How a small scale wind turbine provides valuable extra income for a farm on the southern slopes of Cader Idris in Meirionnydd while also making it self-sufficient for its electricity requirements has been illustrated to members and officials of the Farmers' Union of Wales county branch.

The group paid a visit to the farm - at Rhiwogof, Talyllyn, near Tywyn - of 35-year-old Dilwyn Pughe who runs it in partnership with his parents John and Meirwen Pughe. Dilwyn is married to Eleri and they have two children, eight-year-old Enlli and five-months-old Elgan.

Dilwyn is the fourth generation to take over the family farm which extends to around 1,000 acres of mainly hill and mountain land overlooking Talyllyn lake, with an extra 75 acres of lower land at Pennal, near Machynlleth.

Stocking includes 17 suckler cows, some of which are pedigree Simmental, and 500 Welsh Mountain ewes together with 140 yearlings.

Having lived previously at nearby Talyllyn with his parents, Dilwyn moved to Rhiwogof when he was 18 to farm with his grandparents and his great uncle Evan Nutting.

He spent a year at Glynllifon Agricultural College and took a keen interest in breeding quality stock and developing the farm enterprise.

"It was after attending a Farming Connect meeting that I was inspired to look for alternative means of income from the farm and I found the idea of a small wind turbine the ideal solution," he said.

He contacted Paul Burrell of Anemos Renewables who provided professional assistance and expertise in managing the entire planning process.

"The MCS-accredited Evance R9000 wind turbine has now been running for over six months and produces an average of 9-10,000 kw a year for the family," Dilwyn said.

"With an initial capital outlay of approximately £32,000, the turbine produces all the energy requirements of the farm itself and an income of over £3,000 per annum."

The wind turbine is located close to the farm buildings and Mr Burrell and Dilwyn gave those attending the farm visit further details of the project and answered a variety of questions.

The visitors were also shown other aspects of the farm enterprise which joined the Tir Cymen scheme when Meirionnydd was chosen as a pilot area in 1992.

At the end of the 10-year Tir Cymen agreement, the farm entered Tir Gofal for a further 10 years and is currently in the Tir Gofal transition until the end of the year.

An application has been completed for the Glastir Scheme to take effect from 2014 and the farm will also hopefully gain entry to the Glastir advanced scheme, also from that date.

Dilwyn has also taken advantage of the Young Entrants Support Scheme (Yess) and re-roofed a listed building on the farm grant aid "Rhaglen Tir Eryri" which was run some years ago by the Snowdonia National Park Authority. Another farm building has been re-roofed using capital grant aid under the Tir Gofal Scheme.

FUW president Emyr Jones said: "This farm visit gave me an ideal opportunity to warmly congratulate an enterprising young farmer such as Dilwyn and his family on their imaginative achievements."

[caption id="attachment_2470" align="aligncenter" width="274"] From left, Emyr Jones, Paul Burrell and Dilwyn Pughe at the hilltop location of the wind turbine[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2471" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Dilwyn checking the turbine's meter readings[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2472" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Pughe family with Emyr Jones. From left - Eleri, Dilwyn with baby Elgan, John and Meirwen[/caption]

Concerns over the impact of CAP reform, bovine TB and renewable energy on Welsh farms were highlighted by Farmers' Union of Wales officials and staff during a visit to family-run farming businesses by Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb.

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

Seven hundred acres are permanent pasture, 100 acres are used for short term grass leys, 150 acres for arable spring barley, oats and winter wheat and 100 acres for forage crops stubble turnips, rape and swedes.

Across the two businesses the family farms 80 suckler cows, 350-400 store cattle - which are housed between November and May - 2,500 outdoor lambing ewes and keep 2,000-3,000 store lambs.

The family has diversified into renewable energy with 104 kw solar installation and also offer self-catering cottages.

Trefach Farm is currently under TB restrictions and is located within the Intensive Action Area. This has caused problems for the business as before the first TB short interval test, over 60 days after the breakdown occurred, the family was not allowed to buy in any store cattle for finishing.

