Around 30 Farmers' Union of Wales officers and staff members plus friends will be up before dawn tomorrow (Thursday June 14) to climb Wales' three highest mountains to raise funds for union president Emyr Jones' charity Cancer Research Wales.

Even before they begin their arduous 15-hour challenge they have raised more than £15,000 including donations from FUW Insurance providers Farm Web, NIG and BIBU.

The climbers from all parts of Wales - including 26-year-old Welsh women's rugby international Elen Evans of Dinas Mawddwy - will assemble at the Bryn Tyrch Bunk Barn in Capel Curig this evening before starting their 3 Peaks Challenge by climbing Snowdon at first light.

Armed with an energy-boosting flapjack made by Llanrwst-based FUW area office assistant Gwyn Jones's wife Mari, their ascent of Snowdon (3,560 ft above sea level) via the Pyg track will take around two hours.

So with a good wind and kind weather all the walkers should be back down again by 8.30am where bacon and egg butties, arranged by FUW Caernarfonshire county executive officer Gwynedd Watkin, will be waiting!

They will then travel to Cadair Idris (2,820 ft), near Dolgellau, taking the Pony Path and - buoyed by locally-bottled Cerist spring water from Dinas Mawddwy - they should also scale the mountain in about two hours.

Following refreshments provided by Elen's parents, staunch FUW Meirionnydd members Aled and Catherine Evans, and Dolgellau-based FUW area officer Bethan Roberts, the group will head for Pen y Fan (2,907ft) in the Brecon Beacons by mid-afternoon to start their final climb at around 6pm.

After completing the arduous challenge by around 9pm, they will recover with a welcoming barbecue, organised by Abergavenny-based FUW area officer Gwen Evans. 

One climber, FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones, said: "This fund-raising challenge is a rare opportunity for us to look beyond the agricultural world and recognise the further demands of society as a whole."

Aberystwyth-based FUW press officer Anne Birkett has already blazed a trail for fellow staff members by completing the 3 Peaks Challenge and raising over £400 for Emyr Jones' charity fund.

"I was really proud to stand on the summit of Pen y Fan after my third and final ascent. The views were truly breathtaking.

"As it was a clear evening we could see from the Black Mountains to the Preseli Hills, from Exmoor to Plynlimon and the sea beyond Mumbles.

"We also got a great view of Pontsticill reservoir which lies just above Merthyr Tydfil and the South Wales valleys beyond."

[caption id="attachment_3674" align="aligncenter" width="550"] From left, John Comer, Pat McCormack, Dei Davies, Hazel Wright, Eifion Huws and Emyr Jones.[/caption]

Welsh and Irish dairy farmers' representatives have expressed fears that one of the key issues affecting milk producers is the reform of the CAP and that the current CAP proposals could have a significant impact on the viability of the sector.

The concerns were discussed during a joint meeting in Dublin of leading Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) and Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) officials.

The FUW was represented by its president Emyr Jones, of Bala; chairman of its milk and dairy produce committee Dei (correct spelling) Davies, of Holywell; dairy spokesman Eifion Huws, of Holyhead; and senior policy officer Hazel Wright; and ICMSA by its president John Comer and deputy president Pat McCormack.

After the meeting, Mr Davies said: "Both organisations expressed concern about the current greening measures as proposed in the CAP review and the placement of agri-schemes and activities under Pillar 1.

"ICMSA also agree with us that greening measures should remain under Pillar 2, unless they have some real benefit to the producer, and that the current proposals could severely undermine food production at a time when current and future food security is a major concern across the globe.

"We also discussed current proposals to establish upper and lower limits of change to area-based payments under the new CAP to help reduce financial disruption for farm businesses."

Mr Davies said the Irish and Welsh dairy sectors have a range of similarities. "Some 75 per cent of Irish producers produce less than 750,000 litres and only seven per cent of Irish farmers are under the age of 35.

"Like the FUW, the ICMSA are committed to protecting family farms and it is clear that consumers also want their milk to be produced on traditional family farms."

