FINANCIAL forecasters are predicting tougher times for farmers in 2005 as a result of this year's soggy summer and the start of a EU subsidy shake-up.
A Deloitte and Touche analysis of farm accounts predicts incomes will fall from £200 per hectare in 2004 to £84 next year.
Although the analysis is based on lowland farms, the predictions are relevant for Cumbria since the region's farmers will have to deal with the same swings in global market prices.
Testing, testing...' HOUSEHOLDS and businesses in Cumbrian Flood Warning Areas in Kendal and Appleby will receive test flood warnings by phone next Tuesday (Oct 19) when the Environment Agency tests its Automated Voice Messaging (AVM) warning system.
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