The regular purchase of store cattle is essential to the business to ensure a constant supply of fat cattle into the food chain all year round.

“We are glad that we had the opportunity to discuss various farming issues, affecting all sectors, with Mr Crabb here at the farm,” said newly-elected FUW Pembrokeshire county chairman Hywel Vaughan.

“It is always good to show those, who don’t regularly come into close contact with the issues the farming industry faces, what happens on the ground.

“We emphasised the importance of ensuring the best financial deal possible for farmers in Wales during the CAP reform discussions and the need for a long transition period to allow businesses to adjust to any decreases in payments to their businesses.

“This is particularly important to farm businesses in Pembrokeshire as many farmers currently have high value entitlements due to the highly productive nature of farms in the area and would therefore see a significant drop in the amount of payment received after the reforms,” added Mr Vaughan.

Wyn Jones said: “It was a pleasure to have Mr Crabb as a visitor to our farm. The day was warm and sunny and it proved an ideal time to share views informally.

“It also gave us as individuals the insight as to how the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly regard agriculture in Wales. Being a family farm and employing local people it was important to hear his views as to the ongoing discussions on the CAP reforms.

“Traceability of produce was discussed and the MP was given a tour of the farm and shown grazing livestock destined for various outlets that would eventually be enjoyed by people in Wales and beyond but nevertheless be completely traceable - a very important reassurance given recent events,” added Mr Jones.

Mr Crabb said: “Agriculture is vitally important to Pembrokeshire's rural economy and it is important for me as the local MP to keep in close touch with local farmers.

“I was very interested to learn about the way that Pantyderi is farmed.  I particularly enjoyed the farm tour to view the livestock, land and buildings and to hear from Wyn Jones about each part of the farm’s operation.

“I value the meetings organised by the FUW as they give me the opportunity to discuss government policy with farmers and get feedback on the challenges that they face at this time,” added Mr Crabb.

[caption id="attachment_2465" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Facing the future together Wyn Jones (left) and his son Eurig[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2466" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, Eurig, Glenda and Wyn Jones, Stephen Crabb MP and FUW finance and organisation committee south Wales member Brian Thomas[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2467" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Farmer Wyn Jones (standing) discussing agricultural issues with FUW finance and organisation committee south Wales member Brian Thomas (centre) and Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb[/caption]

Following in the footsteps of Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie after she visited war-ravaged refugees in a camp near Turkey's border with Syria is just one of a string of memorable recent experiences for Meirionnydd farmer's son Will Ellis.

Will, the 25-year-old son of Farmers' Union of Wales members Hefin and Sue Ellis, of Hafod Olau, Islaw'r Dref, near Dolgellau, was working in Turkey in his globetrotting role as an international product technical specialist with CNH, a world leader in the agricultural and construction equipment businesses.

On a rare visit home to the family farm, he recalled the work he did in Turkey recently was incredibly interesting. "I was based near the border with Syria, where there was a large refugee camp, and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie had been there only the previous week," he added.

Although based at the CNH UK Ltd headquarters in Basildon, Essex, Will travels the world visiting dealerships, companies and individual farmers giving advice and supervision and carrying out repairs on tractors.

This year, apart from Turkey, he has already visited Italy, Japan, Sierra Leone, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Ivory Coast and France and during 2012 he visited Ethiopia, Austria, Jordan, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Mauritius, South Korea, Japan, Egypt and France.

After attending Ysgol y Gader, Dolgellau, Will studied at Reaseheath College in Nantwich. Periods working for tractor and agricultural machinery dealerships followed before he spent 18 months working for a John Deere dealership in Australia.

On his return from "Down Under" in 2008 he worked for four years with a Case dealership in Shrewsbury and saw a job advertised in the Farmers Weekly for CNH at Basildon. "I got that job - with a healthy sprinkling of luck!" he said.

Following a year as a technician, he was promoted to his current role with the company that employs 33,800 people worldwide and has a network of approximately 11,500 dealers in approximately 170 countries. Its 37 manufacturing facilities are located throughout Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia.

