It is a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Welsh Office and supported by the farming unions. It is carried out annually by agricultural economists from designated universities and colleges. Nationally, the survey is widely recognised as the most authoritative source of information on the economics of farm businesses since it began in 1936. The address of each farm contacted is drawn at random from lists provided by the Census Branch of the Ministry from all farms of a similar type and size recorded in the June Agricultural Census. New farms are recruited every year to replace those farms that have ceased to participate, for whatever reason, so as to maintain a properly structured sample.
Participation is voluntary.
A member of staff from the RBRU will contact new potential cooperators and arrange a visit in order to explain more fully what is involved. Around 2,800 individual farm business in England and Wales are included. These cover all the main types of farm and horticultural holdings. Around 500 businesses take part in each of two similar surveys conducted in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In the Askham Bryan sample there are approximately 270 participating farmers.