An open evening for farmers to discuss the environment and planning for the future will be held by the Farmers’ Union of Wales Gwent branch at Abergavenny Rugby Club on Tuesday October 30 at 7.30pm.

The meeting will give them the opportunity to hear presentations by Nicola Salter, from Environment Agency Wales, on “Environment Agency and the Farmer” and a representative from solicitors Hugh James & Co will talk about “Planning For The Future”.

FUW Gwent county executive officer Glyn Davies said: “We are looking forward to an evening where farmers can ask questions on the role of Environment Agency Wales in relation to farming, cross compliance issues, slurry and fuel store regulations and hear about succession law, the potential pitfalls and how they could affect farming business.

“The session with Hugh James & Co will also provide information on how to take steps to avoid common pitfalls. Please telephone FUW Gwent county office to confirm attendance on 01873 853280.”

Today's decision to delay a cull of badgers in England should be used to undertake a full and proper assessment of the impacts of the Randomised Badger Culling Trials, says the Farmers' Union of Wales which believes a large number of likely positive impacts have yet to be investigated or reported.

Despite having cost the taxpayer around £50 million, the FUW claims the analyses of the results of the trials have focused almost entirely on once measurement - the impact on confirmed herd incidences - leaving many impacts uninvestigated or unreported.

"Data published since the ISG's 2007 Final Report show the number of confirmed herd incidences in culling areas dropped significantly during and immediately after the culling period to about half the level in control areas," said FUW agricultural policy director Nick Fenwick.

"However, there are numerous other measurements which have not been investigated or reported, despite being of critical importance in terms of further increasing the benefits and cost effectiveness of badger culling.

"While there is naturally a sense of disappointment that the English culls have been postponed, the decision was probably a sensible one given there are just weeks left until the end of the culling season," Dr Fenwick said.

He added that the delay should be used to more properly assess and report upon other impacts seen in the RBCT areas, both during and after the culling period and in a letter to UK Government chief scientific adviser Prof Sir Mark Walport, Dr Fenwick states: "...publications have invariably focused on changes in herd incidences of bTB, while the cost-benefit analyses of culling appear to be based purely upon the average costs associated with all herd breakdowns.

"...figures released under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 suggest that the average number of skin test reactors per animal and herd tested were significantly lower in proactive culling areas than in control areas both during and after the culling period...

"Such reductions have not, to our knowledge, been fully analysed or reported upon in detail..."

Other factors which have a major impact on disease control and the costs for taxpayers and farmers of bTB outbreaks include the rate at which farms become subject to bTB restrictions, the overall duration of herd outbreaks and likelihood that herds test clear during follow-up tests, all of which remain largely uninvestigated or reported, claims the union.

The letter concludes: "It is now more than five years since the Independent Science Group on Cattle TB published its Final Report following a lengthy trial conducted over some 2,000 km2, and the gathering of cattle and herd bTB data from areas comprising around 5,500 km2, all at vast cost to the taxpayer.

"Given the importance, extent and cost of this work, the FUW believes that Government has a duty to ensure that all impacts of the trials are comprehensively analysed and reported, rather than important decisions and conclusions being based upon what is, to all intents and purposes, a single measurement."

Figures released by the Welsh Government in March estimated that culling in north Pembrokeshire would have brought about a cost benefit, while the current vaccination programme would result in a net cost for farmers and taxpayers of around £3.5 million.

"Yet we understand the cost benefit calculations associated with culling do not include possible reductions in the costs of individual outbreaks in culling areas, which evidence suggests could be significant," added Dr Fenwick.

[caption id="attachment_4105" align="aligncenter" width="550"] From left, Glyn Roberts, Fernando García-Dory and Hazel Wright.[/caption]

Farming and contemporary art came together when Farmers' Union of Wales representatives took part in the biggest art fair of its kind in the UK to highlight the plight of dairy farmers and the inadequate prices paid to them for their milk.

The union's deputy president Glyn Roberts and senior policy officer Hazel Wright recently attended London's Frieze Art Fair where Cumbrian-based Grizedale Arts presented food-based performances and stalls at their pavilion, named the Colosseum of the Consumed.

One of the participants was Spanish artist and activist Fernando García-Dory who has worked with Grizedale on various projects over the last seven years including creating a mobile cheese-making unit to be used around village halls in the Lake District.

