Recent newspaper reports have highlighted the tough times ahead for livestock farmers across the UK in the coming year with huge rises in the cost of animal feed, poor returns from large retailers and the combined effect of the freezing winter.

It is estimated that pig farmers could see their incomes plunge by up to two-thirds and livestock farmers by a half. The figures have been highlighted by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) statistics released in the Farm Business Income Forecasts for 2010/11.

Many of the farm producers who regularly attend farmers’ markets across West Cornwall have already been hit by the bad weather this winter and the huge rises in their animal feed bills. Hugh Eddy, who runs his family farm at Heamoor near Penzance, has seen prices rise but thanks to diversifying the business, selling locally and seeing his income rise at farmers’ markets he thinks 2011 could be another good year.

“Obviously feed prices going up affects us, but it’s the cost of road fuel and electricity which really has an effect,” explained Hugh, whose family have been farming Bone Farm for almost 100 years.

“Seven years ago we decided to diversify the business to survive and started Davas Yogurts. We now have 60 sheep producing specialist yogurt and sell at farmers’ markets, farm shops and local independent health food shops. 2010 was a great year because more and more people are supporting their local farmers and buying local food.”

“Adding value to our sheep milk by turning it into yogurt means we are working at a lower volume but for higher margins. If we hadn’t gone from conventional farming into this niche market then I wouldn’t be farming at all anymore and the farm would probably have gone.”

The Davas Yogurt stall can be found at Penzance, Paul and St Levan Farmers’ Markets which are part of the West Cornwall Farmers’ Market Project – an innovative scheme funded by a grant from West Cornwall Local Action part of the Rural Development Programme for England, funded by the EU and Defra, and managed by the South West RDA.

For more information on Davas Yogurts please contact Hugh Eddy on 01736 368708. Visit www.wcfm.org.uk for more information on the West Cornwall Farmers’ Market Project.