A former chairman of the Farmers' Union of Wales milk and dairy produce committee today expressed disappointment that two leading dairy companies are dropping the price they pay farmers for their milk.

"We are disappointed that milk prices are dropping just as the industry is beginning to get back the confidence it needs to invest in a better future," said Eifion Huws, who runs a dairy farm at Bodedern on Anglesey.

Today Arla announced a drop in the price it will pay to farmers of 1.27ppl - taking effect from Monday (April 28) - which reduces their standard litre price in the UK to 33.74p per litre (ppl).

And Dairy Crest recently announced a 0.435ppl reduction in its May formula contract options - rebased from the April position - that will take the core formula to 32.315ppl and the simplified formula to 32.125ppl. DC’s current standard litre price is 32.56ppl.

Mr Huws said they both expressed support for the industry's voluntary code of practice published in October 2012. One of its main objectives was that dairy farmers would get 30 days notice of any price change.

"But Arla does not accept the 30-day notice objective for some of its suppliers and the fact that they are able to drop the price within four days - while the other companies adhere to the code - shows there may be a strong case for legislation on this issue."

Last May the FUW welcomed a recommendation by the Commons Welsh Affairs Committee stating that the code must be given a chance to work but, if tangible improvements are not forthcoming, the Government must be prepared to legislate.

"We supported the introduction of the code and were willing to give it a chance but it now seems we still need to look at whether some form of legislation could be swiftly introduced if it is not working as intended," Mr Huws added.

"Even in May last year evidence was emerging about processors opting out of the code, in full or in part, and we believed then that the threat of legislation would help push the code forward.

"Admittedly, the code's ability to work for every producer to the same degree is probably limited but we still have concerns that purchasers are cherry-picking elements that they want and leaving producers in a worse position."

According to Welsh Government statistics the number of dairy farms in Wales reduced by nearly 900 from 2,727 in 2006 to 1,845 in 2012.

[caption id="attachment_2851" align="aligncenter" width="300"] former chairman of the Farmers' Union of Wales milk and dairy produce committee Eifion Huws[/caption]

An agricultural student at Pencoed College, near Bridgend, has won the Farmers’ Union of Wales Glamorganshire county branch Walter Rowlands Memorial Award.

David Bugler, who lives with his parents Michael and Margaret, at Merios Farm, Llanharan, Pontyclun, received the award in time to commence his diploma in agriculture which involves learning about the industry in college as well as gaining practical experience at local farms.

He said: “Farming has been always been my passion and I have learnt a lot about the logistics of running a farm from my father and grandfather.

“I particularly enjoy working with the livestock on our farm which consists of beef cattle and breeding ewes and I look forward to going to the livestock markets to keep up-to-date with the weekly price of livestock.

“In the future I would like to take over the family farm with the intention of continuing to run it for future generations. I feel that my course will teach me how to run the farm to its full potential and the award will assist me to purchase reading material for the course.”

The award, in memory of FUW county secretary Walter G Rowlands who died in service in 1986, is made to an agricultural student in the county after careful consideration by the union’s Glamorganshire county executive committee.

FUW Glamorganshire county chairman Richard Walker, who presented the award to David, said: “It is very encouraging to see such enthusiasm from the younger generation towards the agricultural industry and the FUW are keen to continue supporting promising young farmers through this award.

“David is more than deserving of this award and both he and his family should be very proud of his achievements. We wish David all the best with his future studies and management of the farm.”

[caption id="attachment_2848" align="aligncenter" width="300"] MEMORIAL AWARD: Richard Walker and David Bugler.[/caption]

Carmarthenshire farmers expressed their views about the proposed Brechfa windfarms connection project during a well attended meeting organised by the Farmers' Union of Wales county branch at nearby Peniel community school hall.

"A lot of issues were raised and useful advice provided by Philip Meade, of the FUW's Oswestry-based property consultants Davis Meade, and solicitor Rhodri Jones from Agri Advisor of Pumsaint," said the union's Carmarthenshire county executive officer David Waters.

"Among members' concerns were the potential implications of the project on a variety of issues including planning, land rights, land agents' fees costs and guidance to landowners."

The project involves Western Power Distribution (WPD) providing a connection between the proposed Brechfa Forest windfarms and the electricity network, said Mr Waters.

"As the electricity distributor throughout Wales, they have a legal responsibility to connect the new power generation to the electricity network.

"WPD is not involved with the development of the proposed wind farms. Their plan is to provide a network of electricity lines carried on twin wooden poles from the wind turbines and connect to an existing overhead power line running from Llandyfaelog, south of Carmarthen, to a sub-station north of Swansea, thus reducing the length of the new connection."

Proposed routes and summary packs have been sent to potential affected individuals along the proposed routes and consultation events have taken place recently.

[caption id="attachment_2845" align="aligncenter" width="224"] ISSUES RAISED: From left, FUW vice president Brian Walters, Philip Meade and Rhodri Jones.[/caption]

A huge load of silage donated by West Wales farmers has just been delivered to a Somerset farm that suffered severe flooding recently.

The consignment was the first load of bales to be loaded at Carmarthen Market for Somerset and was taken to Batch Farm at Godney, near Wells, on a lorry supplied by hay and straw merchant Lyndon Jones, of Rhos, Llangeler, near Llandysul.

The operation was organised by Carmarthenshire animal portraits artist Miranda Bowen who is helping Farmers' Union of Wales Ceredigion county chairman Aled Rees coordinate deliveries to the West Country from West Wales.

Mr Rees said: "This latest consignment brings the loads that have left Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire so far to a total eight with another one being loaded this morning in Cardigan."

Last Saturday a load of fodder went to a Somerset from the farm of FUW member Maelgwyn Davies of Panteryrod, Llwyncelyn, near Aberaeron, that he and fellow members in the Mydroilyn area donated.

Tomorrow (Thursday April 17) 40 bales of hay silage - donated by FUW member Lyn Thomas, Pantfeillionen, Horeb, Llandysul - are due to be delivered to Paul Lock's farm, Whitegate, at Stembridge, near Taunton, and plans are also being made to send more loads next week to farms in neighbouring Martock and Langport.

"We continue to receive pledges of forage so the whole operation is going well," said Mr Rees. "Hauliers are great too, making it easy to work with the farmers. It just shows what people can do when they pull together."

[caption id="attachment_2841" align="aligncenter" width="300"] SOMERSET BOUND: Consignment of bales being loaded at Carmarthen Market[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2842" align="aligncenter" width="293"] Carmarthenshire animal portraits artist Miranda Bowen[/caption]