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  • 7/27/2019 Wales Farmer Feb 2014

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    NTHIS ISSUE

    Major CAPdecisions

    NewWelshchampions

    Boostingbeef profits

    Subscriptions

    1633 777139

    pages 3 & 5

    page 23

    pages18-19

    For the latestWales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    alesfarmer.co.uk February2014Farming newsand views inWales

    THE number of milk pro-ducers in Wales is contin-uing to decline, with 27exiting the industry in thelast 12 months.

    According to figures releasedby the dairy industry levy body,DairyCo, there has been a 1.4%reduction in dairyproducers, withthe number currently standing at1,872.

    North-eastWales,which at341still has the second highest con-centration of dairy farms, lost 10producers, while seven farmersgave up milk production in Pem-brokeshire.

    At 510 dairy farms, Car-

    marthenshire has the greatestnumber of milk producers, but

    there are three fewer than lastyear.

    The figures are derived fromthe number of farms that are reg-istered with the Food StandardsAgency for the purpose of sellingmilk for human consumption.

    The continuing exodus of milkproducers comes at a time when

    prospects for the dairy industryare looking much brighter.

    Pembrokeshire milk producerand NFU Cymru deputy presi-dent, Stephen James, believed akey reason why dairy farmers aregiving up milkproductionwas thehighlevelof investmentneeded tosecure the future of these busi-nesses.

    Although the milk price is

    improving, a decade of poorreturns means farmers have less

    money to spend on improvinginfrastructure.

    To be competitive, farmershave to invest and in dairy farm-ing that investment can be veryhigh,he said.

    In the last 12 months, MrJames has spent 250,000 onimproving his slurrystoragefacil-

    ities and a further 150,000 onbuildingsheds to cover silage pits,

    two developmenno direct returnhad to be donfuture of the bus

    He believed thdaughters optincareer is anotherdairy farmers herds.

    Continued

    OPTIMISTIC: Prospects for the dairy industry are looking much brighter.PIC

    Dairy sectorstill in declin

    by Debbie James

    Fewerfarmersdespitepositiveoutlook

  • 7/27/2019 Wales Farmer Feb 2014

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    WalesFarmer

    FEBADVERTISEMENT

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

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    OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELDOUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD

    We only need a broken arm or hand caused by a cow kicking and oneof these new Ritchie Calving gates will pay for itself so says farmerGraeme Mather.

    Graeme has been trialling the new Ritchie Calving Suckling gate on the familymixed farm where they are responsible for the 360 Limousin cross suckling herd.Calving gates have been used on the farm for seven years with previous Ritchiemodels the past two, but the new design with its much improved safety featuresfor cow, calf and stockperson, has provided a noticeably better health andsafety advantage.

    Like most dairy-suckling herds, Graeme occasionally has a difficult cow or heiferwhich is not keen to suckle her calf. This new Ritchie gate with it s hinged liftinglower rail and adjustable head stock securely holds the cow, enabling the calf tobe eased onto the cow without incurring kicking.

    The cow is also held firmly in the gate pen, as the side gate is chain securedbehind the cow to stop it moving backwards. With no bottom side gate bar fothe cow to kick an arm down onto, the stock person can work safely to guide thcalf onto the udder.

    Graeme has had two calving pens converted to incorporate the new Ritchiegate, with both pens operational most days. The gate is able to swing into anaway from the main pen area enabling cow management to be easily directedWhen calving difficulties haveoccurred, the local vet has praised thesimplicity of the gates operation andthe safety it provides. The removal ofthe higher side bar with the cowsecured, has even allowed a caesareanoperation to be carried out on astanding cow. Cleansing after birthand trimming are two tasks that canalso be safely completed.

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  • 7/27/2019 Wales Farmer Feb 2014

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    Wales Farmer

    NEWS FEBRUARY2014

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    Dairyfarmers

    WANTED

    If you are interested in finding out more or would like

    us to send you a price schedule please contact:

    Rough Hill, Marston-cum-Lache, Chester, Cheshire CH4 9JS. Tel: 01244 629478

    Meadow Foods is the UKs leading manufacturer of

    dairy based ingredient products to food manufacturersin the UK, Worldwide and we are now looking for more

    milk in your area.

    Meadow Foods already has milk producers in South andNorth Wales and is looking for new producers to meet

    extra demand from our customers. If you are considering

    a new milk contract to suit your business, we can help:

    Compositional or liquid style contracts

    Simple achievable pricing schedules

    No seasonality option No capital retention

    Jim Bebb on 07919 118026 or [email protected]

    Continued from page 1He hopes that a growing

    trend for people with no fam-ily connection to agriculturecoming into the industry willreverse the decline.

    We are now getting newblood in the industry and we

    need to push that a littlemore, said Mr James.

    There are some good suc-cess stories out there, not justin the dairy sector, but inother types of farms too. Peo-ple are coming in from theoutside and setting up suc-

    cessful businI am con

    are many mthere who wthe same anan industry topportunitiethem.

    Dairy sector still in dec

    Producer numbers by region Wales

    Region

    North east Wales

    Ceredigion

    Pembrokeshire

    Carmarthenshire

    North west Wales

    Powys

    South Wales

    Total

    Jan 2013

    351

    228

    345

    513

    134

    169

    159

    1,899

    Jan 2014

    341

    226

    338

    510

    133

    165

    159

    1,872

    Year-on-year

    change

    -10

    -2

    -7

    -3

    -1

    -4

    0

    -27

    Source: Food

    ARMERS in Wales will beaid three different Singleayment rates from next

    ear, with farms in the low-nds and disadvantagedeas getting the top rate of

    240 a hectare.The Welsh Government has nowveiled its framework forhow directyments will be implemented from

    nuary 1st, 2015 and critical to thisa three-tier payment system.The exact payment rates wont beown until after farmers have sub-tted their claims in 2015, but theye likely to be 20 a hectare foroorland,200 a hectare forseverelysadvantaged areas and 240 actare for disadvantaged areas andwlands. A cap will be put on largeyments with a system of progres-e deductions up to 300,000.The minister will allow farmerse years to adjust to the new pay-

    entsystemfromthe currenthistoricymentmodel,withpayments whol-based on the area of land farmed

    om 2019.Last year it was announced thatrect farm payments for Wales

    ould be around 2,245m (1,870m)om 2014 to 2020, with 355m

    296m) allocated for rural develop-ent schemes.But the budgets for both are being

    duced by 12.6% and 5.5% respec-ely after allowing for expected

    flation and, with the Welsh Gov-nment opting fora maximummod-ation rate, a further 15% will bedirected from direct payments tolar 2.The changes to the Pillar 1 systemll also see the Welsh Governmentopting the European Commis-

    ons greening proposals based onemaintenanceof permanentgrass-nd, crop diversification and ecolog-

    l focus areas.Alun Davies reckons the changesPillar 1 will promote competitive-

    ness, help farm businesses cope withunexpected setbacks and respond tonew market opportunities, andstrengthen Walesnatural resources.

    Mydecisionsare aimed atplacingthe Welsh farming industry in thebest possible position to face thefuture withconfidence,saidthe min-ister.

    They will result in an industry

    that can make the most of newopportunities, increase productivity,and is better placed to cope withexceptional circumstances, such asthe harsh weather experienced lastspring.

    The new arrangements will alsolead to a fairer and more transparentdistribution of funding, with a moveaway from historic payments, andwill help ensurewe useandsafeguardour natural resources more effective-ly.

    But the farming unions are farfromconvinced.The FarmersUnionof Wales believes farmers will losesignificant sums of money under thenew system.

    The union has particular concerns

    about the location of the moorlandline because farmers in the moorlandarea will only be entitled to 20 ahectare.

    NFU Cymru says shunning a fourpayment rate system will lead to agreater redistribution of paymentsthan the industry had hoped for.

    Whilst the announcement setsout the broad framework for direct

    payments for the next seven yearsthere is still much detail to sort outand work to be done to ensure thatthe various elements of the newscheme, including provisions relatingto young entrants and the nationalreserve, arefullyin place ahead of thenewscheme coming intooperation in

    just over 11 monthstime,said NFUCymru president, Ed Bailey.

    CLA Cymru is disappointed bywhatit saysis a lack of clarityonsup-port for the most difficult farmingareas of Wales.

    Its director, Ben Underwood, saidtheassociationhad graveconcernsonthe emphasis for delivering supportthrough the Rural DevelopmentPlan.

    y Debbie James

    Three-tierCAP systemannounced

    MAKING CHANGES:Alun Davies, speaking on the day of hisCAP announcement, reckons the new direct payment system willmake farmers more productive.

    PICTURE: Debbie James.

    For more on the 15% modulation transfer see page 5

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    WalesFarmer

    FEBNEWS

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    THE Farming ConnectAgri-Academy 2014 hasbeen launched at a Farm-house Breakfast event

    hosted by the FarmersUnion of Wales in Cardiff.The Agri-Academy, developed

    and delivered by Menter aBusnes, is looking for its thirdintake and candidates have untilMarch 3rd to submit their appli-cations.

    The initiative has already sur-passed expectations with many ofthe60 alumni from 2012and 2013programmes enjoying increasedvisibility and prominence in ruralcommunities throughout Walesand beyond.

    The Agri-Academy has twodistinct elements the businessand innovation programme andthe rural leadership programme.The latter is a joint collaborationwith the Royal Welsh Agricultur-al Society (RWAS).

    The programme is supportedby the RWAS, Farmers Union ofWales, the National FarmersUnion Cymru, Wales YoungFarmers Clubs and the CountryLand and Business Association;these organsiations all help publi-cise the programme and helpidentify potential candidates.

    The2014 candidateswill be putthrough their paces in a demand-ing and stimulating programmeof visits, workshops and presen-

    tations on topics such as dealingwith change, high-level negotia-tions, forward planning, market-ing, communications, mediatraining and supply chain strate-gies.

