A good British summer has produced high quality crops

In their latest farm survey, accountants Deloitte & Touche said good weather and favourable exchange rates would increase profits.

However, they warned the upturn would not last and advised farmers to plough back any spare money to make their businesses more efficient.

The report covers about a quarter of a million acres of lowland Britain, focussing on mainly arable land and some livestock farms.

In the last full year incomes were down, as low world market prices for grain and beef meant farmers in Britain received less for their produce.

Summer heat

But following this summer, the forecast for the next full year was much rosier.

Average net incomes could be up to three times higher, the report said.

Scorching heat in continental Europe had cut the harvest there - which pushed up the price for wheat and other cereals.

Weather in Britain had produced a good quality crop.

The weaker pound against the euro also made euro-based farming subsidies worth more.