A tenant farming family from Pembrokeshire is at a crossroads, as they try to make sense of the on-going chaos caused by the Habitat Wales scheme and uncertainty around future funding.

Haydn and Julia Mathias farm at Moor Farm, Cresselly, Kilgetty, where they keep a herd of suckler cows in an organic system on 177 acres. The farm has always been in some form of agri environment scheme starting with the Preseli ESA which led to Tir Gofal and in more recent years Glastir Entry leading to Glastir Advanced. They have also participated in Welsh Government organic schemes since they started in organic conversion in 2001. 

“The EOI for the Habitat Wales Scheme, if accepted, will generate approximately £2,404 for the farm. In 2022 our Glastir Advanced contract generated £5,190.93 and our Glastir Organic contract generated £4,457.20.  With both these contracts ending on 31 December 2023, we are now looking at a drop of 75% in our income in 2024 if we are offered a contract for the Habitat Wales Scheme,” said Mr Mathias. 

John Owen, who has been instrumental in developing good farming practices for all farmers within Wales through his extensive work at Gelli Aur and beyond, has been recognised for his work with the Farmers’ Union of Wales – United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society Award for services to agriculture in Carmarthenshire.  

Being based at Gelli Aur has enabled him to impart and develop his knowledge and understanding of farming practices and needs within Carmarthenshire which have benefited the farmers within the industry.

A Carmarthenshire farmer, who launched his industry career on the dairy home farm in Whitland and who has since played an intrinsic role in the development of pedigree and non-pedigree herds, has been recognised for outstanding services to the Welsh Dairy Industry by the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Meurig James FRAgS, of Pengawse Farm, Whitland, started his career in agriculture as a farmer on the family dairy farm at Pengawse Farm, but with a younger brother at home and a limited acreage, he looked for a different career path. 

In 1993 Meurig became breed developer and type classifier for the British Holstein Society and now holds the position of Head of Breed Development for Holstein UK overseeing the classification of 140,000 pedigree and non-pedigree dairy and beef cattle annually. He is also the head of the National Bovine Data Centre.

The Glamorgan branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales has appointed a new chairperson to lead the local team. Taking over from Richard Walker, who served the county as chair for over a decade, is current vice chair Charlotte Llewellyn.

Speaking about her appointment, Charlotte said: “A debt of gratitude goes to our former chair Richard Walker for his dedication and hard work on behalf of the FUW and agriculture and also for the support provided by his wife Rachel.  It’s a privilege to have been elected as Glamorgan county chair. I look forward to working with Union officials,  county staff and members to ensure that we have thriving, sustainable family farms."

She farms 225 acres at Cefn Colstyn Farm, Pentyrch, on the outskirts of Cardiff.