During his flying visit home earlier this month, Will met FUW president Emyr Jones, Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones and county chairman Owain Thomas. 

Afterwards, Huw Jones said: "Will has undoubtedly got ambition and drive and is an incredibly able individual to carry out such a skilful task.

"He is often asked to take flights out to these countries on very short notice and to provide specialist advice and electronic diagnostic training to people with a very primitive way of life.  In addition, he has to work with people with a very limited knowledge of English and work through an interpreter.

"He is very often faced with incredibly long journeys to reach farmers and dealerships and will have to make important decisions on his own account without the normal back-up and mobile phone signal which he would get in the UK.

"Undoubtedly, his experience in the Australian Outback has been of great benefit to him. He has specialist knowledge of Case Maxxum and Puma tractors and also the New Holland T6 and T7.

"The experience he gains through this work will be of immense benefit for him in future and he values greatly the experience of meeting different people in difficult and sometimes hostile environments."

Emyr Jones said: "It was a great privilege to meet Will and to discuss his achievements. He emphasised how much he looks forward to coming home to see his family.

"He certainly needs to be warmly congratulated on his outstanding achievement, his incredible career progression and we wish him well for the future."

[caption id="attachment_2460" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Will passing on his advice in rural Cambodia[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2461" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Will poses for a picture with farmers in Ethiopia[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2462" align="aligncenter" width="300"] RARE HOME VISIT: Emyr Jones (furthest right) greets Will Ellis on a rare visit home earlier this month with Huw Jones (furthest left) and Owain Thomas.[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales Anglesey county branch annual general meeting on June 27 at Tafarn-Y-Rhos, Rhostrehwfa, (starting at 7.30pm) will pose the question to farmers "Are You Breaking The Rules?"

Guest speakers, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency veterinary officer Robert Davies and Welsh Assembly Government farm liaison officer Janet Phillips, will give short presentations on rules and regulations involving animal movements and restrictions together with penalties likely to be applied whilst having on-farm inspections.

FUW county executive officer Heidi Williams said: “We are very grateful to our guest speakers for making the time to address our Anglesey members and very much hope that those present take note in order to avoid future unnecessary penalties.”

Anglesey's Welly Walkers were blessed with gorgeous weather on an educational outing to the beautiful island of Llanddwyn during the Whitsun holiday organised by the county's Farmers' Union of Wales office.

A crowd of 90 adults and children gathered in the main car park before dividing into two groups with one group aiming for the island through the forest and the others via the beach.

Whilst ambling, the children were taught about their environment and their surroundings before heading back for a picnic spread. ASDA Llangefni had kindly donated the majority of the food towards the picnic and ASDA community co-ordinator Val Higgott joined the walkers.

Menter Iaith also took part and promoted the Welsh language to those present by helping to identify objects through the medium of welsh.

FUW Anglesey county executive officer Heidi Williams said: “The weather and the location was perfect for this event. We all walked for miles and I'm grateful to the parents and grandparents that took part in encouraging their children and grandchildren to explore the outdoors and discover our countryside.”

This was the second Welly Walk recently organised with the first at the Dingle Nature Reserve in Llangefni. Names have already been put forward for the next which the FUW hopes will be held in conjunction with the National Trust early in the Autumn.

Anyone interested in joining that walk should contact Heidi at FUW 01248 750250.

[caption id="attachment_2429" align="aligncenter" width="640"] WHITSUN WELLY WALK[/caption]

Supporting future farmers and EU membership were among the important topics that generated lively discussion among Carmarthenshire farmers and a panel of speakers during the Farmers' Union of Wales Carmarthenshire county branch annual general meeting on Monday June 3.

The panel consisted of Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards, FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts, Agri Advisor Solicitors director Dr Nerys Llewellyn Jones and Carmarthenshire YFC rural affairs chairman Iestyn Davies.

Among the questions were:

• Does the CAP payment assist or hinder farming or is an area payment better than production payment?

Responding to the questions after the meeting, FUW Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett said: "It was generally believed that a hybrid of the two payments would be best.

