Farming
NFU Cymru meet with AM
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Discussing-farming-issues-Lee-Waters.png)
NFU CYMRU members in Carmarthenshire recently met on farm with Llanelli Assembly Member, Lee Waters.
The meeting, hosted by dairy farmer Hefin Daniel at Llwyntew Farm, near Llannon, was an opportunity for members to discuss a number of current and relevant issues with Lee, including TB, Brexit and precision agriculture.
Speaking at the meeting, NFU Cymru Carmarthenshire County Chairman, Garry Williams said: “I’m grateful to Lee for coming out to meet with us today. Inevitably a lot of today’s discussion has centred around Brexit, which is now only 18 months away.
“For farmers in Wales, our forthcoming departure from the EU has ushered in a period of uncertainty and upheaval. We are very keen to avoid a cliff edge Brexit which could be very disruptive to our trading relationship with our largest and nearest export market, whilst at the same time potentially opening up our own domestic market to imported food produced to lower standards than those we adhere to.
“We need to ensure continuity of access to our export markets, without incurring tariff and non-tariff barriers, whilst ensuring we do not enter into trade deals, which see inferior products coming into this country.”
Garry added: “I of course realise that the Welsh Government and the National Assembly are not in the driving seat when it comes to Brexit, but I very much welcome the recognition in the Welsh Government/Plaid Cymru document on Brexit, of the particular vulnerability of Welsh agriculture to a ‘cliff edge’ Brexit.”
The meeting also covered TB with Hefin Daniel describing his own experience of TB to Lee. Mr Daniel said: “A new dairy set-up five years ago represented a significant investment on the part of the business. Unfortunately however, my business is currently being hamstrung by the TB situation, which has seen me lose over 100 cattle to the disease in the last decade. The loss of the cattle, their milk production and future calves in what seems to be a never ending story is a real challenge for the business to absorb. The continual cycle of TB testing is also very time consuming, and I estimate that since the beginning of this year alone, I have spent a month of my time just TB testing cattle. I’m really pleased that Lee has been able to join us today to see for himself the real problems that TB causes in his constituency.”
Precision agriculture, in which Mr Waters in himself very interested also came up for discussion, with Garry Williams commenting: “I’m really pleased to see Lee taking a keen interest in precision agriculture and farm technology. On my own farm I am making greater use of technology to take my business forward, and I know farmers across Wales are making greater use of precision techniques and technology as a means of making their own farms more productive. I think Lee’s suggestion that we could look to home grow more of the technology we need, through looking to set up a precision agriculture centre for excellence in Wales is a really good one.”
Garry concluded: “I’m most grateful to Lee for coming out to meet with us today. It’s been a really informative exchange of views and I look forward to further constructive meetings with Lee.”
Farming
Farm building scheme near Lawrenny given go-ahead by planners
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lawrenny_Church-e1721925610409.jpg)
AN APPLICATION for a storage building at a south Pembrokeshire farm, made by a family member of an officer on Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning service, has been given the go-ahead by the authority’s planning committee.
In an application recommended for approval at the July 23 meeting of the authority’s planning committee, Laura Elliot sought permission for the erection of an agricultural storage building at Tedion Farm, a dairy farm near Lawrenny.
The application had been brought to committee, rather than being delegated to planning officers, due to the family connection.
The farm, near to the Pembrokeshire coast National Park border, comprises 270 milking cows and dairy heifer replacements kept on the farm comprising land over 138 hectares. The farm is mainly down to grass and the cows are paddock grazed in order to utilise grass efficiency.
No objections had been received from local community council Martletwy.
A report for members said: “The application seeks consent for the erection of agricultural storage building. The erection of an agricultural building will be used to store stay, hay and farm machinery.
“The building would be located within the existing farm complex, to the north-east of the site, adjacent to the main farm dwelling. The building will measure 18 metres in length by 13.6 metres in width, with a pitched roof height of 5.71 metres.”
Approval was moved by Cllr Alistair Cameron, seconded by Cllr Brian Hall.
Farming
Fears dairy farm near Kilgetty could increase to 3,000 cattle
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cows-scaled-e1721817001239.webp)
PEMBROKESHIRE planners are to visit the site of one of the county’s largest dairy farms after claims were raised a scheme for new calf buildings could lead to animal welfare issues and an increase in the size of the herd to 3,000 cattle.
At the July 23 meeting of the council’s planning committee, an application by Hugh James of Langdon Mill Farms Ltd for a calf building, weaned calf building, and associated yard areas, at Langdon Mill Farm, near Jeffreyston, Kilgetty was recommended for conditional approval.
Local community council Jeffreyston has raised concerns, made by a member of the public, on potential increased noise and odour from the scheme, planners heard.
A supporting statement, through agent Reading Agricultural Consultants, said: “The holding currently has a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows, which are housed indoors for the majority of the year, with dry cows [cows that are not lactating, prior to calving] and heifers grazed outdoors when weather and soil conditions permit.
“There has been significant investment in buildings and infrastructure at the farm over the last decade in respect of cattle accommodation, slurry storage, milking facilities, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant and feed storage. The unit is efficient, achieving yields of more than 10,000 litres/cow/year, with cows being milked three times/day in the 60-point rotary parlour.”
Currently, calves are reared at Langdon Mill Farm for two months before being transported off-site to be reared at a number of third-party farms in the area before being return later; the proposed 61.2m long calf building is required to accommodate young-stock, following separation from the cows, to two-months, with the 164.8m weaned calf building to be used for calves from two months to seven months.
The application says the proposals would “clearly make the enterprise more financially robust by reducing reliance on third party farms”.
However, concerns were raised at the committee meeting by objector Ian Dennis, a former vet of some four decades’ experience, who described Langdon as occupying 3,000 acres of land with 2,000 cattle currently that “are never allowed to graze,” the proposal, he said, would add another 1,000 cattle to the site.
“This is factory farming, an intensive livestock unit, no longer a farm.”
He told planners a “mendacious and incorrect” ammonia emission report submitted by the applicants was “designed to bamboozle,” saying, despite his experience and scientific background, he needed expert support to assess.
He said only average figures were reported, rather than peaks and troughs, adding the “fictitious anaerobic digestion plant” had yet to be built, with planning permission now lapsed.
However, officers told members the applicant’s agent had said works on the digestor had actually started.
On the issue of animal welfare, Mr Dennis said he had “very huge concerns” about the scale of the development, differing from a planning officer report saying the scheme would bring animal welfare benefits.
A suggestion by committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock the application be deferred pending a site visit was unanimously backed by committee members present.
Farming
Family pay tribute to farmer, 65, who died in quadbike accident
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Hugh-Tudor-e1721735992301.png)
A WEST WALES farmer has died after an incident involving a quadbike.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed they attended a report of an incident involving an agricultural quadbike in a field in the Llanilar area of Aberystwyth on July 17.
The force has confirmed that a 65-year-old man died at the scene.
They said that his next of kin have been advised and are being supported by specialist officers. The HM Coroner and Health and Safety Executives have been informed.
His family have paid tribute to him. The family said: “Hugh Tudor was a 65 year old farmer who had farmed at Tynberllan, Llanilar with his wife Ann for over 40 years. He was a devoted father to Sara, Lowri and the late Gwenno.
“Hugh was the son of the late Tom and Sybil Tudor of Glanystwyth and brother to Richard.
“Farming was his life, but he also had a wide range of interests and was actively involved in all aspects of the local community in Llanilar and beyond.
“We would like to thank everybody for their support and kindness during this difficult time.”
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