Tough times for the farmers

However, with public support there is still hope.

Robert Lawton, of North Farm, near Aldbourne, is an arable and dairy farmer who owns around 3,700 acres of land.

He said: "It's become incredibly bureaucratic and it's completely over-powered by bureaucrats - there must be two civil servants in Defra (Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs) for every farmer in the countryside."

Mr Lawton did not inherit his farm and has built it up himself, but hopes to pass it on to son Jamie, 40, in the future.

However, he knows he is one of the lucky ones.

North Farm is the last working dairy farm left for miles.

Mr Lawton said: "Ten years ago there were probably three or four others or more - all my neighbours have given up."

Due to the problems of TB and foot and mouth, now compounded by blue tongue disease, the policing of Wiltshire's farmers by government monitors Defra looks likely to increase.

The sheer amount of paperwork and restrictions on what farmers can do is a problem - it takes up around 60 per cent of Mr Lawton's time.

"It's difficult particularly for us family farms who don't have a huge staff for administration," he said.

"I think it will get worse before it gets better."

Fresh produce, such as dairy and meat, is where agriculture is really feeling the squeeze.

With competition from countries like Paraguay, where there are less restrictions and production costs, the supermarkets are able to drive a very hard bargain to local suppliers.

Mr Lawton said: "The supermarkets pay as little as they possibly can and farmers go out of business.

"It's tragic what they are doing there."

However, Mr Lawton does believe the farming community can be helped by public demand for local products.

"That is to be welcomed and that's going to have an effect - buy local, buy UK."

He does not see organic farming as a solution because he claims 80 per cent is imported from abroad.

The last three years have seen massive changes for farmers, particularly due to the rising prices for grain.

The grain market is part of international trade and, due to a shortage of supply, world demand and lack of reserve stocks the price of grain has been rising.

This is rare good news for farmers.

"The production has become more uncertain because of climate change," Mr Lawton said.

However, this is tempered by the knowledge that this cannot last forever and the instability of the international market due to speculative investors.

"We are part of a world market - the UK does not act in isolation."

It also means that global events and fortunes have a knock-on effect on farming back in Wiltshire.

He said: "We have much bigger risks to cope with because the crops are worth more.

"We have never been in this position before so it's quite a different ball game."

It is not all doom and gloom

TIMES may be tough for farmers, but some say there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Adrian Hares, 44, of Roundhill Farm, near Highworth, has spent the last few years going organic, so he can move with the times.

He is also the chairman of the Swindon branch of the National Farmers' Union.

And the message he is getting from members is more positive than it has been for a long time.

"The overall market as things stand is good," he said.

"We are seeing a big increase in commodity prices.

"Prices have risen almost double.

"If you want to look locally, we in the Swindon area are well placed because we have got a large food market on our doorstep.

"Farmers have started doing direct retail.

"There are plenty of smaller farmers who have altered their business to meet the local market.

"People feel aggrieved at price increases but it is not all going to the farmers.

"I am definitely feeling positive. It has been hard to stay positive over recent years."

Farmers do continue to face difficulties, not least from blue tongue. The disease arrived in Britain last year and could prove devastating to Wiltshire farmers.

"Blue tongue is a very big threat. Something like 12 per cent of sheep in Belgium died last year from blue tongue. It is a very serious problem," said Adrian.

"Our Government for once has moved pretty rapidly. It was the first to place an order for vaccine. It is now down to farmers to be vigilant.

"Vaccination really is the only option. It is down to the farmers to do what we can.

"In terms of animal movement it has created problems. Farmers that rely on buying and selling are going to have a tough year."

There are also on-going problems with a lack of skilled and interested people coming into the industry.

But Adrian remains hopeful. Farmers are successfully changing their businesses and many are making money again.

"Arable, to a large extent, and dairy, to a lesser extent, can be positive places to be working.

"But there are black spots in the industry."