meanwhile, another tough weather year has resulted in the prospect of lower crop yields, just as margins are being "squeezed dramatically".

And all of this comes as the issue of farm inheritance tax (IHT) is........

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