[caption id="attachment_7141" align="alignleft" width="300"] Michael Eavis of Worthy farm presents Gareth Roberts of Llaeth Y Llan with the FUW - HSBC outstanding services to Welsh dairy industry award.[/caption]

North Wales dairy farmer Gareth Roberts of Llaeth Y Llan / Village Dairy has been honoured with the FUW - HSBC outstanding services to Welsh dairy industry award at the Welsh Dairy Show in Carmarthen.

FUW Senior Policy Officer Dr Hazel Wright, who sat on the judging panel with Sarah J Raymond, HSBC and Lynn Davies, Chairman of the Welsh Dairy Show, said:“Gareth has contributed greatly to the Welsh Dairy Industry and has successfully created a product and brand, which is known globally, and this success has put not only Llaeth Y llan, but also Wales on the global platform. He is without a doubt a most deserving winner of this award.”

David Gareth Roberts, grew up at Tal Y Bryn Farm, some one and a half miles from the small village of Llannefydd. He lost his parents at a relatively early age while farming as a tenant, but a new hope came into his life when an opportunity to purchase the farm in the early seventies and he started to court Falmai Parry a farmer’s daughter from the Bryneglwys area.

In 1977 they married, Gareth still farming a small holding of 50 acres and Falmai who worked as a child welfare officer in the Cheshire area. 1979 Falmai had to give up her work to raise a Family of three children, the loss of her income and high interest rate on borrowed money at the time was a threat to the farming venture.

In the early 1980’s and opportunity came for Gareth and Falmai to purchase a small milk round serving the local village of Llannefydd with bottled milk, this was a very traditional way to diversify however it led the family down the road to processing milk into Skim, Semi-Skimmed and Cream Production.

The cream side of the business became very successful with large surplus of unsold skim which was becoming a threat to the profitability of the business. This was the catalyst to really diversify to a new product. It has been over 30 years now since the family decided on making yogurt, back then it was an unusual choice for a farmer and his wife to do, nevertheless the Llaeth Y Llan brand was born.

The diversified business has seen great success over the few decades and cumulate in Gareth winning the coveted Sir Bryner Jones award in 2009 for a farmer who had successfully established an alternative outlet for the product of a particular farming enterprise.

The company itself now has a workforce of over 50 people and the day to day running of the business is being handled more by the younger generation of the family. However Gareth and Falmai are still active board members and continue to promote the Llaeth Y Llan journey through Talks and Tours on and off the Farm.

Speaking about the business at the FUW Eve of Dairy Show dinner, Gareth Roberts told guests: “In 1995, we developed and built a high spec manufacturing unit on the farm, which is still being used today to produce our award winning yogurt. This is alongside our recent 2016 project of a new modern 2000 square meter production facility still located on the family farm, which allowed our daily capacity to double and there is still room to grow.”

Through the years Llaeth Y Llan have grown a faithful fan base and can now be found in major retailers (Tesco, Morrisons, ASDA & Co-op) throughout Wales all down to this fabulous support.

As of yesterday (Monday, October 24), the brand was launched in over 50 Cheshire, Shropshire and mid-counties Tesco stores, which is an exciting time for the business to increase their brand awareness further afield from Wales.

“We have trialled new flavours and ranges, and currently there are 14 different flavours of the little pots (125g) to try and 7 flavours in the large pots (450g), with Vanilla being the most recent.

“As a company we are proud of our roots and insist on using wholesome Welsh milk from the local area due to its high quality as it creates a yogurt that’s rich, creamy and full of flavour, which our consumers love. The dairy industry in Wales is facing tough times and Llaeth Y Llan / Village Dairy would like to be a part in promoting the quality of the milk that is produced in Wales,” added Mr Roberts.

This high quality raw material has been the basis for the company to grow and have over 50 staff members now including family members and this family company ethos runs through every staff member.

