FULL HOUSE AT FUW FLINTSHIRE AGM

A full house at the Farmers' Union of Wales Flintshire county branch annual general meeting at Rhosesmor Village Hall provided the guest speakers with plenty of challenging and thought-provoking questions.

Christianne Glossop and David Jones gave interesting insights into their current roles as chief veterinary officer for Wales and principal of Deeside College (which includes Coleg Llysfasi and Northop College) respectively.

"With a common theme of Welsh agriculture running through the presentations, it was a reminder of the different challenges currently facing the industry," said FUW county executive officer Rhys Roberts.

"From the ongoing battle with bTB and the newer challenge of diseases such as the Schmallenberg Virus, through to the ever-increasing problem of attracting new entrants into farming in Wales and beyond, Dr Glossop and Mr Jones provided positive evidence on how their respective sectors were tackling these issues, whilst also remaining receptive to members' concerns on what are emotive and sometimes frustrating subjects."

The evening was chaired by county chairman Clwyd Spencer who, in his annual report to members, highlighted some of the issues that have made this year a particularly difficult one for farming in Wales, with a combination of poor weather and increasing costs coupled to the recent battle to gain some semblance of fairness for the dairy sector.

An interesting and informative evening was capped with light refreshments provided by the FUW Flintshire ladies committee when those present had an opportunity to chat with the speakers face to face.

FUW HIGHLIGHTS FARM PROJECTS IN BRUSSELS

[caption id="attachment_4083" align="aligncenter" width="500"]From left, FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts, Derek Vaughan, Emyr Jones and John Bufton. From left, FUW deputy president Glyn Roberts, Derek Vaughan, Emyr Jones and John Bufton.[/caption]

Welsh MEPs Derek Vaughan (Labour) and John Bufton (UKIP) were among several people who visited the Farmers' Union of Wales display at a Rural Wales Exhibition in the European Parliament building in Brussels this week.

Hosted by Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans, the aim of the exhibition is to show how Wales uses its EU Rural Development Funding to develop a sustainable economy in rural Wales.

The FUW display featured two Farming Connect demonstration farms run by union members Dilwyn Jenkins, of Cerrigcaranau, Talybont, near Aberystwyth, and Tudur Jones of Ty'n Rhos, Pentrefoelas, Gwynedd.

The FUW is closely linked to organisations such as Farming Connect - a Rural Development funded programme which helps farmers and their families run their business more efficiently through the provision of subsidised training, guidance and advice.

FUW president Emyr Jones, who attended the exhibition's opening ceremony on Monday (October 8), said: "It was a golden opportunity for us to put Wales on the map and highlight how well RDP money is being spent."

Other Rural Development funded projects from Wales in the exhibition are "Community Foodie", a cooperation between the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend and Torfaen Councils; Carmarthenshire Council's "Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd"; Ceredigion Council's "Cynnal y Cardi" and Cadwyn Clwyd's "Denbighshire Green Tourism".

FUW SETS UP NEW 'YOUNGER VOICE FOR FARMING' COMMITTEE

[caption id="attachment_4080" align="aligncenter" width="500"]YOUNGER VOICES: Gwion Owen, left, and Darren Williams YOUNGER VOICES: Gwion Owen, left, and Darren Williams[/caption]

The Farmers' Union of Wales is giving young farmers a stronger voice within the organisation after setting up a "Younger Voice for Farming" committee.

One of the union's main priorities has always been to ensure there is an avenue for younger members to feed into its discussions on issues of importance such as CAP reform.

"It is important to include the views of younger members and new entrants to the industry in our work and by establishing this new standing committee we are able to provide another platform for their opinions and views," said FUW president Emyr Jones.

"The union has always striven to represent the views of all its members and include them in the policy-making process. We are now taking on a more modern approach and hope the new committee will be a modern forum for young members and those new to the industry," added Mr Jones.

The committee's first chairman is 39-year-old Breconshire farmer Darren Williams, 39, of Talwen Fawr farm, Garthbrengy, who runs 80 cattle with 30 sucklers and finishers, 500 sheep and 25 acres of arable on the 250-acre tenant farm.

He said: "I am honoured to have been elected as chairman of this committee and will work hard to ensure that the views of the younger farmers are reflected within the work of the union."

Gwion Owen, 34, a Denbighshire sheep farmer, was elected vice chairman. He farms 2,300 ewes at Hendre Arddwyfan farm, Ty Nant, Corwen, on the 560-acre family farm, of which 110 are rented.

He said: "Through this committee we hope to get to bottom of things as regards to the opportunities available to young people to get into the industry and to succeed in achieving a fair wage for young people that mirrors those of other industries."

FUW SHOWCASES RDP PROJECTS IN BRUSSELS

Two Farming Connect demonstration farms run by Farmers' Union of Wales members will showcase how Wales uses its EU Rural Development funding during an exhibition next week at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The exhibition, which runs from October 8-12, aims to show how Wales uses its RDP funding to develop a sustainable economy in rural Wales.

Dilwyn Jenkins, of Cerrigcaranau, Talybont, near Aberystwyth, runs a 510-acre mixed stock farm where he hosts open days with a focus on a Welsh Black suckler herd, home-grown forages and pre-tupping management of the ewe flock.

The farm is run and managed with family labour, with a mixture of enterprises under organic management. The 510 acres are managed in three blocks, with 110 Holstein Friesian cows milked, 30 pedigree Welsh Black cows, 230 breeding ewes, 80 acres of barley, five acres of fodder beet and two acres of swedes.

The Holstein Friesian cows are currently in an all-year-round calving pattern but are aiming for autumn calving. All replacements are homebred and all calves from the dairy herd are kept as replacements or beef.