    Each group will travel overseason a study tour; the rural leader-ship programme candidates will

    visit the European Parliament inBrussels and the business andinnovation candidates will visitItaly to observe the Italianapproach to agricultural businessand innovation.

    * Applicants must live andwork in Wales and comply withthe following criteria:

    * Not in full time education* Registered with Farming

    Connect or working towards 550hours

    * Demonstrate good knowl-edge of Welsh farming and keyissues influencing the industry

    * Demonstrateenthusiasm andinterest in developing a career

    within agricultur* Provide one

    within the agri(can include a Farming Connec

    For further infdownload applicwww.menterafarmingconnect/a

    READY FOR LAUNCH: Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies, launched the Agri-Academy 2

    (from left): Ed Bailey (president of NFU Cymru); Sarah Price (Wales YFC rural development officer), ProfessorJones (chairman of the Farming Connect strategic advisory board); Steve Hughson (chief executive of the RoAgricultural Society); Emyr Jones (president of the Farmers Union of Wales); and Ant Griffiths (chairman of C

    PICT

    By Debbie James

    Agri-Academy opeHE National Sheep Associa-on(NSA) is offeringnew mem-rs the chance to win one of sixecialist feeders if they join theganisation this year.Sheep farmers simply have to

    gn up as a NSA member to betomatically entered into a freeize draw or existing NSAembers can gain an unlimited

    umber of entries by recom-ending friends or neighboursjoin - with six 3in1Feeder 800

    odels up for grabs.Phil Stocker, NSA chief exec-ive, said: We will all benefitom NSA growing its member-ip numbers. It gives us a

    ronger and more effectiveice, helps keep membershipsts down and contributes to

    ur resources so we can providetter support and services. TheSA provides a much neededice for UK sheep farmers and

    so supports them by providing-to-day information and bestactice advice for their farming

    siness.The feeders, which can hold to 500kg of feed, can be useda traditional creep feeder, orapted to ration feed intake for

    mbs and breeding adults.The joint promotion with

    dvantage Feeders is open toyone joining the NSA before

    ovember 28th, 2014. For fullrms and conditions of the pro-otion visit www.nationaleep.org.uk/draw.

    Join up forchance towin feeder

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    Wales Farmer

    NEWS FEBRUARY 2014

    HE Welsh Government iso introduce themaximum5% rate of modulation inhe new CommonAgricul-

    ural Policy (CAP) regime.Farming minister Alun Davies

    sisted that the Pillar 1 directayment could not be a never

    ding subsidy. He alsosuggest-that the direct payment stifled

    modernisation and innovation.Transferring the full 15% will

    sult in an extra 286m to sup-ort rural activity in Wales, but itont be a popular decision withelsh farmers.Mr Davies insisted that both

    llars were crucial to the futurevelopment of Welsh agricul-re and should therefore be

    eated as a single package.Single payments are an

    mportant part of the supportven to farmers, but they aremplemented and enhanced bye Rural Development Pro-

    amme which provides farmersth essential business support

    nd underpins vital programmesr people living and working inral Wales,he said.I want to build on Pillar 2

    nd make further investments ine future of our agriculturaldustry and the wider Welshonomy.Mr Davies believed his deci-

    on would prepare Welsh farm-s for a long-term decline inrect European support.

    I am determined that Waleswill use the period up to 2019 toput its farming industry on thebest possible footing so it isequipped to cope when financialsupport from the public sector isreduced further, he added.

    Pillar 2 allows for effectiveandtargetedsupportforour agri-cultural sector and rural commu-nities, and as such provides a bet-ter return for public expenditurethan Pillar 1.

    The minister acknowledgedthat Pillar 1 was an income sup-port safety net for a farmingindustry that had to cope withrisk, but that it could not be anever-ending subsidy.

    Unsurprisingly, the WelshGovernments decision to opt forthemaximum permittedmodula-tion is deeply unpopular with thefarming industry.

    Both NFU Cymru and theFarmers Union of Wales hadurged the farming minister toadopt a phased approach, with agradual rise in the modulationpercentage each year.

    The ministers decision to optfor the full 15% from the outsetwillput Welshfarmersat a signif-icant competitive disadvantagecompared to farmers in the rest

    of Europe, the unions warn.NFU Cymru president Ed

    Bailey said farmers would bedeeply disappointed andangered.

    France will see 3% of fundsmoved into Pillar 2, Germany4.5% and Scotland proposes tomove 9.5%. With Welsh Govern-ment deciding to move the 15%maximum amount of resourceallowed by EU rules at the earli-est opportunity it will make it fartougher for Welsh farmers to

    compete in the marketplace

    against food producers fromthese countries, he said.

    While the minister has saidthat the announcement he hasmade will result in an extra 286million to support rural activityin Wales, what hefails to mentionis that this money is not newmoney, it is a redeployment ofexisting resource that has effec-tively been taken directly off thebottom line of Welsh agricul-ture.

    Thecutin theCAPbudgetwas

    already expected to have a major

    impact on direct support toWelsh farmers, but the FUWpresident Emyr Jones said maxi-mum modulation would nowmake things worse.

    The minister had previouslyindicated that he didnt want tounduly disrupt the industry inconverting from a historic to aflat rate payment system, but weareconcerned that theannounce-ment could potentially create farmore disruption than any pay-ment rate decision,he said.

    NSUSTAINABLE:Alunavies says Pillar 1 directayments to farmers shouldot be a never-endingubsidy.

    PICTURE: Debbie James.

    THE National SheepAssociation (NSA) i s urgingpolicymakers to ensure theenlarged Pillar 2 pot is put tohe most effective use to

    directly support farming

    businesses.Phil Stocker, NSA chiefexecutive, said: It is essentialRural DevelopmentProgrammes are designed soa larger proportion of fundsare directly available toarmers and not lost to

    bureaucracy or moreperipheral rural projects.

    By Debbie James

    Welsh farmersto lose largest

    slice of fundingMinister optso transfer

    maximum rateof Euro cash

    RURAL BOOST: Transferring 15% from direct p aymentswill result in an extra 286m to support rural activity inWales.

    PICTURE: Debbie James.

    Pillar 2 allows for effective and

    targeted support for our

    agricultural sector and rural

    communities, and as such,

    provides a better return forpublic expenditure than Pillar 1.

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

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    WalesFarmer

    FEBADVERTISEMENT

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    ITH strong global demand for

    airy products continuing to drive a

    ompetitive price for milk, industry

    xperts are preparing to share their

    ews on profitable milk production at

    conference in Wales.

    More than 100 farmers are expected to

    ather for the second South Wales Dairy

    onference in February at a time when

    ere is renewed optimism in the Welsh

    lk sector.

    One of the speakers, dairy consultant

    ohn Crimes, said a combination of a

    ood summer, falling feed prices and

    sing milk prices was fuelling prospects

    r growth within the industry.

    The last 18 months were the most

    fficult I have seen in my 20 years as

    consultant but for most dairy farmers

    e cashflow is now starting to improve,

    aid Mr Crimes, of CARA Wales. I

    ave never known so many milk buyers

    ctively recruiting farmers in South

    ales.

    This is good news for dairy farmers like 32-year-

    d Meurig Williams, who milks 130 Friesian cows

    n a simple, forage-based system near Newport,

    embrokeshire.

    He is committed to milk production after investing

    new milking and housing facilities. I have been

    farming since I was 16 and its the first time we have

    had companies fighting for our milk, it puts us in a

    strong position.

    Mr Williams, of Fagwr Goch, Pontfaen, attended

    last years South Wales Dairy Conference and

    implemented changes to his calf feeding strategy

    as a direct result of information he picked up at the

    conference. One of the speakers talked about protein

    levels in calf milk powder an

    thing I did when I got home w

    the levels in our powder, he

    I will be going to the confe

    this year because it is impor

    as farmers learn as much as

    is a great opportunity to netw

    pick up new ideas.

    This years conference, on

    4th, will be held at the Nant-y

    Llandissilio, and speakers in

    former Tory MP Michael Jac

    give an overview of the dairy

    for South Wales and Hugh M

    farm manager at Crichton Ro

    Farm, Dumfries, who will wei

    arguments for intensive or ex

    profitable milk production.

    Mr Crimes will urge farmers

    understand their production

    Rob George will speak abou

    fertility as a key to profitabili

    Morris, of BOCM PAULs, wil

    feed efficiency.

    The conference is sponsored by HSBC,

    PAULS and CARA Wales.

    To reserve your place or find out more

    ring 01570 471 516.

    The conference costs 24 per delegate

    Milk industry optimism fuels interest in

    Welsh dairy conference

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    Wales Farmer

    NEWS FEBRUARY 2014

    ELSH cattle farmerscelosingone per centofeir single farm paymentthey breach TB testing

    eadlines by a single day.The Welsh Government says it

    tends to take an additional oner cent from a farmers direct

    payment if tests are between oneday and three months late.

    The new penalties are on top

    of the five per cent fine currentlyin place for tests that are 12months overdue and three percentfortests that gobeyondthreeand 12 months.

    Farming minister Alun Daviesis getting tough on farmers whobreach testing rules because theyare undermining Wales TB erad-icationprogramme. He says iden-tifying TB quickly through regu-lar testing is an important part ofthat programme.

    The vast majority of farmersin Wales already comply withannual TB testing and arrange

    their tests in good timesaid MrDavies.

    However, a small minoritydonot and this undermines oureradication programme and

    increases the risk of TB.The announcement followed

    EU approval of Wales 2014Bovine TB eradication plan,which means that Wales willreceive a share of the provisional31m Euros awarded to the UK tohelp it stamp out bovine TB.

    The minister added: I amdelighted that the EuropeanCommission continues to sup-port our TB eradication pro-gramme andour policiesto reachour longterm goalof eradicatingit from Wales.

