Our regional analysis, now in its third year, shows significant variations in income streams between the English regions (see Graph 2 in the gallery). This location analysis provides estates with a direct comparison against the average of benchmarked estates in the same region and provides valuable management information on which to base any change in policy. Taking advantage of local opportunities is fundamental to the long-term performance of rural estates.

Income generated from agriculture contributed to strong performances in the East Midlands and the North, where gross income growth was 6.7%. The West Midlands followed with growth of 5.5%. In contrast, gross income growth came under pressure in the South East (1.2%) and the South West (-0.1%) of England.

Income from residential and commercial property once again dominated in the South East of England. There average gross income was almost 25% higher, at £244 per acre (£603 per ha), than the average of ‘All Estates’.

In the South West of England, income from the leisure sector contributed 8% of gross income in 2011. Although slightly lower than in 2010, this is still double that recorded for ‘All Estates’.

Size band analysis

Closer analysis of the survey results by size band reveals that the average gross income per acre reduces as the estate size increases. The larger the estate, the higher the proportion of total gross income from agriculture.

The average gross income for estates between 1,000 and 5,000 acres was £208 per acre (£514 per ha) in 2011 with agriculture contributing 32% of gross income. Whereas estates over 10,000 acres recorded an average gross income of £131 per acre (£324 per ha) with agriculture contributing almost 60%.

Net incomes followed a similar trend. However, research shows the larger estates (+10,000 acres) outperformed in terms of net income growth, compared to the average of ‘All Estates’.

Taken from 
Estate Benchmarking Survey 2011