Currently working with MOSTYN gallery in Llandudno, García-Dory invited Mr Roberts and Mrs Wright to join him to run his "Angry Farmers Milk Bar" where pints of milk were offered at a price the participant or customer was willing to pay with contributions going directly into a money box.

"Visitors at the fair took a great interest and we ran out of our printed information leaflets before the end of the afternoon," said Mr Roberts.

"Hazel and I had numerous conversations and discussions on the stall and the issues it raised were highlighted in a Guardian newspaper review."

Wales has about 1,900 dairy farmers - about a fifth of the total amount in England and Wales - yet the number of farmers has declined steadily since the end of the last century. There are now 40 per cent fewer dairy farmers in Wales compared to 2002.

Last summer the dairy industry suffered a major crisis caused by price cuts announced by retailers and processors. Although some cuts were later withdrawn, the long-term sustainability of the industry, which operates at a £1.2bn trade deficit, is uncertain.

MOSTYN visual art programme manager Nia Roberts said the proceeds of the Angry Farmers Milk Bar sales were presented to the FUW and an estimated contribution of £1 per pint was achieved. "It seems they certainly got their message across very well," she said.

García-Dory's work can be seen at an exhibition at MOSTYN in Llandudno until January 6 next year. Used to working on socio-agricultural/rural projects, he was invited to MOSTYN to make work that responds to an exhibition by Radovan Kraguly.

Originally from Prijedor in former Yugoslavia, Kraguly settled near Builth Wells in 1970 and his artwork since then has been based entirely on the dairy cow.

Showing side-by-side in MOSTYN, García-Dory has constructed a scale-model of a Dairy Museum - something Kraguly dreamed of realising in the 90s - displaying the culture of dairy farming and agricultural production.

"Although they're not meant to be a comprehensive collection, items for the museum were loaned by local dairy farmers, including FUW members, and give a small snapshot of the dairy farming world," said Nia Roberts

As part of the events to celebrate the exhibition opening this weekend local dairy farmers are invited to meet in the gallery at 2pm on Sunday (October 21) to discuss some of their current concerns.

Young Farmers Club members in the area are also invited to contribute video stories and diaries over the duration of the exhibition to form a web-based Dairy TV. For further information contact Nia Roberts on 01492 879201 or via e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

[caption id="attachment_4102" align="aligncenter" width="450"] TAKING RESPONSIBILITY: Gareth and Heather Thomas with their young family.[/caption]

The importance of succession in the farming industry was the key topic at an eve of Welsh Dairy Show visit to Farmers' Union of Wales member and dairy farmer Bryan Thomas and his son Gareth's holding in Carmarthenshire.

Gareth, 40, is the main 90 per cent decision maker of the business, which trades as D J Thomas & Son, and is the Carmarthenshire county representative on the FUW's new younger voice for farming committee.

He is married to Heather, a primary school teacher, and they have three children, Hannah (9), Jack (7) and one-year-old Bryn.

Gareth currently milks 200 pedigree Holstein cattle and 200 followers at the 172-acre Gelliddu farm at Cwmffrwd, near Carmarthen. He and Heather have also purchased a further 100-acre holding nine miles away.

The farm is traditionally run, retaining and rearing five bulls a year and selling a large percentage of calved heifers.

Their main aim is ensuring longevity of the herd. Three of their cattle have reached 100 tons of milk produced in the last two years, a very rare occurrence which proves the success of their goals.

Gareth and Bryan are one of the very few breeders who have three home-bred cattle classified EX95 on the farm at the same time.

Bryan, who recently stepped down as a board member of National Milk Records after 15 years, believes it is important to allow the next generation take the reins and let the industry move forward.

"I passionately believe that by giving responsibility to my son will benefit his chances of succeeding in business in later life," he said.

Bryan was one of five people who set up the Welsh Dairy Show 24 years ago when it was believed an autumn event would be beneficial to dairy farmers in their decision making for the forthcoming winter and it has since grown from strength to strength.

He has just taken on the role of president of the show which took place at the United Counties Showground, near Carmarthen, on Tuesday October 16.

Two years ago Bryan received a Master Breeder award from the Holstein Society, a highly acclaimed award presented to only four or five people a year.