Farming

Red clover innovation for Wales

Published

7 years ago

January 9, 2019

NEW research to ensure more Welsh livestock farmers could benefit from longer lasting, disease resistant red clovers is being undertaken at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS).
The three-year Welsh Government (WG) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)-funded project is looking at ways to improve protein production and utilisation on farms in Wales through improved forage crops.

Professor Leif Skot, head of forage plant breeding at IBERS, is leading the project, whose partners are WG, ERDF, Germinal Holdings, HCC and Farming Connect.

As part of the project, Professor Skot and his team are looking at how red clover production and persistence can be improved, helping farmers to improve their silage crop value. In turn, this could go some way in helping farmers reduce the need to buy-in as many expensive concentrates.

Historically, some producers have been drawn away from red clover due to a tendency for yields to drop off after a couple of years. To solve that problem, scientists developed varieties which focused on improved yields and better persistence so they yield well into their fourth and fifth harvest.

However, prolonging the productive life of the plant increases the risk of another problem red clover faces, which is where this new project is currently focused.

Professor Skot explains: “One of the biggest issues is that red clover is susceptible to trampling, and if the plants get damaged then they are susceptible to disease. White clover is stoloniferous, which means it grows by stolons [small roots] which spread across the soil surface and allows the plant to fill in any gaps in the sward. Red clover plants, on the other hand, grow from a single growing point, the crown. That means that once the crown is damaged and the plant succumbs to disease, the remaining plants aren’t able to compensate and fill in the gaps, leading to a loss in yields.”

In a bid to counter this, Professor Skot and his team are developing resistance to the two major diseases responsible for red clover loss: Stem Nematode and Crown Rot (Sclerotinia).

They hope that by developing disease-resistant plants, they can create a more robust, productive plant.

“Stem Nematode and Sclerotinia are soil-borne pathogens for which we have no recognised chemical control. The current solution is to take a long gap in the rotation to minimise the potential risk of the problem,” adds Paul Billings of Germinal. “This research project is looking at whether we can select material which is more resistant to each of these diseases, and then combine them to create varieties resistant to both pathogens.”

Professor Skot says he and his team have carried out several generations of selection for Stem Nematode and Sclerotinia. They are now at the stage where they will combine the resistance to one population so it can be tested in the field.
While it is high-yielding and produces high-quality forage from the first year, red clover does need to be managed in a way which will improve its resistance, Professor Skot adds.

“The crown of the plant is susceptible to damage, so we are looking at improving its structure.. Our research shows that if they have compact crowns then they are more resilient to damage from machinery and compaction from animals or grazing. The major management technique is not cutting below 5cm and not overgrazing so that the crown isn’t damaged.”

With the correct management, red clover can yield between 22 and 25 tonnes of dry matter per hectare per annum when sown with grass, with clover content able to reach as high as 20 tonnes of dry matter in the first year.

“It’s high-yielding and high-quality from the first year, which is one of the great things about the crop. By minimising the problem areas, we can hopefully give Welsh farmers a way to produce more of their own protein on-farm,” he says.

This project aims to help deliver on the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act, one objective of which is to drive sustainable growth. It also contributes to its Economic Action Plan which encourages greater R&D and innovation.

RED CLOVER CASE STUDY
The Cowcher family from Penrhiw, Ceredigion, a Farming Connect Focus site, has seen the advantages of growing red clover on their farm for over a decade, but the introduction of long-lasting varieties would boost the benefits of the crop even further.

“We’ve been using red clover for more than ten years since we converted to organic production,” says Phil Cowcher, who farms beef and sheep with his parents across 500 acres (202ha) of part-owned, part-rented and part share-farmed organic farmland.

“It gives us high yields of good-quality forage, which can be difficult in organic systems, and it suppresses weeds because it’s very vigorous – if we get creeping thistles it smothers and gets rid of them,” he says. “Red clover is also important for fixing nitrogen. Cereals following red clover systems seem to yield very well, and it has deep tap roots so it breaks up the compaction.”

