FARMERS across the region face a bleak economic future over the next 12 months according to a recent survey.

Research carried out by the Institute of Chartered Accountants farming and rural business group found that farmers' profits had fallen from £130 to £125 per hectare.

The study carried out nationally surveyed 244 farms, which encompassed 41,242 hectares.

Almost one in five farms continued to report losses averaging almost £33,000 per year.

The survey also found that 41 per cent of members believed the situation would get worse and a further 37 per cent believed the circumstances were unlikely to get better.

Following last year's foot-and-mouth crisis, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) along with Farmers Weekly set up a grants scheme to help struggling farmers.

President of the institution, Tony McMahon, said: "As at May 17, a total of 188 calls were made to the helpline, following the publication of the article on May 10.

"This number now exceeds 200 and some 190 application forms have been issued to those callers who qualify for help. This is a tremendous response and goes to show we still need to reach out more into the farming community to those still in need of help.

"My message to those farmers and farm workers who are still in domestic financial difficulty is to call us without delay.

"During the recent traumatic times, some 8,250 plus farming families have benefited from doing just that."

The RABI can be contacted on (01865) 727888.