The Farm Business Survey is the RBR’s main area of research and the Unit at Askham Bryan College collects data from approximately 270 farm businesses across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire. Undertaken annually, the Farm Business Survey, commissioned by Defra, is the largest and most extensive business survey of farms in England providing unrivalled information on the physical and economic performance of farm businesses.

The data collected is intended to serve the needs of farmers, government, government partners, farming and land management groups and researchers.

Participation in the Farm Business Survey is entirely voluntary and confidential. In return, participating farmers receive a free set of detailed management accounts with gross margin data for all relevant enterprises, comparative performance data by farm type and region complete with comparative gross margins for major enterprises and access to a Farm Benchmarking Service.