Farming

Union Leader’s New Year message

Published

9 years ago

January 19, 2015

Appointment welcomed:
Rebecca Evans’ approach
endorsed by both FUW & NFU

The year, 2014, ended as it started with uncertainty within the farming industry as to how the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will be distributed across Wales from 2015. Throughout the entire CAP reform process NFU Cymru has consistently argued for a policy solution that seeks to minimise disruption, as much as possible, in the move from historic to area based payments. NFU Cymru has stressed to Welsh Government the importance of reconsidering all the options available under the EU regulations to help inform its new consultation. As well as a differentiated payment rate system, consideration should also be given to the approach to CAP direct payments adopted in Ireland, the so called ‘tunnel approach’ which seeks to limit the losses for farmers in the transition towards an area based payment.

Once the Welsh Government comes forward with a new set of options NFU Cymru will consult widely with our membership to ensure that our response takes account of the views of members across all regions and all sectors of agriculture in Wales. Since the new Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture took over the reins in July we have welcomed the constructive and positive dialogue that we have had with her and her team. Rebecca Evans has highlighted her intention to produce an Agriculture Strategy for Wales in 2015 and NFU Cymru looks forward to this being developed in a genuine partnership to help achieve our goal of a productive and profitable agriculture industry in Wales.

This strategy must come forward with some key actions and targets, tying in wherever possible with the ambitious targets set within the Food Strategy launched last summer. Once these actions and targets are identified then all policies, schemes and projects must work towards delivering against the strategy. The Wales Rural Development Programme (RDP) can play an integral role in delivering on the Agriculture Strategy. For this to happen we need to see schemes and projects developed that offer clear farmer benefit, ensure high levels of uptake and participation, are easily accessible and adequately resourced.

Price volatility has impacted upon all sectors of agriculture in Wales in 2014. Whilst the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) does help farming businesses to manage volatility, this support is changing and levels of support are declining. We continue to meet with processors and retailers to stress the importance of working with farmers on long term supply chain relationships that seek, wherever possible, to reduce exposure to the ups and downs of global commodity markets. 2015 will see a Westminster general election and I see this as an opportunity for all our political parties to reaffirm their commitment to the work of the Grocery Code Adjudicator (GCA). I will be looking to see the powers and resource given to the GCA increased so that the GCA can investigate all links in the supply chain.

This will help drive out unfair trading practices between the farm gate right through to retailers and food service companies. Public Food Procurement is an area where I see room for improvement at both a Welsh and Westminster Government level, with our Governments ensuring that public food procurers place far greater emphasis on quality marks like PGI and assurance standards like the Red Tractor. Whilst I welcome the current downward trend in the number of new bovine TB incidents, and cattle slaughtered as a result of TB, we must not forget that this disease continues to cause untold misery to farmers and their families.

Dairy farmers responding to the Welsh Dairy Farmer survey published in 2014 highlighted bovine TB as ‘the greatest issue affecting their business’ and the HCC commissioned Beef Review came to the conclusion that the Welsh beef industry is ‘no doubt badly handicapped by endemic bovine TB’. Farmers are doing their utmost to get on top of this disease through complying with the stringent cattle control measures, but I continue to maintain that eradication of bovine TB from the Welsh countryside can only be achieved through the removal of diseased wildlife alongside the cattle measures we already have in place.

Despite the challenges posed by CAP, global markets and bovine TB, I remain optimistic for our future. The key fundamentals in terms of a growing domestic and world population evermore seeking assurance over the quality and provenance of their food remains in place and Welsh farmers are well placed to capitalise. What makes me most confident about our future is the professionalism, commitment and dedication that I have seen from our younger and next generation of farmers. As NFU Cymru President I am committed to doing my utmost to ensure that we create the conditions that, through Government policy and in the marketplace, gives them the best possible chance for a long and prosperous future farming the land.

Farming

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society in search for county’s top progressive farmers

Published

1 week ago

April 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IF you farm in Pembrokeshire and can demonstrate your farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture then the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourage you to enter the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award.

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire County Show President, said, “We are looking for local Pembrokeshire farmers, under the age of 45, who can demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture. They also need to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm as well as present an aesthetically pleasing example of farming in the county. The competition welcomes all livestock and arable sectors to take part.”

Last year’s winners of the Award were Mark and Caroline Davies of Little Newcastle, Haverfordwest. They milk 230 pedigree Holsteins through a fully automated system. They rear their own replacements and also have a small beef enterprise. The farm is all grassland and they follow a strict reseeding and liming policy to optimise the yield from their multi-cut silage system. The couple place significant emphasis on animal health, husbandry and breeding to maximise the efficiency of their system.

