Farmers’ Union of Wales officials and staff held a productive meeting with deputy minister for agriculture and fisheries Rebecca Evans on union president Emyr Jones’s farm near Bala yesterday (August 28).

Mr Jones, who farms beef and sheep at Rhiwaedog farm with his two sons, said: “It was pleasure to host this meeting with the deputy minister to show her first hand a working family farm and to have the opportunity to discuss a range of issues in depth, including the recently announced changes to the definition of moorland under the next round of pillar one of the common agricultural policy, the opportunities we have to shape the programmes under the new rural development programme and the importance of succession and new entrants in ensuring the future of  family farms in Wales.”

The deputy minister was given a tour of the farm which extends to 360 acres, with a further 200 acres of rented land, and carries a herd of 60 Pedigree Welsh Black Suckler Cows and 1200 breeding sheep.

Rhiwaedog has won several awards over the years, including awards by the Grassland Society, the Royal Welsh Show Farm Buildings Facilities Awards, and the Snowdonia National Park Society Farming and Landscape Award.

The main achievement was in 2008 when the farm won the British Grassland Societies National Grassland and Management competition in Wales, and thereafter won the competition throughout the UK.

“We have held a number of productive meetings with the deputy minister over the summer and are pleased that Welsh government has listened carefully to our concerns and amended the classification of moorland to reflect the botanical composition of the sward and we hope that this positive co-working will continue during the development of the next rural development plan.

“The industry is facing an unprecedented level of change and upheaval over the next few years as the new payment regime is rolled out. Many farms will have to find new ways to make up the shortfall in income resulting from the changes and we underlined to the deputy minister the importance of a fair market return for our products and the need for farmers to be able to maximise their returns from the rural development programme.

“This is a positive example of how we as an industry can work together with government reaching practical solutions which are fair to agriculture and our farmers,” added Mr Jones.

[caption id="attachment_3038" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] It’s a family affair at Rhiwaedog farm with FUW president Emyr Jones, his sons Aled and Dylan, grandson Caron and deputy minister for agriculture and fisheries Rebecca Evans[/caption]

Farmers’ Union of Wales members and friends are planning to cover all 871 miles of the Wales Coast Path during a huge sponsored walk to raise funds for children’s hospice charities T? Hafan and T? Gobaith.

The challenging event will take place on Saturday and Sunday September 13 and 14 when teams of union members, staff and friends will embark on various walks along the whole length of the Wales Coast Path in an effort to boost funds for both charities which have been chosen for FUW president Emyr Jones’ 2014 charity appeal.

Mr Jones said: “More than £11,000 has already been raised since the appeal was launched earlier this year and we hope to boost the fund by taking on this exciting task.

“The idea of covering every section of the Wales Coast Path is a huge challenge and we are looking for volunteers who can help us cover the miles on foot and offer support to our walkers. I have no doubt that, with the enthusiasm and support of union staff, members and friends, it can be achieved.

“Walks have been organised for all sections of the coast path, varying in length from three to 16 miles, and we require about 90 teams to help us meet our target.

“We invite anyone willing and able to join us for this exciting fundraising event to let their local FUW county office know as soon as possible. Pre-registration is essential due to the nature of the event,” said Mr Jones.

For further information and to pre-register for the event please contact your local FUW county office or the union's press office on 01970 820820.

A warm welcome awaits members and visitors to the Farmers’ Union of Wales stand at the Meirionnydd County Show which will be held near Bala on Wednesday August 27.

“The show this year is the responsibility of the Edeyrnion (Corwen) areas and the county branch is once again extremely grateful to the ladies section from the Penllyn and Edeyrnion areas who take responsibility for the refreshments,” said FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones.

The new deputy minister for agriculture and fisheries Rebecca Evans will be attending the show, and will be calling at the FUW marquee for a general discussion on current topics with union leaders and staff.

Meirionnydd Dwyfor MP Elfyn Llwyd,  Meirionnydd Dwyfor AM Dafydd Elis Thomas and prospective parliamentary candidate Liz Saville Roberts will also be calling during the day for general discussions.

“FWAG director for Wales Glenda Thomas, will be at the stand between 11.00am and 12.00pm so that members visiting the stand can get information on the latest developments on Glastir agreements or any general issues in respect of agri environment work on farms.  Dr Thomas is able to assist on general record keeping in respect of Glastir Scheme particularly the stocking and activity diaries relating to the scheme,” added Mr Jones.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick will be joining the FUW again this year to meet farmers and people from rural areas to discuss the force’s new crime plan.  He will be accompanied by Dewi Evans, one of the Rural Crime Officers recently appointed for Gwynedd and Anglesey.  It will be an opportunity for farmers to put forward their views to the commissioner and to hear from him the latest efforts to combat crime.

Eifion Bibby from Davis Meade Property Consultants will be on the FUW stand between 1.30pm and 4.00pm to discuss any issues relating to land lettings which union members wish to raise.  He will also have information on the New Basic Payment Scheme which is to be introduced from 2015 to replace the Single Payment Scheme.

FUW staff will be inviting sponsorship for the Union’s Wales Coastal Path Challenge which is to be held on September 14 in aid of T? Hafan and T? Gobaith children’s hospices.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is seeking nominations for this year’s FUW-HSBC Outstanding Service to the Welsh Dairy Industry award.

The winner will be announced, and the presentation made, at this year’s Welsh Dairy Show in Carmarthen on Tuesday, October 14.

Past winners have included former FUW Carmarthenshire county president Ogwyn Evans (in 2008), Carmarthenshire farmer Bryan Thomas - a past member of the Holstein Friesian Society council and founder member of the Welsh Dairy Show (2009) - Flintshire dairy farmer Terrig Morgan - who established a successful discussion group "The Udder Group" in Flintshire for younger milk producers now run by DairyCo (2010) - DairyCo chairman Tim Bennett (2011), former FUW milk and dairy produce committee chairman Eifion Huws from Anglesey (2012), and NFU England and Wales dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond, (2013).

FUW Carmarthenshire county executive officer David Waters said: “There are a number of other very worthy individuals in Wales who also deserve this award. Nominations should be in the form of a letter or citation giving full details of the work and achievements of the nominee. We have in the past had some very worthy nominations and winners and we look forward to receiving this year’s nominations.”

Nominations need to be sent to the FUW Carmarthenshire county office, 13a Barn Road, Carmarthen, SA31 1DD by the Wednesday October 1 closing date.