[caption id="attachment_3671" align="aligncenter" width="600"] FUW vice president Brian Walters and his wife Anne (front centre) hosted the road show at their Carmarthenshire dairy farm to raise awareness of Johne’s disease and discuss recent developments in the dairy industry[/caption]

A road show was hosted by Farmers’ Union of Wales vice president Brian Walters at his Carmarthenshire dairy farm to raise awareness of Johne’s disease and discuss recent developments in the dairy industry.

Over 100 farmers attended the event at Esgairhir Uchaf, near Carmarthen, where they received an update on the dairy industry by First Milk chairman Bill Mustoe and had the opportunity to speak to Julie Forrest, a lecturer at Edinburgh University’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, about Johne’s disease.

“There is an imbalance in the dairy market with demand being two per cent and supply going at three per cent, which causes world market prices to fall,” said Mr Mustoe.

“In order to deal with the imbalance in the liquid market we have over the last year taken a number of steps to create an added value food business. Our acquisition of CNP Professional last month is a prime example and demonstrates the direction we are going.

“The sports nutrition market has more than doubled in the last five years, with this strong growth predicted to be maintained over the next five years.

“The First Milk you see before you is not only better shaped to drive members returns, but equally important, is well positioned to further develop your business,” added Mr Mustoe.

Esgairhir Uchaf farm is run by Mr Walters, his wife Anne and their two sons Simon and Aled. Together with their home farm Clunmelyn, the farms stand at 400 acres with an additional 100 acres rented. Clunmelyn farm is used to rear the young stock and heifers with the milking being carried out at Esgairhir Uchaf.

The Walters family now farm 210 Friesian and Holstein cattle, all of which are autumn calving. They aim to produce as much milk from grass and focus on making good quality silage. The farm makes all its own silage and the family try to do as much of the field and machinery work as they can.

"First Milk has moved away from being a broker of milk to being a substantial processor in the UK market and can therefore return profits to its members,” said Mr Walters.

“It is also good to see that they are now also processing around 50 per cent of members milk. There is a huge opportunity for farmers in the dairy industry. With innovation and creativity we can ensure that the imbalance in market prices can be addressed.

“We may not be able to generate adequate profit from the general commodity market but with new investments into for example sports nutrition we can try and re-establish balance.

“We are already supplying Team GB with nutritional supplements in their training and for the Olympics and it is great to see that the sports nutrition market is now also being targeted at a less professional level.

“It is vital that we keep business in the UK and support our dairy industry. In that respect it was important that we addressed issues such as Johne’s disease in dairy herds here at the road show.

“Clinical signs of Johne's disease are not specific to Johne's and include rapid weight loss and diarrhoea which can lead to cattle being culled for other reasons such as infertility or lameness.

“One thing is certain, if there is an underlying Johne’s problem in your herd, it will reduce the life time productivity and health of your herd ,” added Mr Walters.

“It was a fantastic event and excellent to see so many farmers attending. The Walters family have done a great job in hosting this event and are an excellent example of a progressive family dairy farm,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

[caption id="attachment_3668" align="aligncenter" width="513"] Top, from left, Aled Jones, Emyr Jones, Keith Davies and David Miles. Bottom, New FUW Carmarthenshire county chairman Catherine Nakielny is flanked by her vice chairman Brian Richards, left, and outgoing chairman Ian Rickman.[/caption]

The Welsh Government's decision to vaccinate rather than cull badgers led to a lively debate during the annual general meeting of Farmers' Union of Wales' Carmarthenshire branch.

A panel of speakers including FUW president Emyr Jones, Llanelli's Labour AM Keith Davies, National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs and Wales YFC senior member of the year Aled Jones and Proper Welsh Milk director David Miles were asked if the Badger Protection Act was used more as a "Politician Protection Act".

"The question created a heated lively debate with Mr Davies given a rough time," said FUW's Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett.

"Members unanimously believed that the Government had taken the safer, softer option by giving in to the Badger Trust rather than listening to scientific reports and results.

