A NEW co-operative formed between West Wales pig farmers and a meat supplier is allowing pork from herds born and reared within the region to be transported for processing just a short distance in a low-throughput abattoir – reducing stress on the animals, providing low food miles meat for consumers and improving producer margins.

The eight Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire-based farmers were brought together by the Farming Connect Agrisgôp initiative after the idea was discussed by Fishguard meat supplier and butcher Martyn Lloyd and Agrisgôp leader Lilwen Joynson.

Martyn had been a member of another Agrisgôp group where Lilwen had helped him to develop his idea for a new processing facility and later, at a Farming Connect mentoring meeting, the idea for the Red Dragon Porc Cyf co-operative was established.

Martyn and his wife, Danielle, had been unable to source low food miles pork for their customers.

“We could get beef and lamb and we have our own poultry but what we were missing was pork, we did our best to find Welsh pork for customers but that pork came with a lot of food miles and that doesn’t fit with our business ethos,’’ Martyn explains.

Developing an abattoir on their farm at Cilshafe presented a solution.

“We wanted to get some pork producers on board, to help them advance their businesses,’’ says Martyn.

“There are a lot of small pig producers in west Wales and many were struggling to work out how best to get their meat to the market but with an existing customer base we could help. We looked to Agrisgôp to help to bring that to life.’’

After the first Agrisgôp meeting, facilitated by Lilwen, the idea took shape.

Agrisgôp is a fully-funded management development programme that encourages eligible farmers to get together to not only develop their businesses, but to personally gain confidence and skills through action learning.

And this is what happened for the Red Dragon Porc Cyf members.

Farmers had been receiving inconsistent prices for their pigs when they marketed as individual businesses and their ability to supply a butcher directly was constrained as meeting supply volume requirements was tricky.

“The farmers shared a mission and were guided on putting their ideas into action,’’ Lilwen explains.

Building trust and confidence was crucial to the process of forming a cooperative.

“Collaboration and open sharing are definitely key,’’ says Lilwen.

“Differences of opinion and thinking had to be overcome and a set of rules and values adopted with individuals accepting that it had to work for the majority since they were no longer operating as individual businesses.’’

For some it even meant changing breeding patterns and breed type to accommodate market demands.

At the end of 2024, Red Dragon Porc Cyf had already marketed £43,000 worth of pork, including sausages which captured awards at last year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

In April, the missing part of the local pork jigsaw slotted into position when the Lloyds started processing pork at their own Food Standards Agency-approved abattoir.

Until then, co-operative members including Will Kerr had to transport their pigs further to be processed.

“We didn’t have any control over prices, the margins were very small,’’ Will admits. “Martyn opening the abattoir in Fishguard has been the catalyst we needed.’’

Will has six Welsh pig breeding sows, which he runs alongside suckler beef and sheep enterprises at his family’s farm, Blaenawen, at Glanrhyd.

He had long been frustrated at the perception of pork being, in his words “the cheap cousin’’ of beef and lamb.

While it has become commonplace for butchers to display the full history of the beef and lamb they are selling, Will points out that this is rarely applied to pork because it is largely sourced wholesale or has been imported.

“We too are now in a position to tell the exciting story of our pork,’’ says Will, who farms with his parents, Mark and Kip.

He sees a major advantage in being part of a co-operative. “As a group we are more powerful, it gives us many advantages, we are already getting a better price for our pigs.

“Without Agrisgôp we would never have come together so we are grateful to Martyn for initiating it with Farming Connect and to Lilwen for pulling us all together.’’

Another member of the group, Ed Walker, also sees big value in collective marketing, that “strength in numbers’’.

“As eight producers we are on a par with commercial farmers as we can offer consistency of supply but we are still individual small producers too.’’

The businessman-turned-farmer produces around 600 pigs a year on an outdoor system at 46-acre Model Farm near Tenby.

His 22 breeding sows are a mixture of Large Whites crossed with a Welsh boar and Oxford Sandy and Blacks which he crosses to a Large White.

Keeping pigs started as hobby, alongside running his own civil engineering business, but it is now more or less a full-time job, with a part-time helper too.

Almost all his sales are through Red Dragon Porc Cyf although he is also licenced to sell meat from the farm as Tenby Woodland Pork.

Before the abattoir was established at Cilshafe, he would need to make a 150-mile round trip to the facility at Maesteg.

The next stage for the co-operative could be to establish a meat box scheme.

The throughput of pigs through the Lloyds’ abattoir, which also processes other livestock, will be small initially but that is projected to increase as sales gain momentum.

The facility has so far has created four full-time jobs and more could follow.

Picture caption:

Collaborating on pork marketing: Pictured from the left are Tom Young, Nic Caine, Martyn Lloyd, Ed Walker, Will Kerr and Lilwen Joynson

A TALENTED 18-year-old apprentice from Haverfordwest is set to represent Team UK at EuroSkills 2025, Europe’s largest skills competition.

