Delegates attending this year’s Farmers’ Union of Wales autumn conference, heard that for joint ventures to work, there has to be trust and mutual benefit in the partnership.

The conference, entitled  ‘Joint ventures in farming – myth breaking and match making’ was held at the William Davies Conference Hall, IBERS, Aberystwyth, and attended by over a hundred delegates of all ages, who enjoyed a variety of presentations and workshops aimed at shedding  light on the complexities of succession planning.

“In a bid to explore all aspects of succession planning we knew we had to invite a number of expert speakers to cover all aspects of  succession planning and joint ventures,” explained the union’s younger voice for farming committee chairman Darren Williams.

The conference, chaired by Professor Wyn Jones, included talks by Duncan Montgomery of Whittingham Riddell chartered accountants on the subject of tax and financial planning, Euryn Jones of HSBC bank who explained joint venture planning  from the Banks’ point of view, Nerys Llewelyn Jones of Agri-Advisor who examined  the range of ventures and legal aspects of succession, Malcolm Thomas of JCP Solicitors who outlined his recommendations to Government from his review of the Young Entrants Support scheme and Tony Evans of The Andersons Centre spoke of his experiences facilitating joint venture farming contracts.

“To complement the speakers we also held a number of workshops facilitated by Kathryn Lewis and James Neame of Davis Meade Property Consultants on succession planning and the practicalities, Charles Coats of Charles Coats Associates Ltd looked at opportunities for succession on local authority estates, Gail Lewis of Agri-Advisor explored the range of available opportunities in joint venture farming and Tony Evans of The Andersons Centre hosted a session on how to make the best possible match.

“This conference put the spotlight on succession, which is often a taboo subjects for farming families. There are plenty of young enthusiastic people who wish to enter the industry and we know that there are those looking at the future of their farms whilst not necessarily wanting to relinquish everything. I hope that we have managed to clear up  some of the myths and preconceptions about joint venture farming and started a process which will help those who have not yet planned their future and who may be interested in more information on the options available to them,” added Mr Williams.

“The conference was a means of kick starting a series of actions and events the union will facilitate to encourage farmers to look at ways in which their land will be farmed in the future, whilst offering them security and access to support. We also look forward to working with wider industry to push for a strategic approach on the way forward,” said FUW deputy director of policy Rhian Nowell-Phillips.

“Delegates heard that six out of ten people don’t have a Will in place and this is a worrying statistic for an industry who holds land in trust for the next generation, other feedback from the workshops suggest that farmers are also worried about security, trust and what will happen to them once they decide to hand over the reins.

“The FUW through its younger voice for farming committee is committed to helping farmers address the concerns expressed during the conference and we hope that the ideas generated will help facilitate a greater understanding of the opportunities available to farmers of all ages through a joint venture approach,” added Ms Nowell-Phillips.

[caption id="attachment_3118" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The FUW autumn conference speakers shed light on succession planning and joint venture farming. (from left to right) Conference chairman Professor Wynne Jones, Tony Evans of The Andersons Centre, Euryn Jones of HSBC, FUW president Emyr Jones, Duncan Montgomery of Whittingham Riddell, Malcolm Thomas of JCP Solicitors and Dr Nerys Llewelyn Jones of Agri-Advisor.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3119" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Delegates participating in a workshop with Kathryn Lewis and James Neame of Davis Meade Property Consultants on succession planning and the practicalities[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3120" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] FUW’s Darren Williams (left) assists Tony Evans of The Andersons Centre during a workshop on how to make the best possible match at the FUW autumn conference.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3121" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] FUW autumn conference delegates enjoying a variety of workshops[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3122" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] FUW autumn conference delegates enjoying a variety of workshops[/caption]

The Farmers’ Union of Wales will be holding a farmers’ Thanksgiving ‘Gymanfa Ganu’ on Sunday October 26 at the Seion Chapel Aberystwyth in an effort to raise money for children’s hospices T? Hafan and T? Gobaith, the presidents chosen charities.

The evening will be led by Iwan Parry of Dolgellau and is due to commence at  6.00pm.

“We are very fortunate that former Blue Riband winner Aled Wyn Davies of Llanbrynmair will join the service together with Aberystwyth silver band and several local choirs,” said FUW president Emyr Jones.

“Please invite members and friends in your area to join the union’s thanksgiving service next week. The chapel can accommodate up to a 1,000 people and we hope that we will be well supported from every county.

“If you are keen to support the event but are unable to attend the Gymanfa, you can still purchase a programme for £5. The money will be put towards the events fundraising total,” added Mr Jones.

For more information or if would like to order a programme, please contact the FUW Ceredigion county office on 01545 571222.

The Flintshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has enjoyed an excellent turnout of members at its annual general meeting held at the Village Hall in Cilcain on the eve of Friday October 10.

Guest speakers Jill Evans MEP and FUW director of policy Dr Nick Fenwick were faced with plenty of challenging and thought-provoking questions as they provided the audience with an overview of the machinations of the European Commission and Parliament and the way policies are shaped and implemented.

Delegates also heard how EU policies are transposed into statutory regulation and subsequently into rules for various schemes on the ground within member countries respectively.

“Ms Evans gave members an insight into how the new EU Commissioners face a scrutiny session with the elected members of the Parliament when they are faced with questions as to their objectives during their term in office,” said FUW Denbighshire and Flintshire county executive officer Rhys Roberts.

Members heard that the new agriculture commissioner will be Irishman Phil Hogan, whom Ms Evans believes is someone that the agricultural community will be able to work with over the coming four years.

Dr Fenwick explained to members that although the regulations that farmers have to face on a daily basis may appear overly complicated and burdensome but that the final policy is often considerably watered down from the original proposals put forward by the EU Commission and that this was mainly due to the intense lobbying undertaken by the farming Unions and other stakeholders.

“The issue of supermarket influences on farm gate prices and also the rise of UKIP and the threat to UK membership of the EU were raised by members during a lively and interesting meeting,” added Mr Roberts.

The evening was chaired by FUW Flintshire county president Clwyd Spencer and  FUW Flintshire county chairman Tim Faire provided members with his annual report.

“The report highlighted some of the more important events over the previous 12 months within the county, including the contributions made by Flintshire to the Farmhouse Breakfast event and to the more recent charity walk along the Wales Coastal Path.

“An informative evening was capped off with some light refreshments provided by the Flintshire Ladies Committee of the FUW when those present had an opportunity to chat with the speakers face to face,” added Mr Roberts.

[caption id="attachment_3115" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Left to right – FUW director of policy Nick Fenwick, FUW Flintshire county chairman Tim Faire, FUW Flintshire county president Clwyd Spencer and Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans[/caption]

Gwynedd farmer Rhisiart Tomos Lewis, who runs a herd of 140 dairy cows with home-bred dairy heifers near Llangybi, was presented with the Farmers' Union of Wales/HSBC award to the person who has made an outstanding contribution to the Welsh dairy industry at the Welsh Dairy Show near Carmarthen today (Tuesday October 14).

Mr Lewis was born at Tan Y Bryn, Sardis, near Pwllheli, and educated at Glynllifon College which is now under the banner of Coleg Meirion Dwyfor.

After leaving college he returned to his family farm and in 1964 they bought Coed Cae Gwyn farm, Llangybi, as an addition to the land they were already farming.

In 1974 he was elected as director on the executive board of Hufenfa De Arfon and in 1997 he was elected chairman of the board. Since then he has travelled extensively across Europe and North America to represent the dairy industry.

FUW senior policy officer Hazel Wright, a judge on this year’s award selection panel, said: “Rhisiart Lewis has extensive knowledge of the dairy industry due to the fact that he has been a member of various national committees.

"He travels regularly to London for meetings and his understanding of the industry from the bottom to the top has always been an advantage to him, even when he was chairman of the creamery.

“He knows every chairman of every British dairy processing company in person and is able to discuss with each of them on first-name terms - a fact that is a credit to him and the trust they have shown for him.

“I would describe Rhisiart Lewis as a very democratic person and one who can keep his head in difficult situations.

“He is a very brave and determined man and his invaluable contribution was a key to the success and continuity of the agreement that existed between Hufenfa De Arfon and Marks & Spencer’s.

“Without a doubt Rhisiart Lewis is a man you can rely on to discuss any matter relating to the dairy industry at all levels of the production process.

“He deserves the recognition offered to him today which is, without doubt, the result of years of work he has given to the dairy industry, not only on behalf of his co-producers on the Llyn Peninsula, but dairy producers over Wales.”

He has four children, Owain who is at home farming; Nia who is married to a dairy farmer at Madryn Isaf, Pwllheli; Tudor, a surveyor with Gwynedd County Council; and Mari who works at the Gallery at Plas Glyn y Weddw, Llanbedrog.

He has been a member of the FUW since he started farming and a member of the Caernarfonshire dairy branch committee for many years.

[caption id="attachment_3108" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Presenting the FUW/HSBC award to the person who has made an outstanding contribution to the Welsh dairy industry to Rhisiart Tomos Lewis is deputy farming and food minister Rebecca Evans with FUW president Emyr Jones (far left) and HSBC agricultural manager for south Wales Nigel Williams (centre back).[/caption]