Two Farming Connect demonstration farms run by Farmers' Union of Wales members will showcase how Wales uses its EU Rural Development funding during an exhibition next week at the European Parliament in Brussels.

The exhibition, which runs from October 8-12, aims to show how Wales uses its RDP funding to develop a sustainable economy in rural Wales.

Dilwyn Jenkins, of Cerrigcaranau, Talybont, near Aberystwyth, runs a 510-acre mixed stock farm where he hosts open days with a focus on a Welsh Black suckler herd, home-grown forages and pre-tupping management of the ewe flock.

The farm is run and managed with family labour, with a mixture of enterprises under organic management. The 510 acres are managed in three blocks, with 110 Holstein Friesian cows milked, 30 pedigree Welsh Black cows, 230 breeding ewes, 80 acres of barley, five acres of fodder beet and two acres of swedes.

The Holstein Friesian cows are currently in an all-year-round calving pattern but are aiming for autumn calving. All replacements are homebred and all calves from the dairy herd are kept as replacements or beef.

Tudur Jones - who farms Ty'n Rhos, a 250-acre upland dairy farm at Pentrefoelas, Gwynedd - believes dairy farmers should focus on what their cows want and gear their systems accordingly. Tudur and family are keen to combine this approach with attention to detail in nutrition and fertility to provide a route to greater profitability.

The family runs 75 dairy cows plus followers and are all year round calving. In addition to the dairy cows they also farm 350 breeding ewes - 250 Welsh Mountain and 100 cross bred ewes which lamb from mid-March. The farm has also diversified and the family run a caravan site on the holding.

Tudur was keen to learn more about the behaviour of his cows and was interested in "cow signals" training. To this end a series of meetings were held with a local veterinarian focusing on the cows' demands on barn, feed and care.

Through its work the FUW is closely linked to organisations such as Farming Connect, a Rural Development funded programme which helps farmers and their families run their business more efficiently through the provision of subsidised training, guidance and advice.

FUW president Emyr Jones, who will be attending the exhibition's opening ceremony on Monday October 8, said: "This is such an exciting opportunity for us to put Wales on the map and highlight some of the excellent work being carried out throughout the country and show how well some of the RDP money is being spent.

"Farming members of the FUW have benefited from Rural Development funded programmes and one of the initiatives run by Farming Connect is a network of demonstration farms across Wales.

"Each demonstration farm provides the opportunity for local farmers to share ideas and gain knowledge and expertise through attending open days and discussion group meetings and we are excited to showcase two excellent examples at the EU Parliament," added Mr Jones.

Other Rural Development funded projects from Wales in the exhibition are "Community Foodie", a cooperation between the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend and Torfaen Councils, Carmarthenshire Council's "Tywi Afon yr Oesoedd", Ceredigion Council's "Cynnal y Cardi", and Cadwyn Clwyd's "Denbighshire Green Tourism".

Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans, who supports the exhibition, said: "Around two-thirds of Wales is rural which is why EU Rural Development funds are so vitally important for supporting our countryside and rural communities.

"These projects are excellent examples of what can be done to create jobs and develop a sustainable environment."

An increase in the number of days farmers can make use of subsidised Farming Connect business and technical support services was welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales today.

Gavin Williams, recently re-elected chairman of the union’s land use and parliamentary committee, said: “Eligible farmers registered with Farming Connect can now take advantage of up to eight days of business and technical support, which is to be welcomed.”

The change will take effect for all applications received after October 1 2012.

“Previously farmers could apply for only five days of support for all categories of the Whole Farm Plan, plus an additional three days for support connected with diversification only, so the increase in the number of days available is great news,” added Mr Williams, who runs a flock of 200 Lleyn sheep  on his Anglesey farm.

The Farming Connect programme, which was first launched in 2001, has helped farmers and their families to run their business more efficiently. It is financed as part of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales 2007-2013 through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Assembly Government.

“We would  encourage all farmers to consider utilising the extended number of days available. The upcoming CAP reform means there is a lot of uncertainty out there so maximising the opportunities available under Farming Connect, such as the one-to-one business and technical support, should be considered,” said Mr Williams.

[caption id="attachment_4063" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Mari Eluned's crown on the banks of the River Dyfi[/caption]

Blue-coloured Welsh wool has been used to depict the flow of the river Dyfi in the Crown to be awarded at Powys Eisteddfod at Tabernacle Arts Centre, Machynlleth, on October 26 and 27.

Farmers' Union of Wales Meirionnydd and Montgomery county branches commissioned Welsh jewellery designer Mari Eluned to make the Crown which was formally handed over to eisteddfod chairman John Price at a special meeting of the eisteddfod executive committee.

"The inspiration for it comes from the Dyfi valley area and its history and design is based on Owain Glyndwr’s Crown with modifications to convey the river Dyfi," said Mari, who grew up on a remote Snowdonia farm and lives at Mallwyd, near Machynlleth.

She described her creation as similar to the gold and silver Crown crafted for Owain Glyndwr's coronation as Prince of Wales on June 21 1404.

"Slate from nearby Aberllefenni quarry was used to keep the local tone of the Crown, combined with the silver metal content," she said.

"The edge of the Crown was hammered to convey the riverside and blue Welsh wool was naturally wound through it to provide an indication of the river flow.

"In addition to the wool, the image of sheep and lambs etched into the silver reflects the importance of agriculture in the Dyfi valley and the surrounding area and is a suitable link to the FUW branches sponsoring the Crown."

FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones said the union was very pleased to be associated with the eisteddfod and is a privileged to present one of the main awards.

"Mari has established a successful business creating unique Welsh slate jewellery and contemporary pieces using natural materials.

"Her creative flair is extremely popular and she sells her creations all over Britain and overseas.

"She uses natural materials combined with precious metal which she transforms into delicate, tactile jewellery inspired by nature, agriculture and her Welsh roots.

"She takes pride in the quality of the workmanship and the uniqueness of her designs and creates each piece by hand.

"She had a natural creative talent from an early age which developed throughout her time at school and college and has ultimately become her career."

After graduating from Loughborough University in 2006, with a first class BA Honours degree in jewellery and silversmithing, Mari set up her own workshop at her home in Mallwyd and in 2009 she won the Gwynedd Taste & Talent "Young Craft Worker/Artist of the Year" award.

The Welsh Government's decision not to repeal the exemption for slurry, silage and fuel oil stores built over 21 years ago was described by the Farmers' Union of Wales today as a victory for common sense.

"The decision came in the Welsh Government’s response to its review of the Nitrate Vulnerable Zones consultation earlier this year and follows intensive lobbying on behalf of the FUW over the past few months,” said the union’s land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams.

“The proposal to repeal the exemption for slurry stores, built or planned before March 1 1991, from the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (Wales) Regulations (SSAFO), would have had a significant economic impact on many farmers in Wales - not just those within NVZs.

"The announcement acknowledges the cost implications to the industry in Wales and the need for a risk-based approach to assessing the condition of these stores.

“Whilst the union remains concerned over some of the proposals adopted by the Welsh Government as part of the NVZ review, and is helping members contest some of the new designations, the decision not to repeal the exemption under the SSAFO Regulations is one small victory for common sense," added Mr Williams.