Commentary on 1998 figures Largely as a result of the strength of the pound at the time, lower prices were experienced due to farmers having to drop their prices for commodities being exported from the UK. Although prices dropped for some inputs, such as fertiliser and animal feed (again as a consequence of the strength of the pound) this was not enough to prevent farming income experiencing a sharp fall. Scottish farm incomes are still above those experienced in 1980, 1985 and 1986.