Baron John Fredrick De Rutzen was President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society in 1936 and the Baron de Rutzen Trophy was produced in his memory. The third Baron served in the Welsh Guards and tragically died, aged 36, in 1944.

This year’s entrants must be fully practising farmers within the county of Pembrokeshire and were under the age of 45 years on 1 January 2024. Entries can either be by nomination or direct application online on the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society website. Click here to apply: Baron de Rutzen Award | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org)

The closing date for nominations and applications is at noon on Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

Farming

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society elect new president

Published

2 weeks ago

April 1, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ARABLE and beef farmer, Adam Thorne, has been unanimously elected to become the new President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society for the year ahead. Adam is the third generation of his family to hold the position.

During the Annual General Meeting of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, held last week on the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr Tim John and his wife Margaret John were also voted in as Presidents elect.

Adam Thorne has had a long association with Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society. After visiting the show as a toddler, then helping show the family’s pedigree Herefords, his uncle got him into helping him with stewarding in his early teens. From there he progressed to being a Steward with his own section, Commercial Cattle, and then also the Butcher’s Lambs section.

From stewarding, Adam became involved with committee work, starting as an Executive and then on to the former Finance and General Purposes Committee. He has been Chairman of the Estates Committee for 12 years and is now a Board member and a Trustee.

Adam said, “I am proud of my long association with Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society. I am the third generation to now be President, following my late grandfather, Walter Thorne, my father, Robert Thorne and more recently my uncle, George Thorne. I am looking forward to my year in the prestigious position.”

Away from his work with the society, Adam runs the family’s arable and beef farm in Robeston West, Milford Haven. He has been heavily involved with Tiers Cross YFC from an early age, having been Club Secretary twice and Chairman. He has also sat on Pembrokeshire County YFC Committees and the Wales YFC Rural Affairs Committee.

The 2024 Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society officeholders, announced at the AGM, include Miss Ffion Edwards who was awarded the role of Ambassador at last year’s show. Ffion, a nurse from Maenclochog, has enjoyed many years of attending the county show and believes that there are so many good elements to it. Ffion has been a member of Llysyfran YFC for 15 years and enjoys every aspect of young farmers – trying new experiences, competing and travelling to name a few. Mrs Nicola Owen was also elected as the Honorary Treasurer.

Brian Jones, the outgoing Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society President, took the opportunity to thank everyone who had helped and supported him throughout his presidency. During his year as President, Brian and his wife Helen, raised a tremendous amount of money for various charities including the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, RABI, Tir Dewi and the DPJ Foundation. Brian also gave his assurances that Castell Howell will continue to sponsor the Food Hall for future years.

Pembrokeshire County Show, the largest county agricultural show in Wales, will be held over two days again this summer on 14 and 15 August. Everyone is invited to attend the celebration of rural life in the county.

Pictured (left to right): Ffion Edwards the Ambassador for 2024; Adam Thorne, President; Margaret and Tim John, the Presidents Elect.

Farming

£1,000 bursary award available to Pembrokeshire agricultural students

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE Agricultural Society’s £1,000 Bursary Award is now open for applications from students studying agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural engineering, food technology, forestry or other subjects allied to agriculture.

The Student Bursary Award 2024 is available to students, from Pembrokeshire, who are currently studying or have been accepted to start their studies. They can apply for this financial support to assist with their chosen college or career path.

Last year’s winner of the award was Lottie Wilson from Hayscastle. Lottie was studying agriculture at the University of Nottingham when she applied for the bursary. When she is at home she is a general dairy farm worker as well as a lambing hand and a calving beef herd assistant. In 2021 she was the top agriculture student at Hartpury College.

Robert James, Chairman of the Society’s Bursary Committee said, “I would urge all Pembrokeshire students who study subjects that are clearly aligned to agriculture to apply for this bursary as it won’t only assist with your studies but will also give you great experiences such as undertaking an interview which is a key employment skill. It will also assist in your future career within the agriculture industry.”

“A panel of independent judges will draw up a short list of candidates who will be interviewed and the winning candidate will be asked to give a short presentation at a future meeting of the society’s show council.

“The standard of applications has always been exceptional which gives a lot of heart that there are a lot of very talented young people in our community. We are very much looking forward to receiving applications for this year’s bursary and hearing from the younger generation.”

Qualifying students must not have won the student bursary on a previous occasion, the applicant must be studying or has been accepted to study agriculture or allied subjects at a UK college or university at A-Level or higher and the applicant’s family home must be in Pembrokeshire.

The bursary is tax free and will be awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the panel of judges, has submitted the best dissertation on how the bursary will assist them to complete their course of study.

Further details and the entry form can be found online: Student Bursary Award | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org) or by calling the show office: 01437 764331. The closing date for applications is noon on Monday, 1 July 2024.