Welsh dairy farmers will get the chance to learn more about NFU Scotland's campaign for fundamental changes in milk supply arrangements when one of those who helped develop the initiative addresses the Farmers' Union of Wales annual function on the eve of next month's Welsh Dairy Show.

NFUS milk committee vice chairman Gary Mitchell is the guest speaker at FUW's event on Monday October 17 at 7.30pm at Nantyci Showground, near Carmarthen, where the Welsh Dairy Show will be held the following day.

FUW Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett said: "Mr Mitchell is a relatively new milk producer but he was greatly involved in developing NFUS's milk price initiative which looks to deliver a more sustainable dairy supply chain.

"A key element is the desire to see a transparent pricing formula, based on existing market indicators, made a compulsory element of contracts between dairy farmers and their milk buyers."

Before speaking at the FUW function Mr Mitchell will visit Gelli Aur College Farm, near Llandeilo, which demonstrates and compares two different milk production systems.

These comprise an autumn herd delivering high bottom line profit achieved by a moderate yield with emphasis on health and fertility to spread overhead costs and a summer calving herd to develop and investigate an alternative system optimising milk from forage to produce low cost milk.

Also during the evening function the winner of the FUW/HSBC plc award to the person who has given outstanding service to the Welsh dairy industry will be announced.

And on the FUW stand at the Welsh Dairy Show on Tuesday October 18 there will be a representative from Oswestry-based land agents Davis Meade and Partners to provide advice and assistance to FUW members on a variety of topics including renewable energy schemes.

Representatives from the Environment Agency will be also present to answer questions on the proposed new regulations on septic tanks.

Members are welcome to visit the stand and enjoy a bowl of homemade cawl.

The Denbighshire branch of the Farmers' Union of Wales will hold its annual general meeting at Pwllglas Village Hall on Monday, November 14 at 7.30pm.

Guest speakers will be Prof Deri Tomos, of the School of Biological Science, Bangor University; Terri Thomas, of the Welsh Government's rural policy department; and Nick Fenwick, FUW's director of agricultural policy.

Important issues such as Single Farm Payment, GM crops and Glastir will be discussed and following the speakers' presentations there will be a question and answer session where members will have the opportunity to question the panel on various issues.

The evening will be chaired by county president Glyn Jones and will also include the chairman's report by Eryl Hughes.

For more information contact the County Office on 01824 707198

Members of Farmers' Union of Wales's Flintshire branch are expected to raise a number of topical issues with Welsh Government rural affairs director Rory O'Sullivan at their annual general meeting at Rhosesmor Village Hall on Wednesday October 5 at 7.30pm.

The union's director of agricultural policy Nick Fenwick will also give a presentation and a number of important issues such as Glastir and CAP reform will be discussed.

Following the speakers' presentations there will be a question and answer session where members will have the opportunity to question the panel.

The evening will be chaired by county chairman Clwyd Spencer and will include the chairman's annual report on the union's activities within the county.

For more information contact the County Office on 01824 707198

[caption id="attachment_4495" align="aligncenter" width="300"] NEW FUW LANDUSE AND PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN GAVIN WILLIAMS[/caption]

Anglesey farmer Gavin Williams has been elected as the new chairman of the Farmers' Union of Wales's land use and parliamentary committee.

Mr Williams, a qualified accountant since 1979 and active member of the union's Anglesey county executive committee, farms around 90 acres at Pen-y-Bryn, Llynfaes. Together with his wife Nerys, a nursery school teacher, he runs a flock of 200 Lleyn sheep.

He said: "It is a great honour for me to be elected as chairman and I look forward to continuing the good work the previous chairman, Richard Vaughan, has done for the union and its members."

Chris Lewis, of Glangwy Farm, Builth Wells, was elected vice chairman of the committee.

He runs a fully organic 250-acre farm with his wife Gwlithyn where he grows barley, triticale and spring beans for their 50 cows, mostly Simmental cross, all progeny, 200 Texel cross ewes, four Kunekune pig sows and one boar.

He was county vice-chairman from 2004-2007, county chairman 2007-2010 and county president since last year. Mr Lewis has been a delegate on the land use and parliamentary committee for the past few years.

He said: "I am very pleased to be elected vice chairman of the committee and will of course be working hard for our members."

Mr Vaughan, who stepped down as chairman of the committee after five years, was recently elected vice president of the union. Together with his wife Dwynwen he farms Pall Mall Farm, Tywyn, which is one of two holdings totalling 550 acres. Most of the land is at Pant y Panel and Prysglwyd at Rhydymain, near Dolgellau.

A flock of 750 Welsh Mountain sheep is kept together with 150 ewe lamb replacements. Around 200 ewes are crossed with Texel and Suffolk rams and the remainder with Welsh Mountain. Approximately 30 store cattle are kept and fattened over the summer.