Farmers in the UK are currently facing their worst crisis since foot and mouth, yet new research shows that less than a quarter of the public are aware of this.

Harsh weather at the beginning of the year has devastated livestock and reduced yields, hitting the farming industry for six.

In response, National Countryside Week, championed by The Prince's Countryside Fund, is aiming to raise awareness of the importance of the countryside to the UK and the serious issues facing rural communities.

The recent poll also reveals that only 5% of Brits knew that over 100,000 animals died as a result of the widespread snow which marked the start of 2013, while 77% think a hill farmer earns considerably more than they actually do.

Over half of the respondents believe they earn double the UK average annual wage of £26,500, yet in reality the figure is significantly different. For instance, a recent report states the average annual salary for a hill farmer in County Durham is £12,600 with some earning as little as £8,000 per year.

Similarly only 1% of those surveyed correctly stated that the average age of a farmer was 58 - with the majority thinking they were at least 13 years younger.

Sir Donald Curry, The Prince's Countryside Fund Trustee, claims there is a silent crisis going on in the countryside, with one in four farming households currently living in poverty.

"Farmers are seeing increased levels of indebtedness and the number of farmers quitting the profession is on the rise. Thirty dairy farmers quit the industry in the month of April alone," he said.

"Summer might be in full flourish, but we need to remind people that farmers will be counting the costs of a brutal start to the year for some years to come."

The farming industry is worth £4.7 billion a year to the UK, yet 51% of respondents undervalued the worth of the industry, and a massive 25% admitted they didn't know what agriculture contributes to the economy.

There are positive signs, however, as 88% of the British public think it's vital to maintain and protect rural areas across the country, while 81% believe it's important to buy home grown produce as a way of showing support for the farming industry.

Paul Dennison, farm business consultant in Strutt & Parker's Northallerton office, said: "It is good to see that the public see British agriculture as vital, but more needs to be done to reconnect farmers and the public.

"Livestock farmers have had the perfect storm after last year with poor quality forage and feed prices some 30 to 40% higher this winter. This has all added to increasing fuel and other fixed costs to make cashflows extremely tight.

"The hangover from last year will take most businesses two or three years to recover from - if they can at all."

To find out more, contact Paul or one of our many farming experts across the country.