    The 2014 plan sets out TB

    eradication policies that will beimplemented during the year andbuilds on measures contained inthe2013 planand on thestrategicframework for Bovine TB Eradi-

    cation in Wales.The plan outlines the work

    currently underway such as thebadger vaccination project andvaccination grant, Cymorth TBPilot and the review of TB com-pensation arrangements in Wales.It also includes commitments tostrengthen cattle control meas-uresin place throughthe continu-al monitoring of the remainingpre-movement testing exemp-tions.

    For more details on the bovineTB eradication programme go towww.wales.gov.uk/bovinetb.

    Getting tough onoverdue TB tests

    By Debbie James

    CHARITY auction whereople donated lambs to be sold

    as a huge success, raising morean 12,000.Four friends from the Sen-

    ybridge area who have

    cently been affected byancer decided to organise

    e donate a lamb auctionr the Brecon and Senny-

    ridge Committee of Canceresearch Wales.Organisers Dilys Price,

    avid Evans, Brian Daviesnd Peter Francis were over-helmed with the generoussponse from members ofe agricultural community,ho not only provided 91mbs towards the auction at

    ennybridge Livestock Mar-et on Saturday Decemberh, butalsootheritems such bags of swedes, walkingicks, rugby match tickets,

    nimal EID tags and Sundaynch vouchers. The total

    as also boosted by numer-us donations.

    The money raised by theauction will go towards Can-cer Research Wales, provid-ing research into the treat-

    mentand diagnosisof cancerin Wales. The charity has its

    own research laboratorybased at the Velindre CancerCentre at Velindre Hospital,Cardiff.

    The organisers, along withthe Brecon & Sennybridge

    Co mmitte e o f Ca nce rR es ea rc h Wa le s, h av ethanked everybody for theirgenerosity in supporting the

    auction and reminded peoplethat thefund isalwaysopen.

    Donate a lamb charity auctiona huge success, raising 12,000

    Penalties if

    deadline ismissed bysingle day

    ELSH beef producers receivednewyear boostwithnewsthat arge beef processing plant is

    open in Ceredigion thisonth.Dunbias decision to invest

    illions of pounds into regener-ing the former DairyGold siteFelinfach willresultin 208jobshen the site becomes opera-onal in February.

    Dunbia had used the site as amporary lamb processing facil-y while its Llanybydder sitenderwent a 12m redevelop-

    ment. This opened in June, free-ing up the Felinfach plant forregeneration.

    The development has receiveda 1.8m business finance grantfrom the Welsh Government tofund the project.

    Wales Economy MinisterEdwina Hart described the newfacility as good news for theWelshfoodand farming industry.

    Dunbia is already a signifi-cant employer in rural Wales anda major player in the red meatsector which was worth 595m to

    the Welsh economy in 2012, shesaid.

    This investment supportsWelsh Government policies andinitiativesto increaseaddedvalueprocessing of agricultural pro-duce in Wales to ensure the bene-fits areretained in Walesand helpcreate jobs and spread prosperi-ty.

    Until 2006, the Felinfach sitehad been a cheese packing plantoperated by the Irish-ownedcompany, Dairygold.

    Its decision to switch packag-

    ing to a plant in Staffordshirecost 115 people in west Walestheir jobs.

    The company had blamed theclosure on the harsh realities ofthe marketplace.

    Ceredigion MP MarkWilliams said it had been a realtragedy for the area and wel-comed news that the site wouldre-open.

    I very much welcome thearrival of this new beef process-ingand packingfactory in Febru-ary,he said.

    208 jobs at new beef processing

    plant set to open in west Wales

    For the latestWales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

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    WalesFarmer

    FEBOPINIONS

    For the latestWales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    WHAT a difference ayear makes. Accordingto the annual NFUfarmer confidencesurvey, farmers aremore optimistic thanthey were 12 monthsago.But this survey wastaken before Welshfarmers were told they

    would lose 15% oftheir alreadycontracted single farmpayment.

    Welsh farmers areperfectly capable of

    competing on a levelplaying field withfarmers in any countryin the world, but thekey word here is level.Modulation the

    percentage of moneythe Welsh Government

    will transfer fromdirect payments toenvironmentalschemes has been adark cloud on thehorizon for months.Just days beforeChristmas that cloudspectacularly burst

    when the WelshGovernmentannounced it wouldtransfer the maximumpermitted modulationrate of 15%.

    What seems to havebeen forgotten is thatthe purpose of direct

    payments is to ensurecontinuity of foodsupply, and in generalthis is being achievedunder the current CAP.There is a tremendousamount ofmisunderstandingabout the single farmpayment and the sumsfarmers are paid.The SFP is not a given;to receive it in full,farmers have to jumpthrough many and

    varied crosscompliance hoops

    which ensure thecountryside ismanaged properly.

    The developEastern econgoing to put strain on fooover the nexdecades andpayments cacontrol ineviincreases.

    Agriculture asecurity is vcountry. If poseek to makeeven more dfarmers wheexpect our focome from perhaps withimplicationsholds?

    Welsh farmers not onlevel playing field nowBy Debbie James

    Send your dates for anylocal shows, YFC events,ploughing matches,

    equestrian and other ruralevents, for the yearahead to [email protected]

    DIARYdates

    FORWARD planning is criticalo ensuring any development

    project is a success, no matterhow big or small. But where doyou start?

    We have embarked on a diver-ificationplan forthe familyfarmo increase revenue. After review-ng development options we

    decidedto converttworedundanttone barns for residential and

    holiday letting purposes.However diversification can

    havea significantimpact on oper-ations (which was one of our pri-mary concerns from the outset ofhe project). In order to try and

    minimise against any perceivednegative impacts, this led us toconsider; what are the primaryneeds for the farm and what arehe primary needs for the new

    accommodation?We also considered how could

    weimprove farmoperationsfromany infrastructure enhance-ments?

    Updating the farm plan pro-

    vided a solid platform uponwhich we could build a compre-hensive scheme. Firstly we con-ducted a review of issues arising

    on the farm from the previousyear good and bad! The reviewincluded everything from return-ing escaped cattle from neigh-bouring farms, handling live-stock in general, land manage-ment activities as well as machin-ery movements.

    When considering these issuesin light of the proposed develop-ment; the key recurring theme inthe plan related to livestock han-dling and machinery accessthrough the existing farm yard.Securing the main yard was con-sidered essential to providing asafe environment for future visit-ing guests. As all farmers willknow, keeping the main yard rel-atively clean can also prove chal-lenging, especially during badweather.

    However, this was also fac-tored into the scheme to limit

    costs for future maintenance(both in time and money) and toensure future guests had anenjoyable st ay.

    Prior to commencing the farmdiversification project wedesigneda newenclosure to man-age stock. We also provided newentrance gates to limit trafficmovement throughthe mainyardwhere possible. It maysoundsim-ple, buteven thesmallestof alter-ations can have a significantimpact in the short, medium orlong term. I often encourageclients to put pen to paper tosketch out ideas and to set a firmlist of objectives that they seek toachieve. It is also worth dis-cussing ideas with friends, familymembers and/or staff. After all,the greater the input, the greaterthe results.

    As with any long-term invest-

    ment project, newlenges have come the course of ouRegularly reviewplan has greatly aing solutions to palso improving faam positive moknow it is often haout of working inwork on the busispent integrating plan into the farminvaluable in savmoney in the long

    With the sprinapproaching, nowto take a step bacactivities or explofor 2014.

    For further detplease contact W

    on 01994 2wayne@at

    Now is a time to reflect and start planning ahe

    PLANNINGmatters

    In his regular column forWales Farmer, WAYNEREYNOLDS, director of

    Atriarc Planninghighlights theimportance of forwardplanning and integratingdevelopment activitiesinto a farm plan.

    Managing editor:Holly [email protected]

    Farmer editor:RhiannonLlewellin01437 [email protected]

    Reporter:Debbie James01646 661395nfo@debbiejames

    media.com

    Advertising:Aaron Byrne01437 761768

    [email protected]

    nterested inbecoming a communityarming correspondent?

    Email [email protected] or call

    01437 761759 to findout more.

    WALES FARMER

    CONTACTS

    Dear editor,I WRITE to express the anger,frustration and disappointmentof farmers across Wales that ourGovernment has made the unilat-eraldecision to place Welshfarm-ers at a significant competitive

    disadvantage compared to farm-ers in the rest of the UK andEurope.

    The decision made by the Min-ister for Natural resources and

    Food, AlunDavies,was to siphonaway nearly 300m from the bot-tomline of Welshagriculture overthe next seven years. He says thatthis money will be spent on ruralactivity, but as yet he has no planon how or where it will be spent.

    The Common AgriculturalPolicy (CAP) is meant to be justthat, a common policy acrossEurope to ensure food securityand maintain the highest produc-

    tion standards. The decision byour ministerto take a greaterpro-portion of support away fromWelsh farmers than that beingtaken in England, Scotland,Northern Ireland, France andGermany, effectively means that

    our minister has decided to takethe Common out of CAP, and Ifear could see food productionexported out of Wales to otherareas of the UK and Europe

    where their Governments contin-ue to back farmers and farming.

    Farmers are the backbone torural life in Wales, we provide theproduction base, we support amulti-billion pound food anddrink industry and we produce

    meat, milk and crops to worldleading standards whilst at thesame time care for and enhanceour treasured landscape.

    The minister continually high-

    lights the convewith farmers. Fout Wales, as paversations, haveopposition to mo

    Welsh farmerrightly asking wh

    of a conversationot to listen.

    Ed BaileyPresidentNFU Cymru

    Ministers decision will put Welshagriculture at severe disadvantag

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    NEWS FEBRUARY2014

    HE organisers of theoyal Welsh Show are

    mplementing a series ofost-cutting measures in

    bid to increase prof-ability.A 150kw solar PV system,

    hich could save more than

    26,000 on annual energy bills, isbeing installed at the show-ground at Builth Wells.

    Water is another area beingtargeted for savings. Thousandsof gallons of drinking water arecurrently usedto washdown live-

    stock buildings. In total, electric-ity and water use costs the RoyalWelsh Agricultural Society morethan 200,000 a year.

