[caption id="attachment_4025" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, FUW Glamorgan county executive officer Rachel Taylor, Birch Farm Plastics Cheryl Birch, FUW vice president Lorraine Howells, FUW president Emyr Jones, Huw Irranca-Davies MP and FUW finance and organisation committee member Brian Thomas.[/caption]

Farmers have been to see how the farming industry can dispose of its polythene waste in a greener way at a newly opened state-of-the-art agricultural waste wash plant in Glamorganshire.

British Polythene Industries (bpi.recycled products), Europe's largest polythene recycler of 95,000 tonnes of material per annum, opened its Rhymney factory doors to show farmers how they can dispose of items such as silage wrap, feed bags, fertiliser bags and polytunnels.

Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones, who attended the visit, said: "The disposal of farm plastics is extremely important for livestock farmers and this new plant makes recycling waste plastics more cost effective for farmers as well as making a significant contribution towards 'greening' as a greater proportion of this material can now be recycled within the UK."

The company said waste farm plastic continues to be a major problem for British farmers and growers with up to 80,000 tonnes of this material generated annually.

Currently, there isn't sufficient capacity in the UK to recycle all of this material and as a result much of it is exported to countries like Vietnam and Malaysia where it is often recycled using primitive techniques that damage the local environment.

An unacceptably high volume of waste farm polythene in the UK is also still being sent to landfill or, worse still, illegally burnt. bpi.recycled products' new wash plant helps to reduce these undesirable methods of waste management.

FUW Glamorganshire county executive officer Rachel Taylor, who organised the visit, said: "Many farmers struggle to dispose of plastic from items such as silage wrap and feed bags. Visiting this plant has been a great opportunity for our members to see first-hand how they can solve this problem in an effective and environmentally friendly way."

Representing an investment of £4.5 million, it is the largest wash plant of its kind in the country and will enable bpi.recycled products to recycle an additional 25,000 tonnes of material, such as used silage bale wrap and horticultural film, each year.

This waste will be used to create new products such as refuse sacks, outdoor furniture and building films.                                                                                                                       

In addition to being the largest facility of its kind in the country, the new wash plant is also the greenest. To maximise its efficiency and reduce its impact on the environment, it employs features such as low energy, high output motors, energy saving lighting and rainwater harvesting to replace the water lost each day.

Ogmore MP and DEFRA shadow food and farming minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who also attended the visit, said: " It's been a tremendous experience to see the full life cycle of recycling agricultural waste plastics into useful commercial products.

"What is particularly inspiring is the way farmers are coming together to help recycling, help each other and in doing so create many jobs here in Wales."

[caption id="attachment_4021" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, FUW vice president Richard Vaughan, national livestock, wool and marts committee chairman Dafydd Roberts, national land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams, Emyr Jones, Albert Owen MP and Alwyn Rowlands.[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales stand at the Anglesey Show gets so busy officials were forced to hold top-level meetings this year in an Ifor Williams livestock trailer alongside the union's marquee on the showground.

"Every year we organise meetings that are normally held within the marquee. However, it is always heaving with visitors and we, therefore, find it difficult to hear what our guests have to say," said FUW Anglesey county executive office Heidi Williams.

"So I had a brainwave and decided this year to hold the meetings in a livestock trailer - a clean one, of course! We borrowed it from our county chairman Tecwyn Roberts who, unfortunately, was competing in the beef classes at the time of our meeting with the island's MP Albert Owen.

"It worked extremely well and our local FUW members were given ample time to ask the guests questions. Topics raised on the show day were milk prices, CAP reform and EID.

"Anglesey County Council's smallholdings were also discussed at great length and members stressed that it was imperative that the council were not to make rash decisions and decide to sell them.

"Members also highlighted the fact that these farms were long term 'assets' for the council," Mrs Williams added.

The Farmers' Union of Wales will have a larger marquee than in previous years at Meirionnydd County Show in Tywyn on Wednesday (August 22) to cope with the increasing numbers of members visiting the stand and the activities arranged for the day.

Once again there will be a warm welcome awaiting all members and friends of the FUW and the numerous other associations and bodies who work closely with the union.

"We are extremely fortunate that the ladies section of the union in the Tywyn and surrounding area have been busy preparing refreshments for the hundreds who will visit the stand throughout the day," said FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.

