Uncertainties faced by the farming industry in Wales and what support is required from Government were top of the agenda, when Farmers’ Union of Wales President Ian Rickman met with Secretary of State David TC Davies in London recently.

A significant scheme that will set out payment mechanisms for the industry in the future, the Sustainable Farming Scheme, offers an opportunity to support the sector if the right financial package is received from Westminster. Discussing the upcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme, Mr Rickman said: “Whilst it is vitally important that the Welsh Government design a scheme that truly works for every farm in Wales, it is also imperative we have the budget to deliver it. 

A collaboration between the Farmers’ Union of Wales, the Football Association Wales and the DPJ Foundation at the Royal Welsh Show aims to shine a light on how the gap between young men in farming and football clubs across Wales can be bridged.

In a special seminar, which is chaired by Professor Laura McAllister and held on Tuesday 25 July at 4pm at the FUW pavilion, the organisations will also discuss the progress that has been made in addressing mental health issues in rural communities and within the agricultural industry.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed progress made in designing the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) - but says the scheme is at a critical stage that will decide whether it is fit for purpose or presents major barriers for the industry and excludes large numbers of farmers.

In a statement made to the Senedd on 11 July, Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced that three reports had been published - two detailing the findings of a ‘co-design’ process and one giving the Welsh Government’s response - telling the Senedd that a phased approach to introducing the new scheme from 2025 would be considered to avoid large scale changes at once. 

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has a new presidential team at its helm to lead the organisation forward in its mission to ensure there are thriving, sustainable family farms in Wales.

Joining newly elected President Ian Rickman at the top are Pembrokeshire dairy farmer Dai Miles as deputy President; North Wales beef and sheep farmer Alun Owen as North Wales Vice President; Glamorgan beef and sheep farmer Brian Bowen as South Wales Vice President and Ceredigion sheep farmer Anwen Hughes as Mid Wales Vice President.

Carmarthenshire sheep and beef farmer Ian Rickman has been elected as President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales at the Union’s Council meeting in Aberystwyth on Friday 30 June 2023. He takes over from Glyn Roberts, who served the Union for 8 years in the role.

Ian Rickman’s parents, Robert and Margaret Rickman, moved to Gurnos, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire in 1975; that was Ian's first experience of farming and started a lifelong passion.

Farmers’ Union of Wales and FUW Insurance Services staff have set themselves a final challenge to raise vital funds for the DPJ Foundation, a mental health charity in Wales supporting those in the agricultural sector, and break the £50,000 barrier.

The team of 8, which is led by DPJ Foundation volunteer and keen mountaineer Iwan Meirion, will embark on a gruelling 24 hour challenge on Thursday 6 July to tackle the Welsh 3000’s. The 15 mountains in Wales that have a height of 3000 feet or more and the challenge is over 50km in length and involves nearly 3,700m of elevation gain.

It is a strenuous outing on Wales' highest mountains, split into 3 sections, that will push the team to their limits.