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Liz Saville Roberts MP, Simon Thomas AM, Tegwyn Jones Chairman FWAG Cymru, Dewi Davies Independent Glastir Consultant, Euros Puw Meirionnydd FUW Chairman, Wyn Jones Blaen Cwm and daughter Manon[/caption]
The Meirionnydd branch of Farmers’ Union of Wales, in conjunction with FWAG Cymru, hosted a farm visit on Monday, October 3, to showcase the way in which the Glastir scheme and use of a biomass boiler can benefit a farm business.
The event was hosted by 10th generation farming family Wyn and Laura Jones at Blaen Cwm farm, Cynllwyd Llanuwchllyn and provided visitors with the opportunity to see the land and stock, the various elements of the Glastir scheme, and the Biomass scheme.
Blaen Cwm is situated about 5 miles from the village of Llanuwchllyn near Bala and sits at approximately 1000 feet above sea level, with much of the land reaching far beyond 2000 feet. The farm has been in the Glastir Entry scheme since 2014 and in the Advanced scheme since 2015.
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Arwyn Jones demonstrates the use of the wood mizer mobile saw bench[/caption]
The family farm extends to 640 acres, being mostly mountain land with 50 acres of lower land, and 25 acres are kept to produce silage every year. Additionally they farm 650 acres at Llanymawddwy and a 300 acre farm near Llawryglyn at Llanidloes.
Guests enjoyed a tour of the farm as Glenda Thomas of FWAG Cymru and Dewi Davies Independent Glastir Consultant gave a detailed explanation of various elements of the Glastir scheme and Greame Raine of ‘Raine or Shine’ Renewable Energy specialists gave a presentation on the Biomass scheme. In addition Robin Roberts gave a demonstration of his hedge laying skills.
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Students from Ysgol y Berwyn, Y Bala with their Lecturer John Thomas who are are following a BTEC level 3 course in Agriculture joined the farm visit[/caption]
A guest speaker on the day was Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Mid and West AM Simon Thomas, who said: “Farmers are custodians of the countryside and the sustainability of agriculture is also reliant on the effective management and protection of water, soil and biodiversity. Plaid Cymru will work with the industry and others to develop innovative ways in which RDP funded agri-environment measures such as Glastir can help deliver public benefits and look at ways in which to encourage greater co-working between farmers and conservation bodies to deliver practical, realistic and positive benefits to environmental management in Wales.
“While the Party of Wales did not support leaving the EU, we have moved quickly to respond to referendum by consulting on future policies for rural Wales. This farm visit was an important part of the consultation to listen to the views of the farming sector about the way forward to achieve the best possible outcome for rural communities across Wales.”
Local MP Liz Saville Roberts also attended the visit and added: “I was very pleased to attend this farm visit, which was in a really fascinating location. It is a great example of a young farmer making the best of all opportunities, and being positive in the face of the inevitable challenges ahead with Brexit. It was good to see his entrepreneurial spirit, and that he is looking into the long term with new initiatives, which must be supported. I wish him all the best with his enterprise for the future.”
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Simon Thomas AM Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs at the Welsh Assembly speaking at Blaen Cwm farm[/caption]
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Liz Saville Roberts Meirionnydd Dwyfor MP speaking at Blaen Cwm farm[/caption]
Huw Jones, the Union’s County Executive Officer in Meirionnydd said: “ Wyn is an enthusiastic and hardworking farmer, always looking for the next idea or opportunity to increase the farm's income. It was interesting to see how the farm business has taken advantage of agri-environment schemes over recent years, and how farming and conservation go hand in hand here.
“Wyn Jones showed us the wood chipper in progress and his father Arwyn Jones demonstrated the use of his mobile saw bench - the saw mill business they run is great, especially as they have the facilities to dry the timber as well. They established the Biomass scheme in 2014 and the energy produced provides heat for 2 domestic properties and the agricultural shed.
“I would like to thank the family for hosting this informative visit and hope that those who attended enjoyed the day as much I did. I would also like to thank the pupils from Ysgol y Berwyn, Y Bala studying BTEC level 3 course in Agriculture, who attended with their Lecturer John Thomas.”
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Glenda Thomas of FWAG Cymru and Dewi Davies Independent Glastir Consultant explaining various elements of the Glastir scheme[/caption]