FARMS across Yorkshire were already suffering substantial losses before the foot and mouth crisis blew up, a survey has revealed.

The Farm Business Survey of 223 farms across the broad acres was conducted by Askham Bryan College's Rural Business Research Unit.

It revealed "very poor" income levels for the fourth year in succession, although the losses were not as bad as in the previous two years.

Unit head Mervyn Lewis pointed out that the data was being collected during the traumatic period of last year's foot and mouth outbreak.

"It should be noted that the outbreak has not significantly affected the figures reported here, but will do so next year," he said.

The report, Farming in Yorkshire 2000/2001, reveals a fall in output in every major crop.

Wheat yields were good, at 8.7 tonnes per hectare, but lower returns and subsidies meant an 8pc fall in income.

Oilseed rape output fell by 16pc, while potato and sugar beet growers had to contend with very difficult harvesting conditions because of the exceptionally wet weather.

"The livestock sector faced another difficult year, with all the main types showing management and investment losses," said Mr Lewis.

"Dairy farmers saw a further deterioration in the milk price."

He said the average herd size in the survey was 97 cows, which produced 6,730 litres per cow at 16.7p per litre.

The brightest picture emerged in the pig sector, where there had been some recovery.

Rob Simpson, Yorkshire spokesman for the National Farmers' Union, said: "In the three years, until June 2001, about 60,000 jobs have gone in the UK's agricultural and horticultural industry. Farmers are working longer and longer hours, often on their own now, and many have second jobs just to keep afloat. It's just not sustainable."

He warned that matters were not getting any easier this year, with farmers in every sector continuing to struggle. For example, the price of milk was likely to fall by 10pc over the coming month.

Askham Bryan is the only college in Britain to participate in the Farm Business Survey, which was set up in 1936 to collect information on the economic condition of farming. Farmers are randomly selected to take part and participate on a voluntary basis.

Updated: 09:25 Thursday, April 18, 2002