Farmers from Montgomeryshire have raised concerns about the future of the industry in light of the proposals made in the Welsh Government's ‘Brexit and our Land’ consultation with First Minister Carwyn Jones.

Hosting the meeting at their farm Llwyn y Brain, Adfa, Newtown, were FUW members John and Sarah Yeomans. The Yeomans family run a herd of 73 cows consisting of pedigree Limousin, Limousin x, Belgian Blue x, and 15 homebred replacement heifers (closed herd). They further keep 495 ewes which are mainly Beulah and 160 Beulah ewe lambs and the flock has been closed since 1981. The couple sell Beulah draft ewes and some yearlings, as well as Welsh Mule ewe lambs for breeding and sell finished lambs on a deadweight basis.

The 232 acres of owned farmland sit between 750 feet to 1420 above sea level, with 100 acres (34.8ha) of lower land and 132 acres (53.4ha) of largely improved hill land.  A further 53 acres of additional land is rented.

Speaking at the meeting, John Yeomans said: “Farmers across Wales will naturally be concerned about some of the proposals within the current consultation and the uncertainty created by this, coupled with the uncertainty of future trade deals, it makes it all very difficult for anyone to forward plan. I would urge the Welsh Government to slow down and ensure that they have done the right impact assessments and modelling for the whole of Wales before bringing any new schemes to life.”

By Angharad Evans, Welsh Editor, Y Tir

Who remembers the popular television series that was broadcasted on S4C in the mid 90’s, ‘Y Palmant Aur’?  I have to admit that at the time, I only took an interest in the series as it was filmed in my local area and Sunday nights turned into guessing games of where the local scenes were filmed. So thanks to teenage innocence, I did not realise the true meaning or the historical element of the story.

‘Y Palmant Aur’ was a period drama set in London and West Wales in the 1920's, which followed the trials and tribulations of the Jenkins family and was based upon a book of the same title.

In what they describe as a ‘landmark agricultural bill’, DEFRA sets out a legal framework to phase out direct support for farming over a seven year period to 2027 while introducing a system of paying landowners for “public goods”.

Farmers' Union of Wales stalwart Meurig Voyle - who was appointed County Executive Officer for Denbigh during 1966, and  subsequently, during 1968, was given responsibility for the county of Flint -  has sadly passed away.

Responding to the news FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The farming world has today lost one of its biggest advocates and the FUW has lost a friend, a member of our farming family. He told me once that he married twice once his wife and then the FUW - he was a character like no other. Meurig will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Meurig Voyle was educated at Llanddarog Primary School and Queen Elizabeth Grammar School where he was awarded rugby school colours.

The Gwent branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales is looking forward to a busy day at Usk Agricultural Show on Saturday September 8.

Glyn Davies, FUW Gwent CEO, said: “We are really looking forward to the show and hope to see many of you there for plenty of #FarmingMatters and #FairFarmFunding chats.

“The Welsh Government Consultation, “Brexit and our land” will form the focal point of discussions and I urge anyone with an interest in the survival of our rural economy to speak to us about their concerns and join our campaign to get proposals to phase out direct payments rejected - all you have to do is fill out a postcard which we will then send to the Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths.”

In addition, joining the FUW on the day are Dr Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Gwent Police & Crime Commissioner, Jeff Cuthbert, as well as local AM Nick Ramsay and MP David Davies.

“Everyone is invited to call at our stand, which is opposite the main ring - you’re guaranteed a warm welcome and of course a cuppa,” added Glyn Davies.

The Carmarthen branch of Farmers’ Union of Wales is seeking nominations for this year’s FUW - United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society Award for the person judged to have made the most Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture in Carmarthenshire during the past few years.

The judges will include representatives from the FUW, HSBC Bank plc and the United Counties Agricultural and Hunters Society. The award will be presented at the FUW’s Eve of the Welsh Dairy Show event.

FUW Carmarthenshire County Executive Officer David Waters said: “The nomination should be in the form of a letter or citation giving full details of the work and achievement of the nominee with great emphasis on the positive or beneficial effect on agriculture in Carmarthenshire.”

Previous winners of the award include John James (2004), David Lewis FRICS FRAgS (2005), Bryan Thomas FRAgS ( 2006),  Haydn Jones FRAgS (2007), Lynn Davies ARAgS (2008), Dai Lloyd (2009), Eirios Thomas (2010), Brian Walters (2011), Roy Davies FRAgS (2012), Meinir Bartlett (2013), Mary James (2014), Revd. Canon Eileen Davies (2015), Rita Jones (2016) and Brian Jones MBE FRAgS (2017).

The closing date for nominations is Monday October 8.