Farming

Eggciting times continue for Welshpool farming family

Published

8 years ago

October 24, 2017

Eggciting times: Mark Williams, Glyn Davies MP, Helen Williams

THE UNCERTAINTY created by Brexit and a desire to see the family farm succeed for years to come led one Welshpool farming family to make a feathery change.

Farmers’ Union of Wales members Mark and Helen Williams, who farm 40 suckler cows and 900 ewes at Pen Y Derw, near Welshpool, decided to diversify into egg production and have been up-and-running since June this year.

The poultry unit, which is home to 16,000 free range hens, provides the family with an additional income, as well as offering extra part time employment in the area.

“We have looked at poultry farming for the last ten years and the uncertainty created by Brexit, bearing in mind that most of our income has been provided by lamb trade and farm support payments, gave us the push we needed to make the decision and get the ball rolling,” said Mark Williams.

The planning process started in early 2015 and after lots of drawings, surveys and modelling, planning was granted in November 2015.

“Egg production is mainly a domestic market, so that takes the fear of having to export away. Originally we thought we would be going into broiler chickens but when researching the market a contract was difficult to find. The final thing that made us decide were our 3 boys. We are expanding the business to accommodate them if they wish to take over the farm in the future,” added Mark.

The eggs produced at Pen Y Derw are sold to L J Fairburns & Son, who collect them to be processed (graded) and packed, and they are then sent to distribution centres and onto supermarket shelves.

The chickens produce between 14,500 – 15,500 eggs every day, and Helen is in the chicken shed by 6.30am to check the birds, before heading back to house by 7.30 to make the boys their breakfast and do the school run.

Then its back to the chicken shed to start packing eggs by 9am, which takes about three hours.

By around 5pm Helen makes her way back to shed to do the final walk around and check the hens are ok.

Talking about her new routine she said: “I have to fit things in around the boys where possible and the mornings are now taken up with the hens.
“Before I had time to do other jobs, such as housework, banking, paperwork etc. so the pace here has definitely changed. Looking after the chickens is not so heavy and physical as looking after the sheep and cattle and it’s work in a dry and warmish environment.”

Walking around the chicken shed, Mark explains the production process: “The hens lay their eggs in nest boxes. Then the eggs roll onto the egg belts, which take them onto a cross conveyor and into the packing room.

“Here they are graded by hand, go through the machine to be stamped and put in trays. Then they go along a belt into a tray stacker, which stacks trays in sixes. Once we have a run of six stacks we put them on a pallet, which is a total of 720 dozen eggs. This is then wrapped and labeled and left in the cool room for collection,” he said.

Even though the couple have now got used to their new routine, it has not all been plain sailing from the start. Helen explains: “The birds arrived in a really hot week in June and they weren’t eating or drinking enough to start, although they were still gaining weight.

“That was a bit of a worry for us but thanks to the support from Lloyds animal feed we managed to get everything sorted. We also had a few very minor teething problems with the equipment but now everything is running well. With all the eggs our hens are producing we look forward to lots of cake here at home and a reduced fertiliser bill.”

But do the couple think they have made the right decision 4 months into their new way of life?

“We are still learning and it has changed our life quite a bit, maybe ask us again in 12 months time,” laughs Helen.

Having visited the farm and seen the new chicken shed in action recently, FUW County Executive Officer Emyr Davies said: “Mark and Helen are a credit to our industry. Their enthusiasm and dedication to give their farming business a chance of survival in light of the uncertainty created by Brexit is really an inspiration.

“Of course, this sort of diversification doesn’t suit everyone and there are often stumbling blocks with regards to planning that hold many farm businesses back. I would urge those in charge of granting planning permission to think again and not be the block that holds those farms back who want to future proof their business.”

Farming

Welsh Conservatives back Kemi Badenoch’s “positive plan” for farming

Published

4 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have welcomed a new announcement from Conservative Party Leader Kemi Badenoch outlining her proposals to safeguard the future of the UK’s farming industry.

During a press conference earlier today, Ms Badenoch pledged to scrap what the party describes as the “Family Farm Tax”, cut red tape, reduce bureaucracy, lower energy bills and step up efforts to tackle rural crime. She told supporters that the Conservatives “understand what farmers are going through” and would ensure their voices are heard.

Commenting on the announcement, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS, said Labour in both Westminster and Cardiff Bay had “made it clear they do not understand rural life.”

“Farmers are facing immense pressures from rising costs, uncertain markets and changes to agricultural policy,” he said.

“Labour’s family farm tax, their inability to deal with rural crime, high energy costs and unnecessary red tape could all be the final straw for many. Today’s announcement reiterates that the Conservatives are the only party standing with our farming communities.”

Mr Kurtz added that the Welsh Conservatives’ own plan for agriculture, combined with the pledges set out by Ms Badenoch, would help the sector “thrive”.

“Farming in Wales needs a friend,” he said, “and that friend is the Welsh Conservatives.”

Crime

Police appeal after 29 ewes stolen from Carmarthenshire hillside

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating the theft of 29 yearling ewes from mountain grazing land in Cilycwm, near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.

The livestock were taken sometime between 1 September and 22 October 2025, according to Dyfed-Powys Police.

The ewes are mostly white-bodied and have two distinctive pitchmarks which officers hope will help farmers and the public identify them. These include a black number 8 marked on the side of the body and a green ‘T’ symbol on the top of the back. Images of the missing animals have been issued as part of the appeal.

The force’s Rural Crime Team is urging anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity on the mountainside during that period, or who has information on the location of the animals, to contact officers on 101.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the Crimestoppers website.

Farming

Farmer honoured for outstanding contribution to Welsh agriculture

Published

4 days ago

November 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Long-serving industry advocate recognised for mentoring and public engagement

CARMARTHENSHIRE farmer Haydn Evans has been awarded the 2025 Farmers’ Union of Wales – United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society Award for his exceptional contribution to farming in the county and across Wales.

Mr Evans, an organic dairy farmer and Vice Chair of NFU Cymru Carmarthenshire, was recognised for his long-standing commitment to the agricultural sector at both local and national level.

After a successful career in the banking sector, he began farming from scratch twenty years ago, purchasing his first farm and a small herd of cows. He now runs a 97-hectare organic dairy enterprise split across two units – one dedicated to the milking herd and the other to rearing youngstock.

Alongside running the business, Mr Evans plays an active role in industry representation. He serves as Chair of the Welsh Organic Forum and is closely involved with NFU Cymru’s work in the county. His background in finance is seen as a valuable asset in discussions about business resilience, future policy and the challenges facing family farms.

He is also a mentor with the Farming Connect Mentoring Scheme, offering practical guidance to farmers across Wales, particularly those seeking to diversify or strengthen their business operations.

Mr Evans is a strong advocate for agricultural education and public engagement. Each year he supports Carmarthenshire YFC’s “My Food Plate” event, which introduces primary school pupils to sustainable food production and environmental stewardship.

Further developing his technical skills, he recently completed the Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS) and now teaches at Gelli Aur Agricultural College, helping to train the next generation of agricultural professionals.

The award was presented at the FUW’s Eve of the Welsh Dairy Show Dinner, held at Carmarthen Market on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. This year’s award was sponsored by NatWest Cymru.

Sian Thomas, Chair of the United Counties Agriculture and Hunters Society, said the recognition was “well-deserved,” praising Mr Evans’ dedication to supporting new entrants and promoting best practice within Welsh agriculture.

FUW President Ian Rickman also congratulated Mr Evans, highlighting both his success as an organic dairy farmer and his “tireless efforts to educate and inspire others within the agricultural community.”