February marks the start of ‘FebruDairy’ – a month-long campaign that offers an opportunity to celebrate our dairy sector, the families and communities behind it, and the high-quality produce that continues to come from our farms.
This year, however, the campaign comes at a particularly challenging time. Dairy farmers across Wales are facing heightened volatility and uncertainty, driven by a sharp fall in milk prices over recent months. While production costs remain high, the value of milk at the farm gate has dropped dramatically, leaving many producers in an increasingly untenable position.
To better understand the scale of the challenge, the Farmers’ Union of Wales recently launched a consultation with our Dairy and Animal Health Committee members to capture the real-world impacts of falling dairy prices. Initial responses paint a stark picture. On average, respondents report that the price they receive for their milk has fallen from around 42 pence per litre in September 2025 to around 34.4 pence per litre by December 2025 – a drop of over 7.6 pence per litre in just three months - with the trend continuing into 2026.
While the figures and realities will vary from farm to farm, it does paint a worrying picture. A previous Kite Consulting report estimated average dairy production costs at between 39 and 44 pence per litre. This means that many Welsh dairy farms are currently producing milk at a significant loss, with the typical business likely losing thousands of pounds each month simply to keep operating.
These are predominantly family-run farms that have invested heavily in new infrastructure in recent years – not only to improve efficiency and animal welfare, but also to comply with evolving regulatory requirements. Reductions in milk prices of this scale will severely impact the ability of these businesses to meet their financial commitments and make repayments as planned.
This situation is not sustainable. Over recent months, FUW has consistently raised these concerns with the Welsh Government, making it clear that without meaningful action to address market volatility and strengthen the position of dairy producers within the supply chain, many dairy farms in Wales may struggle to see out the coming months.
That is why FebruDairy matters more than ever. It is a chance to recognise the vital role dairy farmers play; not just as food producers, but as employers and contributors to local economies. It is also an opportunity for consumers, retailers and policymakers alike to reflect on the true value of Welsh dairy produce and the people behind it.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) are celebrating another successful Farmhouse Breakfast Week. The 23 breakfast events held across Wales this January raised more than £21,000 for charities and local causes, including over £17,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance charity.
The Farmhouse Breakfast Week once again brought together FUW members, rural communities, politicians and stakeholders to enjoy a hearty breakfast, while engaging in discussions on key farming issues with FUW staff and officials, and raising funds for charitable causes.
Events were hosted across Wales, showcasing the very best of Welsh produce. Attendees enjoyed locally sourced bacon, sausages, eggs and dairy products generously donated by a range of businesses across the country. This highlights the strength and sustainability of Wales’ food and farming sector.
As part of the week, a breakfast was held at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay. The event was sponsored by Samuel Kurtz MS and attended by numerous Senedd Members and key stakeholders. Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, delivered the keynote address. The Cardiff breakfast also provided an important platform to highlight the FUW’s key manifesto demands ahead of the forthcoming Senedd election.
Reflecting on the success of the week, FUW President Ian Rickman said:
“Our Farmhouse Breakfast Week continues to be a tremendous success, and I would like to thank our staff, members, volunteers and supporters who helped deliver such positive events across Wales.
“I would also like to thank the many local businesses who generously donated produce. Thanks to their support, we have raised an incredible sum, including £17,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance, a charity that provides a vital, lifesaving service to communities across Wales.
“The week is about more than fundraising - it brings people together, showcases the very best of Welsh food, and provides a valuable opportunity to highlight the key issues and priorities facing Welsh farming families.”
Dr Sue Barnes, Wales Air Ambulance Charity Chief Executive, said:
“We are extremely grateful to the FUW and its members for once again raising a significant amount of money which will benefit not only our Charity but other important local causes too.
“This is the third Farmhouse Breakfast Week we have been fortunate to be a beneficiary of, after Farmers’ Union of Wales President Ian Rickman nominated us as his chosen Charity for 2023-26.
“This year we will mark our 25th anniversary and during that time we have supported agricultural communities across Wales and will continue to do so, not just for the here and now, but for our future generations. Our commitment and connection to rural Wales is, and always will be, incredibly strong.