    Society chairman, JohnDavies, said a drive to reducecosts was matched by an ambi-tion to increase income.

    He said creating a strong fiscal

    platform was an essential part ofthe future business plan.

    Last summers Royal WelshShow attracted a record crowd of241,781visitors while 29,374peo-ple attended the Winter Fair inDecember. Despite a rise in fees,membership of the society hasreached 20,000.

    By Debbie James

    A FARMERS wife from Rad-orshire has been elected presi-entof theRoyal WelshAgricul-

    ural Society (RWAS) for 2014.Rhian Duggan,of Crossgates,

    ear Llandrindod Wells, who isnly the sixth woman to becomeresident of the society in the10 years since its formation in904, takes over theoffice during

    Radnorshires yearas thefeatureounty.

    For the past 15 years MrsDuggan has been secretary ofheRWAS county advisorycom-

    mittee for Radnorshire andecame a life president of the

    ociety in 2000 in recognition ofer services, receiving the award

    rom HRH the Prince of Wales.This is the fifth time Radnor-

    hire has been the shows fea-ured county since moving tolanelwedd in 1963 and Mrs

    Duggan has been involved in allour of the countys previousundraising campaigns.

    Together with her husband,ohn, and son, Andrew, theyarm beef and sheep on 600cres and she is responsible forn eggproduction unitof 12,000

    laying hens.

    MrsDugganis a former secre-tary of Rhayader YFC and is apastpresident of Penybont YFC

    and is county vice-president of

    the Radnor federation.Other lady presidents of the

    RWAS are: Princess Elizabeth,

    1947; Lady Marion Phillips,

    1979; Mrs R. W. P. Parry, 1980;Hon Sian L egge-Bourke, 1997;and Kate Thomas, 2009.

    Making savingsat Royal Welsh

    Societys new president hit for six

    TOP HONOURS: The 2014 RWAS president, Rhian Duggan, with her husband, John,who farm in Radnorshire.

    LA CYMRU has welcomed aw policy adviser to its flock.Rhianne Jones is a farmersughterwho is still involved withe family hill farm in Trecastlear Brecon.After working as an account-t in Winchester for two years,

    hianne moved back home and

    went on to study a postgraduatequalificationin rural studies andaruralland policy courseat HarperAdams University.

    She joined Powys CountyCouncil as a farm diversificationproject officer with Glasu, whichis a local partnership of public,privateand voluntary/community

    organisations to support a sus-tainable future for people inPowys.

    Rhianne, who enjoys showingHill Radnor sheep, joins the CLAteam in Presteigne and can becontacted in the office on 01547317085 or email [email protected].

    New adviser joins CLA team

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    LD livestock handling systemsing used on farms throughoutales could pose a significantfety risk.A survey carried out by thermersUnionof Wales(FUW)the Royal Welsh Winter Fairs revealed that around 65% of-farm cattle handling systemsemore thanten years old.Also,%of sheepsystemswere found

    to be more than ten years old.The use of livestock handling

    systems has become more andmore important from a healthandsafetyperspective over recentyears, especially if we look at TBtesting in cattle and the clippingof cattle on farm prior to deliver-ingthem to slaughter,said FUWagricultural education and train-ing committee chairman Alun

    Edwards.The number of reported

    injuries incurred while handlinglivestock is almost 1,000 in thelast ten years and inappropriatehandling facilities are often toblame.

    Despite the growing need tohandle livestock for a range ofstatutory, veterinary or routinehusbandry reasons, there is little

    resource within the industry toinvest in handling systems,added Mr Edwards.

    Handling cattle alwaysinvolves a risk of injury fromcrushing,kicking,buttingor gor-ing and farmers should alwaysensure that the handling systemsare fit for purpose and staff areadequately trained and compe-tent.

    Farm safety fears from oldivestock handling systems

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    WalesFarmer

    FEB0 ANIMAL HEALTH

    A CHALLEN GING diseaseis going untreated in dairycalves because a lack ofsymptoms means it isoften unnoticed or over-looked.

    Levels of subclinical coccidio-sis are hugely underestimatedwith extensive implications, andit can impact on calves in a vari-ety of ways, says vet Rob Daviesof Allen and Partners VeterinaryServices Ltd, Whitland.

    Subclinical coccidiosiscan gounnoticedand be overlookeddueto the lack of overt symptoms;but the resulting reduction ingrowth rates can be very damag-ing, with calves never managingto catch up with their peers, andmeet their growthrate potential,he added.

    For dairy heifer calves todevelop to their potential andmeet the target of calving beforethe age of two, they need to growat their optimum growth rate.This is a rate of around 800grams per day.

    Coccidiosis, be it clinical orsubclinical, will impact growthrates, leading to weaker calvesthat fail to reach their potential,when expected.

    Ill thrift and a slowed growthrateis a bigproblemin calvessuf-fering from coccidiosis, Robpoints out.

    I encourage all my clients toregularly weigh calves or use aweigh band; this will help identi-fy any significant drop in growthrates which can help with thedetective aspect of establishing ifand when subclinical coccidiosisis becoming a problem.

    Farmers should considerroutinely weighing calves as theyundergo management practiceslike weaning, as this is whencalves are usually put under aperiod of stress that will tem-porarily suppress the calvesimmune response. This is themost likely opportunity for coc-

    cidiosis to take hold.Symptoms of clinical coc-

    cidiosis, such as scours, strainingand obvious weight loss are easi-er to identify.

    But if coccidiosis is left todevelop to the clinical stage, then

    calves will struggle to catch upfollowing the period of ill health,and in some cases where calvesare not treated, it can even leadto mortality,s aid Rob.

    Speciation testsare a vital toolfor vets in the battle against sub-clinical coccidiosis. Bayer isworkingwith vetsto providecoc-cidiosistestingwith speciation toestablish the exact pathogenicspecies challenging the stock.

    These results thenallow us toadvise targeted metaphylactictreatment and plan timingsaccording to the management ofthe calves and the species of coc-

    cidia present,added Rob.This should be after the calf

    has ingested the infective oocyst,but before any significant dam-age or symptoms are seen. Thistime varies slightly depending onthe management of the calvesand sometimes the pathogenicspecies of coccidia challengingthese calves.

    Establishing the right time totreat subclinical coccidiosis canleadto long-termgains,as signif-icant gut damage and any subse-quent set-backs are prevented

    from developing. Alining is less effecting and digesting nfeed, which can adheifer development

    Research by Baythat a metaphylacapproach yields tterm results, reducof subclinical cocciheifer calves until tive development aice.

    Sharon Cookseymal Health Group ager said: Calves that had previousl

    problemswith natucoccidiosis, were diequal groups on eagroup was treated aremained untreatewere monitored fogather informationterm effects of silecoccidiosis.

    The results that treatment antiming right significtheir average age tby 24 days in compnon-treated group.

    Other key benetreatment includeffects on certain feeters and a significin oocyst shedding

    Overall pregnafirst service concep

    average services pewere all improvedment group,added

    Rob said the resesome important imunmanaged coccid

    Effective mansubclinical coccidovert symptoms any long-term damwill help dairy hemeet their growth added.

    This has the knfit of not hampertive development, msible to target cyounger age.

    Overlooked conditionis a growing problem

    For the latestWales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    BIG IMPACT: Coccidiosis can have a big impact ongrowth rates, these calves had a weight gain of 300g aday, compared to the optimum of 800g a day.

    HEALTHY: These calves were achieving the optimum growth rate of 800gper day.

    Effective management of

    subclinical coccidiosis beforeovert symptoms develop, and any

    long-term damage is done, will

    help dairy heifer calves to meet

    their potential.

    TACKLING PROBLEMEARLY:Vet Rob Davies.

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    ADVERTISEMENT FEBRUARY2014

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

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    WalesFarmer

    FEB2 NEWS

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    FARMLAND should beprotected from flooding tosafeguard food productionin Wales.

    That is the view of the Farm-ers Union of Wales (FUW) in itsresponse to Natural ResourcesWales (NRW) consultation paperPlanning our Future.

    We welcome NRWs commit-mentto build, maintainand oper-ate flood defences, but stress thatit is not just the urban environ-ment that needs to be protectedbut also rural areas and agricul-tural landso that food productionis not threatened, said FUWpresident Emyr Jones.

    Given the impact of recentweather conditions on coastal

    and tidal river areas throughoutWalesit is vital that these vulnera-ble areas are protected from therisks of flooding.

    Mr Jones said there is no refer-ence in the NRW consultation tothe contribution agriculturemakes to the management andprotection of the landscape andthe environment.

    We believe that, as agricultureis the predominant land use inWales, recognition needs to begiven to the role of agriculture inthe management of water and theimplications of flooding to foodproduction in addition to proper-ty and the protection of the envi-ronment, he added.

    Mr Jones visited Llanbedr,near Harlech, where flooding had

    caused a 30-metre breach in aflood bank.

    Iam awarethatthereis tobe areview of flood defences in Walesand trust that the needs of ruralareas will be an inherent part ofthis.

    A review into the damagecaused to coastal flood defencesand the impact on coastal com-munities was announced follow-ing the new year flooding, butNFU Cymru has called on theminister for natural resources toinclude inland waterways andriver maintenance.

    Bernard Llewellyn, NFUCymrusruralaffairsboardchair-man, said: Without adequatefunding being made available tomaintain waterways, flooding

    problems will Maintenance is farmers as regulamaintains conveyity within the rive

    This means return to the riveand reduces the etion of any flood

    If water canriver system, flooover a greaterarebecause the watego.

    Thewholeof- both ruralanduby flooding andthat money is invof flood defence

    NRW intendsfinal corporate p

    LOOD DEFENCES: Emyr Jones on the site of the breachLlanbedr, near Harlech.

