Irish farm incomes are reported to be on the rise, up by 5.4 per cent on 2004, according to the latest data.

The research, from the Teagasc National Farm Survey published yesterday, average family farm income was €15,557 per farm, compared with €14,765 in 2003.

However, the survey showed that income on full-time farms increased by almost 8 per cent in 2004. A total of 43,000 farms are classified as full-time and they earned an average income of €30,650, compared with €28,467 in 2003.

In 2004, 10 per cent, or a total of 11,300 of farms had an income from farming in excess of €40,000.

Liam Connolly, head of the Teagasc National Farm Survey team, said the 2004 figures highlight the enormous variation in farm incomes.

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