"Those present believed that farmers should use the same tactics as the Badger Trust and show photographs and clippings of cattle being slaughtered and the dramatic effect it has on family farms."

The panel was also asked if the creation next April of a new single body following the merger of Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission Wales was a "recipe for cooperation and streamlining of regulations, or a recipe for disaster".

"There was unanimous concern on how successful the amalgamated body would be," said Mrs Bartlett.

"It was believed that it was a cost cutting exercise which had been rushed though. Often the aims and ideals of the Countryside Council for Wales do not match with those of the other two bodies."

Panel members were asked if the lack of enthusiasm by the UK Government for larger farmer cooperatives accounted for the apparent lack of interest of farmers towards coops and whether they endorsed the proposed merger of Arla Foods and Milk Link.

"The panel believed the merger of Arla Foods and Milk Link was excellent news and could be complimentary to the dairy sector. It was believed that a large cooperative should have the strength and knowledge to deal with supermarkets.

"Members also expressed concern that the Government could decide that the merger would create too large a cooperative and believed it vital that any profit made should be returned to producers."

Much discussion took place in response to the question: How much authority would you give to the proposed supermarket ombudsman?

Mrs Bartlett added: "Other sectors are overseen by Ofcom/Oftel who ensure customers are treated fairly and they check profit margins.

"It was suggested that the same power should be available to a supermarket ombudsman, who should be robust and able to govern marketing techniques etc.

"Concern was expressed that it could have little effect on the dairy industry, as it is the 'middleman' who makes the profit."

A full-blown debate took place in response to the question: Is sufficient assistance being given to encourage young people to enter and remain in the farming industry?

"It was suggested that the current Young New Entrant Scheme provided insufficient encouragement and assistance," said Mrs Bartlett. "The balance payment or funding expected from an individual is out of reach for many.

"Also, selling off council farms was certainly not the way forward. It was believed that the availability of land and the cost of land is a major obstacle and, therefore, share farming should be encouraged with more assistance and advice given on succession in farming.

"It was further suggested by some members that decoupling of payment had not been beneficial to farmers."

[caption id="attachment_3664" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Alwyn Roberts checks the turbine’s meter readings at the farmhouse.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3665" align="aligncenter" width="321"] FUW president Emyr Jones, centre, Alwyn Roberts, right, and his father Gareth in front of the wind turbine on their farm[/caption]

Farmers' Union of Wales president Emyr Jones and other union officials have visited a Snowdonia farm to see how a small scale wind turbine helps generate power for the National Grid and ensures the farm is almost self-sufficient for its electricity requirements.

Rhydycriw farm, Llanegryn, near Tywyn, has been in FUW member Alwyn Roberts's family since 1943 and now holds 27 cattle, mainly Welsh Black, and 24 followers, as well as 350 Aberdale sheep, 200 Welsh Mountain sheep, 90 Aberdale ewe lambs and 40 Welsh Mountain ewe lambs.

The 300-acre family farm run by third generation farmer Mr Roberts and his wife Karen is now almost energy self-sufficient after the installation of a 5 kW wind turbine.

It is the first time planning permission for a wind turbine on a hillside location has been granted within Snowdonia National Park.

The new MCS accredited Evance R9000 turbine will produce on average 12 to 14 thousand kilowatt hours a year for the Roberts family and will reduce the farm's carbon footprint by around five tonnes of CO2 per annum.

"On average the family household uses seven to nine thousand kilowatt hours of energy per year, not including what is used on the farm. By installing the wind turbine we are now almost energy self-sufficient and can also sell energy back to the National Grid," said Mr Roberts.

"We spent around £32,000 to complete the project but it will generate an extra income of about £5,000 a year from the renewable energy we feed back into the National Grid.

"I have been thinking about using green energy on the farm for some time and two years ago I visited an open day organised by Organic Centre Wales and it became clear that wind power was the best option for our location.

"The planning process was fairly frustrating, which is why I can only advise those who are thinking of investing in renewable energy to get professional advice and support to guide them through the planning process.