    Farmland flooprotection cal

    HE whole of Wales could becluded from a rural fuel dutyrogation.New criteria in the UK gov-

    nments evidence gatheringocess about introducing a pos-

    ble rural fuel duty derogationcludesareasthatare within 100iles of an oil refinery, whichplies to the whole of Wales.C ere di gi on MP M arkilliams lobbied to include hisunty in the initial evidencethering process and is disap-inted with the introduction of

    e new criteria.I dont doubt that the cost ofel transportation is an impor-nt feature in pricing in the Scil-s or Outer Hebrides, but ouroximity to Milford Haven has

    not meant that Ceredigion resi-dents are paying less for ourfuel,he said.

    I commend the Governmenton the action it has taken this farto assist with the cost of fuel,such as the abolition of the fueldutyescalatorand freezeson fuelduty, but evidence shows that inrural areas we continue to paymore for fuel. A fuel duty dero-gation would be of great help tomany of my constituents, and itis important that the Govern-ment pursues this and assessesthe criteria it uses, with renewedurgency.

    Mr Williamsspokein a parlia-mentary debate on the issue andcalled for clarification on the cri-teria.

    Wales left out ofresearch into fuelduty derogation

    A GROUP of Glamorgan farm-ers whose land was under threatfrom an attempt to register exclu-sive fishing rights on their landhas won their fight, with helpfrom the Farmers Union ofWales (FUW).

    More than 140 notices wereserved on landowners by theLand Registry relating to anattempt by the trustees of theOgmore Angling Association toregister a profit a prendre,which would have giventhem soleand exclusive fishing rights on theriver Ogmore and its tributaries.

    The FUW objected on behalfof a number of members, andwrote directly to the OgmoreAngling Association trustees andtheLand Registry, which has nowcancelled the applications due tothe trustees solicitor failing torespond to the objections raised.

    FUW county executive officerGlyn Davies said: The process-ing of these applications by theLand Registry has cost a greatdeal of taxpayers money and hasalsocauseda hugeamountof dis-tress and anger to landownersinvolved in thisattempt to registera profit a prendre on their land.

    Even more alarming is thefactthatthis is thesecondattemptby the trustees of the OgmoreAngling Association to registerthese rights, following the first

    application in 2008 which was

    again cancelled by the Land Reg-istry.

    In light of these applications,the FUW would welcome areviewby theWelsh andWestmin-

    ster Governments to ensure that

    there is no further abuse of theprofit a prendre system.

    One FUW member who com-plained about receiving a notice,Beatrice Hayball-Jones, said she

    was extremely glad of the sup-

    port givento herwas adamant thahad played a sigcausing the failuto register fishin

    land.

    Farmers win fishing rights fi

    CONTESTED AREA: Beatrice Hayball-Jones alongside the section of river ththrough her farm at Treoes in the Vale of Glamorgan.

    LANS to introduce new MOT-yle tests for some large tractorsd all livestock trailers look tove been defeated.The EU was proposing totroduce testing on all O2aded trailers such as normal

    vestock trailers and somerge tractors. While standardactors used for farming willow be exempt, certain higheed tractors will be included ine scope of the final agreement,

    t only those that travel mainly

    on public roads will be affected.NFUCymru lobbiedintensely

    against the proposals. RuralAffairs board chairman BernardLlewellyn said: NFU Cymru iscommitted to ensuring the safetyof agricultural machines on theroads which is why we advocatethe use of the Farm VehicleHealth Check Scheme.

    The European Parliament andmember state ministers areexpected to formally adopt the

    package early in 2014.

    ELSH sheep producersdured a year of ups andwns during 2013.Prices atBrightwellsmarkets at

    uilth Wells, Rhayader and Hay-n-Wye were upto 240p a kilo for

    w season lamb in early Juned were up to 230p a kilo by

    id-July, but auctioneer Chrisavies says these prices wereeded.

    It was a very expensive winterfor keeping sheep and at lambingtime, so these lambs had to earnevery penny they could, headded.

    Reflecting on the steep fall thatfollowed when the market startedlosing 10p a day until it reachedaround 180p a kilo, Chris Daviessays the marketing of primelambs in the future has to take

    account of ethnic festival dates.These festivals have an

    increasing influence on the mar-ket, said Mr Davies.

    We had 2,000 prime lambs inBuilth Wells in the third week inJuly averaging 230p a kilo - atremendous price - and that wasbecauseof thedemandcreated byRamadan.

    Mr Davies said producers with

    hoggets to sell in the new yearshould be mindful that the abun-dance of winter grass doesnt pileon the extra kilos and get themoverweight and so lose value.

    As we move into the hoggetselling season in the new year itsimportantto keep a verycloseeyeon the condition of these sheep.

    A lot will be doing better thanthey normally do, but buyers

    dont want anything too heavyandtoo fatand over 48kg,addedMr Davies, who sells at Bright-wells Builth Wells market.

    Mr Davies said hoggets soldlater in the spring seem likely tohit the strongest trade.

    The trick this coming seasonis going to be able to get the bestreturn at the right time, headded.

    Prices at the year look like bethe end of 2013 akilo, but these hothe most popula38-47kgwith littfeeding.

    Those sold lalook like makinbut theyll probmore feeding to g

    A year of ups and downs for sheep produc

    Trailer MOT testplans defeated

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    Wales Farmer

    NEWS FEBRUARY2014

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    ARMERS in Wales areeing urged to increase

    e security of their fer-iser stocks to prevent itom falling into thewrong

    ands.The Welsh Extremism and

    ounter Terrorism UnitWECTU) has issued some

    vice to farmers at a time ofar when large amounts of fer-ser are being delivered to

    rms across Wales.The UK is the heaviest user of

    mmonium nitrate and ammoni-m nitrate-based fertilisers in theorld, manufacturing or import-g about 4million tonnes a yearthin the23million tonneglobal

    arket.A spokesman for WECTUd: Inevitably this means that

    e blending, storage, transportd use of fertiliser is common-

    ace, creating opportunities fortential terrorists to acquire

    ch material.

    Farmers are being urged toreport any suspicious activity atorneartheir premisesand totakesteps to prevent fertiliser beingstolen in the first instance.

    Whilst there is no such thingas absolute security, there aremany simple measures that cansignificantly reduce the likeli-hood of a theft, added thespokesman.

    Storing your fertiliser in anenclosed secure barn or coveringfertiliser with a tarpaulin in anopen-sided barn may seem basic,but can be effective. Similarly,closing and locking a gate thatgives access to fertiliser is cheap,quick and will deter some (butnot all) offenders.

    It is also important to beaware if any of your fertiliser hasbeen stolen or there has been anattempt to steal it. Putting meas-ures in place will make it mucheasier to discover such a theft orattempt, thus enabling you tonotify the police.

    Ten point fertiliser security plan

    Do not store fertiliser where there is public access. Do not leave bags of fertiliser in the field overnight.

    Do not store fertiliser near to, or visible from, the publicghway.

    It is an offence to sell-on ammonium nitrate fertiliser withouthe property certification (detonation resistance certificate).

    Retain and file all fertiliser delivery notes.

    Wherever possible, and with regard to HSE safety guidance,tore fertiliser inside a locked building or compound.

    Fully sheet fertiliser when stored outside and regularly checko ensure that the stack has not been tampered with.

    Carry out regular, frequent stock checks.

    Report any unexplained stock discrepancy or loss/theft to theolice immediately.

    0. Purchase fertiliser from a Fertiliser Industry Assurancecheme (FIAS) approved supplier.

    Ensure

    fertiliser

    stocksare safe

    ONSUMERS are on the side ofrmers in wanting more Britishod, that was the positive mes-ge to the MontgomeryshireFU Cymru annual conference.Meurig Ray mond, NFUputy president, said: Its clearat retailers are increasinglycognising the importance ofomoting British and local

    ovenance which we know morensumerswant to buy. Thelatestures on beef and lamb showprovements across the board,hough some supermarkets arell doing better than others.

    Looking to the future Mr Ray-mond said success was very muchin the hands of young people.

    He added: Youngsters seefood and farming rising back upthe agenda and Im pleased to seethat more a nd more of theyounger generation want to bepart of our industry in the future.Its the younger generation that

    make the industry so successful.There are great opportuni-

    ties on the horizon for youngerfarmers. We hear that the UKpopulation is estimated toincrease by 11 million by 2025.

    Thatsjust 12 harvestsaway. Also,the western diet is spreading toChina and our youngsters can seethe long term opportunities avail-able as these countries with hugepopulations become more afflu-ent and move towards a westernstyle diet.

    Jonathan Wilkinson, NFUCymru Montgomeryshire chair-

    man, thanked Mr Raymond for

    his positive messages about thefuture and Ed Bailey for all hiswork during his time as presidentof NFU Cymru.

    POSITIVE MESSAGE: NFUdeputy president MeurigRaymond and NFU CymruMontgomeryshire chairman

    Jonathan Wilkinson.

    Consumers on side of farmers

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    FEB4 NEWS

    For the latestWales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    A NEW electronic report-ing system to monitorsheep m ovement s i nWales has been

    announced.Electronic tracing system EID-

    Cymru willenable a quicker, moreeffectiveresponse toa diseaseout-break.

    The minister for naturalresources and food Alun Daviessaid: EIDCymruwill providetheWelsh farming industry with a

    modern and robust tracing sys-tem that will provide accurate,timely data.

    This information, coupledwith efficient database systems,delivers the traceability that isabsolutely vital for the protectionof our livestock against diseaseoutbreaks.

    Such traceability will alsohelp strengthen the Welsh lambbrand and open-up markets over-seas by providing a cast-ironguarantee that the sheep were

    born and bred on Welsh pas-tures.

    The Welsh Government hasworked closely with the ScottishGovernment to develop the newsystem, using their existingmodel, ScotEID, as the templateto develop EIDCymru.

    Scotlands Rural Affairs Secre-tary Richard Lochhead said:Scotland has worked hard togainexcellenttraceability andthisdecision recognises the invest-ment and hard work we have put

    in, I wish the Weevery success wit

    This cooperagood neighbouadministrations other to deliverthand mutually comes, while mapublic investmento hearing abouthis project beinfuture.