Phil believes planting with a cereal reduces competition from weeds during establishment, as the cereal acts as a nurse crop.

The 45 acres (18ha) of red clover is used by both the farm’s beef and sheep enterprises. The calves – produced by the 60-head, mainly Stabiliser suckler herd – tend to be fed the second and third cuts, as part of the growing and finishing rations.

The first cut, which usually has a higher grass content and metabolisable energy, is usually fed to pregnant ewes late in their pregnancy. Towards the end of the growing season, the red clover leys are rotationally grazed by lambs.

In clover: Phil Cowcher at Penrhiw

Phil adds: “For the calves, I like to feed two-thirds red clover with a third barley and peas for fibre. If it’s alone then it’s a bit rich, but by combining it with barley and peas it seems to complement the clover well.

“We make sure lambs are introduced gradually to the red clover when they first graze it. Once they’ve adjusted to the diet, growth rates are good and they usually finish well – we start selling in June at around 19kg and the last ones go by October.”

Phil believes management is fairly simple but stresses the importance of sowing in a fine seedbed when soils are over 10℃. If there’s a cold spring then cereals are planted first and the red clover ley is sown on top with a grass harrow/air seeder, into the growing crop, once soil temperature is high enough.

“When we cut it we have to make sure we don’t cut it too low, and we have to be careful not to overgraze it and damage the crown too. But for us, red clover’s a high-quality, high yielding crop and we’ll definitely carrying on growing it,” Phil concludes

Business

Innovative water partnership involving Pembrokeshire dairy farmers underway

Published

5 days ago

November 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PIONEERING environmental project in Pembrokeshire aims to capture up to 250 million litres of additional groundwater each year, as local farmers take collective action to tackle flooding, drought and water quality challenges.

The initiative brings together 21 dairy farmers, all members of the First Milk co-operative, in a new four-year partnership with Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK — both major employers in the region.

***Dan James and Nestlé’s Matthew Faulkner on Gellyolau Farm***

Regenerative farming to boost soil health

The project forms part of First Milk’s industry-leading regenerative farming programme, which encourages practices such as rotational grazing and increasing species diversity in grassland. These methods improve soil structure and organic content, helping land retain more water and reducing environmental damage during extreme weather.

“As extreme weather becomes more frequent, poor water systems add to the risk of flooding and drought,” said Mark Brooking, First Milk’s Chief Impact Officer. “This project supports our farmers to work with nature — improving the land, supporting biodiversity, and delivering lasting benefits to local communities.”

Across 800 hectares of farmland, the farmers are extending regenerative practices to create natural water reservoirs within the soil. By improving water infiltration and the soil’s holding capacity, they hope to make farms more resilient while protecting nearby rivers.

Understanding what’s below the surface

To establish a baseline, an agronomist has assessed more than 100 fields across the 21 farms. Nearly 50 soil samples were analysed, 650 earthworms counted as indicators of soil health, and penetrometer tests carried out to measure compaction.

Each farm has received tailored recommendations, from shallow sward slitting to deeper subsoiling, along with guidance on grazing patterns and planting deeper-rooting pasture species to maintain long-term soil structure.

Farmers are already putting the advice into practice.

“It’s made me spend time looking at issues I hadn’t given enough attention to before,” said Dan James of Gellyolau Farm near Clynderwen. William Fox, of South Astridge Farm near Tenby, added: “Understanding where compaction occurs helps me plan improvements. Anything that reduces soil compaction benefits both the farm and the environment.”

Near Puncheston, Michael Williams is using sward slitting and subsoiling in the short term while increasing grass diversity for the long term. “The assessment confirmed what I suspected — that some areas struggle in very wet or very dry conditions. It’ll be interesting to see what impact these changes have,” he said.

Protecting Pembrokeshire’s rivers

As the interventions take effect, the land will hold more water and reduce surface run-off, helping to improve water quality in the Eastern and Western Cleddau and tributaries of the River Taf.

Matthew Faulkner, Factory Manager at Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages in Narberth, said: “We’re proud to work with First Milk farmers to improve groundwater quality and quantity here in Pembrokeshire, where our Princes Gate and Nestlé Pure Life bottling site operates.

