The rapidly approaching payment window for the Single farm payment, poor farmgate prices and serious cashflow issues - with rumours about a possible legal challenge that may further delay payments – has prompted the Farmers’ Union of Wales to organise a series of free farm surgeries at this year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair (November 30 to December 1).

Joining forces with agricultural solicitors, Agri-Advisor, Davis Meade Property Consultants and Land Agents and LHP accountants, auditors and business advisors, the FUW is offering members a free 40 minute slot with each of the advisors to discuss their business matters.

“The amount paid to farmers is already down by about one-quarter due to the reduced budget, the 15% pillar transfer and the exchange rate, and we have every sympathy with those who will see further falls under the new payment model,” said FUW president Glyn Roberts.

“So in order to help our members - we invite them to book a free appointment for our Royal Welsh Winter Fair farm surgeries. I would urge anybody who’s worried about the farm business to book a slot to talk to the experts. These will be held between 10am to 4pm at our pavilion alongside the main ring on the Builth Wells RWAS showground, ” added Glyn Roberts.

Agri Advisor offers a range of legal and advisory services dedicated to providing specialist advice to farmers, landowners and rural people.

“As expert Agricultural Solicitors we are able to offer specific advice to farmers and landowners directly relevant to the issues faced by their businesses and we look forward to discussing matters of concern to FUW members at this year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair,” said Agri-Advisor’s Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones.

Agri Advisor Solicitors was established in 2011, by Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones on her home farm, Henllan, Pumsaint.

DMPC, who will also be offering free advice to members, are one of the leading firms of land agents, chartered surveyors and valuers in the country dealing with agricultural dispute resolution ranging from landlord and tenant advice to compulsory purchase negotiations.

Carmarthen and Haverfordwest based accountants, auditors and chartered tax specialists LHP, have been working with the business community in South and West Wales for nearly 80 years.

“We describe ourselves as an accountancy practice, with a ‘personal business touch’ and pride ourselves on excellent local knowledge and deal with the smallest ‘sub vat’ lifestyle businesses to multi million pound turnover concerns. I hope that our expertise will prove to be a valuable service to FUW members when they come to join us for the Farm Surgeries,” said LHP director Eirian Humphreys.

[caption id="attachment_5830" align="aligncenter" width="589"] (L-R) John Owen Troedrhiwlasgrug, Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood AM, Shadow Agriculture Minister Llyr Gruffydd AM and President of FUW Glyn Roberts. [/caption]
President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales Glyn Roberts welcomed Leanne Wood AM, leader of Plaid Cymru, and the Shadow Agriculture Minister Ll?r Gruffydd AM, to a farm visit at Troedrhiwlasgrug near the Glanyrafon industrial estate in Aberystwyth on Saturday October 24 during the Plaid Cymru annual conference.

Troedrhiwlasgrug has been farmed by Mr and Mrs John and Beryl Owen since 1982. The 1000 acre beef and sheep farm includes the striking Dinas mountain in Ponterwyd in which over 400 breeding ewes and 500 lambs graze during the summer months. They also have 15 beef sucklers. The farm has also immersed itself in the Welsh Government agri environment scheme ‘Glastir’ since its launch in 2011, and has since progressed to the ‘Glastir Advance’ scheme.

Since elected as president Glyn Roberts has repeatedly expressed his aim of bridging the gap between town and county as a means of strengthening the agricultural industry in Wales.

FUW president Glyn Roberts said; “The industry has seen and is continuing to see massive price fluctuations which threaten the livelihood of farming families.
“Who and where better to demonstrate my priority as a president than for me, a farmer from Ysbyty Ifan, to show the Rhondda-born Plaid Cymru leader, Leanne Wood around Mr and Mrs Owen’s farm which sits in the middle of an industrial estate. I’m passionate about looking towards a sustainable and stable future for Welsh agriculture. I believe the answer lies within Wales and the first step is to unite the people of Wales to back Welsh farming.”

Whilst walking through the farmyard overlooking the busy industrial estate, John Owen talked of his frustration with the continuing poor lamb prices. He and Leanne Wood discussed the need to promote this high quality product to Welsh consumers.

Leanne Wood said; “The agricultural sector is going through a particularly difficult period at the moment. Poor red meat and milk prices are making it difficult for many farmers to make ends meet.

“I believe Welsh farmers have the support of consumers, however this support is not shown in farm-gate prices.”

Ends

Flintshire members of the Farmers’ Union of Wales discussed the way forward for the agricultural industry at their annual general meeting on Friday, October 16.

Held at Caerwys Town Hall, a good turnout of members provided speakers with plenty of challenging questions.

“Our first guest speaker was Gwyn Rowlands from Cadwyn Clwyd who gave a very informative presentation on the new RDP 2014 -2020 programme and how the local action groups will assist in benefitting the local rural economy,” said FUW Denbigh and Flint county executive officer Mari Dafydd Jones.

“Mark Isherwood AM Welsh Conservative Member for North Wales, our second guest speaker, then addressed many rural issues including housing issues and the single farm payment. I thank both of our speakers on behalf of the Flintshire membership for their informative contributions.”

The evening was chaired by Flinthshire county chairman Tim Faire, who provided members with his annual report, which highlighted some of the most important events over the past 12 months within the county.

Members heard about the contributions made to the Hybu Cig Cymru Roadshow by the Flintshire branch and the Denbigh and Flint Show where the county put the spotlight on Welsh milk and lamb by hosting a competition on who can drink a pint of milk and eat a Welsh lamb burger the fastest.

“An interesting and informative evening was capped off with some light refreshments provided by the Flintshire ladies committee, whom we thank for their contributions,” added Ms Jones.

[caption id="attachment_5821" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] (L-R) Monmouthshire MP David TC Davies, FUW senior policy officer Dr Hazel Wright, FUW vice president Brian Walters, Rhys Parry, FUW president Glyn Roberts and FUW Gwent county executive officer Glyn Davies.[/caption]

Cross border differences in bTB cattle control measures and concerns surrounding the proposed provision of open access farm-level Welsh bovine TB data next year were some of the issues highlighted to Monmouthshire MP David TC Davies at a recent farm visit.

FUW senior officials met Mr Davies at FUW members Rhys and Judith Parry’s farm at Penterry Farm, St Arvans near Chepstow, to discuss several aspects of TB policy in Wales in order to identify areas of concern and potential future strategies.

The couple farm the 400 acre of organic beef just a mile from the English border and supply Waitrose with 200  fat cattle a year, with replacement store cattle being purchased between July and November.

“A TB breakdown in July prevented us from buying in replacements until the first week of October. This has meant that we missed a number of sales and will result in us being around 100 cattle short for the coming 12 months.  The impact on cash flow for the business is therefore enormous, and it will take years to recover the position,” explained Rhys Parry.

“TB has restricted the market for our cattle, and this has led to a loss of up to £300.00 per head compared to what we would normally expect,” added Mr Parry.

FUW senior policy officer Dr Hazel Wright  said: “The recent TB Order consultation issued by the Welsh Government takes this issue further by proposing to reduce the compensation provided to cattle that have legally, with a licence, been moved onto a TB restricted holding if such cattle subsequently go down with TB.  This could place members in an untenable position, due to issues such as breaches of their milk contract, and places them on a no-win situation.”

“The FUW is currently seeking members’ views on this consultation and we will reply on behalf of our membership in due course,” added Dr Wright.