    EID Cymru win January 2015.

    Ideal retirement gift to churn up memoriLOYAL workers are often delight-ed to receive a memento of theirservice when they retire, such as awatch or clock, but FarmersUnion of Wales employee MeinirBartlett was over the moon whenmembers and colleagues present-ed her with a traditional MMB-

    branded milk churn.Mrs Bartlett, of Furnace,

    Llanelli, began her career in agri-culture as a switchboard opera-tor/receptionist with the thenMilk Marketing Board in Llanellimore than 40 years ago. She hasworkedat theFUWsCarmarthenoffice for the past 17 years andrecently she received this yearsFUW/United Counties Agricul-tural and Hunters Society awardfor outstanding service to agricul-ture in Carmarthenshire.

    FUW president Emyr Jonessaid: Meinir has been an out-standing success in her role ascounty executive officer and hasmadea significantcontributiontoagriculture in Carmarthenshire.She is an excellent ambassadorand spokesman for agriculture.

    For many years, Mrs Bartletthas organised a number of impor-tant agricultural events in thecounty, including theFUW/HSBC Bank plc eve of theWelsh Dairy Show function andaward for outstanding service tothe Welsh dairy industry.

    She also organised a dinner atParc y Scarlets, Llanelli, in 2010which raised 2,660 for the RoyalAgricultural Benevolent Institu-tion (RABI).

    MrsBartlettssuccessor as Car-marthenshire county executiveofficer is David Waters, past oper-ational police sergeant, who hasworked for Dyfed Powys Policefor nearly 27 years.

    He is from a local farming fam-ilyand bothhis fatherand brotherare still farming. He left farmingto concentrate on a police careerand still assists the family in allactivities involving the farmingbusiness.

    PLEASED: Meinir Bartlettwith her milk churn.

    IDEAL PRESENT: FUW Carmarthenshire countychairman Catherine Nakielny presents Meinir Bartlett withher retirement milk churn.

    New electronitracing system

    OUNG farmers from acrosse world have been given a

    nique insight into the farmaste recycling capabilities of aelsh comp any.

    The 40-strong group from asr afield as Australia, America

    nd Canada visited BPI.recycledoducts plant in Rhymney,uth Wales plant as part of theth annual International Farm

    outh Exchange E uropean Con-rence.During their visit, the groupw how BPI.recycled productskes almost 100,000 tonnes ofaste polythene each year cluding materials like polytun-ls, silage balewrap and silage

    amp sheet and gives it a newase of life as productsincluding

    uildingfilms, landscapingmate-als and refuse sacks.

    BPI.recycled products envi-

    ronment and materials director,Sian Miles said: Most of thegroup had never seen farm wastepolythene being recycled beforeand were more familiar with less

    sustainable methods of disposalsuch as landfilling or burning.

    As such, they were both sur-prised and impressed by the vari-ety and volume of material recy-cled here in the UK. As a nation,weare actuallyamongst thelead-ers in this field and thanks tobusinesses like BPI.recycledproducts, there is still capacity torecycle more of the UKs wastefarm polythene every year.

    BPI.recycled products hasrecentlyinvested 4.5millionintoan agricultural waste wash plantat Rhymney, to recycle moreheavily contaminated levels ofwaste than previously possible.

    WASTE NOT: BPI.recycled products demonstrated itsxpertise in recycling agricultural waste polythene duringvisit by delegates from the IFYE European Conference.

    nsight into farmwaste recycling

    RETAILERS are turning toBritish farmers as theyplan wheretheir food will come from in tenyearstime.

    Speaking at the Mon-mouthshire NFU Cymru county

    conference, Peter Kendall, NFUpresident said: Retailers are wor-rying about where they will gettheir food from, not in 20 yearstime, but in the next ten years andwe are finally starting to makethem think they need to plan forboth the long and short term.

    Retailersare takingan interestin where their food comes from,not just because the horsemeatsurveys have shown that peoplewant to buy British, but becausethe population of this island is setto increase to 73million by 2050and retailers will need to lookcloserto home inorderto feed theincreasing population.

    Mr Kendall also encouraged

    farmers to close the dividebetween farmers and retailers andpolicy decision makers.

    There is a real disconnectbetween farmers and retailers orMPs making decisions in the city

    and we must close this divide,h eadded.

    Open up your farms to localpoliticians and retailers and helpthem understand our practisesbecause when these people under-stand farming, we have a muchgreater chance to lobby for theindustry.

    Also at the conference, whichwas sponsored by HSBC BankPlc, Nig el Bowyer, Mon-mouthshire NFU Cymru chair-man thanked William Jenkins,who has stood down as NFUMonmouthshire Councildelegate,for all of his hard work and dedi-cation to the industry during hispast 20 years in the role.

    THANKS: Peter Kendall presents William Jenkto thank him for his 20 years service as the NFMonmouthshire Council delegate.

    Retailers turn to British farme

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    Wales Farmer

    NEWS FEBRUARY2014

    For the latest Wales farming news:wales-

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    HERE was jubilation for a promi-ent Pembrokeshire farming familyhen they scooped the countysational Milk Records champion

    erd award.Well-known on the showing circuit, theilliams family, of Home Farm, Leweston,

    amrose, won the championship for theiryrshire herd at the awards evening, whichas held at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth,th Will Prichard, of Escalwen, Letterstonguestspeaker.The reserve champion herd went to G. R.

    riffiths andSon, of Penlan, NewMoat,withhonourable mention for C. B. and P. S. M.

    avies, of Treffgarne, Lampeter Velfrey.The Williams Ayrshire herd was also thenner-upin thebest smallherd competition,

    hile their Holstein herd took third place.he winners were C. B. and P. S. M. Davies,hoalso achieved themost points on produc-

    tion, and their Brown Swiss cows also wonthe award for best herd other than HolsteinFriesian.

    Thetop largeherd awardwentto Messrs O.M. Davies and sons, of Pencwarre, Crymych,

    ahead of the Llewellin family, of LowerHouse, Clarbeston andLewis PearsonLtd, ofPearson Farm, St Brides.

    The top non-registered herd belonged toH. G. and E. Jones, of New House, PrincesGate and the organic award went to TedionFarm, Lawrenny.

    The herd of A. V. and A. C. R. Jenkins, ofStember, PoyerstonCrosshad thelowestaver-age cell counts, with 82,000 cells/ml ahead ofGriffiths & Son, Penlan, New Moat andLlewellin, Lower House, Clarbeston, bothon84,000 cells/ml.

    The judge of the main herds competitionwas John Fletcher, of Moylegrove, while theyoungstock judge was Jessica Hall, of TheWirral.

    RESULTSSmall herd with most points for inspection and pro-

    ction: 1st C B & P S M Davies, Treffgarne, Lampeterlfrey; 2nd M/s Williams, Home Farm, Camrose, Ayr-ire; 3rd M/s Williams, Home Farm, Camrose Holstein.

    Large herd with most points on inspection and pro-ction: 1st OM Davies & Sons, Pencwarre, Crymych;d NG & AL Llewellin, Lower House, Clarbeston; 3rdwis Pearson Ltd, Pearson Farm, St Brides.Herdwiththe highestnumberof pointson inspection:

    t M/s GR Griffiths & Son, Penlan, New Moat; 2nd M/sM Davies & Sons, Pencwarre, Crymych; 3rd G & EM &

    Griffiths, The Croft, Llysyfran.Herdwiththe highestnumberofpointson production:

    t C B & P S M Davies, Treffgarne, Lampeter Velfrey;d M/s OM Davies & Sons, Pencwarre, Crymych; 3rd

    D James & Sons, Langdon Mill, Kilgetty.Herd with the most points on inspection and produc-

    n other than Holstein Friesian/British Holstein: 1st C BP S M Davies, Treffgarne, Lampeter Velfrey Brown

    wiss;2nd M/sWilliams,HomeFarm,CamroseAyrshire;d G & EM & HJ Griffiths, The Croft, Llysyfran Jersey.

    Highest number of points on Inspection and Pin: 1st/s OM Davies & Sons, Pencwarre, Crymych; 2nd M/sR Griffiths & Son, Penlan, New Moat; joint 3rd Lewis

    arson Ltd, Pearson Farm, St Brides and M/s NG & ALewellin, Lower House, Clarbeston .

    Non-registered herd with most points on inspectiondproduction:1stH G &E Jones,New House,Princess

    ate; 2nd Tedion Farmers, Tedion Farm, Lawrenny.Member of NMR (who has not won competition

    fore) with most points on inspection and production:t MD James & Sons, Langdon Mill, Kilgetty; 2nd H G &Jones, New House, Princess Gate; 3rd O & T Morris,

    mston, Martletwy.Bull progeny group: 1st M/s DHO & SEJ George,over Hill, New Moat, Talent; 2nd M/s OM Davies &ns, Pencwarre, Crymych, Shottle; 3rd M/s NG & AL

    ewellin, Lower House, Clarbeston, Shottle.Bestdairystockbull:1st M/sGR Griffiths& Son,Pen-

    n, New Moat, Gold Sensation; 2nd A H Prichard & Son,osmaen, Newport, Gelli Prospect; 3rd M/s Williams,

    ome Farm, Camrose, Holstein Bilsrow Oakley.Nominated cow gaining most points for inspection

    d lactation value: 1st C B & P S M Davies, Treffgarne,mpeter Velfrey Garne Playboy Ginny 50; 2nd Lewisarson Ltd, Pearson Farm, St Brides Sterndale Ashlyns

    old; 3rd M/s NG & AL Llewellin, Lower House, Clarbe-on Clarby Zebra Chloe.

    Cow family group: 1st M/s Williams, Home Farm,amrose,HolsteinThe FabiolaFamily;2ndM/s Williams,ome Farm, Camrose Ayrshire The Rosie Family; 3rd/sGR Griffiths& Son,Penlan, NewMoatThe ElsyFam-

    Herd with the lowest average cell counts: 1st AV &CRJenkins, Stember,Poyerston Cross82,000 cells/ml;

    nt 2nd M/s GR Griffiths & Son, Penlan, New Moat andG & AL Llewellin, Lower House, Clarbeston 84,000lls/ml; 3rd EJC & ME Jones, Hackett, Kilgetty 104,000lls/ml.