Speaking about the award Gareth Roberts said: “I am surprised and humbled to be recognised as an individual by the industry, this award reflects the Llaeth Y Llan tale of how a family business has had to develop, evolve and adapt over the years. We’ve had to respond to the competitive demand of the sector and I’m so delighted that the judges appreciated who we are and what we are about.”

[caption id="attachment_7138" align="alignleft" width="169"] FUW Carmarthen County Executive Officer Assistant Nerys Edwards with the Caws Cenarth Cheese Wedding cake[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has enjoyed a successful Welsh Dairy Show, celebrating the industry with members and key stakeholders, highlighting why #FarmingMatters.

FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “We have enjoyed a successful Welsh Dairy show, putting the spotlight on #FarmingMatters and celebrating our dairy industry. Over the last 2 days we have met many successful and outstanding dairy businesses, who are a credit to the industry.

“Wales has the potential to be an exceptional rural economic powerhouse and there are plenty of opportunities for us to grasp in light of our exit from the European Union. The dairy industry has shown us some great examples of how we can do that, how to overcome the challenges posed by a volatile market and we can be proud to have such passionate and enthusiastic producers.”

A Dairy Show wouldn’t be complete without a selection of delicious cheese and therefore the FUW showcased a Welsh Cheese Wedding Cake at its stand on the day.

Speaking at the Welsh Dairy Show, FUW Carmarthen County Executive Officer Assistant Nerys Edwards, whose time is also split between being actively involved in the running of the home farm and keeping a successful occasion cake business ‘Cacennau Moethus’, said: “The ‘Wedding Cheese Cake’ has in recent years become an increasingly popular option by bridal couples, combining both the concept of a beautiful tiered cake and the traditional cheese board.

“In fact, according to experts the Wedding Cheese Cake is now chosen for one in ten weddings and as there are over 700 different types of cheese made in the UK, it’s no surprise that couples are opting for this type of ‘cake’.”

A cheese wedding cake is a bespoke addition to a wedding feast and often has added edible decorations to suit the theme and colour scheme of any wedding, Mrs Edwards explained.

The Wedding Cheese cake on display was sponsored by Caws Cenarth, a multi award winning artisan cheese maker, based at Fferm Glyneithinog, Lancych, Carmarthenshire.

A family business established in 1987 by Gwynfor and Thelma Adams, and now run by their son Carwyn. They are a sixth generation of cheesemakers and are the oldest established producer of Welsh farmhouse Caerffili cheese.

With over 10 varieties of artisan Caws Cenarth cheese to choose from, the possibilities are endless for a unique Welsh a Wedding Cheese Cake.

[caption id="attachment_7133" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW staff and officials enjoy a farm visit at Daioni Organic, highlighting #FarmingMatters[/caption]

On the Eve of the Welsh Dairy Show (Monday, October 24) , the Farmers’ Union of Wales has put the spotlight firmly on the dairy industry at a farm visit at the home of Daioni Organic.

Joining the visit at Ffosyficer farm, Boncath, Pembrokeshire where many Union members and officials, as well as, Mr Michael Eavis of Glastonbury Farm, who is mostly known as the founder and organiser of the  Glastonbury Festival.

A dairy farmer for over 40 years, Laurence Harris has taken Daioni – meaning “goodness” – from strength to strength.

Since taking over Ffosyficer farm – still the heart of the Daioni business – from his father in 1970, Laurence expanded the family farm from 150 acres to well over 3,000 acres of fertile pasture.

The farm was converted to organic production in 1999 and since then, Laurence and his team have added value to their premium quality dairy produce which has culminated in the launch of the Daioni brand and a suite of products that are being sold internationally.

In 2008 Daioni flavoured milk was exported overseas for the first time and is now stocked in outlets around the world as well as in small retailers and major supermarkets across the UK.

In addition, in 2012 Daioni became the first British dairy company to gain organic certification in mainland China and in 2014 they opened their Hong Kong office to focus on Asia Pacific sales.  Today exports account for over 15% of the business turnover.