 "The main objective should be the production of food rather than fields being left idle. It was also stated that, at present, farmers cannot survive without the £350 million payment received from Europe and Mr Edwards revealed Plaid Cymru had calculated 48% of farmers who would gain under the new CAP payment.

"It was unanimously believed that old fashioned food security and production was vital."

•  Should there be a formal body overseeing or assisting the establishment of share farming?

Mrs Bartlett commented: "It was felt that people were fearful of share farming and there was a suggestion that the Welsh Government should have a webpage available providing guidance, such as sharefarming.com.

"The panel was unanimous in their belief that such a scheme or body would be an advantage to the industry, both in assisting young farmers to enter farming and tax efficient for the other party."

• Given the extreme weather conditions experienced during the last few months, is there sufficient done to assist farming communities?

 "Mr Edwards said he was very disappointed with the Assembly Minister's response, who had stated that it would be unfair to provide further support to the agricultural industry," said Mrs Bartlett. "Other industries benefited by receiving ‘bank rate support’.

"It was unanimously agreed that climate change is here to stay and is out of farmers' control. Politicians need to be educated on the problems farmers face. The intention to give financial aid to rural charities was also welcomed."

Further debate took place on the Tir Mynydd payment with members voicing their strong belief that it should be reintroduced, especially due to this year’s hardship.

Mr Roberts provided an explanation on how, under CAP reform, they were redefining areas in Wales. He felt more optimistic that it could be introduced in some format at a later stage.

Members voiced strong concern in the belief that money from Europe was being wasted, with far too much directed to Farming Connect.

• Is media coverage slanted too much towards conservation as opposed to food production?

 Mrs Bartlett said: "It was unanimously agreed that too much emphasis is given to conservation, especially with TV programmes such as Springwatch.

"It was noted that 63 million people watch Countryfile which assists in creating awareness to people outside the industry. Adam Henson’s section on the programme, along with Ffermio and Cefn Gwlad were congratulated on their contribution.

"Many believed it is the responsibility of the agriculture sector to provide as much information as possible to the media sector. The best media coverage is to be found in cookery programmes which reflect the high standard of food produced in the county.

•  As the Prime Minister has suggested holding a referendum on whether to withdraw from Europe, which way would the panel vote and why?

Commenting on Wales’s place in Europe, Mr Edwards said:

“The interests of Welsh farmers, and indeed Welsh national interests, are served by remaining a part of the EU.  Wales is a net beneficiary of European money.

"We contribute €244m per annum but receive €746m each year. Welsh farms alone receive £350m in payments under the CAP - losing this would shut 80% of Welsh farms overnight.

“The argument of those seeking to leave Europe is that a British state scheme would replace current arrangements for agriculture and regional policy. But, as the people of Wales know, the UK is the most unequal wealth state in the whole of the EU and a London government - of any political hue - is incapable of delivering a fair share to Wales.

“Any rural development scheme operated from London will inevitably be focused on the large landowners in the English shires rather than the traditional Welsh family farm.

“What was crystal clear from the meeting is that Carmarthenshire farmers recognise the significant importance of Wales being in Europe.

"Carmarthenshire farmers appreciate the benefits the EU brings to the industry and that the importance of these benefits far outweighs the political games being played by the London parties.”

Mrs Bartlett added: "Panel members were united in their views that it was in Wales’s national interest that we remain in Europe as a huge amount of financial gain comes to Wales.

"Much debate also took place on whether the current average age of farmers is a matter of concern and whether a 41-year-old farmer deserves as much assistance as a 39-year-old, also whether young new entrants are more important than new entrants.

"Many believed that a clear definition for 'active farmer' was required. It was believed in many cases sons/daughter are brought into the partnership in name only, the older generation actually being the farmer."

[caption id="attachment_2423" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] From left, Iestyn Davies, Nerys Llewellyn Jones, FUW Carmarthenshire county chairman Catherine Nakielny, Glyn Roberts and Jonathan Edwards[/caption]