"Former FUW area officer Elfed Roberts has arranged cooking demonstrations and there will be an opportunity to taste Welsh Lamb and Beef during the day.

"All union staff and officials within the county will be present, together with FUW president Emyr Jones, deputy president Glyn Roberts and vice president Richard Vaughan, who farms next door to the show field. There will be ample opportunity to discuss FUW policies and activities."

No doubt one of the main subjects under discussion during the day will be the Glastir agri-environment scheme and FWAG Cymru Wales director Glenda Thomas will be present between noon and 2pm to give an explanation of the recent review and the new scorecard which can be found on the Welsh Government and FUW websites.

"A large proportion of Meirionnydd farmers will see their Tir Gofal or Tir Cynnal schemes coming to an end at the end of 2013 and will wish to make preparations for a Glastir application," said Mr Jones.

Between 11am and noon, Environment Agency Wales (EAW) Bala-based project manager Dafydd Rees Roberts will be at the FUW marquee and to discuss any issues relating to the Internal Drainage Districts (IDDs) in Meirionnydd.

EAW catchment co-ordinator (agriculture) Nichola Taylor the of the Environment Agency will also be present on the stand during this time to give any information required on issues such as the Silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil Regulations 2010, cross compliance, Glastir Water Quality Targeted Element and the benefits of soil testing etc.

Davis Meade Property Consultants and E-ON will offer advice on a variety of issues including rent reviews, compensation claims, on- farm renewable energy options and provide information on energy cost savings initiative for FUW members.

As in previous years we look forward to meeting our local AM Dafydd Elis Thomas and MP Elfyn Llwyd at the marquee. "It will, no doubt, be very busy once again but we look forward to an enjoyable day," Mr Jones added.

The Farmers' Union of Wales today (Wednesday August 15) revealed it has agreed to be a sponsor of "Cerddwyn Ymlaen-Walk On" - a celebrity supported walk from Swansea to Caernarfon - to raise funds for the Wales Air Ambulance's "Leap Into Action" appeal and to promote G?yl Gobaith Music Festival 2012.

Following the successful celebration of Wales Air Ambulance's 10th anniversary at last year's G?yl Gobaith, Welsh opera star and member of the Three Welsh Tenors Rhys Meirion agreed to be this year's Wales Air Ambulance Ambassador and he will be one of the walkers on the 200-mile route.

They will set off on the eight-day trek from Swansea Airport at 8am on Friday (August 17). The route will take in the Neath Valley, Storey Arms, Brecon, Builth, Newtown and Welshpool Airport, Dinas Mawddwy, Dolgellau, Porthmadog and finish at Caernarfon Airport.

"We had no hesitation in agreeing to be a sponsor after being informed the 'Leap Into Action' Appeal is in aid of acquiring a replacement for Wales Air Ambulance's third helicopter based in Welshpool," said FUW operations director Mark Roberts.

"The current helicopter is due to be decommissioned by the Civil Aviation Authority so they need to raise an extra £600,000 each year to upgrade and maintain the lease of a 'new generation aircraft' - an advanced air ambulance with the latest medical facilities and aviation technology."

Last year the FUW presented Wales Air Ambulance with a cheque for over £15,000 after past president Gareth Vaughan adopted the organisation as his chosen charity.

[caption id="attachment_4014" align="aligncenter" width="300"] County chairman John Savins, left, presents Brynley Morris with this year’s Farmers' Union of Wales Pembrokeshire branch's Countryside Business Award.[/caption]

Pembrokeshire farmer Brynley Morris's dedication to the dairy industry in West Wales and his family business has helped him reap this year's Farmers' Union of Wales Pembrokeshire branch's Countryside Business Award.

Brynley Morris, 38, of Parc Y Nole, Mathry, Haverfordwest, has worked on the family farm since leaving school at the age of 16 and in recent years has farmed in partnership with his father and brother.

During the last few years he has dedicated himself to developing the dairy side of the business by improving bloodlines and yields, working closely with ALTA genetics and more recently using genomic tested bulls.

Through this he has upgraded the herd to pedigree status, with the Abermawr herd now standing at 200 milking cows and 100 followers. He has also recently been using sexed semen to maintain heifer levels in the herd.

As the herd has increased in numbers he has taken on a neighbouring farm and now farms around 400 acres including 100 acres of arable incorporating winter barley, spring wheat and spring barley.

