“How long would it last?” Those were the questions of December and January. Not even the most ‘disloyal’ of farmers would have ventured to give to the Union more than three months at the outside. Well now, despite the critics, despite the harsh words, and looking back, the Union, despite everything, has thrived and gone from strength to strength.”

The opening line of the first ever edition of Y Tir, published on January 1st 1957 - referencing the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ formation in the twilight of 1955.

Despite the dramatic changes we’ve seen in agriculture, society and governance over the past seven decades, the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ support of Welsh farmers has remained unwavering. Indeed, it fills me with pride that despite the drastic changes and challenges endured by the sector, the Union’s core value of safeguarding Welsh family farms remains as central to our work today as it was seventy years ago.

As we therefore mark this important milestone in the FUW’s existence, I look forward to engaging with members and the sector in celebrations and events across Wales throughout 2025. This will provide an opportunity not only to look back at the Union’s story and successes, but also the chance to consider the wider challenges and opportunities that face Welsh farming today in the twenty-first century. 

Considering the upheaval and uncertainty seen within the sector in 2024, I do hope 2025 will provide greater stability for farmers than the previous 12 months. To this end, we do welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to maintain the Basic Payment Scheme ceiling at £238m as part of their draft budget for 2025-2026. Maintaining BPS funding - which remains so crucial to so many farmers - is to be welcomed, however it's disappointing that this figure has seen no uplift again this year to allow for inflation, which has been eroding the value of our BPS payments, in real terms, for the last 10 years. Questions also remain as to how the funding for agriculture in Wales compares with the previous investment from European support programmes, as well as how agricultural funding will be ringfenced as part of a revised Welsh Government departmental structure which now sees Climate Change and Rural Affairs together.

On the topic of farming funding, all eyes will inevitably be drawn to the Welsh Government’s statement this summer on the payment modelling for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, The FUW has welcomed the opportunity to play a collaborative role in revising the SFS from the disastrous initial proposals - helping ensure the scrapping of 10% tree cover, whilst recognising common land and SSSIs. However, as we’ve made clear throughout, the devil will be in the detail, and the importance of an adequately funded scheme will not only be of paramount importance to the future of our family farms, but for rural Wales as a whole. 

Funding aside, we also eagerly await developments from the Welsh Government on both the NVZs review, and the work of the TB Eradication Programme Delivery Plan. Both NVZs and bTB provide huge challenges for the sustainability of Welsh farmers, and collaborative working with the sector will be key to address the varying problems stemming from both issues.

Turning to Westminster, from an agricultural perspective much of the recent discourse has focused on the changes to the inheritance tax and APR following October’s Budget. With the frustration and anger within the sector regarding the changes continuing to boil over, we will continue to press for the UK Government to review this policy, and the detriment it could cause to family farms and the farming sector in its entirety.

On the home front here at Gurnos, Sean and I are also looking forward to another year farming in partnership, and I'm sure he will have plenty of fresh ideas to move the business forward, picked up on his recent trip to New Zealand. 

As usual the weather will play a crucial role in our farming year and let's hope it's better than last year! Prices remain buoyant for our beef and lamb as we enter 2025 and long may that continue. The ewes are looking well as we start the year, but let's see how lambing goes.”Don't count your chickens before the eggs hatch “ is the phrase that aways comes to mind at this time of year. It seems relatively quiet here now that all the Wagyu calves have moved on to their new homes, and a decision hasn't been made yet about how many we will try and rear again this year, but more news on that in the coming months. 

A lot has changed since 1955, but ultimately the crucial role of Welsh farmers in producing high quality food, and maintaining the environment remains as important as ever before. Alongside FUW members, officers and staff, I look forward to another busy year, continuing to ensure the needs and interests of Welsh family farms are heard loud and clear. 

When it rains it pours. Looking back over the past twelve months, it has at times felt that a perfect storm has blighted the agricultural sector here in Wales - with challenge after challenge putting a further strain on hardworking Welsh farmers.

Speaking of rain, it’s hard to forget the deluge of wet weather we were forced to endure during the Winter months earlier in the year. One of the wettest winters on record saw little relief until the end of April, with the rainfall disrupting crops and making lambing season - already a stressful time for farmers’ - even more challenging.

It wasn’t just the rain that dampened the spirits, either. Across Europe, Spring saw clouds of discontent and industrial action emerge within the agricultural sector, which were soon to be replicated in Wales. On the back of continued frustration at Government inaction on bTB, the unfit for purpose NVZs regulations, and the newly introduced SFS scheme, who can forget the ‘Enough is Enough’ protests in Welshpool, Carmarthen and Cardiff - galvanising the sense of anger and frustration within our farming communities.

