A former chairman of the Farmers' Union of Wales milk and dairy produce committee today expressed disappointment that two leading dairy companies are dropping the price they pay farmers for their milk.

"We are disappointed that milk prices are dropping just as the industry is beginning to get back the confidence it needs to invest in a better future," said Eifion Huws, who runs a dairy farm at Bodedern on Anglesey.

Today Arla announced a drop in the price it will pay to farmers of 1.27ppl - taking effect from Monday (April 28) - which reduces their standard litre price in the UK to 33.74p per litre (ppl).

And Dairy Crest recently announced a 0.435ppl reduction in its May formula contract options - rebased from the April position - that will take the core formula to 32.315ppl and the simplified formula to 32.125ppl. DC’s current standard litre price is 32.56ppl.

Mr Huws said they both expressed support for the industry's voluntary code of practice published in October 2012. One of its main objectives was that dairy farmers would get 30 days notice of any price change.

"But Arla does not accept the 30-day notice objective for some of its suppliers and the fact that they are able to drop the price within four days - while the other companies adhere to the code - shows there may be a strong case for legislation on this issue."

Last May the FUW welcomed a recommendation by the Commons Welsh Affairs Committee stating that the code must be given a chance to work but, if tangible improvements are not forthcoming, the Government must be prepared to legislate.

"We supported the introduction of the code and were willing to give it a chance but it now seems we still need to look at whether some form of legislation could be swiftly introduced if it is not working as intended," Mr Huws added.

"Even in May last year evidence was emerging about processors opting out of the code, in full or in part, and we believed then that the threat of legislation would help push the code forward.

"Admittedly, the code's ability to work for every producer to the same degree is probably limited but we still have concerns that purchasers are cherry-picking elements that they want and leaving producers in a worse position."

According to Welsh Government statistics the number of dairy farms in Wales reduced by nearly 900 from 2,727 in 2006 to 1,845 in 2012.

[caption id="attachment_2851" align="aligncenter" width="300"] former chairman of the Farmers' Union of Wales milk and dairy produce committee Eifion Huws[/caption]

An agricultural student at Pencoed College, near Bridgend, has won the Farmers’ Union of Wales Glamorganshire county branch Walter Rowlands Memorial Award.

David Bugler, who lives with his parents Michael and Margaret, at Merios Farm, Llanharan, Pontyclun, received the award in time to commence his diploma in agriculture which involves learning about the industry in college as well as gaining practical experience at local farms.

He said: “Farming has been always been my passion and I have learnt a lot about the logistics of running a farm from my father and grandfather.

“I particularly enjoy working with the livestock on our farm which consists of beef cattle and breeding ewes and I look forward to going to the livestock markets to keep up-to-date with the weekly price of livestock.

“In the future I would like to take over the family farm with the intention of continuing to run it for future generations. I feel that my course will teach me how to run the farm to its full potential and the award will assist me to purchase reading material for the course.”

The award, in memory of FUW county secretary Walter G Rowlands who died in service in 1986, is made to an agricultural student in the county after careful consideration by the union’s Glamorganshire county executive committee.

FUW Glamorganshire county chairman Richard Walker, who presented the award to David, 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.

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

[caption id="attachment_2848" align="aligncenter" width="300"] MEMORIAL AWARD: Richard Walker and David Bugler.[/caption]

Carmarthenshire farmers expressed their views about the proposed Brechfa windfarms connection project during a well attended meeting organised by the Farmers' Union of Wales county branch at nearby Peniel community school hall.

"A lot of issues were raised and useful advice provided by Philip Meade, of the FUW's Oswestry-based property consultants Davis Meade, and solicitor Rhodri Jones from Agri Advisor of Pumsaint," said the union's Carmarthenshire county executive officer David Waters.

"Among members' concerns were the potential implications of the project on a variety of issues including planning, land rights, land agents' fees costs and guidance to landowners."

The project involves Western Power Distribution (WPD) providing a connection between the proposed Brechfa Forest windfarms and the electricity network, said Mr Waters.

"As the electricity distributor throughout Wales, they have a legal responsibility to connect the new power generation to the electricity network.

"WPD is not involved with the development of the proposed wind farms. Their plan is to provide a network of electricity lines carried on twin wooden poles from the wind turbines and connect to an existing overhead power line running from Llandyfaelog, south of Carmarthen, to a sub-station north of Swansea, thus reducing the length of the new connection."

Proposed routes and summary packs have been sent to potential affected individuals along the proposed routes and consultation events have taken place recently.

[caption id="attachment_2845" align="aligncenter" width="224"] ISSUES RAISED: From left, FUW vice president Brian Walters, Philip Meade and Rhodri Jones.[/caption]

A huge load of silage donated by West Wales farmers has just been delivered to a Somerset farm that suffered severe flooding recently.

The consignment was the first load of bales to be loaded at Carmarthen Market for Somerset and was taken to Batch Farm at Godney, near Wells, on a lorry supplied by hay and straw merchant Lyndon Jones, of Rhos, Llangeler, near Llandysul.

The operation was organised by Carmarthenshire animal portraits artist Miranda Bowen who is helping Farmers' Union of Wales Ceredigion county chairman Aled Rees coordinate deliveries to the West Country from West Wales.

Mr Rees said: "This latest consignment brings the loads that have left Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire so far to a total eight with another one being loaded this morning in Cardigan."

