[caption id="attachment_6336" align="alignleft" width="300"] Solar Cells on the housing sheds at Pantyderi[/caption]

A beef and sheep farming family from Pembrokeshire have highlighted the benefits of solar power to their business but stressed the importance of improvement to infrastructure to further develop the sector.

Wyn and Glenda Jones, of Pantyderi and Trefach farms at Blaenffos, together with their son Eurig rear beef and sheep plus arable acreage for home consumption on both holdings which run to 1,000 acres in total.

Across the two businesses the family farm 70 suckler cows, 400 store cattle, and 2,000 breeding ewes. Since 1985, the family also offer self-catering cottages all year round.

In 2012 the Jones family decided to diversify into renewable energy and installed 104 kw of solar panels.

There are now two installations of 50 kw at Pantyderi and a 4 kw installation at Trefach for domestic use.

Renewable energy schemes produce more than 20% of the UK’s electricity, and EU targets mean that this is likely to increase to 30% by 2020.

The first 50 kw solar installation was put up in 2012 at Pantyderi and was followed by an additional 50 kw the following year.

The opportunity to diversify into renewable energy came as three-phase electricity was already on the farm with access to the main line. 

[caption id="attachment_6337" align="alignright" width="169"] Wyn and Eurig checking on the morning's energy production[/caption]

And when Western Power decided to upgrade the existing transformer on the farm in 2012, which had been there since 1945, it was too good a chance to miss.

Wyn paid an extra £3000 towards putting a bigger transformer up, which then paved the way for the second installation in 2013. The payback time for the initial investment is 6 to 7 years and the installation is index linked for 20 years.

The Feed-in Tariff (FiT), from which the business benefits, is designed to support small scale renewable installations up to 5MW.

Through FiTs, generators like the Jones family, are paid a tariff for every unit of electricity they produce. Any electricity not used on site can then be sold back into the Grid.

“We make a saving of about £5000 a year between the two units, with each of them generating approximately £7000 worth of electricity a year.

“The surplus energy we don’t use on the farm is exported back to the national grid. We receive about 14.5 pence for generating each unit and receive 4.5 pence per unit for the surplus we feed back into the grid,” explains Wyn.

“This means that we are totally self-sufficient in our electric use on the farm and all of this is produced by the sun. Even though we don’t get as much sunshine here as some other countries, it was well worth the investment,” he added.

However, when wanting to expand the current installation of solar cells, as there was plenty of room on the farm buildings, the family hit a brick wall.

Following some enquiries they were told that there was no more capacity in the grid as the infrastructure was not there to support any extra energy produced.

“We were really keen to expand our solar cell installation but because the infrastructure could not cope with any more energy being fed into the grid it was impossible. The country has a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and its reliance on fossil fuels, so it was very disappointing for us.

“Renewable energy production is also another way for us farmers to increase our income stream and diversify our businesses.

“We can’t just rely on the price we get paid for our produce anymore, so anything we can do to support ourselves needs to be supported by government and as far as renewables are concerned also the energy companies,” added Wyn.

He added that many more farm businesses would be able to make an investment into renewable energy as a viable form of extra income that was index linked, if only the right support was out there for them.

The Union fully supports the development of appropriate on-farm renewable energy sources, and believes Wales has only scratched the surface in terms of the contribution Welsh farms can make to green energy production.

“Despite Wales’ being perfectly suited for some forms of renewable energy generation,the percentage of electricity generated in Wales from renewable stands at just 10 percent – 5 percent lower than the UK average, and the lowest of all the UK devolved regions,” said FUW Land Use Policy Officer Bernard Griffiths.

[caption id="attachment_6338" align="alignleft" width="300"] Father and Son team - Eurig (left) and Wyn (right)[/caption]

“The decision in 2015 by the UK Government’s Department for Energy and Climate Change, which has responsibility for major national energy projects, to suddenly and drastically reduce support for renewables not only compromises our ability to help mitigate climate change, but has also led directly to farmers and others losing significant sums already invested in unfinished projects,” added Mr Griffiths.

In light of this the FUW called on Welsh Government to carefully consider the outcome of the Welsh Assembly’s Environment and Sustainability Committee’s Smarter Energy Future for Wales inquiry and to seek alternative and innovative ways in which funding can be provided in order to develop on-farm energy production.

In addition, there has to be a stronger commitment from energy companies to invest in improving infrastructure to allow those farms not currently connected to also access the renewable energy market.

The Union further asks of the Welsh Government to identify those barriers to on-farm energy production which fall within its remit and seek to reduce bureaucratic burdens which prevent or add to the financial and time burdens which prevent developments.

Mr Griffiths added that it is vital for the Welsh Government to work with Ofgem and the UK Government to ensure the costs of connection to the National Grid by electricity companies are fair and proportionate and that it encourages and facilitates the use of wood and other carbon-neutral sources of energy while ensuring food production is not compromised.

