The Meirionnydd branch of Farmers’ Union of Wales, in conjunction with FWAG Cymru, are hosting a farm visit on Monday, October 3, to showcase the way in which the Glastir scheme and use of a biomass boiler can benefit a farm business.
The event is being held at Blaen Cwm, Cynllwyd Llanuwchllyn by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Wyn Jones and family, and is due to commence at 11am.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see the land and stock, the various elements of the Glastir scheme, and the Biomass scheme. The family also has an additional business of a mobile saw mill/bench, using the waste for the Biomass boiler.
The main guest speaker on the day will be Simon Thomas AM, Plaid Cymru spokesperson for the Welsh Government Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee and there will be an opportunity for visitors to discuss the latest on agricultural policies. Joining the event will be FUW Meirionnydd County President Tegwyn Jones, who is also chairman of FWAG Cymru.
Blaen Cwm is situated at approximately 5 miles from the village of Llanuwchllyn near Bala (there will be signs giving directions from the village). The farm is approximately 1000 feet above sea level and much of the land reaches far beyond 2000 feet.
The family farm extends to 640 acres, being mostly mountain land with only 50 acres of lower land with 25 acres of this being kept to produce silage every year. They also have 650 acres at Llanymawddwy and a 300 acre farm near Llawryglyn at Llanidloes.
High quality stock are kept, which includes 600 Welsh mountain ewes and a Welsh Mountain Ram, turned out to all of them at Blaen Cwm. The family keep 500 ewes at Llawr y Glyn, where they use Improved Welsh Rams as well as Beltex Cross Suffolk rams. There is also a herd of 15 suckler cows, all of which are Welsh Black, and are crossed with a Limousin bull. Calves are sold as store cattle between 12-18 months at the livestock market in Dolgellau and most lambs are sold directly to the Randall Parker slaughterhouse at Llanidloes through local auctioneers Farmers Marts.
Blaen Cwm has been able to take advantage of agri-environment schemes over recent years, and the family see farming and conservation as going hand in hand. The farm has been in the Glastir Entry scheme since 2014 and in the Advanced scheme since 2015.
FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “I would like to extend a warm welcome to all to join us for what promises to be an informative day out on farm and to see the benefits of using a biomass boiler for themselves.”
For those interested in attending the event, please contact the FUW Dolgellau office on 01341 422298. There will be light refreshments kindly sponsored by Birch Farm Plastics.