He has also overseen the building of a new 20/40 Fullwood parlour and has been instrumental in introducing new technology including Auto ID on the milking herd which enables all of the cows to be monitored throughout their time on the farm.

Their yields are recorded twice a day with the system also allowing feed rations to be closely monitored and adjusted accordingly.  Further milk recording is carried out on a monthly basis with NMR for cell count and milk quality monitoring.

One of the judges, FUW Pembrokeshire county president Dai Miles, said: "All of the nominees were of a high calibre.

"However, it was felt that Brynley was extremely enthusiastic about his business and confident in the future direction of it.

"His attention to record keeping using modern technology was also impressive.

"The decision was difficult, as all the contestants were in partnership with their siblings and/or parents, but it was felt that Brynley had put his own stamp on the business," added Mr Miles.

Mr Morris said: "I was delighted to have been nominated for this award and was surprised to be told I had won it.

"Having concentrated on upgrading the infrastructure of the farm, my aim for the future is to concentrate on the dairy breeding side of the business so that my 12-year-old son Owen, who has a keen interest in the herd, has high producing animals to work with by the time that he would like to join us in the business."

Hundreds of photograph entries by Pembrokeshire pupils for a countryside themed calendar will be on display at the Farmers' Union of Wales stand during this week's Pembrokeshire county show (August 14-16).

The photograph competition, organised by the union's Pembrokeshire county branch and sponsored by local organic milk producers Trioni Ltd, invited children aged between four and 18 to submit photographs taken within Pembrokeshire depicting one of three categories - Farm Life, The Countryside and Wildlife.

The photographs taken by the winner and runner-up of each category and age group have now been made into a 2013 calendar which will be sold in aid of the FUW president's charity Cancer Research Wales during the show.

FUW president Emyr Jones, who was impressed with the effort made by the pupils, said: "The competition was a roaring success, attracting hundreds of entries from across Pembrokeshire.

"I believe it is vital that we as farmers maintain a strong link with young people so that they understand the way that food is produced in this country," added Mr Jones.

One of the judges, FUW Pembrokeshire county vice chairman Hywel Vaughan, said: "The standard of entries was very high and presented the judges with a tough task when it came to choosing the winners.

"I would like to thank every single child who entered the competition and to tell them that without their participation the contest would not have been such a success".

"I would also like to thank the schools up and down the county who have assisted the FUW in the running of this competition," added Mr Vaughan.

FUW Pembrokeshire county executive officer Rebecca Voyle, who was the driving force behind the initiative, said: "I am so proud of all the children who participated in this competition.

"The calendar is a great credit to the young people in this county. It will make a fantastic Christmas present and it is never too early to start your shopping," added Mrs Voyle.

"We would also very much like to thank our sponsors as their financial support has helped to cover some of the production costs which means that more of the cover price can be donated to the charity."

In the category for 4 -11-year-olds the farm life section was won by Rhys Davies, of Ysgol Glannau Gwaun, Fishguard, and the runner-up was Morgan Evans, of Cilgerran Church in Wales VC School, Cilgerran.

The countryside section was won by Jessica Balfour, of Maenclochog C P School, Maenclochog, and Iwan Thomas, of Ysgol Y Frenni, Crymych, was runner-up.

Winning the wildlife section was Sophie Philipsen, of Maenclochog C P School, and Jessica Balfour, also of Maenclochog C P School, was second.

The winner and runner-up in the 12 -18-year-old farm life section were Georgia Lewis, of Pembrokeshire College, Haverfordwest, and Owen Morris, of Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Fishguard; Tyler Miller, of Pembroke School, and Molly McHarg, of Greenhill School, Tenby, were the winner and runner-up of the countryside section and Gabrielle Swales, of Milford Haven School, and George Grove, of Greenhill School, were selected as winner and runner-up of the wildlife section.

Emily Silvester, of Ysgol Y Preseli, Crymych, was an additional winner as her entry was selected for the front cover photo of the calendar.

All winners will receive a £15 gift voucher, a copy of the calendar, goody bag, free entry ticket to the show and a £25 cheque for their school or college.

The runners-up will receive a £10 gift voucher, copy of the calendar, goody bag, free entry ticket to the show and a £15 cheque for their school or college.

The calendars are available to buy at the FUW stand during the show and from the FUW Pembrokeshire county office for £5 each.