[caption id="attachment_6303" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright[/caption]

Following a recent Freedom of Information request made by the Farmers’ Union of Wales in response to Public Health England’s ‘Eatwell Plate’, the Union remains baffled by the dietary guidelines published.

The request was made by the FUW as the guide recommended that consumers reduce their daily amount of dairy produce intake to just 8 percent.

FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright said: “Some of the evidence provided under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act related to reports conducted by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) on trans fatty acids, iron, health, energy and nutrition.

“However, much of the FOI concerned the modelling work which was undertaken to establish the Eatwell Plate in a way which would give ease of use to the consumer.

“This was of much less concern to the FUW than the methods used to scientifically justify the prominence of each food group.”

Unfortunately, whilst the FOI demonstrates the inconclusive nature of some of the detrimental claims about dairy products, studies which demonstrate the positive effects of dairy on health factors such as bone density and blood pressure gain much less prominence.

Moreover, the FOI did not provide any suitable clarity on the methodology used to reach the conclusion that dairy should contribute just 8 percent daily intake.

“The FUW remains bitterly disappointed by the original healthy eating guide issued by Public Health England and the information provided under the FOI has done little to mitigate existing concerns about the basis for this work,” added Dr Wright.

The Union remains unconvinced by the changes made to the Eatwell Plate and is seriously disappointed by the information provided under the FOI.

Dr Wright further said that it is essential that proper and rigorous scientific evaluation of dairy dietary research has been conducted in order to ensure that consumers understand the value of dairy products in the diet.

The FUW would therefore welcome further engagement in this process in the future in order to ensure that any negative presumptions about dairy produce do not unduly influence the final decision making process of consumers.

The Montgomeryshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has organised a Welsh Assembly election hustings on Monday, May 2 at Welshpool mart.

The event, which commences at 12 noon, will welcome Jane Dodds (Liberal Democrats), Aled Hughes (Plaid Cymru), Russell George (Conservative), Des Parkinson (UKIP), Richard Chaloner (Wales Green Party) and Martyn Singleton (Labour).

Each of the candidates has been allocated time to outline their party's position before questions from the audience are welcomed.

FUW County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies said: “I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our members and friends of the Union to join us for this important event.

“If you’re taking cattle to the mart on Monday, don’t miss the chance to join us for this important event. As it is a bank holiday, why not bring family and friends as well?
“It is paramount that we make an informed decision on May 5 and I urge you not to miss out on the opportunity to speak to your local election candidates.”

For more information contact the Newtown office on 01686 626 889.

[caption id="attachment_6323" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW Anglesey County President Tom Jones, Mary Parry M.B.E with her "Parti Dawns Lan Mor" dancers and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

The island’s agricultural sector was strongly represented by Farmers’ Union of Wales officials during the recent Anglesey Day, hosted by Anglesey MP Albert Owen at Westminster.

The event has become an annual tradition at Westminster and the Union was once again proud to fly the flag for Welsh agriculture and demonstrating its commitment of working for rural Wales.

Following the event, FUW President Glyn Roberts, said: “It has been absolute pleasure to once again promote and highlight the quality of Anglesey produce here at Westminster.

[caption id="attachment_6324" align="alignright" width="300"] FUW Anglesey County President Tom Jones, Welsh born Hollywood actor Julian Lewis Jones and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

“It is always a great opportunity to take our message to London and the event gave us the chance to meet with many MP’s from all the political parties, not least of all leader of the Labour party Jeremy Corbyn.

“We reminded Mr Corbyn that the FUW is the only Union recognised by the UK government to exclusively speak on behalf of Welsh farmers and that the Union has done so at the highest level – at the National Assembly, Whitehall and Brussels.

“In addition we were pleased to reinforce the message that the FUW was the first farming union to pledge its support for the ‘Stronger In’ campaign.

“We further discussed entry level accommodation, a hot topic on Anglesey and indeed throughout the UK.”

[caption id="attachment_6325" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn and FUW President Glyn Roberts[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_6320" align="alignleft" width="300"] (L-R) Ceredigion YFC Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Morys Ioan, Gethin James (UKIP), Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru), Brian Williams (Green Party), Aled Davies (Conservatives), Elizabeth Evans (Liberal Democrats) and FUW Ceredigion County Chairman Aled Rees[/caption]

The issues most concerning farmers in Ceredigion were outlined at a hustings event organised by the Union’s Ceredigion branch with the main focus on the eradication of bovine TB.

The event, which was held at Lampeter Rugby Club, on Thursday 21 April, welcomed Elizabeth Evans (Liberal Democrats), Elin Jones (Plaid Cymru), Gethin James (UKIP), Aled Davies (Conservatives) and Brian Williams (Green Party).

Each of the candidates outlined their party position for the upcoming Welsh Assembly Elections in May before the floor was opened for questions from the audience.

The panel first faced questions on what they would do to improve farmgate prices.