Last Saturday a load of fodder went to a Somerset from the farm of FUW member Maelgwyn Davies of Panteryrod, Llwyncelyn, near Aberaeron, that he and fellow members in the Mydroilyn area donated.

Tomorrow (Thursday April 17) 40 bales of hay silage - donated by FUW member Lyn Thomas, Pantfeillionen, Horeb, Llandysul - are due to be delivered to Paul Lock's farm, Whitegate, at Stembridge, near Taunton, and plans are also being made to send more loads next week to farms in neighbouring Martock and Langport.

"We continue to receive pledges of forage so the whole operation is going well," said Mr Rees. "Hauliers are great too, making it easy to work with the farmers. It just shows what people can do when they pull together."

[caption id="attachment_2841" align="aligncenter" width="300"] SOMERSET BOUND: Consignment of bales being loaded at Carmarthen Market[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2842" align="aligncenter" width="293"] Carmarthenshire animal portraits artist Miranda Bowen[/caption]

Members of the Farmers' Union of Wales Glamorgan county executive committee have met Welsh MEP Jill Evans and Scottish MEP Alyn Smith at county chairman Richard Walker's farm to tell the politicians the impact they expect from the current CAP reform proposals.

The MEPs were keen to discover how the proposals were impacting on Glamorgan FUW members and were told that a lack of information and guidance on important policy issues was affecting their ability to make important business decisions.

This was particularly relevant with regard to the uncertainty over how the calculation of Single Farm Payment entitlements would be made in 2015 and confusion over the greening proposals.

Members were also keen to point out that the Welsh Government’s 15% top slicing of Pillar 1 Payments to fund Rural Development measures would place Welsh farmers at a significant disadvantage compared to their counterparts throughout the whole of Europe.

Members noted that the Scottish Government had agreed to include a minimum stocking level in their definition of an active farmer to be used in connection with the eligibility to claim Single Farm Payment from 2015 onwards.

There was also discussion over the Welsh Government’s sheep EID consultation and members were interested to learn the situation that existed in Scotland and to hear how the regulations had applied there.

County vice chairman Phil Thomas asked where legislation stood with regard to the de-beaking of laying hens as he was keen to learn the latest proposals from the European Commission with regards to this subject.

Both MEPs thanked Mr Walker, of Llancarfan, near Barry, and his mother for their kind hospitality and also the Glamorgan members for being able to spare the time to meet them during a busy period of the year.

[caption id="attachment_2838" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] From left, Alyn Smith, FUW finance and organisation committee member for South Wales Lorraine Howells, former FUW Glamorgan county chairman Glyn Jones, FUW deputy agricultural policy director Rhian Nowell-Phillips, Jill Evans, FUW Glamorgan acting county executive officer Glyn Davies and Richie Walker.[/caption]

Gwent's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Ian Johnston has met farmers and Gwent Police’s Farm Watch coordinator to hear first-hand how an online messaging system he supports has helped reduce farm crime by over 27 per cent in just five months.

Mr Johnston met Farmers' Union of Wales member Howard Vicary and other local farmers on Mr Vicary’s farm in Crumlin - that has been repeatedly targeted by thieves - to find out more about the Online Watch Link (OWL) system helping to combat farm crime.

OWL sends out targeted messages via email, phone or SMS alerts about crimes and problems to members like Mr Vicary who have signed up in communities throughout Gwent.

Between September 2013 and January 2014, Gwent Police Farm Watch coordinator CSO Allan Mills has helped increase Farm Watch membership using OWL from 300 to nearly 800 members.

Intelligence gained from the public via Farm watch has helped Gwent Police catch a series of criminals involved in farm and rural-related crime ranging from firearm crimes, crimes against animals to the theft of farm machinery, fuel and metal. The system enables local policing unit commanders to have a joined up approach regarding suspects across Gwent.

FUW's Gwent county branch has played a pivotal role in this success story, with county administrative assistant Helen Thomas actively involved by registering new members and keeping records on OWL up-to-date.

FUW county executive officer Glyn Davies and county chairman Chris Lewis are proud of the fact that the union has been able to assist in achieving such tremendous results and feel OWL gives farmers and other rural people a system to help police reduce crime further and give a greater sense of security.

Since September 2013, CSO Mills has worked full time as the Gwent Farm Watch coordinator.

He said: “Farmers are a special group as they are a bit isolated and hard to reach, but OWL helps break down those barriers and helps us coordinate policing with them.

“It’s the way I communicate with all farmers quickly and I receive regular intelligence about suspicious activity which I wouldn’t have otherwise. The system has enabled us to have a more coordinated approach to tackling farm crime in rural Gwent and allows us to gather vital information to share with the local policing unit commanders.

"The increase in membership means that we’ve got hundreds of extra pairs of eyes and ears out there in the farming community and the farmers now feel they are getting a better service by having instant access to us.”

Mr Johnston said: “The passion of Allan Mills and the other police officers working to enhance relationships with the farming community can’t be denied and I would like to thank all those people making this work because it’s making a big difference.

"Gwent utilises OWL brilliantly as a whole and we now have over 37,000 members registered across all the watches. It’s a great example of police working with partners and members of the community to achieve common goal - to make Gwent a safer place.”

[caption id="attachment_2834" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, Allan Mills, Howard Vicary and Ian Johnson[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2835" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, Chris Lewis, Helen Thomas and Ian Johnson[/caption]