The latter of these sparks of discontent - the Sustainable Farming Scheme - has been an issue I have become particularly familiar with over recent months. As FUW outlined at the time, so many aspects of the Scheme were unworkable - from the 10% tree cover, to the sizable number of Universal Actions, to the omission of SSSIs and common land - there’s little surprise the consultation around the proposals drew a record breaking 12,000 responses. 

Since Spring, and the uproar that surrounded these SFS proposals, we’ve had the opportunity to work closely with the Welsh Government and stakeholders to revise these proposals. It’s not always been easy, but I do believe that through the revised Outline, launched at the Winter Fair, that we are now in a better place as a result.

Crucially however, this still only remains the end of the beginning. While there have been some significant changes to the scheme, there is still much work to be done on the detail and we must now ensure that the associated budget and payment methodology deliver real economic stability for our family farms in Wales as we face a backdrop of many other significant challenges.

Beyond the SFS, there have been other important developments in the agricultural sphere in the Senedd - particularly the revised governance structures stemming from Wales TB Eradication Programme Delivery Plan.Yet another year has passed by and we seem as far away from eradicating TB here in Wales as we ever have. As a Union, we remain determined  to play our part on the Eradication Programme Board and work closely with the Technical Advisory Group. As we’re reminded all too often, bTB remains a huge issue for Welsh farmers both financially and emotionally. It’s all too clear that we can not continue with the status quo, and we drastically need to change our approach in dealing with this cruel disease.

Speaking of change, July saw all change at Westminster, too - with Labour back in government for the first time in over a decade. With a significant cohort of new MP’s elected in Wales, it’s been a pleasure travelling across the length and breadth of Wales over recent months - from Môn to Monmouth - meeting many of the new MPs, highlighting the challenges facing Welsh agriculture. And there’s a lot to do, of course, as highlighted by the recent protests and uproar following the Budget and proposed change to APR and inheritance tax - and real concern over the impact this could have on Welsh family farms. At a time of great uncertainty and frustration this move - and lack of consultation with the industry - proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back after a particularly challenging  year.

On the home front, we've faced those same challenges here at Gurnos. The Wagyu calves have, by now, all moved on to their new homes. It seems to have gone quite well from our point of view again this year so having increased the number of calves reared from 48 in 2023 to 110 in 2024, have we got the capacity to increase numbers again next year? Something for Sean and I to think about before the spring. 

The sheep this year have been a bit of a mixed bag. The challenges have been, less lambs on the ground, caused by a combination of the weather and a stubbornly high barren rate in the flock. Added to this was the usual challenge to keep input costs under control. The upside has been that we seem to have got some control over the emerging tick problem that we are now seeing on the Mynydd Du, and the sheep came off the common this autumn looking a lot better than last year. And of course the prices we have seen this year for our stock still remain strong, long may that continue! 

It’s been a difficult year on many fronts, with many challenges to overcome. Despite all this we need to remain positive, “Yma o Hyd! “ and I would like to personally thank all of the staff, FUW and FUWIS, for all their hard work on behalf of us, the members, over the last twelve months. May I also take this opportunity to thank all of you for your continued support of the Union, and wish you the very best for Christmas, and a Happy, healthy new year. 

Nadolig Llawen! 

Joyce Owens, a prominent Llannon farmer, has been unveiled as the winner of the 2024 Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society Award, recognising a person who has made an Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture in Carmarthenshire during the past few years.

Joyce left school at age 16, wanting to work within the agricultural sector. She began as a receptionist for Dalgetty, going on to work at the Milk Marketing Board for two decades. She has since worked for the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) as an Administrative Assistant in their office in Carmarthen for the past 23 years.

She began farming in a partnership with her husband Gerallt at Lletty Farm, Llannon, near Llanelli in 1990 - focusing on sheep and pigs. Starting with two sows from their father-in-law, going on to develop their own herd of Welsh and Landrace pigs. Their pork business started by supplying Pwllbach slaughterhouse in Llanelli, before going on to supply Rob Rattray butcher in Aberystwyth, and later the award winning Cwmcerrig Farm Shop near Gorslas, Carmarthenshire. 

Over the past three decades Joyce and Gerallt have excelled in showing their pigs at local and national agricultural shows - previously attending as many as 20 shows a year. In 1995, they won the prestigious Supreme Champion Pig at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show - repeating their success in 2016. They have also competed at the Winter Fair since the show’s inception in 1990 - winning a vast range of accolades including Champion Pair, Champion Single and Champion Carcass of the Show.

Joyce has had the honour of serving as a judge for the Welsh pig section at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2014 and at The Bath and West Show in 2017, as well as judging a range of pig competitions at YFC Rallies across Wales. 

In 2019, Joyce’s contribution to the pig sector was recognised with an Awards of Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS) award, as well as being appointed as an Assistance Honorary Director for the Pig and Goat section for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. She has since also taken on the role at the Winter Fair and become Chief Steward at the Spring Festival, with Joyce continuing to be a strong advocate for the pig sector and its future in Wales.

