Geography students from Bangor University recently enjoyed a farm tour in Meirionnydd and used the opportunity to discuss #FarmingMatters with the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Opening the gates to her farm Fferm y Llan in Llanfrothen, was FUW Meirionnydd member Olwen Ford. The farm runs from sea level to 500 ft and produces lamb and beef from traditional breeds.

FUW Policy Officer Charlotte Priddy said: “It was really good for the students to see the different fields and learn how the land at sea level is different to that on higher ground. We discussed different policies that impact on farmers in Wales, such as the advantages and disadvantages of agri-environmental policies and the benefits and restrictions of food policy and trade, as well as food provenance, the future of food and environmental policy post-Brexit.”

The Caernarfon branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales held its annual general meeting recently, with guest speakers, Bryn Edmunds (Agriculture Director with HSBC Corporate Banking), Wyn Williams (Procurement Manager, Dunbia) and Dr Nick Fenwick (FUW head of policy) outlining their thoughts on the agricultural industry post-Brexit.

FUW County Chairman Tudur Parry said: “I would like to thank the speakers for their valuable and interesting presentations and everyone who attended the meeting. A special thank you also goes to HSBC bank for their sponsorship towards the night and to the Nanhoron Hotel, Nefyn for the refreshments which were provided after the discussion.”

Bryn Edmunds told members that confidence within parts of the industry continues to grow, especially within the dairy sector where significant investments continue to be made. He added that good land still has a high value, but that the gap between the prices of good and poor land is widening. This situation, he believed, was without doubt influenced by Brexit.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has given a cautious welcome to the Welsh Government’s announcement on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in Wales.  

The announcement comes following a four year review of the existing NVZ areas in Wales, as required in the EC Nitrates Directive.

Responding to the announcement FUW President Glyn Roberts, said: “This seems to be a far more proportionate way forward than some of the options that had been proposed, but we need time to assess the details and their implications.”

In a Cabinet Statement issued earlier today (December 13), Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said: “Over coming months I will work with stakeholders to get the right balance of regulatory measures, voluntary initiatives and investment.

Denbighshire beef and sheep farmer Rheinallt Hughes, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ Hill Farming and Marginal Land Committee.

Rheinallt, together with his family, farms approximately 980 acres at Tu Hwnt i’r Afon, Llanarmon DC, Croesoswallt, of which 240 acres are owned and 720 acres rented. 400 acres are in SSSI (moorland) and they are in Glastir and Glastir Advanced.

The family have a flock of 300 Welsh Mule Ewes which are put to Beltex and Texel rams and also have a flock of 1300 Welsh Mountain Ewes, of which 600 are put to Welsh Mountain rams to breed replacements and 700 to Bluefaced Leicester rams to breed mule replacements.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is reminding members of the upcoming changes to the Farm Business Grants (FBG) application process, which is transferring to Rural Payments Wales Online for the third, and any future rounds of the scheme.  

The third application window, which opens on 29 January 2018, will see some changes to the application criteria, including businesses now being allowed to make multiple applications up to the maximum grant level of £12,000, subject to funding being available.

The scheme can provide a one-off grant of between £3,000 and £12,000, allowing farmers to to invest in around 70 items linked to animal health; genetics and performance; crop management; energy efficiency; resource efficiency and ICT.

In light of the announced NatWest bank closures in Ceredigion, affecting the Lampeter and Cardigan branches, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is holding open meetings with Plaid Cymru to discuss a way forward with local MP Ben Lake and AM Elin Jones.

The meetings will take place on Thursday, December 21 at Lampeter Rugby Club and Thursday, January 18 at the Guildhall, Cardigan. Both meetings will commence at 7.30pm and are open to all.