Farming

Farming Connect review welcomed

Published

10 years ago

December 30, 2014

Tom Sinclair

NFU Cymru President Stephen
James: “We look forward to
working with Government on the
development of this strategy.”

THE REPORT, launched at the Winter Fair, considers the proposed approach to delivering knowledge transfer, advice and innovation under the next Rural Development Programme (RDP) and makes a total of 24 recommendations. NFU Cymru President Stephen James said: “We are pleased that the Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, has this morning announced that she is accepting all 24 of Gareth Williams’ recommendations and that Welsh Government officials have drawn up an action plan to ensure effective and timely implementation working closely with industry stakeholders.”

Key recommendations include retaining the current levels of intervention at 100% for the knowledge transfer programme and 80% for the subsidised services including Whole Farm Plan, Farm Advisory Service and the Skills Development Programme. NFU Cymru believes that this will be crucial in securing high levels of uptake and engagement from farmers.

The mandatory training requirement for providers of Farming Connect services will be a key contributor in driving higher standards in knowledge transfer and advice provision going forward. Stephen James continued: “We are very pleased that Gareth Williams has acknowledged wider RDP funding and projects within his report. We have been concerned that, under the current RDP, there have been too many projects with competing/duplicating roles and it is clear that there needs to be far better integration and join-up in the next RDP.

The recommendation for the establishment of a RDP Project Advisory Committee consisting of both Government and industry representatives is, therefore, significant and NFU Cymru believes that this decision making body will be crucial in ensuring the Rural Development Programme delivers greater impact and benefit to the farm level.

“We are pleased that Mr Williams recognises the need for a clearer focus and direction for the farming industry through a Welsh Agricultural Strategy and the policies supporting Rural Development. We look forward to working with Government on the development of this strategy which should show how agriculture can deliver the outcomes of the Food Action Plan which aims to grow output for the sector by 30% to £7b by 2020.”

Mr James concluded: “Overall, we welcome the review which has put forward a number of useful recommendations not only for Farming Connect but for the wider RDP. NFU Cymru continues to work tirelessly to ensure the RDP delivers direct benefit for farmers and we look forward to working with Welsh Government to see the recommendations of the report are fully and swiftly implemented.”

The decision of the Welsh Government to accept the report’s recommendations has also been welcomed by the FUW. The union’s land use and parliamentary committee chairman Gavin Williams said: “Having contributed to the review we are extremely pleased that many of our ideas are reflected in the report. Ensuring closer relationships between industry and Welsh Government to deliver the RDP programme is welcomed, as is a greater emphasis on encouraging farmers to undertake their own business planning and longer term decision making. “We also welcome the greater flexibility within the programme which will allow it to adapt to changing industry needs and the retention of the current intervention rates for knowledge transfer, One-to-One advice and training will help drive the industry forward. We look forward to working with Welsh Government to ensure that the next Farming Connect programme fully reflects industry needs.”

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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.