Ten percent of respondents from a recent NFU survey said they had still not been paid by the Rural Payments Agency which was having a big impact on cash flow.
Some were having to borrow more money, some having problems with bills or selling stock and crops earlier than planned.
300 NFU members from across the country and representing all sectors of farming were asked when their payments were received and what impact any delays had on them and their business.
11% still had outstanding payment or claims issues from the 2015 application year.
With 5% of those paid their 2016 claim noted a shortfall in what they expected to be paid.
Guy Smith, Vice President of the NFU said: "Our survey concludes later this week, but is already giving us an invaluable ‘straight form the horse’s mouth’ view from farmers about how they feel the RPA is performing.
"These early stage results show that despite a commendable effort by the RPA to get BPS money out to cash strapped farmers, there is clear evidence that the RPA is still stretched."
'Feeling clueless'
"As we move into 2017 it seems the pace of payment has significantly dropped away to a dribble leaving those in the unpaid 10% worried about cash flow and feeling clueless about when they will see their BPS," Mr Smith said.
"We have been calling for some time now for bridging payments for those not paid by the end of January.
"In light of these survey results we repeat these calls. Furthermore, the level of clear up work left over from 2015 is unacceptably large – in effect the RPA have more than 8000 customers who for some reason still haven't concluded their 2015 application 18 months after submission. That is far too many for comfort.
"With the 2017 claim window fast approaching and expected to be open towards the end of February, I ask for the RPA to take on board what farmers are telling us here."
For farmers who are at LAMMA 2017 later this week, the NFU’s BPS team is on hand to answer your payment questions.
