A tenant farmer from Anglesey has raised concerns around the Control of Agriculture  Pollution Regulations and the Sustainable Farming Scheme proposals with Leader of Plaid Cymru Rhun ap Iorwerth. 

Dilwyn Owen, who farms Porthamel Farm, Llanedwen, is a young tenant farmer on a County Council Holding. Here he keeps a herd of beef, which are sent directly to slaughter. He also grows some arable crops, in addition to having his own contracting business. 

He is concerned about the Control of Agriculture Pollution Regulations, as complying with them means making huge investments to create a new slurry store, with the landlord unable to offer any support at present.

John Owen, who has been instrumental in developing good farming practices for all farmers within Wales through his extensive work at Gelli Aur and beyond, has been recognised for his work with the Farmers’ Union of Wales – United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society Award for services to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.  

Being based at Gelli Aur has enabled him to impart and develop his knowledge and understanding of farming practices and needs within Carmarthenshire which have benefited the farmers within the industry.

A Carmarthenshire farmer, who launched his industry career on the dairy home farm in Whitland and who has since played an intrinsic role in the development of pedigree and non-pedigree herds, has been recognised for outstanding services to the Welsh Dairy Industry by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Meurig James FRAgS, of Pengawse Farm, Whitland, started his career in agriculture as a farmer on the family dairy farm at Pengawse Farm, but with a younger brother at home and a limited acreage, he looked for a different career path. 

In 1993 Meurig became breed developer and type classifier for the British Holstein Society and now holds the position of Head of Breed Development for Holstein UK overseeing the classification of 140,000 pedigree and non-pedigree dairy and beef cattle annually. He is also the head of the National Bovine Data Centre.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed a third delay to the introduction of a whole farm nitrogen limit and Welsh Government’s commitment to a higher nitrogen limit for next year.

The announcement by the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths, confirmed the whole farm nitrogen limit from livestock manure of 170kg per hectare will be delayed until 1 January alongside plans to bring forward amendments to the Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations to implement an Enhanced Nutrient Management Approach from 1 January to 31 December 2024.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales Gwent and Glamorgan team enjoyed a successful day at Usk show, putting farming matters discussions and the need for thriving, sustainable, family farms in Wales at the forefront of conversation with politicians.

The team discussed the need for improved food education and awareness of farming practises at school age, the barriers facing farmers in playing their part when it comes to reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change whilst not undermining food production, as well the new schemes the agricultural industry is engaging with and the problems associated with them.

Primary school pupils from all over Wales are being invited to enter a Christmas card design themed around farming for the FUW’s Christmas card competition.

The FUW is asking children aged from four to 11 to design a Christmas farming scene for its Christmas cards, which will be sold to raise money for the Union’s charity Wales Air Ambulance.