Farming
Welsh farm diversity increases
THE DEPUTY MINISTER FOR FARMING AND FOOD, Rebecca Evans has welcomed new statistics indicating that the number of farm businesses in Wales with

Rebecca Evans: Deputy Minister
for Farming and Food.
diversified activities increased during 2013-14.
Around 3,100 farm businesses in Wales are estimated to have produced output from diversified activities during 2013-14, with income from diversified activities increasing to £15m.
Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans said: “I welcome the steady increase in the number of farm businesses in Wales that are opting to diversify and therefore add value to their existing business. The right diversification project can make all the difference to some farm businesses – releasing unused resources of land and buildings, increasing revenue and security and making them more adaptable to changing conditions in the industry. The range in type and scale of possible diversification is extensive and many Welsh farms are creating sustainable resilient businesses which have grown out of traditional farming. We support this success and continue to encourage diversification by farmers in order to for them to increase their farm incomes and allow them to take advantage and respond to new opportunities.”
The largest single category of diversified activity was the letting of buildings for non-farming use, carried out by an estimated 1,570 farms, with 340 engaged in tourist accommodation and catering, and 230 and 130 farm businesses respectively, involved themselves in sport and recreation activities and the processing and retailing of farm produce.
For those farm businesses engaging in diversification, the average income from diversified activities in 2013- 14 was £4,900 per farm. Farms with tourist accommodation and catering produced an average income from these activities of £6,800, with the letting of buildings for non-farming use, sport and recreation and the processing and retailing of farm produce generating average incomes of £6,100, £5,700 and £1,300 per farm, respectively.
Business
Huge slurry lagoon to be built in Pembrokeshire countryside

PLANS to build a new slurry lagoon at a 650-dairy herd Pembrokeshire farm have been given the go-ahead.
In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Richard Morris of Bowett Ltd sought permission for the construction of the lagoon, and associated works, at Quoits Hill Farm, Bentlass Road, Hundleton, near Pembroke.
A supporting statement through agent Cynllunio RW Planning Ltd stressed the applicant does not intend to increase livestock numbers on farm as a result of this 60 by 35 metre development.
“The Morris Family farm at Quoits Hill Farm and specialise in dairy farming. The farm is home to approximately 650 dairy cows plus followers. The herd is autumn calving with milk sold to Laprino. The home farm is grass based and extends to over 300 acres, with more off lying land utilised for growing winter forage.
“The family have invested significantly in recent years in on farm infrastructure to include a rotary milking parlour, silage clamps and covered feed yards.”
It added: “The proposed development seeks to increase the farms slurry storage capacity to above the five-month storage required by NVZ regulations. The existing slurry store and slurry handling facilities are not adequate to comply with the new regulations.”
It went on to say: “The proposed store will provide the farm with 6452 cubic meters of storage capacity (minus freeboard) which will equate to over 171 days storage. It is proposed to use the existing field slurry store as a lightly fouled water store to collect the parlour washings and reduce the size of the store required. Slurry will continue to be scrapped into the existing yard store and then pumped to the new store when required. This work will be monitored closely to reduce the risk of any leakage.”
It concluded: “The proposed development will enable slurry to be spread during the growing season rather than during more difficult weather conditions in the winter. This will be of benefit to farm efficiency and the wider environment.”
The application was conditionally approved.
Farming
Samuel Kurtz MS warns Chancellor: ‘Don’t sell out British farming in US trade talks’

SHADOW Rural Affairs Minister Samuel Kurtz MS has urged the UK Chancellor not to sacrifice British farming standards as trade negotiations with the United States continue this week.
The intervention comes as Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves visits Washington for her first in-person meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The meeting is part of early-stage discussions aimed at forging a UK-US trade agreement.
The Herald understands that the UK government is hoping to secure tariff relief on a number of goods still affected by duties imposed during the Trump administration. However, recent signals from US negotiators suggest that any such deal could require the UK to allow imports such as chlorine-washed chicken—currently banned in Britain.
Chlorine-washing is a process used in parts of the US poultry industry to disinfect meat that may have been exposed to poor hygiene conditions. Critics say it masks low welfare and sanitation standards that would be illegal under UK regulations.
Speaking this week, Mr Kurtz said: “British consumers and farmers expect better. Chlorine-washed chicken isn’t just a food safety issue—it’s a red flag for low animal welfare. Allowing such products into our market would fly in the face of everything we ask our own farmers to uphold.
“Our food producers work tirelessly to meet some of the highest standards in the world. Undermining them with a trade deal that rewards countries cutting corners is short-sighted and shameful. It’s not free trade—it’s a free pass for poor practice.”
He added: “If the UK is serious about food security and sustainability, then we must stand by the people who grow our food. That means defending British farming in the negotiating room—not bargaining it away behind closed doors.”
Farming
Pembrokeshire’s top progressive farmers are encouraged to apply for award

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.
Tim Johns, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s 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 those in the livestock and arable sectors to enter.”
Last year’s winners of the Award were Andrew and Jane Phillips of Windsor Farm, Lamphey. They farm 1,100 acres, with 3,000 breeding sheep and lambs. A herd of British Blue cross Limousin suckler cows sired by a Limousin bull and all calves are sold as weaned. The arable side of the business includes 80 acres of winter and spring barley which is mostly used for stock consumption. The surplus is sold. They grow 150 acres of maize which is used in a Totally Mixed Ration (TMR) for their sheep. Again, the surplus is sold to dairy farms. Some land is rented out for growing potatoes and leeks. The autumn season sees the general public invited in to buy some of the six acres of Pumpkins they grow for the Halloween market. Besides this, they are also involved with the holiday business by renting out two shepherd’s huts for visitors.
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 2025. Entries can either be by nomination or direct application online on the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society website. Click here to apply: Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society Baron de Rutzen Award 2025
The closing date for nominations and applications is at noon on Monday, 30 June 2025.
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