An increase in the number of days farmers can make use of subsidised Farming Connect business and technical support services was welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales today.

Gavin Williams, recently re-elected chairman of the union’s land use and parliamentary committee, said: “Eligible farmers registered with Farming Connect can now take advantage of up to eight days of business and technical support, which is to be welcomed.”

The change will take effect for all applications received after October 1 2012.

“Previously farmers could apply for only five days of support for all categories of the Whole Farm Plan, plus an additional three days for support connected with diversification only, so the increase in the number of days available is great news,” added Mr Williams, who runs a flock of 200 Lleyn sheep  on his Anglesey farm.

The Farming Connect programme, which was first launched in 2001, has helped farmers and their families to run their business more efficiently. It is financed as part of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales 2007-2013 through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Assembly Government.

“We would  encourage all farmers to consider utilising the extended number of days available. The upcoming CAP reform means there is a lot of uncertainty out there so maximising the opportunities available under Farming Connect, such as the one-to-one business and technical support, should be considered,” said Mr Williams.

[caption id="attachment_4063" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Mari Eluned's crown on the banks of the River Dyfi[/caption]

Blue-coloured Welsh wool has been used to depict the flow of the river Dyfi in the Crown to be awarded at Powys Eisteddfod at Tabernacle Arts Centre, Machynlleth, on October 26 and 27.

Farmers' Union of Wales Meirionnydd and Montgomery county branches commissioned Welsh jewellery designer Mari Eluned to make the Crown which was formally handed over to eisteddfod chairman John Price at a special meeting of the eisteddfod executive committee.

"The inspiration for it comes from the Dyfi valley area and its history and design is based on Owain Glyndwr’s Crown with modifications to convey the river Dyfi," said Mari, who grew up on a remote Snowdonia farm and lives at Mallwyd, near Machynlleth.

She described her creation as similar to the gold and silver Crown crafted for Owain Glyndwr's coronation as Prince of Wales on June 21 1404.

"Slate from nearby Aberllefenni quarry was used to keep the local tone of the Crown, combined with the silver metal content," she said.

"The edge of the Crown was hammered to convey the riverside and blue Welsh wool was naturally wound through it to provide an indication of the river flow.

"In addition to the wool, the image of sheep and lambs etched into the silver reflects the importance of agriculture in the Dyfi valley and the surrounding area and is a suitable link to the FUW branches sponsoring the Crown."

FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones said the union was very pleased to be associated with the eisteddfod and is a privileged to present one of the main awards.

"Mari has established a successful business creating unique Welsh slate jewellery and contemporary pieces using natural materials.

"Her creative flair is extremely popular and she sells her creations all over Britain and overseas.

"She uses natural materials combined with precious metal which she transforms into delicate, tactile jewellery inspired by nature, agriculture and her Welsh roots.

"She takes pride in the quality of the workmanship and the uniqueness of her designs and creates each piece by hand.

"She had a natural creative talent from an early age which developed throughout her time at school and college and has ultimately become her career."

After graduating from Loughborough University in 2006, with a first class BA Honours degree in jewellery and silversmithing, Mari set up her own workshop at her home in Mallwyd and in 2009 she won the Gwynedd Taste & Talent "Young Craft Worker/Artist of the Year" award.

The Welsh Government's decision not to repeal the exemption for slurry, silage and fuel oil stores built over 21 years ago was described by the Farmers' Union of Wales today as a victory for common sense.

"The decision came in the Welsh Government’s response to its review of the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones consultation earlier this year and follows intensive lobbying on behalf of the FUW over the past few months,” said the union’s land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams.

“The proposal to repeal the exemption for slurry stores, built or planned before March 1 1991, from the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Wales) Regulations (SSAFO), would have had a significant economic impact on many farmers in Wales - not just those within NVZs.

"The announcement acknowledges the cost implications to the industry in Wales and the need for a risk-based approach to assessing the condition of these stores.

“Whilst the union remains concerned over some of the proposals adopted by the Welsh Government as part of the NVZ review, and is helping members contest some of the new designations, the decision not to repeal the exemption under the SSAFO Regulations is one small victory for common sense," added Mr Williams.

The recent discovery of Schmallenberg disease antibodies on a Welsh farm and the bovine TB vaccination programme will be discussed by chief veterinary officer for Wales Christianne Glossop during the Farmers’ Union of Wales' Flintshire county branch annual general meeting at Rhosesmor Village Hall next Wednesday October 3 at 7.30pm.

Dewi Wyn Jones, farm manager at Llysfasi College, near Ruthin, will also brief members on the new dairy system currently being constructed at Llysfasi along with an overview of the land-based courses provided at the college.

Following the speakers’ presentations there will be a question and answer session. The meeting will be chaired by county president David Roberts and will also include a report by county chairman Clwyd Spencer.

For more information contact the FUW's County Office on 01824 707198.

Welsh farmers were today urged to be vigilant following the detection of Schmallenberg Virus (SBV) antibodies in three cows and one calf on premises in Ceredigion.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales described the development as very concerning. The history of the three animals suggests they were infected by SBV while on the holding, up to a year ago.