“Water is a shared resource and a shared responsibility. Caring for it requires collaboration — and this partnership shows what can be achieved when local communities work together.”

Cover image:

First Milk’s Esther Stephens and William Fox on South Astridge Farm

Farming

Pembrokeshire former vineyard development scheme approved

Published

5 days ago

November 7, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS for a “hobby farm” agricultural shed near the site of a former Pembrokeshire vineyard, made by a close family member of a part of the county’s planning service have been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the November 4 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for the building at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was brought to committee rather than being decided by officers due to the family link with the service.

A report for members said the site, by the former Cwm Deri vineyard, sought to replace a prefabricated Nissen Hut which is in a poor state of repair; the replacement housing machinery, sheep and fodder/hay/straw.

The report added: “Oaklea is located in the countryside and extends to approximately 25 acres with a further 11 acres of rented land. The supporting statement states that the applicant intends to use all of the land for farming operations and that the new building is required to enable the storage of agricultural machinery and other plant which is already owned and used to maintain the land.

“During the course of the application, the applicant’s agent has provided additional information that details that the applicant has a range of agricultural machinery and livestock comprising 10–15 breeding ewes and a ram and several chickens. The shed would also be used to store hay cut from the land and to occasionally house livestock during the winter months.”

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries said the smallholding “hobby farm” had suffered damage to existing buildings during recent storms.

Approval was moved by Cllr Alec Cormack, with 11 members in favour and one abstaining.

Farming

All-Wales Bluetongue Restricted Zone to be declared from November 10

Published

2 weeks ago

November 1, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Deputy First Minister says policy has delayed spread and given farmers vital preparation time

WALES will become an all-Wales Bluetongue Restricted Zone (RZ) from 10 November, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, announced the measure on Thursday (Oct 30), saying the move follows months of surveillance and close work with vets and the farming industry.

Bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) has now been detected in eleven cases in Wales — four in Powys and seven within the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) in Monmouthshire. Officials expect more cases to appear as monitoring continues.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: “The success of our policy so far is down to the hard work of delivery partners such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency and The Pirbright Institute, as well as the co-operation of farmers and vets across Wales.

“I recognise the disruption caused by movement restrictions between England and Wales, but this approach has delayed the spread of Bluetongue until a time of year when transmission is far less likely and has given farmers valuable time to vaccinate and prepare.”

He added that temperature data and modelling indicate midge-borne transmission is “very unlikely” after 10 November, allowing the Government to simplify control measures while maintaining vigilance.

What changes from November 10

Temporary Control Zone revoked: Existing TCZ restrictions will end, simplifying the disease control framework across Wales.
Premises restrictions lifted: Individual holdings will no longer face Bluetongue-specific movement or culling requirements.
Free movement between England and Wales: Livestock will be able to move without mandatory vaccination or mitigation measures, although vaccination remains strongly advised.
Ongoing surveillance: Monitoring for new Bluetongue serotypes will continue to ensure early detection and rapid response.
Germinal product testing: Testing of donor animals before freezing and marketing will continue to reduce transmission risk.
Moves to Scotland: Animals moving from the Welsh RZ to Scotland will be subject to Scottish licensing and testing rules.

Industry backs the move

During a roundtable meeting on 27 October, senior industry representatives gave unanimous backing to the all-Wales RZ. They supported freer livestock movement between Wales and England while acknowledging the increased animal-health risks that come with it.

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Richard Irvine, said: “We continue to urge animal keepers to source stock responsibly, remain vigilant for signs of Bluetongue, and report any suspect cases immediately to the APHA.

“Vaccination remains the best way to protect herds and flocks. With industry’s full support, I strongly encourage farmers to speak to their vets about the timing of vaccination, particularly before the next transmission season in spring 2026.”

Mr Irranca-Davies concluded: “As we move forward, continued co-operation between farmers, vets, Welsh Government and our delivery partners will be vital to minimise the long-term impact of Bluetongue in Wales.”