Farming

First Milk prices cause concern

Published

10 years ago

May 21, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Troubled co-operative: First Milk.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT of further price cuts by dairy co-operative First Milk has caused consternation amongst its members. Hardest hit will be the liquid milk or balancing suppliers who will see a 1.2ppl decrease taking their June A volume milk price to 19.3ppl.

The co-operative say they will bring in end product pricing from June meaning that the prices paid to their members across the UK will differ according to geographical location and end use. First Milk members supplying the Haverfordwest creamery in Pembrokeshire will be the only ones to see a positive movement of 0.3ppl with all others seeing a price decrease from June.

A programme of significant cost reductions across the business announced by new First Milk CEO Mike Gallacher includes proposals for up to 70 job losses and a new approach to milk pricing within its milk fields that links local milk prices to the value generated.

As part of the ‘turnaround’ plan, First Milk is cutting 70 jobs mainly at its HQ and in support functions while there will be a new focus on UK contracts and customers and less focus on exports.

NFU Cymru Milk Board Chairman Aled Jones said: “While I understand that new Chief Executive Mike Gallacher and the First Milk board have had to take drastic and decisive action to secure the longer term sustainability of the business, this news on milk prices brings little or no comfort to some members across Wales and England who have supported them over the years. The headline A price of 19.3ppl for the balancing supply doesn’t take into account the 2ppl capital investment requirement that came into force in January nor the fact that this is only paid for 80 per cent of the milk supplied. The actual milk price received by these farmers will be far worse and I would implore on First Milk to do all they can to increase both the A and B price for these farmers. We all want to see a secure future for First Milk but this should not be done at the expense of their members. I, and my board, have spoken to a number of them who feel they have no other option but to leave the industry. First Milk’s management team need to confirm at the forthcoming member meetings the whole range of actions that they are doing to put the business on a more secure footing. This must not just be about cutting the milk price. We welcome the announcement today of an independent review of the business – the recommendations are to be presented to members before the summer. We look forward to this painting a full and clear picture of what has happened in recent times and help explain the rationale for the turnaround strategy. We have already been in touch with First Milk and dialogue will continue to understand the rationale behind this latest price movement, and to seek clarity on their long term plan.”

A statement from First Milk read: ‘To ensure that the business is financially robust through the restructuring process, the First Milk Board has agreed a £3.3m reduction in member payments’.

Mike Gallacher, CEO, said: “None of the decisions announced today have been taken lightly, but they are necessary steps in the process of rebuilding a secure and stable future for First Milk, its members and its employees. As a team, our aim will be to provide every support for those impacted in the coming months. First Milk plays an important role in many rural communities across the UK and continues to value the support it has received from all our stakeholders. Our strategy is aimed at continuing to restore the health of First Milk so that we can support those communities through delivering better prices for their milk.”

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.