FUW animal health and welfare committee chairman Catherine Nakielny said:  "I would reiterate the warning we put out in January that all farmers in Wales need to be on the lookout for any unusually high incidences of abortion or congenital abnormalities - deformed lambs, swollen heads, weak lambs etc.

“They should report anything unusual to their veterinarian, especially given the recent developments."

The presence of SBV in Wales is not unexpected. The Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), the Welsh Government and the Wales Animal Health & Welfare Strategy Steering Group have kept SBV under close scrutiny since its arrival in Britain late in 2011.

As of July this year, there were 275 UK farms reporting positive for SBV.  Of these, 53 were in cattle, 219 in sheep and three in both.

“There is a strong need to continue to monitor SBV in Wales and to this end livestock farmers should be vigilant and report suspicions to their private veterinary surgeon,” added Dr Nakielny .

“SBV is not currently a notifiable disease in the UK  but farmer’s need to remember that test samples taken from suspect animals will still be paid for by Government for the time being.”

It remains possible that midges could continue to spread SBV in Britain through the autumn and into the winter but the FUW hopes the poor weather which has blighted the industry over the summer has reduced the risks of transmission.

There is no known risk to human health from SBV but the advice for pregnant women remains to be cautious around farm animals and to follow strict hygiene procedures, the union has stressed.

Advice to farmers is to make use of two AHVLA programmes of enhanced surveillance for foetal deformities and for acute SBV disease in cattle.  FUW members wishing to know more about these programmes should contact their county office.

“Advice from the AHVLA for possible actions to reduce the impact of Schmallenberg virus in sheep flocks is to delaying tupping until midge activity is reduced, delaying breeding from ewe lambs until 2013,” said Dr Nakielny.

Immunity may have then developed by the 2013 tupping season either by exposure to infected midges or through the use of vaccine, if such becomes available.

Farmers are also advised to use products which repel or control biting insects prior to tupping and in early pregnancy.

The likely benefit of these products is uncertain particularly as midges are widespread and appear to be particularly effective in transmitting the virus.

Other measures such as housing ewes, and removing muck heaps to deny breeding habitats from the vicinity of housed sheep may help to reduce midge exposure.

Many aspects of this virus remain unknown and there is currently no vaccine or treatment available.

SBV research and surveillance remains ongoing and the FUW will continue to monitor the scientific and technical developments relating to this virus.

Former Secretary of State for Wales Lord Morris of Aberavon will recall his role in the formation of the Farmers' Union of Wales when he meets the union's Meirionnydd county branch officials, members and staff tomorrow (Tuesday September 25).

"The great significance of his visit will be the opportunity to reminisce about the time he was actively involved with the formation of the FUW as the union's legal adviser and deputy general secretary between 1956 and 1958," said current FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.

An account of this period is included in Lord Morris' book "Fifty Years in Politics and the Law" published last year by University of Wales Press.

"One chapter is devoted to this time when he recalls how he came home to Wales for Christmas in 1955 when 'all hell had broken loose in the agriculture community' and a strong case had been set to justify an independent union in and for Wales," said Mr Jones.

"Lord Morris founded and edited the early editions of the union's newspaper Y Tir and travelled thousands of miles setting up branches and giving legal advice throughout Wales. He recalls that he often stayed overnight on farms in Meirionnydd."

Lord Morris’ period as Secretary of State for Wales was absolutely crucial in the formation and development of the FUW. His foreword in "A Family Affair" - Handel Jones' book about the FUW between 1955 and 1992 - reveals that at the Welsh Office in 1974 one his many aims was the granting of recognition to the FUW on the basis of satisfaction of its representation.

Stating that the decision from April 1 1978 was his alone, he wanted to ensure it was taken while there were joint ministers in charge of Welsh agriculture and he ensured the announcement was made jointly by Agriculture Minister John Silkin and himself on March 23 1978.

"This was an incredibly important date in the FUW history and Lord Morris’ visit will no doubt be considered by the county branch as an important milestone in the history of the FUW in Meirionnydd," Mr Jones added.

"It will be a unique opportunity to discuss the inner workings of the British Government and Welsh politics. Of particular relevance to Meironnydd will be his recollection of the crucial meeting on Friday May 11 1956 at the Free Library in Dolgellau which, as assistant general secretary, he attended with the union’s general secretary at the time J B Evans and the late Lord Geraint Howells, chairman of the provisional county executive committee in Cardiganshire.

"We will be visiting the Free Library to take photographs outside the building where a plaque was installed on May 11 2006 when the county branch celebrated 50 years since its formation.

"Lord Morris will also visit FUW life member Richard ap Simon Jones, of Ysguboriau, Tywyn, who was present at the first meeting on May 11 1956. Mr Jones was FUW national vice president between 1976 and 1980, an immensely important period in the FUW’s development.

"Mr Jones recalls sitting alongside John Silkin’s Private secretary during the FUW AGM in 1978 and, when asked about his knowledge of the FUW, he stated that 'what satisfies him most is the fact that the FUW is made up of family farms’."