Young Blood Needed on Devon Farms

Thousands of young people are needed to take up careers in agriculture in the coming years.

The industry's bucking the British trend and is booming at the moment.

Figures released for 2011 show farm incomes are up by 30 per cent and output is up by an average of 20 per cent.

But at the same time around six thousand farmers are retiring across the country each year.

And farming expert Anthony Gibson says new, career-minded youngsters need to be encouraged into the industry, which is ripe for innovation and new ideas.

He's asking the agriculture industry to encourage more young people, who aren't necessarily from farming stock, to commit, especially at a time when good jobs are in short supply.

To hear more from Mr Gibson, talking to our reporter Wendy Buckingham, CLICK HERE