The Agricultural Price Index (API) is a monthly publication that measures the price changes in agricultural outputs and inputs for the UK. The output series reflects the price farmers receive for their products, also referred to as farm gate price. Information is collected for all major crops (for example wheat and potatoes) and on livestock and livestock products (for example sheep, milk and eggs). The input series reflects the price farmers pay for goods and services. This is split into two groups: goods and services currently consumed; and goods and services contributing to investment. Goods and services currently consumed refer to items that are used up in the production process, for example fertiliser, or seed. Goods and services contributing to investment relate to items that are required but not consumed in the production process, such as tractors or buildings.

A price index is a way of measuring relative price changes compared to a reference point or base year which is given a value of 100. The year used as the base year needs to be updated over time to reflect changing market trends. In accordance with the standardised methodology agreed across the EU the latest data are now presented with a base year of 2015=100. This replaces the previous data series which used a base year of 2010. Details of this methodology is described in the Handbook for EU agricultural price statistics.

Next update: see the statistics release calendar

This publication includes monthly information on the retail production of compound animal feed in Great Britain and the quantity of raw materials used. It also includes quarterly information about the average sales prices of the feed. The information comes from surveys of GB animal feed companies and of specialised integrated poultry units.

Compound animal feed is a type of animal feed made up of several different ingredients, including vitamins and minerals, to help provide a balanced diet. It is usually fed to animals in the form of compressed pellets.

Next update: The statistical notice published 8 February 2018 is the final publication of this monthly series by Defra. Further publications and datasets will be published by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board AHDB cereal usage data.

Average compound feed prices by main livestock categories – GB dataset are updated by Defra here.

Standard rules guidance to operate a composting activity involving the storage, physical treatment and composting of specified biodegradable wastes in either an open or a closed (in-vessel) composting system.

You can apply online for most standard rules environmental permits.

Apply for a standard rules environmental permit.

Standard rules guidance to operate a composting activity involving the storage, physical treatment and composting of specified biodegradable wastes in an open or closed (in-vessel) composting system.

You can apply online for most standard rules environmental permits.

Apply for a standard rules environmental permit.

The indicators currently used are:

• claimant count
• economic activity
• redundancies
• house prices
• business insolvencies

Additional information:

• older versions of the rural economic bulletins
• Defra commissioned research on the rural economy