The award ceremony was held at the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ Carmarthenshire Christmas dinner at the Forest Arms, Brechfa, with FUW regional vice president, Anwen Hughes, and Sian Thomas, Chairman United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society, presenting Joyce with the award.

Congratulating Joyce on her award, FUW Carmarthenshire chair, Ann Davies MP said: “Joyce is a worthy winner of this award, and it rightly recognises her tireless work and dedication over the decades towards Carmarthenshire’s agricultural sector. In particular, her unwavering commitment and infectious enthusiasm towards the pig sector should be commended - and I know this has already been recognised on a Welsh and UK level through her many awards, achievements and judging roles.

"As well as on the farmyard and in the show ring, she has dedicated her day-to-day career to support the agriculture sector. Be it with Dalgetty, the Milk Marketing Board, and now FUW, her hard work and support for farmers across Carmarthenshire cannot be understated, and I am delighted to see her efforts and dedication recognised through this award.”

Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) President Ian Rickman has responded to the Draft Budget announced by the Welsh Government today (Tuesday 10 December).

The draft Budget announced an increase in every government department with the Climate Change and Rural Affairs receiving an additional £36.35m (6.6%) in revenue and £71.95m (31%) in more capital funding. 

The Welsh Government also announced it would be maintaining the Basic Payment Scheme ceiling at £238m and providing an additional £5.5m resource and £14m capital funding for wider rural investment schemes.

Earlier this year, FUW submitted comprehensive evidence to the Senedd Finance Committee outlining the urgent need to safeguard and restore farm funding, as well as maintaining the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments at their current rates. This call follows a series of cuts over recent years to the Welsh Rural Affairs budget, with the 2023-2024 financial year seeing a cut of £37.5 million. This was followed by the 2024-2025 budget, which revealed a further year-on-year cut of £62 million, the largest relative reduction of any of the Welsh Government departmental budgets at around 13%.

Responding to the Draft Budget announcement, FUW President, Ian Rickman said:

“Welsh farmers are faced with growing demands to deliver an ever increasing range of sustainability and environmental objectives, while continuing to produce high quality food. Considering the disproportionate cuts faced by the Welsh Rural Affairs budget over recent years, the Welsh Government’s decision to increase the Climate Change and Rural Affairs revenue budget by 6.6% is one to be welcomed - and it is now vital the Welsh Government provides clarity on how this departmental funding will be distributed to support family farms and our rural communities.

The FUW has been clear that as a minimum, the Welsh Government must safeguard Basic Payment Scheme payments for 2025-2026, particularly as we look ahead to the transition towards the Sustainable Farming Scheme. To this end, we do welcome the decision to maintain the BPS payment ceiling - which is crucial in providing a level of security for farmers in Wales as they face a plethora of other challenges and changes.

Whilst additional funding has been provided for wider rural investment and environmental schemes, urgent questions remain regarding how this compares with the rural investment Wales historically received through the European support programmes.

Considering that the UK Government made a decision to maintain previous levels of Rural Affairs funding through the Welsh Government’s Block Grant, there is no reason why any funding should be retracted from support for Rural Affairs - particularly when considering Wales previously received around £90 million through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, around half of which was transferred annually from the direct payments received by farmers.

Looking ahead, it’s crucial that any increase in the Climate Change and Rural Affairs budget is fairly allocated towards the agricultural sector. Fundamentally, as economic modelling will likely demonstrate, future budgets for the Sustainable Farming Scheme cannot be expected to remain at current levels - It must, at the absolute minimum, be maintained as the equivalent of total historic European Common Agricultural Policy funding of at least £337 million per year.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has reiterated its calls for the Welsh Government to safeguard farm funding ahead of its draft budget announcement for 2025-2026 next Tuesday (10th December 2024).

As part of their calls, FUW President Ian Rickman has urged the Welsh Government to reinstate the full Welsh Rural Affairs Budget to its initial 2023 levels, at £482.5 million, as well as maintaining the existing Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) rates available for Welsh farmers.

The Union’s calls follow a series of cuts over recent years to the Welsh Rural Affairs budget, with the 2023-2024 financial year seeing a cut of £37.5 million. This was followed by the 2024-2025 budget, which revealed a further year-on-year cut of £62 million, the largest relative reduction of any of the Welsh Government departmental budgets at around 13%.

Commenting ahead of the draft Budget, FUW President, Ian Rickman said:

“This draft budget coincides with a period of mounting pressure for Welsh farmers,  and provides an opportunity for the Welsh Government to reinstill its support for the sector.

Over recent years, we’ve seen the Rural Affairs budget disproportionately cut - despite a growing expectation for the sector to deliver an ever increasing range of sustainability and environmental objectives, while continuing to produce food.

