Farming

Dairy farmers express concern

Published

10 years ago

December 10, 2014

ALED JONES, NFU Cymru Milk Board Chairman, met with local dairy farmers at an on-farm meeting of the Ceredigion NFU Cymru county branch recently. The meeting was kindly hosted by Des Jones and family at Pantgwyn Farm near Synod Inn. Speaking at the meeting, Aled Jones, a dairy farmer from Caernarfon said: “We are experiencing significant cuts in farmgate milk prices due to a slump in the values of global dairy commodities.

We’ve also seen a spike in milk production here in Wales as well as in other parts of the UK, across Europe and in all of the other major milk producing areas of the globe. The volatility that we’re now seeing is fast becoming a growing challenge to us as dairy farmers and impacts on our confidence and ability to invest in our businesses.” Mr Jones added: “It’s natural for dairy farmers to feel some uncertainty about the current situation but there’s still much for us to be positive about as milk producers.

We continue to see the global population growing rapidly and there will be demand for dairy products, particularly within the fast growing economies of China and other parts of South East Asia. With the favourable climatic conditions that we have here in Wales for growing grass and forage crops and to produce milk sustainably, the long-term prospects appear to be positive; however we will need to get through this difficult period before we see a better future for our industry.”

Mr Jones continued: “The whole of the dairy supply chain, along with government, must work together to grow the market for dairy products. As well as increasing the amount of Welsh and British dairy produce on our supermarket shelves, we need to build new markets for milk products overseas. There are massive opportunities to increase the export potential of our dairy produce and we need to see both UK and Welsh governments focusing on trade capacity building and to look at developing new trading opportunities in Asia and further afield.”

Ceredigion NFU Cymru County Milk Chairman, John Davies, a dairy farmer from Silian near Lampeter said: “Milk and other dairy products are an important source of key nutrients including high quality protein, energy, and many essential minerals and vitamins. I feel strongly that far more should be done here in Wales and across the UK to promote the health and nutritional benefits of milk and dairy products, especially amongst infants and schoolchildren. Children are very impressionable and what they learn to eat and drink when they’re young can have an effect on their dietary habits throughout their lives.”

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

6 days ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

6 days ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

6 days ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.