A group of Welsh dairy farmers are convinced that the Dairy Producer Organisation (DPO) structure should play an integral part in the dairy sector’s future.

The claims come after AHDB Llaeth/Dairy commissioned Promar International to carry out a study into ‘The Feasibility of a Dairy Producer Organisation in Wales’ on behalf of the Welsh DPO working group.

The group started to explore the potential of DPOs in Wales in May 2014 with the facilitative support of Agrisgop, which is part of the Farming Connect programme.

The aim of the study was to gain a better understanding of how a DPO structure could work for the benefit of dairy farmers and processors in Wales.

DPOs are specific entities set up primarily to negotiate prices and terms and conditions of supply with one or more processors. The report considers the potential of different DPO structures, the Welsh dairy industry and the challenges around establishing DPOs.

The working group wants to encourage the industry to ‘step-up’ to the challenge of driving the development of one or more DPOs in Wales.

Working group member Tom Jones (FUW member) said: “As a group we want to see a more resilient, competitive and sustainable dairy industry here in Wales in the future and we strongly feel that DPOs could solve a number of the current issues within our supply chain.

“For example there is currently a disconnection between what processors need, and believe they can market, and the level and pattern of farm production. This study goes a long way in acknowledging that by using new and novel methods of working together, DPOs can play a vital role in improving the efficiency of producer/processor relationships for the benefit of both parties.”
“Another group member Aled Jones (NFU Cymru member) added: “We hope this evaluation will help farmers across Wales to realise the strength that can be achieved by being part of a DPO.

“As an industry we have a choice to make, we can either bury our heads in the sand and wait for the next upturn in the market or we can take this positive step towards rectifying some of the current failures of our supply chain.”

The study emphasises that ‘recognition’, ‘cohesion’, ‘patience’ and ‘confidence’ are all fundamental aspects needed to establish successful DPOs. Good ‘leadership’ and relevant ‘skills’ are also cited as critical aspects of any success.

The report can be found on the AHDB Dairy website: www.dairy.ahdb.org.uk/Wales/DPO

After the debate between Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones and UKIP leader Nigel Farage, organised by the Institute for Welsh Affairs, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has described the prospect of a Brexit as a dangerous step into the unknown .

Speaking shortly after attending the debate, recently appointed FUW Managing Director Alan Davies, said: “The frustrations of others are shared by Welsh farmers in terms of the EU’s many shortcomings, but the FUW’s long established view is that a Brexit would have dire economic consequences for Wales and the UK, with our rural communities hit the worst.”

According to a recent report by Agra-Europe entitled ‘Preparing for Brexit’, Wales benefits financially more than any other region of Britain, receiving an average of around £185 per capita each year.

“In 2001 the foot and mouth disease outbreak meant we were not able to export our main agricultural products to the rest of the EU. Welsh farmers lost around £100 million in today’s terms, and the already low incomes of our hill farmers who make up the majority of our industry fell to an average of £1,700 per annum.

“The impact was basically the same as being outside the EU and having an import quota of zero; so from the point of view of our access to the 500 million or so EU consumers who are on our doorstep we need to know what our likely export quota for Welsh lamb, Welsh cheese or Welsh beef would be after a Brexit? What would the import tariffs for our products be? What would replace the current support in place for agriculture and our rural communities through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)?

“There are so many unanswered questions that any vote in the near future would be a dangerous step in the dark.”

Mr Davies said, Welsh agriculture and rural communities would be severely undermined by many of the policies on agriculture advocated by successive UK Governments, including those aimed at undermining the CAP, and that this underpinned the FUW’s concerns over the future of Wales outside the EU.

“Only last week Secretary of State Liz Truss confirmed there is currently no ‘plan B’ for agriculture should the electorate decide we should leave the EU, yet an in-out referendum may be just months away.”

Last month the FUW’s Welsh Assembly election manifesto called for a detailed financial analysis of the likely impact of a Brexit on Wales and its rural communities, and Mr Davies said such work must be prioritised so people know exactly what they are voting for.

“Unless we see some contingency planning, outlining the possibilities, some people will be voting for a dangerous step into the unknown, which we believe will be catastrophic for Wales and the UK.

“The FUW has been a strong voice for farmers in Wales in relation to Europe and has been at the forefront of the debate since the very beginning. We will continue our fight for Welsh farmers at all levels.”

The Meirionnydd Branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has arranged a special meeting to introduce the changes to the sheep identification rules form January 1 and the new electronic sheep reporting system for Wales known as ‘EID Cymru’ which will be effective from January 18.

It has been arranged at the Rugby Club, Dolgellau on Monday, January 18 at 7.30pm. The main presentation will be by John Richards of Hybu Cig Cymru, who has been seconded by HCC to set up the new system.

Also present will be Janet Phillips, Farm Liaison Officer from the Sustainability and Development Division of the Welsh Government, and John Hughes from Gwynedd Trading Standards department.

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “This meeting provides an excellent opportunity for farmers to raise any questions they may have ahead of the launch and I urge them not to miss out.

“With all sheep movements due to be recorded on the Welsh Government’s EIDCymru database from this year onwards, the prospect of such a change raises significant concerns within the industry, and many remain confused as to what they will be expected to do, particularly if accessing the online system is not an option due, for example, to a lack of broadband in many areas.

“Any farmers wishing to use EIDCymru to report or confirm their sheep movements will be provided with the information needed to use the system, during the meeting.” 