"We are very thankful that we had the professional assistance of small-scale wind turbine installer Paul Burrell whose expertise in managing the entire planning process on our behalf was invaluable. Especially as we are in a more sensitive and protected area.

"Another point which influenced my decision to invest in renewable energy is the uncertainty of the farming industry at the moment, so it is vital to look at other forms of income and diversify.

"A lot of wind sites in the UK are foreign owned, which is why we need to make sure that we protect our assets or else we lose them.

"Renewable energy is supported by both the Welsh and UK governments but interpretations of policy from local governments and other organisations can make the process incredibly complicated. Perseverance is key in projects like this," added Mr Roberts.

Mr Burrell, of Machynlleth-based Anemos Renewables LLP, said: "There are three financial benefits from installing a wind turbine. Firstly, you will be paid a fixed rate for every unit of electricity that you generate over the next 20 years, the prices for which are Retail Price Index linked.

"Secondly, any electricity you don't use can be exported to the National Grid with an additional payment for every kWh that you export, in addition to the generation tariff.

"Thirdly, as the electricity from your turbine is being generated by the wind, the power can be used in your home or business so your electricity bills will be substantially reduced.

"Location is very important for wind turbines. It has to be a good unobstructed site to make sure you get maximum performance from the turbine.

"National Parks are always sensitive areas but we picked a great location for Alwyn's turbine that hides the turbine very well from view but still is able to access the wind and capture its maximum potential," added Mr Burrell.

After visiting the site of the wind turbine at Rhydycriw farm, Mr Jones said: "Renewable energy is something well worth considering these days and I can only congratulate Alwyn on his success with the wind turbine."

The high quality of local farm produce will be highlighted on the Farmers' Union of Wales stand during next week's Urdd National Eisteddfod at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor's Glynllifon campus near Caernarfon.

Maps will show the wide range of produce and all the varying attractions and opportunities for people on farms within Caernarfonshire in line with the FUW's "I Love Welsh Food" campaign.

The stand will also feature cooking demonstrations by Llithfaen producers of free range pedigree Welsh pork products Oinc Oink, by Arfon MP Hywel Williams on three days and also by Gerwyn Williams, the owner and chef of the Tannery, Llanrwst who will be using local produce to cook a meal for Conwy MP Guto Bebb.

There will also be a farm produce word search competition held every day from Monday to Thursday (June 4-7) with exciting prizes including Samsung PL121 cameras, Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS with Mario game and case, and an iPod Touch 8GB with docking station and case.

On Friday and Saturday (June 8-9) there will be an opportunity for visitors to answer questions about the county's agricultural industry for the chance to win a Kindle Touch and case, and a mobile phone. All the competitions have been sponsored by Wynnstay agricultural suppliers, Davis Meade, Gamlins Solicitors, British Wool Marketing Board, Sterling Independent Advisers and W H Evans, Felin Llecheiddior.

The stand is set to be a hive of activity throughout the week for visitors of all ages with exhibitions of the producce used to make animal feed by Meurig Huws, of Wynnstay, and different products produced from wool by British Wool Marketing Board.

A warm welcome and a cup of tea awaits everyone on the colourful stand decorated with flowers kindly donated by Bryncir Garden Centre.

Among other competitions being held throughout the week are colouring for children, for which the prizes will be a ride-on Big Red Tractor or ride-on Big Blue Tractor, sponsored by Emyr Evans, of Gaerwen and Denbigh, and Menai Tractors, of Llanwnda.

By filling in an FUW/BT questionnaire, visitors will also have the chance to win a phone and answerphone for the home or office and members from Eryri YFC Federation will be face painting. Children will also have an opportunity to listen to Tecwyn the Tractor author Margiad Roberts reading stories about the popular character.

There's also an opportunity to win various prizes by "milking" Seren - the life-sized model of a dairy cow loaned by Aberystwyth University's Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences - to see how much milk you can get into a bucket in 30 seconds, and by guessing how many farm animals there are in a bottle.

Sponsors of the week's activities from the FUW Insurance Services team are: BIBU Insurance Services, Rural Insurance Services and Farmweb Insurance Services.