Farming

First Milk urged to meet with suppliers

Published

10 years ago

January 27, 2015

Tom Sinclair

First Milk payment delay worries members: Meurig Raymond

BOTH NFU Cymru and the FUW are urging First Milk to meet with their milk suppliers as a matter of priority. After faceto- face talks with the dairy cooperative, NFU President Meurig Raymond said information from First Milk to its milk suppliers was absolutely essential given the current situation. First Milk announced on Thursday (Jan 8) that it is delaying its next milk payment by two weeks, increasing capital levy contributions and recouping extra capital from farmers at a time when they are already under huge financial pressure. Mr Raymond said the timing of the announcement meant a serious burden for farmers and damage to cash flow at an expensive and demanding time of year for costs.

“It is paramount that the financial stability of First Milk is secured,” said Mr Raymond.“And as a farmerowned co-operative, I expect First Milk to arrange early meetings with their farmer suppliers, before their AGM at the end of January, to answer their urgent questions. Farmers need to have a better understanding of their options in order to develop a sustainable business plan. “Make no mistake, I have heard from members, some who are extremely anxious after yesterday’s news, and I have taken those views to the chairman of First Milk during discussions today.

“My priority is the impact of First Milk’s announcement on our members and I am working to ensure we are doing all we can across the Union to support our members at this crucial time. “Our policy team and group secretary network is working to support our members affected and we are taking lots of calls from worried members at CallFirst. To help with information to our members we have compiled a Q&A which is available on NFU Cymru’s website: www.nfucymru. org.uk.

“In the meantime we are holding ongoing talks with banks to ensure they remain supportive to dairy farmers at this crucial time”, he said. The FUW described First Milk’s decision as ‘another setback for a Welsh dairy sector’. Last year saw months of consecutive downward milk pricing by many major milk buyers including Arla, First Milk and Dairy Crest and a lengthy delay in milk price recovery now seems certain due to problems such as over supply within the global marketplace.

FUW president Mr Emyr Jones said: “The decision to postpone milk cheques by two weeks will have a significant impact and FUW First Milk suppliers are extremely concerned about the decision. Farmers are not in a position to defer paying their bills or direct debits so this decision places them in an untenable position. “The FUW is naturally anxious that a major collector of milk in Wales is experiencing cash flow problems and we have discussed our concerns with First Milk following the announcement. “The decision by First Milk to defer payments compounds the sustained low prices already experienced by dairy producers in Wales and adds to concerns about the volatility of the milk market and its impact on the viability of the sector.”

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.