Brian Bowen, Farmers' Union of Wales Vice President, recently hosted a Big Farmland Bird Count event at his farm Pencoedcae. Here he keeps a 230 suckler breeding herd and over 1200 sheep which grazes the three commons that surround his farm in Blaenau Gwent, South East Wales. 

He believes that not only do the cows break up the vegetation to create a more diverse habitat for different species to nest and feed in,  but poaching of the ground with their feet also creates water capture which again is another habitat to attract more wildlife.

“My cows and sheep are integral to boosting wildlife. It also provides access by breaking up the vegetation to the vast numbers of people who visit the area,” he says, pointing to the Brecon Beacons which the ground extends to. Infact Brian is surrounded by Common land which is used by many people with different interests as well as it being critical to the farming enterprise.

Neighbouring farmers to Brian are also breeding cows along with sheep in these peat rich hills which are storing millions of tonnes of carbon, using the native breeds - Galloway and Welsh Blacks for example - which are hardy and flourish in its harsh conditions of high altitude and rainfall. 

“It requires a special breed of cow here which is the cornerstone for the lowland breeders,” says Brian, who describes the native breeds as being tough but stresses that their contribution to the health of the moorland is poorly understood, and the threat of a TB outbreak to all Welsh cattle farmers is a constant worry. 

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is mourning the passing of Union Life Member, Evan R Thomas, from Carmarthen, who has been described as one of the most gifted and intellectual since the formation of the FUW.

Responding to the news FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The FUW has lost a farming stalwart.

“I regard Mr Thomas, or Evan R, as everyone knew him, as probably the most gifted and intellectually able member since the FUW was formed during 1955. He was a remarkable and wonderful man. He literally gave his life to the FUW and to Welsh agriculture. His contribution has been exceptional and he served on a very large number of committees.”

Farming has a great story to tell and must positively embrace the future, that was the key message at the recent Farmers’ Union of Wales Meirionnydd county annual general meeting. 

The well-attended event, held at Neuadd y Parc, near Bala on Friday 31 January, focussed on ‘Red Meat – the next 20 years’ and after an update on county activity over the last year, delegates heard from  Dewi Williams Cig Eryri abattoir in Ffestiniog; Gwyn Howells - Hybu Cig Cymru; Wyn Williams - Dunbia; and Rhys Davies - Farmers Marts. 

FUW Meirionnydd County Executive Officer Huw Jones said: “I would like to thank the panel speakers for their excellent contributions. It was a most interesting evening and the timing of the event certainly made it a historic occasion for us here in the county. Talking about the future of our industry on the night we were leaving the EU after 47 years of membership, certainly made for good conversation and thought stimulating discussions. The main message we can all take away from the evening is that the agricultural industry in Wales had a good story to tell and that we must look forward to the future confidently and positively in view

Breakfast functions all across Wales have raised over £15,000 within a week for Farmers’ Union of Wales Presidential charity the DPJ Foundation, thanks to an army of farmers and hungry breakfast-goers.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales’ 12 county branches embraced the Union’s annual Farmhouse Breakfast Week (Saturday 18 January - Saturday 25 January) in the usual, unstoppable and enthusiastic fashion and hosted 30 breakfasts across Wales.

Aiming to not only raise the profile of the sustainable, local, high-quality food farmers produce, staff, members and officials also used the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings over a home-cooked breakfast and cup of tea. 

Glyn Roberts, FUW President, said: “Our staff, members and wonderful volunteers have done an incredible job once again this year. Farming communities are close-knit and this shows what can be achieved when we all come together, with a common goal. Through these events, where we all sat around the kitchen table to talk and share our thoughts about #FarmingMatters, we’ve strengthened ongoing and permanent relationships and established new ones. 

“The money we have raised locally will go towards helping others - we must never forget that our communities are the engine room of people-powered change and that amazing things can be achieved and will be achieved. I can’t thank everyone who supported us in the run-up, during and after the events enough - together we managed to raise a phenomenal amount of money for our charity, all whilst enjoying great, local, sustainable, high-quality food.”