    Nominated heifer gaining the highest number ofpointsforinspectionand lactationvalue:1stC B& P SMDavies, Treffgarne, Lampeter Velfrey, Garne PowerSurge Little Bell;2ndM/s DHO& SEJGeorge, CloverHill,New Moat, Trigarn Sam Sara; 3rd M/s Williams, Home

    Farm, Camrose, Holstein Baby Bell Red.Best groupofthreecows:1stC B& PS MDavies,Tre-

    ffgarne, Lampeter Velfrey; 2nd M/s NG & AL Llewellin,Lower House,Clarbeston;3rd M/sWilliams,HomeFarm,Camrose Ayrshire.

    Cow, giving over 70 tonnes of milk, gaining the high-estpointsoninspection:1st M/sGR Griffiths &Son, Pen-lan, New Moat, Carwyn Red Brenda; 2nd M/s Williams,Home Farm, Camrose, Ayrshire P A Right On Rosie; 3rdLewis Pearson Ltd, Pearson Farm, St Brides, St BridesStrom Juliet

    Cowwiththe highestvalueof milkperday (frombirth):1st M/s Williams, Home Farm, Camrose, Ayrshire7.10p/day P A Right On Rosie; 2nd M/s NG & ALLlewellin, Lower House, Clarbeston, 6.99 p/day ClarbyFuture Toots; 3rd Lewis Pearson Ltd, Pearson Farm, StBrides, 6.64p/day St Brides Strom Juliet.

    Best home-bred milking heifer with most points oninspection: 1st M/s GR Griffiths & Son, Penlan, NewMoat, Carwyn Pagewire Pamela; 2nd M/s Williams,Home Farm, Camrose, Ayrshire Willhome Gold Pansy 3;3rd Lewis Pearson Ltd, Pearson Farm, St Brides, StBrides Evolve Ashlyn.

    Dam, daughters or three generations: 1st M/s NG &AL Llewellin, Lower House, Clarbeston, Snowdrift; 2ndM/s Williams, Home Farm, Camrose, Ayrshire Rosie; 3rdLewis Pearson Ltd, Pearson Farm, St Brides, Ashlyn.

    Organicherdor insecondyearconversion: 1stTedionFarmers, Tedion Farm, Lawrenny; 2nd H G & E Jones,

    New House, Princes Gate.Best udder: G & EM & HJ Griffiths, The Croft,Llysyfran, Jersey.

    Best in-heifer gaining the highest points on inspec-tion: 1st M/s GR Griffiths & Son, Penlan, New Moat, Car-wyn Jotan Hope Red; 2nd M/s GR Griffiths & Son, Pen-lan, New Moat, Carwyn Ryan Agility; 3rd M/s DHO & SEJGeorge, Clover Hill, New Moat, Trigarn Atwood Sara

    Female youngstock (large herds): 1st Lewis PearsonLtd, Pearson Farm, St Brides; 2nd M/s DHO & SEJGeorge, Clover Hill, New Moat; 3rd Tedion Farmers,Tedion Farm, Lawrenny.

    Female youngstock (small herds) 1st M/s Williams,Home Farm, Camrose, Ayrshire; 2nd WR & EM Evans,Parcywern, Tufton; 3rd M/s GR Griffiths & Son, Penlan,New Moat.

    Best group of progeny calves from one sire: 1st M/sWilliams, Home Farm, Camrose, Ayrshire Burdette; 2ndO & T Morris, Flimston, Martletwy, Tournament; 3rd M/sDHO & SEJ George, Clover Hill, New Moat, Trigarn LinerTab Red ET

    Champion herd: M/s Williams, Home Farm, CamroseAyrshire; reserve M/s GR Griffiths & Son, Penlan, NewMoat; honourable mention C B & P S M Davies, Treffgar-ne, Lampeter Velfrey.

    Trophiesgalorefor herdwinners

    ARRAY OF SILVERWARE: Some of the PembrokeshireNMR herds competition winners with their trophies.

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    FEB6 NEWS

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    IMPROVING the efficiencyof lamb production wasthe main topic of discus-sion during a visit to thefamily farm of an inde-pendent sheep consultant.

    Technical sheep specialist DrCatherine Nakielny farms 800ewes at her home at Talley, nearLlandeilo and has a particularinterest in improving the efficien-cy of lamb production. She hasbeen involved in the sheep indus-tryfor more than 15years andhasbeen working as an independentsheep consultant for the last fiveyears.

    Over this period she has beeninvolved in a number of researchand demonstration projects, rang-ing from sheep breeding andgenetic improvement to parasitecontroland winter foragecosts. In2011 she was awarded a Nuffieldscholarship and visited a numberof countries including Ireland,New Zealand and Australiastudying lamb production sys-tems and new opportunities forimproving flock profitability.

    She said: Whilst there is needto improve efficiency of produc-tionand muchtalk about sustain-ability, thefutureof lambproduc-

    tion lies in the ability of individ-ual producers to create profitablebusinesses. Without this there isno sustainability.

    Policy makers and scientistshave a role to play in supportingresearch and creating a frame-work in which producers canoperate effectively but ultimatelyprofitability results from takingcontrol of an individual businessand making the most of marketopportunities and meeting theneeds of consumers.

    Lamb is already a high valueproduct on the shelves so we cantexpect to see rapid increases inwhat we receive for lamb so weneed to think about the things wecan control.

    There is no magic bullet and Ibelievethat profitability will come

    from tackling a range of issueswhich currently reduce profitabil-ity.

    Risk management will alsobecome increasinglyimportant aswell as being able to react tochanging conditions based on aclear understanding of whatdrives the business.

    Dr Nakielny is working with anumber of producers to developmonitoring and benchmarkingsystems, as well as with Farming

    Connect to develop the KnowYour Flock+ benchmarkinggroups.

    Dr Nakielny has also devel-oped The Ram Shop, a uniquemarketing tool for ram breedersaswellas workingon a number oftools to help with the monitoringand benchmarking of sheepflocks.

    She is chairman of the FUWanimal health and welfare com-mittee and the unions Car-

    marthenshire coand also sits on committee and ron the NSA UK nical committee.

    Dr Nakielny representative foResearch Instituof FarmingConnemy 2012 Rural gramme and receal Sheep Cymru/Wales aw

    FARM VISIT: Catherine Nakielny and FUW preJones with national and county union officials.

    Keen interest ilamb efficiency

    VALUATION: Catherine Nakielny and her father Edwardth a high index performance recorded ram being

    valuated on-farm.

    NEW environment and ruralfairs adviser has taken up herst with NFU Cymru.RachelLewis-Davies, of Trecas-, is a partner in a 270 acre hill

    rmwith hillrightsalong withher

    usband and three children. Theyep sheep and are building up ackler herd of Welsh Black cattle.Rachel has a BSc in environ-

    ental management and a postaduate certificate in Europeanral development.Rachel said: Environmentalues are of increasingimportancefarmers and I hope to represent

    embersinterests and lobbyeffec-vely whilst keeping them up-to-

    te and informed of the latestvelopments.Rachel will be the unions mainntact with Natural Resourcesales and other bodies involvedth environmental and rural poli-

    New ruraladviser

    COUNTRYWIDE Farmers hascompleted its acquisition ofAbergavenny Farm Supplies.

    Known as Countrywide inAssociation with AbergavennyFarm Supplies, the new businesswill operate from the Country-wide store at Raglan, close to thesite of the new 5million cattlemarket.

    Countrywide chief executiveJohn Hardman said: Both busi-nesses lieat theheart of theWelshfarming community with anexcellent range of high quality,

    great value products and services.This acquisition enables us toexpand in an area that is of greatimportance to Countrywide,offering a broader, more compre-hensive range of products andeven more experts with estab-lished agriculturalknowledge andskills.

    Gareth Morgan and Phil Lau-

    rent, of Abergavenny Farm Sup-plies will join the Countrywideteam at Raglan, which will nowsupply more large scale and bulkproducts,as well as itscompetitive

    range of feed, seeprotection and en

    Speaking abotion, Andrew Ming director oFarm Supplies, aexcitingnew oppbuild on past accreate a successfu

    Customers w

    deal with our exnow also have greater choice athe products andthrough Country

    WELSH farmers are more likelyto spend their holidays in Walesthan any other part of the UK orEurope, a special survey hasrevealed.

    Visitorsto theFarmersUnionof Wales (FUW) stand at theRoyal Welsh Winter Fair in

    December said that they are alsomore likely to spend time away incaravans and farm-based accom-modation in their homeland andmany farming families wouldspend a few days camping at theRoyal Welsh Show as part oftheir holidays.

    Almost 60% of those thatrespondedto thesurveysaid theytookregularholidays and66% ofthose stay in Wales for theirannual vacation, said FUWfarm diversification committeechairman Eurwyn Roberts.

    It is very encouraging to see

    thatso many farmers support theWelsh tourism industry by stay-ing in farm-based accommoda-tion and caravans.

    Mr Roberts added: TheWelsh countryside has a widechoice of scenery and outdooractivities and this is something

    that farmers hereappreciated andtime.

    Over the yebusinesses havetourist-based acgreat to know thselves support th

    NEW guidance has been pub-lished to make it more straight-forward to develop hydropowerschemes in Wales.

    The guidance has been devel-oped by Natural ResourcesWales and advises how muchwater can be used for electricity

    generation without damagingthe river. A new assessmentchecklist will allow developersto consider how much watercould be available on certain

    rivers before applying for thenecessary permissions.

    Ceri Davies, of NaturalRe so ur ce s Wa le s s ai d:Hydropower in Wales has thepotential to make a real differ-ence for farmers, landownersand community groups, to help

    their economic and environ-mental sustainability.The guidance is available

    online at naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.