Around twenty local people are employed by the farming business which today is solely owned by the Harris family and continues to go from strength to strength.

Speaking at the farm visit, Mr Harris, who last year was awarded with the FUW/ HSBC outstanding service to Welsh dairy industry award, said: “We all welcome the visit of Michael Eavis to Ffosyficer. As a person who has seriously added value to his dairy farm, we can all learn from his enthusiasm and foresight in attracting urbanites to the lovely pastures of Worthy Farm. It is so important to try and enlighten our consumers to the issues that dairy farmers currently face.”

FUW Deputy President Brian Thomas told delegates at the event that: “

Our dairy industry has suffered quite a bit with low prices over recent years. Many producers have seen their milk cheque cut in half and often find themselves having to deal with unfair contracts. The unfortunate truth is that our dairy producers will have to cope with extreme price volatility in the future.

[caption id="attachment_7134" align="alignright" width="300"] It’s a family affair (l-r)): Eira and Laurence Harris, Elizabeth and Michael Eavis of Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, Tom and Francisca Harris with two of their children.[/caption]

“Whilst there have been some notable price increases in recent months - and these must be welcomed -full price recovery may still be some way into the future due to a continuing global supply and demand imbalance.”

Mr Thomas further told delegates that capitalising on new markets may well be a vital component of the Welsh dairy sector post-Brexit and it is essential that the prices paid to our farmers allow room for investment and innovation so that we can be globally competitive.

“While prices and supply and demand issues are ongoing, our dairy sector also faces 2 other critical issues.

“The Welsh Government is currently consulting on the four yearly review of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and the result could mean that financial implications are imposed on those who live in designated areas.

“We have been involved in the NVZ review and have made successful representations on several designations, which resulted in their removal from the discrete areas option of the consultation.

“However, the number of proposed new designations remain a concern and we continue to reiterate the operational and financial impacts those designations would have upon farms that reside within an NVZ area.”

[caption id="attachment_7135" align="alignleft" width="300"] Enjoying the farm visit are (l-r) Michael Eavis, Francisca Harris and FUW Carmarthen County Executive Officer David Waters[/caption]

Given such costs, Mr Thomas stressed that there must be full justification for any proposed increases in designation and he urged FUW members to make sure they work with their local county office and submit a response to the consultation.

Addressing the issue of bovine TB, Mr Thomas said: “Bovine TB still poses a significant problem here in Pembrokeshire. Last week we welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement that it will consider a badger test-and-cull type approach to TB and it is as a small step in the right direction, but many farmers will be concerned at the implications of splitting Wales into TB zones.”

He added that targeting infected badgers would be a welcome move, but it is disappointing that it has taken so many years to move back towards common sense after the original comprehensive plan to tackle the disease in wildlife was abandoned by the previous Welsh Government.

“I want to be clear on one thing though -  we cannot place any further financial or administrative burden on the industry. The Welsh Government has a moral obligation to fund the next steps - given the millions of pounds squandered on an ineffective badger vaccination program,” added the FUW Deputy President.

[caption id="attachment_7122" align="alignleft" width="300"] FUW members discuss #FarmingMatters with Huw Irranca-Davies[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales officials and members met up with Ogmore Assembly Member Huw Irranca-Davies at Blackmill Sheep Sales on Thursday October 13, to discuss #FarmingMatters.

The wide ranging discussions focused on Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), bovine TB, open access,  future funding for the sector following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union,  planning regulations in the constituency and succession.

FUW Gwent County Executive Officer Glyn Davies said: “I would like to thank Huw Irranca-Davies for meeting with us at Blackmill Sheep Sales to discuss farming matters. The sale serves as a great example of how  important agriculture is to our local community and highlights the contribution made to the rural economy.”

Mr Irranca-Davies added: “As an Assembly Member who represents a large rural constituency, it is always good to meet with local farmers and I welcome any opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have, particularly following the Brexit vote.”