The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has warned that essential improvements to Northern Ireland’s farms are being put on hold, with new research findings revealing that 84% of respondents have reduced, postponed or cancelled investment, or proceeded at a reduced scale, in at least one area of their farm business.

The findings, from the UFU’s ‘A Budget to Back Farming’ membership research, expose the scale of the investment pressures facing the industry, with farmers delaying improvements to livestock accommodation, farm buildings, machinery, drainage and environmental infrastructure.

Of particular concern, 56.6% of respondents reported scaling back, postponing or cancelling investment in farm buildings and livestock accommodation, while 60.9% reported similar decisions affecting machinery, equipment and technology.

Land improvements, including drainage, fencing and reseeding, were the most affected category, with 68.3% reporting reduced, postponed or cancelled investment. Meanwhile, 36.6% had postponed or cancelled investment in slurry storage and other environmental improvements.

The UFU Pre-Budget Membership Survey was conducted between 29 September and 12 October 2026.

placeholder image — The UFU Pre-Budget Membership Survey was conducted between 29 September and 12 October 2026.

UFU deputy president, Glenn Cuddy, said: “These findings are incredibly stark. We are not talking about farmers putting off unnecessary purchases, we are talking about essential improvements to livestock housing, drainage, machinery and infrastructure that underpin the future of our industry.

“Every shed that is not upgraded, every drainage project that is postponed and every piece of equipment that cannot be replaced represents an opportunity lost to improve efficiency, animal welfare, environmental performance and productivity. Farmers cannot continually reinvest money they simply do not have. If we allow essential farm improvements to fall by the wayside today, we will all pay the price tomorrow.”

The survey identified high input costs as the leading barrier to investment, cited by 72.6% of respondents, followed by insufficient profits or available cash (57.2%), inheritance tax policy (54.2%) and uncertainty around farmgate prices (49.8%).

The UFU said the findings demonstrate that farmers are facing difficult financial decisions, with essential investment increasingly competing against the day-to-day costs of keeping their businesses operational.

Mr Cuddy continued: “Farmers want to invest in modern facilities, greater efficiency and improved environmental standards, but they need the profitability and confidence to do so. When investment stalls, the impact is felt not only on farms but across the wider rural economy. Much of this is down to input costs, and the changes in agricultural property relief and business property relief. We must see action on both these issues.”

Despite these pressures, 85.8% of respondents indicated they would expect to increase investment over the next three years if the UFU’s Budget priorities were delivered, highlighting the potential to restore confidence.

Mr Cuddy concluded: “The upcoming Budget is an opportunity for the Chancellor to address the pressures restricting farm investment and provide the stability businesses need to plan for the future. If we want a productive, competitive and sustainable farming industry tomorrow, we cannot afford to let essential investment grind to a halt today.

Farmers need the confidence to invest in their business. The Government controls many of the levers to allow that to happen; we must see them used at the Budget next week.