At around 2%, Rural Affairs funding constitutes a very small proportion of the Welsh Government’s total budget - but the multiplier effects from the funding - be it economic, environmental, and societal - is significant.

Considering the increased allocation of total funding for Wales from the UK Treasury, it’s vital for the Welsh Government to reinstate the budget to its previous 2023 levels.”

Ian Rickman, also highlighted the urgent need for the Welsh Government to maintain the current rate of payment through the BPS for the upcoming year.

On average 80% of farm business income comes through direct (BPS) payments, providing a significant safety net for many Welsh farms, with funding heavily reinvested locally providing employment and economic growth.

The shrinking Welsh Rural Affairs budget has coincided with a significant reduction in the replacement agriculture and rural development funding made available for Welsh farming through the UK Treasury following our departure from the European Union. 

This has seen Wales receive around a quarter of a billion pounds less in funding for agriculture and rural development than could have been expected had the UK remained in the EU. This equates to a loss of around £15,000 per BPS claimant in Wales since 2019.

Commenting on the importance of maintaining the BPS rates in 2025, Ian Rickman added:

“We know that for many family farms, BPS is the difference between a viable and an unviable business. As we have already made clear to the Welsh Government on several occasions, maintaining these rates is imperative in order to deliver much needed stability and confidence within the sector.

With 50,000 people working in agriculture in Wales, and being part of a wider food and farming sector worth over £9 billion to Wales annually, the economic, employment and social implications of any cut in BPS could be drastic for food production, the industry and rural Wales as a whole.”

The FUW has also urged the Welsh Government to ensure the £340 million received from the UK Government, as replacement agricultural funding, continues to be invested in the sector, following changes in the UK Government’s Budget announcement in October.

Historically, devolved governments received funding for agriculture and fisheries as a ringfenced addition, however, from 2025-2026 the UK Government confirmed the Barnett formula will apply, with current funds being ‘baselined’ within Wales’ block grant for 2025-2026.

The FUW has previously warned such ‘Barnetisation’ of agricultural funding could significantly disadvantage Wales’ rural budget and agricultural needs - representing a departure from what was previously a rural needs - rather than a population based allocation.

It’s often said that things come in threes, and for Welsh farmers this does seem particularly true at the moment.

November started with widespread concern across the sector following the UK Government’s Budget and the changes to APR and inheritance tax. As displayed on the streets of London, the changes have sparked genuine fear within the sector over the long-term sustainability and succession plans for farms.  Meanwhile it is increasingly apparent significant questions remain surrounding the Treasury’s figures.

Second came the announcement surrounding the revised Sustainable Farming Scheme at the Winter Fair last week. It’s fair to say the latest proposals have fared better than the original scheme that was launched earlier this year. Whilst there has been progress, the devil remains in the detail; both in regards to the proposed payments and economic assessments. Getting this right remains key for the future of Welsh agriculture, the environment and our rural communities.

Last, and certainly not least, we now await the Welsh Government’s draft Budget next week, with the Welsh Rural Affairs settlement vital to farmers and our rural communities.

We know Welsh farmers have seen a drastic reduction in funding post-Brexit. UK Government’s replacement funds for the previous European Union Common Agricultural Policy has fallen significantly short of historic values. For example by the end of the current financial year, Wales will have received around a quarter of a billion pounds less in funding for agriculture and rural development than could have been expected had the UK remained within the EU. This equates to a loss of around £15,000 per Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) claimant in Wales since 2019.

This has meant a shrinking of the Welsh Rural Affairs budget by £37.5 million within the 2023-24 financial year, whilst the publication of the Welsh Government draft budget for 2024-5 revealed a further year-on-year cut of £62 million. This equated to a drop of around 13% - the largest relative reduction of any of the Welsh Government’s departmental budgets.

Whilst we appreciate the wider financial pressures faced by the Welsh Government, this disproportionate cut in funding for rural affairs remains a blow.  This is even more of a concern at a time when Welsh farmers are expected to deliver an ever increasing range of sustainability and environmental objectives, while also producing food.

Looking forward to the upcoming budget, it’s vital that at the very least the expected £340 million is allocated to the Welsh Rural Affairs budget. As part of this, maintaining BPS payments at current rates must be a priority. We know 80% of farm business incomes come from BPS payments. With 50,000 people working in agriculture in Wales, and being part of a wider food and farming sector worth over £9 billion to Wales annually, the economic, employment and social implications of any cut in BPS could be drastic for the industry and rural Wales.

Whilst retaining BPS at its current level will be a priority, it’s also essential that the entire Welsh Rural Affairs budget is increased in line with inflation wherever possible, particularly given the increased allocation of total funding for Wales from the UK Treasury.