“We give thanks for the invaluable contribution that the farming community makes to Welsh society, as well as the quality produce that is enjoyed here in Wales and around the world.”
The Farmers’ Union of Wales will be supporting the GWCT’s Big Farmland Bird County again this year, encouraging farmers and landowners to take a moment to pose and record the birdlife on their farms between 6 and 22 February 2026.
Taking place each February, the Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC) invites farmers, land managers and gamekeepers to spend just 30 minutes recording birds they see or hear on their land. Heading into the 12th year, this simple, accessible activity repeated across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, builds an invaluable long-term picture of how our farmland bird species are faring.
Earlier this month, FUW President Ian Rickman took to the Senedd to hear testimonies from Macmillan Cancer Support and the Farming Community Network (FCN) on the importance of reducing barriers to cancer care for rural and farming communities as part of the #NipItInTheBud campaign.
Representatives highlighted compelling data showing that people living in rural areas are often diagnosed with more advanced cancer and are approximately 5% less likely to survive compared with those in urban communities. This stark cancer survival disparity reflects the unique challenges rural dwellers face in accessing early diagnosis and treatment.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has used its annual Farmhouse Breakfast event, held on Wednesday (21 January) at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, to set out its key manifesto priorities ahead of May’s Senedd election, once again calling to safeguard three simple, yet fundamental principles: land, family and heritage.
Sponsored this year by Samuel Kurtz MS, the flagship Cardiff Bay event brought together politicians, industry stakeholders and FUW office holders for a traditional ‘farmhouse’ breakfast, highlighting the best of Welsh produce while showcasing the vital role agriculture plays in Wales.
The gathering marked part of the wider FUW Farmhouse Breakfast Week, a series of events designed to bring rural communities together and raise money for charity. In total, 23 breakfasts are being held across Wales in January 2026, attracting hundreds of attendees and raising thousands for charities, including the Wales Air Ambulance.
With just over 100 days remaining until the Senedd election, FUW President Ian Rickman used his address to highlight the Union’s call for a fair financial framework for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), as it moves from years of consultation and debate into its delivery phase.
As part of its manifesto priorities, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is calling on the next Welsh Government to increase the base-level funding of £238 million allocated to the Universal Layer of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). The Union argues that funding must be uplifted to fully mitigate the scheme’s projected economic impacts while supporting its long-term ambitions.
FUW President Ian Rickman also highlighted the vital role family farms play in sustaining Wales’s landscapes, rural communities and cultural heritage. He stressed the need for meaningful progress in tackling bovine TB, alongside a genuine commitment to strengthening the Welsh food system amidst growing challenges.
The event was also attended by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca Davies MS. In his speech, the Deputy First Minister thanked the FUW for their close collaboration as part of the Sustainable Farming Scheme discussions. He also took the opportunity to announce a mandatory, standardised system for classifying sheep carcasses and price reporting that comes into force on 28 January.
As part of his speech, FUW President, Ian Rickman said:
“After almost a decade of discussion, debate - and at spirited times disagreement - the Sustainable Farming Scheme now moves from design into delivery, marking a generational shift in how Welsh farming is supported and sustained.
As I have said consistently since July, the Scheme is not perfect, and there remains important work to be done.
“As farmers now begin to familiarise themselves with what the Scheme means for their businesses, I have every confidence we will do what Welsh farmers have always done best: adapt, innovate, and move forward.”
“However, ambition must be matched by realism. Welsh farmers cannot - and should not - be expected to do more for less. If the Scheme is to succeed, it must be underpinned by an increased budget and a robust financial framework - learning from the Welsh Government’s own impact assessments, and securing the stability and long-term certainty that Wales’ farm businesses and agri-food supply chains require.”
- FUW Farmhouse Breakfast week returns for 2026
- Making sure ‘Sustainable Land Management’ indicators consider the people and businesses behind the terminology
- “Early Christmas present” - FUW welcomes UK Government announcement on increased IHT threshold
- Announcing the winners of the 2026 calendar competition