Taking place in Denmark this September, Team UK consists of 19 competitors from across the UK, with Wales making up an impressive 37% of the team. Their participation highlights Wales’ commitment to excellence in vocational skills and underscores the nation’s ability to compete at the highest level on the European stage.

Currently an apprentice at Haven Engineering and a student at Pembrokeshire College, Luke Roberts began his competition journey with Skills Competition Wales, where he claimed a silver medal in the Welding competition.

His talents didn’t go unnoticed, with him shortly after progressing to the WorldSkills UK National Finals in Manchester, earning a Highly Commended title and catching the attention of national trainers.

Following an intense round of pressure tests where candidates were scored not just on their welding skills, but also technique, time, and finish, Luke was officially selected for EuroSkills.

Luke said: “It was such a tight decision between me and another really talented welder to go to EuroSkills. We were so close in skill, but I scored slightly higher on the pressure test.

“I was buzzing when I found out I was heading to Denmark. It’ll be my first time on a plane, and I get to go with my training manager, Carl. It’s amazing the places you get to travel with skills competitions. If I’m lucky enough to qualify for WorldSkills International competitions, I’ll get to go to Shanghai!”

Luke’s journey has already taken him far, personally and professionally, by helping him believe in his abilities and develop in his industry.

He continued: “Competing has helped my confidence massively. You meet loads of new people, learn to weld using different processes like TIG, aluminum and stainless, and it’s a huge boost to your CV. It makes you stand out.”

Now preparing for EuroSkills in Herning, Denmark, Luke is training alongside his national teammates and forging friendships across the UK.

He said: “The networking opportunities throughout my skills competition journey have been endless. I’m currently working alongside a guy from Grimsby for EuroSkills who I’d never met before, but we get on like we’ve known each other for years.

While he admits the reality of EuroSkills “hasn’t quite hit”, Luke is excited to be part of something so big.

He continued: “In Manchester I put a lot of pressure on myself, but this time I just want to enjoy it, stay calm, and do my best. I’ve already learned so much about myself through this.”

Luke credits his college lecturers and training mentors for helping him progress. “My employer has been brilliant and allowed me to do additional training in work hours. College and work have been a huge support, and we’ve had such a laugh along the way.”

“I’d definitely encourage others to give it a go. It’s been a great experience, I’ve got to travel, make new friends, be more qualified in my skill and also have boosted my CV too. It’s so worthwhile.”

Competitions in Wales are delivered by Inspiring Skills, a Welsh Government-funded initiative dedicated to promoting vocational excellence. Through Skills Competition Wales and international training support, it helps young people develop world-class skills, gain confidence, and represent Wales on a global stage.

Looking ahead to the future, Luke is focused on giving his all at EuroSkills Herning 2025, with the ultimate goal of a place at the global WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, often dubbed the “skills Olympics”.

He hopes his journey will inspire more young people in Wales to believe in their capabilities and enroll in skills competitions.

To start your skills competition in Wales and for more information on how you can get involved as a competitor, employer or skills champion, go to: https://inspiringskills.gov.wales/

BEVAN BUCKLAND LLP, Wales’ largest independent accountancy firm, has been announced as the headline sponsor of the Wales Business Awards 2025.

The awards, organised by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, celebrate the best of Welsh business. Winners across 12 categories, plus the Wales Business of the Year, will be announced at the ceremony which takes place on 12 June at Holland House Hotel, Cardiff and sees broadcaster Andrea Byrne return as host.

As headline sponsor of the event, Bevan Buckland will have a notable presence at the ceremony and drinks reception, as well as opportunities to connect with dignitaries, finalists and the Welsh business community.

With a history spanning over 125 years, the firm is a familiar fixture of the professional services sector across Wales, operating from offices in Carmarthen, Cowbridge, Haverfordwest, Pembroke and headquartered in Swansea.

Bevan Buckland has grown rapidly over the past few years, employing 140 staff and providing a full range of services. Using their extensive experience and expertise, the team at Bevan Buckland provide top level accountancy, audit, tax, corporate finance and financial planning services for individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organisations to help them achieve their goals.

The firm works with a diverse range of sectors including construction and property, charity and not-for-profit, creative industries, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and ecommerce, and small businesses and startups.

Alison Vickers, Managing Partner of Bevan Buckland LLP, said: “We are thrilled to be the headline sponsor of the Wales Business Awards, celebrating the remarkable achievements of Welsh businesses. Here at Bevan Buckland, our strong connection to Wales drives our passion for supporting the local business community. Witnessing the remarkable growth and success of so many Welsh businesses is truly inspiring. We are committed to celebrating their achievements and driving forward the entrepreneurial spirit and the continued excellence and ambition that define our region.”

Gus Williams, interim CEO at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “We’d like to thank all of our sponsors for their invaluable input, expertise in judging and support of the Wales Business Awards, and particularly extend our thanks to our headline sponsor Bevan Buckland. As we mark the successes of businesses in Wales, it’s fantastic to have the backing of a firm which is dedicated to helping businesses and organisations grow and thrive. It’s going to be an incredible ceremony!”