Tudur Jones - who farms Ty'n Rhos, a 250-acre upland dairy farm at Pentrefoelas, Gwynedd - believes dairy farmers should focus on what their cows want and gear their systems accordingly. Tudur and family are keen to combine this approach with attention to detail in nutrition and fertility to provide a route to greater profitability.

The family runs 75 dairy cows plus followers and are all year round calving. In addition to the dairy cows they also farm 350 breeding ewes - 250 Welsh Mountain and 100 cross bred ewes which lamb from mid-March. The farm has also diversified and the family run a caravan site on the holding.

Tudur was keen to learn more about the behaviour of his cows and was interested in "cow signals" training. To this end a series of meetings were held with a local veterinarian focusing on the cows' demands on barn, feed and care.

Through its work the FUW is closely linked to organisations such as Farming Connect, a Rural Development funded programme which helps farmers and their families run their business more efficiently through the provision of subsidised training, guidance and advice.

FUW president Emyr Jones, who will be attending the exhibition's opening ceremony on Monday October 8, said: "This is such an exciting opportunity for us to put Wales on the map and highlight some of the excellent work being carried out throughout the country and show how well some of the RDP money is being spent.

"Farming members of the FUW have benefited from Rural Development funded programmes and one of the initiatives run by Farming Connect is a network of demonstration farms across Wales.

"Each demonstration farm provides the opportunity for local farmers to share ideas and gain knowledge and expertise through attending open days and discussion group meetings and we are excited to showcase two excellent examples at the EU Parliament," added Mr Jones.

Other Rural Development funded projects from Wales in the exhibition are "Community Foodie", a cooperation between the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend and Torfaen Councils, Carmarthenshire Council's "Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd", Ceredigion Council's "Cynnal y Cardi", and Cadwyn Clwyd's "Denbighshire Green Tourism".

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans, who supports the exhibition, said: "Around two-thirds of Wales is rural which is why EU Rural Development funds are so vitally important for supporting our countryside and rural communities.

"These projects are excellent examples of what can be done to create jobs and develop a sustainable environment."

FUW WELCOMES CHANGES TO SUBSIDISED FARMING CONNECT SERVICES

An increase in the number of days farmers can make use of subsidised Farming Connect business and technical support services was welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales today.

Gavin Williams, recently re-elected chairman of the union’s land use and parliamentary committee, said: “Eligible farmers registered with Farming Connect can now take advantage of up to eight days of business and technical support, which is to be welcomed.”

The change will take effect for all applications received after October 1 2012.

“Previously farmers could apply for only five days of support for all categories of the Whole Farm Plan, plus an additional three days for support connected with diversification only, so the increase in the number of days available is great news,” added Mr Williams, who runs a flock of 200 Lleyn sheep  on his Anglesey farm.

The Farming Connect programme, which was first launched in 2001, has helped farmers and their families to run their business more efficiently. It is financed as part of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales 2007-2013 through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Assembly Government.

“We would  encourage all farmers to consider utilising the extended number of days available. The upcoming CAP reform means there is a lot of uncertainty out there so maximising the opportunities available under Farming Connect, such as the one-to-one business and technical support, should be considered,” said Mr Williams.

WELSH WOOL USED IN SYMBOLIC FUW EISTEDDFOD CROWN

[caption id="attachment_4063" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Mari Eluned's crown on the banks of the River Dyfi Mari Eluned's crown on the banks of the River Dyfi[/caption]

Blue-coloured Welsh wool has been used to depict the flow of the river Dyfi in the Crown to be awarded at Powys Eisteddfod at Tabernacle Arts Centre, Machynlleth, on October 26 and 27.

Farmers' Union of Wales Meirionnydd and Montgomery county branches commissioned Welsh jewellery designer Mari Eluned to make the Crown which was formally handed over to eisteddfod chairman John Price at a special meeting of the eisteddfod executive committee.

"The inspiration for it comes from the Dyfi valley area and its history and design is based on Owain Glyndwr’s Crown with modifications to convey the river Dyfi," said Mari, who grew up on a remote Snowdonia farm and lives at Mallwyd, near Machynlleth.

She described her creation as similar to the gold and silver Crown crafted for Owain Glyndwr's coronation as Prince of Wales on June 21 1404.

"Slate from nearby Aberllefenni quarry was used to keep the local tone of the Crown, combined with the silver metal content," she said.

"The edge of the Crown was hammered to convey the riverside and blue Welsh wool was naturally wound through it to provide an indication of the river flow.

"In addition to the wool, the image of sheep and lambs etched into the silver reflects the importance of agriculture in the Dyfi valley and the surrounding area and is a suitable link to the FUW branches sponsoring the Crown."

FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones said the union was very pleased to be associated with the eisteddfod and is a privileged to present one of the main awards.

"Mari has established a successful business creating unique Welsh slate jewellery and contemporary pieces using natural materials.

"Her creative flair is extremely popular and she sells her creations all over Britain and overseas.

"She uses natural materials combined with precious metal which she transforms into delicate, tactile jewellery inspired by nature, agriculture and her Welsh roots.

"She takes pride in the quality of the workmanship and the uniqueness of her designs and creates each piece by hand.

"She had a natural creative talent from an early age which developed throughout her time at school and college and has ultimately become her career."

After graduating from Loughborough University in 2006, with a first class BA Honours degree in jewellery and silversmithing, Mari set up her own workshop at her home in Mallwyd and in 2009 she won the Gwynedd Taste & Talent "Young Craft Worker/Artist of the Year" award.

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