There was a general consensus amongst all the candidates that the Groceries Code Adjudicator needed more power to tackle unfair practices in the supply chain and that the position of food producers had to be strengthened in the market place.

Chairing the evening was Ceredigion YFC Rural Affairs Committee Chairman Morys Ioan, who asked the panel how they would tackle the problem of bovine TB.

Outlining their respective positions, Elizabeth Evans said that whilst the topic was not covered in the Welsh Liberal Democrats manifesto, she was in strong support of a cull in line with the proposals put forward by Ceredigion Council just a few weeks ago.

The Conservative candidate, Aled Davies,highlighted the party position in favour of a cull but personally would prefer a licensed approach, whereby each farmer applies for a license to deal with wildlife on their farm on a case by case basis.

Gethin James, UKIP, said the party would support a trial cull if the veterinary opinion is in in support of such a move.

Brian Williams, who represented the Green Party, was strongly in favour of further testing and more stringent cattle controls to tackle bTB and was fully opposed to a badger cull.

Plaid Cymru’s Elin Jones, outlined the need for re-evaluation of the situation and that it was paramount that all sources of infection were tackled. She added the party was committed to using the most effective measures to control and eradicate bTB and ensuring that testing and movement restrictions are proportionate to the disease status of an area.

Aled Rees, FUW Ceredigion County Chairman, said: “It is clear that most of the candidates here in Ceredigion and across Wales agree that something has to be done to tackle the crisis of bovine TB.

“Farmers always have and always will look after their livestock and put the animals welfare at the forefront of their business.

“Yet they are forced to watch their cattle suffer or being taken away because of this nasty disease time and time again.

“The current Welsh Government has done nothing to solve the problem, apart from squander money on the BCG vaccine programme, which they then had to abandon.

“It baffles me that, even though we cull approximately 150 cattle a week because of bTB, that the topic is barely raised in some manifestos and not at all in others.

“Party’s make a commitment to their voters with their election manifesto. How can we hold them to account if it is either not mentioned or very vaguely? Yes we have had some assurances verbally here tonight but that is not a strong enough commitment.”

The Union is reminding the election candidates that what is needed to deal with the bTB problem is for the next administration to properly balance the economic needs of farm businesses against the need to minimise disease transmission and ensure that proportionate penalties are only applied where they are appropriate, and that the practicalities of farming in the real world are taken into full account when considering appeals against penalties and sanctions.

In addition the FUW is reminding election candidates that it is important to introduce an exemption from the requirement to pre-movement test for 60 days after a clear test for movements from high risk parishes or regions, and 180 days after a clear test for movements from low risk parishes or regions.

As part of the FUW’s manifesto, the Union further asks of the next government to urge England to bring its rules in relation to animal testing in line with those present in Wales and implement a badger culling policy at the earliest opportunity, in line with official ministerial advice previously received by the current Welsh Government, in order to replicate the positive outcomes seen in countries throughout the world.

[caption id="attachment_6317" align="alignleft" width="300"] (L-R) William Powell (Welsh Liberal Democrats), Christopher Salmon (Crime Commissioner for DPP), FUW Carmarthen County Chairman Brian Richards, Edmund Marriage (UKIP) and Harri Roberts (Plaid Cymru).[/caption]

Carmarthen farmers came together recently to discuss the contentious issue of bovine TB with their prospective Welsh Assembly election candidates.

The meeting, which was held on Tuesday April 19, at the White Hart Inn, Llandeilo, welcomed William Powell (Welsh Liberal Democrats), Harri Roberts (Plaid Cymru), Edmund Marriage (UKIP) and Christopher Salmon (Crime Commissioner for DPP) for the Conservative party.

Each of the delegates were given 10 minutes to outline their party’s position with regards to the rural economy and agriculture’s role within it.

Following the introductions the panel took questions from the audience which was ensued by a lively debate on bovine TB, young farmers and their future in the industry.

FUW Carmarthen County Chairman Brian Richards, who chaired the evening, said: “A main focus for each party was developing and looking after businesses within Wales to ensure that they prospered within and outside Wales.

“Of course, we all want to see a prosperous Welsh rural economy.

“Therefore, we remind the new Welsh Government that in direct contradiction to the views of the FUW and the policies implemented by every other region of the EU, the Welsh Government chose in 2013 to annually reduce farm payments by 15% in order to fund what was described as an ambitious Rural Development Programme (RDP) – a decision which continues to have a severe impact on farm incomes.

“In light of this we once again call on the next administration to ensure that all farmers have access to practical agri-environment schemes which take account of historical farming practices and do not undermine the productivity of farms.

“They must also ensure that large scale targeted schemes, such as those envisaged under the Nature Fund, do not compromise or undermine the principle of allowing access to agri-environment schemes by all farmers throughout Wales.”

Mr Richards added that the next Welsh Government also needs to ensure that as much funding as possible is made available to invest directly in farm improvements and infrastructure which will improve farm returns and supply chain efficiency.