    Farmers more likely to holiday in Wa

    Farm supply store buyHydropower schemeguidance published

    WELSH farmers must adapt toavoid the market volatility beingexperienced in New Zealand.

    That was the message fromCharles Sercombe, NFU live-stock board chairman at theGlamorgan NFU Cymru AGM,who has returned from a studytour to New Zealand.

    He said: In the past 30 years,New Zealand farmers haveincreased lamb output by 23lambs per 100 ewes, as well asincreasing carcass weight. Thishas meant while farmers haveseen a 46% decline in ewe num-bers, production has only fallenby 7%.

    Mr Sercombe said that theNew Zealand sheep industry isfacing similar challenges to thosebeing experienced by farmers inthe UK.

    Competition for land is amajor challenge in NZ as thedairy industry continues toexpand, he added.

    Therewasalsoa lotof uncer-tainty within the sheep sectorwith producers craving stabilityand sustainable market prices.

    As an industry we have to tryand remove the risk of pricevolatility. We need to improvesupply chains and there is a needformore understandingthrough-

    out the entire suneed to change supply chains wforge closer workbetween produinvolved along right through tandtodo this weall parties.

    Sheep producers must adapt to avoid market vola

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    NEWS FEBRUARY2014

    HIEVES have shot andutchered a pregnantedigree ewe lamb in arm field in Carmarthen-

    hire.Farmers daughter Katy

    avies says police believe aotgun was used to kill the

    nimal at Llwyncrwn Farm,enybont, before it was

    utchered. Theewe hadbeenanned twoweeks previous-and was carrying twin

    mbs.Katy, whose parents Ken

    ndJulie Earleown a flockof0ewes, madethe gruesomescovery.I could see crows circlingovethe field soI hoppedone quad expecting to find

    neof the sheepon its back,e said.But Katy, an agricultural

    udent at Gelli Aur College,armart hens hire, was

    ockedby what shefound.All that was left was the

    skeleton, all the meat hadbeen taken cleanly off thebones and even the twinlambs that the ewe was car-rying weregone, sheadded.

    All that was left was thefleece. The fleece was in per-fect condition, but with ahole in it from the gunshotwounds. Whoever did thishadexperienceof butcheringanimals.

    The animal had beenwormed three weeks previ-ouslywitha product that hasa 65-day withdrawal period.

    Itis the secondtimein two

    months that the farm hadbeen targeted. In November,an award-winning NorthCountry Cheviot disap-peared from a field and hasneverbeen recovered.

    The ram was part of thereserve interbreed groupchampion at the Royal WelshShowin 2012and his lossis abigblowto thefarm.

    From a breeding point ofview he was priceless to us,but his market value wouldbe around3,000,said Katy.

    The family is nowinstalling CCTV cameras todetercriminals.

    YSTERY: The North Country Cheviot ram whichsappeared from Llwyncrwn Farm in November.

    By Debbie James

    Ewe butchered

    in horror attackSHOT: The ewes fleece bares a hole from a gunshot wound.

    Pregnant

    nimal shot

    by thieves

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    THEREare excitingtimes aheadfor British farming, members ofNFUCymru in Clwydhave beentold.

    Speakingat thecounty confer-ence, NFU vice-president AdamQuinney said: Farming hassome exciting times ahead, agri-cultural colleges are seeing stu-dent numbers increasing andfarming is becoming more of an

    appealingindustry to be involvedin.

    However, inindustry to realong term, marpaying farmers deserve, but thiing. Without thiket price, we cothe single farm pis why direct pathrough the Cotural Policy (CA

    are so importaeconomy.

    Exciting times a

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    Wales Farmer

    FEB8 SHEEPDOG TRIALS

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    RETIRED headteacherGwynfor Owen was top ofthe class at the All-Walesnursery sheepdog trialschampionship.

    Gwynfor, and his dog Ben,were crowned 2013 Welsh cham-pions atthe endof thekeenly con-tested competition, held onDecember 14th. Just five pointsseparated the top six.

    As well as the singles competi-tion, the 15 finalists from thenorth and south challenged eachother for the Daily Mail Shield.

    For the first time in many yearsNorth Wales were the team win-ners, losing 215 points, with theSouth Wales team finishing on258 points. The shield was pre-sented to the delighted team cap-tain, Iolo Jones.

    During the autumn months,handlers competed at local nurs-erycompetitionswith theiryoungdogs, ahead of the South Walesand North Wales finals, held theweek beforethe All-Walescompe-tition.

    Gwynfor qualified three dogsfor the North Wales team, but itwas with his early run at numberthree that he posted the top score

    of eight points.The course at Pen y ParcFields, Bryn Crug, Tywyn, was ina flat, triangular field, which nar-rowed at the top. About threequarters of the way up the fieldweretwo trees,which,if thesheepwere at the right point of lift, the

    dogs needed to bring through thegap for the correct line on thefetch.

    Nearly all the handlers optedfor the right-hand outrun, meas-uring in excess of 300 yards.

    The drives were set to the left,with the second drive gates prov-ingdeceptive to judge.Gatesweremissed around the course andlater in the day the sheep becamemore of a challenge in the at-hand work.

    The flock of Welsh ewes, pro-vided by Dylan Davies, of Maes-y-Pandy, Abergynolwyn, was thesame flock used at the NorthWales final, and once again, theyworked very well.

    With worseningweather condi-tions,they becamemore unsettledas the day progressed. For the lastfewruns,handlers notonly hadtobattle against the strong, gustingwinds, but they also had to workin heavy rain, which continued forthe presentations.

    The judges for the day wereWyn Edwards and Stan Harden.

    For Gwynfors run with Ben,they gave him a clean outrun andliftand tookfouroff thefetch.Onthe drives they lost three marks,with one taken off the shed and aclean pen.

    Gwynfor sent Ben out to theright.Thesheepwere tothe left ofthetreesforthe lift,so they hadtocorrectthem a bit,beforebringingthem through the trees and downthrough the fetch gates. They had

    a good turn around the post andthe sheep were walking on thedrives.

    The shed didnt come straightaway, but there was no attempt,andthey finishedwell witha goodpen.

    Ben is by Gwynfors very suc-

    cessful red-and-white dog Zac,now aged 11, and he had Ben as astud pup.

    The ex-headteacher, of Hen-blas, Llanerchymedd, A nglesey,said: Ben is a nice-looking dog,very steady, with a good tempera-ment.

    Hes got good potential and

    he seems to have the best qualitiesof Zac, well have to see how hecomes over the next year or so.

    Ben is still a young dog, at 23months, with lots of learning stillto do, and he was one of threedogs by Zac competing in thefinal.

    Second placeEvans, of Brecoone point behind

    They had a cllift and lost two two onthe driveslost four marks,some indecisionover which shee

    finishedtheir runat the pen.Thirdplace we

    cis, running Cap,Gwynfor has

    Wales final in thwas the first timAll-Wales compe

    By Lisa Soar

    RST WIN:All-Wales nursery champions Gwynfor Owennd Ben. PICTURE: Lisa Soar/k9tales.co.uk

    Champ comesby his first titlJoy as North

    Wales scoop

    regional win

    DELIGHT: North Wales team captain Iolo Joneteam shield. The North won the shield for the fmany years. PICTURE: Lisa

    GLORIOUS: Kevin Evans and Eryri Jim at the pen, with the Welsh hillsides behind, in the picturesque settingPICTURE: Lis

    EADY: Bill waits to go with team captain Iolo Jones for theenultimate run of the final.

    PICTURE: Lisa Soar/k9tales.co.uk

    OB DONE:Vaughan Hughes and Jen come off the field,nishing on a score of 15.

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    Wales Farmer

    SHEEPDOG TRIALS FEBRUARY2014

    For the latest Wales farming news:walesfarmer.co.uk

    VIDED OPINION: Kevin and Bet had a slight disagreement on whicheep to take in the shed, losing them four points in that element.

    PICTURE: Lisa Soar/k9tales.co.uk

    OODWORK:Vaughan Hughes and Jen were given a clean shed by the judges,an Harden and Wyn Edwards. PICTURE: Lisa Soar/k9tales.co.uk

    ALERT: Jeff Hudds Tysswg Link.PICTURE: Lisa Soar/k9tales.co.uk

    WORKING HARD:Harcourt Lloydand Nip at the pen.

    PICTURE: Lisa Soar/k9tales.co.uk

    GOODTEMPERAMENT:Bryn Davies Cap had to battle with a tricky eweat the pen, but he never looked like losing his patience.

    PICTURE: Lisa Soar/k9tales.co.uk

    ALL-WALESNFINAL (Judgesand Stan Harde1, G. Owen (Lla

    Ben, 8;2, K. Evans (Lib3, H.J. Francis (

    10OLF;4, A. Driscoll (Ll

    Kinloch Chlo

    4, K. Broad (LlaKinloch Mia, 6, A. Owen (Llan

    Roy, 12.TeamplacingsNorth Wales, 21South Wales, 25

    SOUTHWALEFINAL (Judges and Irwel Evans1, L. Howells (P

    Zac, 8;2, M. Jones (Me

    16;3, K. Evans (Lib

    Jim, 22OLF;4, D. Howells (P

    Ben, 22;5, C. Gordon (G

    24;6, J. Hudd (Tred

    Link, 25OLF;7, A. Driscoll (LlKinloch Chlo

    8, K. Evans, Bet9, J. Bowen (Te10, A. Blackmo

    Cynfal Roy,11, G. Powell (G

    29;12, D. Evans (Li

    30OLF;13, H. Lewis (Ab

    Nell, 30;14, E. Hope (St

    Spot, 32;15, P. Thomas (

    Meg, 35.Res 1, K. Broad

    dog) KinlRes 2, D. EvansTeamstanding1, Glamorgan, 9

    2, Breconshire, 3, Carmarthens4, Glos/Gwent, 5, Pembrokeshi6, Ceredigion, 17, Radnorshire,