Following the presentations, there will be an opportunity for questions or comments on the new arrangements.

These are very important changes which apply to all sheep farmers. A large number of FUW members are expected to attend, and more details are available from the Union’s Dolgellau office  01341 422298 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

[caption id="attachment_5999" align="aligncenter" width="300"] FUW Glamorganshire county executive officer Rachel Saunders, FUW president Glyn Roberts, Tomos Churchill and FUW Glamorganshire county chairman Richard Walker[/caption]

This year’s winner of the Farmers’ Union of Wales Glamorganshire county branch’s Walter Rowlands memorial award is 18-year-old Tomos Churchill of Graig Ddu Farm, Dinas who is currently studying Level 2 Agricultural Studies at Pencoed College near Bridgend.

Tomos Churchill, who has learning disabilities and cerebral palsy with limited use of his right arm, has already successfully completed Level 1 Agricultural Studies and intends to complete the entire 3 year course on a full time basis.

In his spare time he works on the 180 acre family farm consisting of 30 Texel sheep and over 400 Welsh Mountain sheep.

“I am very pleased to win the award and it has given me the confidence to continue with my studies,” said Tomos Churchill.

The award contributes £200 towards his studies and through college, he is hoping to secure a placement for two days a week on a local dairy farm, in order to learn more about keeping and managing cattle and he is interested in joining his local Young Farmers Club.

In the future, he is looking to take over the family farm and expand the livestock to include a suckler cattle herd to run alongside the established flock.

FUW Glamorganshire county chairman Richard Walker, who presented the award to Tomos Churchill, said: “It is very encouraging to see such enthusiasm from the younger generation towards the agricultural industry and the FUW are keen to continue supporting promising young farmers through this award.

“Tomos is more than deserving of this award and both he and his family should be very proud of his achievements. We wish him all the best with his future studies and management of the farm.”

The award, in memory of FUW county secretary Walter G. Rowlands, who died in service in 1986, is made to an agricultural student in Glamorganshire after careful consideration by the union’s county executive committee. The fund was set up and funded by the Walter Rowlands family to continue his memory.

Many of the longstanding Glamorgan members credit Mr Rowlands with setting up the Glamorgan branch of the FUW.

[caption id="attachment_5996" align="aligncenter" width="506"] Tegwen visits Tycroes County Primary School[/caption]

The FUW dairy cow Tegwen – Welsh for “fair” and “white” – painted in the colours of the Welsh flag and known to highlight the FUW campaign to achieve a fair farmgate price for milk, has been to visit school children in Carmarthenshire to bring a bit of the countryside to the classroom.

Visiting the reception class at Tycroes County Primary School, Tycroes, Ammanford, ‘Tegwen’ this time round helped to showcase where dairy products come from.

Tycroes County Primary School teacher Valerie Davies was eager to follow a visit to Folly Farm up with an interactive lesson on dairy cows and their products and the FUW was delighted to accept the invitation.

FUW’s marketing and membership manager Caryl Roberts facilitated an interactive lesson, with educational material sourced from education resource website ‘Countryside Classroom’ and FACE Cymru (Farming and Countryside Education), to the reception class about milk and dairy farming as well as bringing Tegwen to help and brought samples of local cheddar and three types of milk to taste.

[caption id="attachment_5994" align="aligncenter" width="237"] FUW marketing and membership manager Caryl Roberts brought samples of local cheddar for the children at Tycroes County Primary School[/caption]

Caryl Roberts said: “It’s essential for children to learn very early on about where their food comes from.

“Not only does it broaden their understanding of the origin of food and drink but also gives them an insight into their rural community.

“Resources from Countryside Classroom and FACE Cymru made it easy for me to prepare a suitable lesson for the children. It also helps to take samples of locally produced cheddar as a reward for listening so intently.”

The FUW has a long standing commitment to helping children learn about food, farming and the natural environment and is keen to further help in bringing the countryside into the classroom of schools across Wales.

Free educational materials can be found on the Countryside Classroom website http://countrysideclassroom.org.uk/ and bilingual material is available from the FACE Cymru website http://www.face-cymru.org.uk/.

The materials are categorised by key stage or age with a variety of different formats such as games, activities, quiz’s and presentations.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding and encouraging members to make use of funding offered by Farming Connect (FC) as part of their Lifelong Learning and Development Programme.

The aim of the programme is to deliver a more professional farming and forestry industry, which will be delivered through a combination of direct training and on line e-learning.

Categories for training are split into three areas - transformational, consisting of business and leadership and management courses; technical, consisting of key technical training courses and machinery and equipment use.

The union’s land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams said: “I would encourage all eligible members to participate in the Lifelong Learning and Development Programme offered by Farming Connect.

“There is a strong call for the farming industry to be more professional and through these training courses we can help ourselves to become more efficient, perceptive and resilient.”

Those interested in applying for funding need to be registered with FC and complete the online personal development plan before they can submit a funding application for completing a short course.

Eligible candidates can submit an application for funding, which could cover up to 80 percent of the cost, between January 4 to January 29, April 1 to April 29 and June 1 to June 30 in 2016.

Those applying for funding for a machinery and equipment use course need to complete the online Health and Safety (H&S) course before submitting an application.

Applicants are further advised to speak to their local approved training provider about course dates and obtain course costs and will be notified if funding has been approved or not.

Eligible clients are advised that they must receive funding approval in writing before commencing training, must pay the training provider the minimum 20 percent contribution and complete training within 9 months once funding has been approved.