Set within 400 acres of the Waun Las National Nature Reserve just outside of Carmarthen you can find a mosaic of flower-rich meadows, spectacular woodlands, waterfalls and cascades - and Pantwgan farm. The organic farm is part of the National Botanic Garden of Wales and is run under the watchful eye of lead farm manager Huw Jones. Looking after the environment, maintaining biodiverse habitats and producing food are of critical importance.
Here Huw looks after traditional breeds of Welsh Black Cattle and Balwen sheep. Describing the role they play in managing the habitats and nature reserve he says: “They’re really key to what we do here. We farm for biodiversity, that’s the reason we’re here. But farming for biodiversity you have to have livestock, the two are inextricably linked.”
Not intense in livestock numbers with just 70 head of cattle during the summer and 60 breeding ewes, the farm has been organic for the last 21 years. With limited housing for the sheep and cattle, Huw uses the small herd and flock to its full potential on the 360 acres of permanent grassland.
Farmers’ Union of Wales members from Gwent and Glamorgan, as well as Union officials, met with Regional MS for South Wales East, Natasha Asghar, at Monmouth Livestock Centre to discuss critical issues facing the industry.
Farmers’ Union of Wales officials have described discussions with Senedd Member for Ogmore Huw Irranca-Davies as extremely positive.