DAIRY FARMERS TIM AND MARGARET JOHNS HONOURED BY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

HAVERFORDWEST dairy farmers Tim and Margaret Johns have been unanimously elected as the first joint Presidents of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

The couple, who farm at Pencnwc in partnership with their son Graham, represent the third generation of their family to work the land. Their 550-acre holding in Castlemorris includes dairy cattle and the cultivation of both winter and spring cereals.

Margaret and Tim have a long-standing association with the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and the County Show. Margaret, in particular, has achieved considerable success in equestrian showing at events including Royal Windsor, the Great Yorkshire Show, and the Royal Cornwall Show. She also founded and continues to run Castlemorris Equestrian and Pet Supplies from the farm.

Speaking following their appointment, Tim said: “Margaret and I work as a partnership. The County Show is a major part of Pembrokeshire and is an integral part of farming in the county. We are looking forward to the year ahead. We have chosen RABI and the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society as our charities to support over the next 12 months.”

During the Society’s Annual General Meeting, held recently at the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr and Mrs James Evans were voted in as Presidents Elect.

Other appointments for 2025 include Miss Alys Owens, who was named as the Society’s Ambassador. Alys, who lives in Haverfordwest and works for Castell Howell, is an active member of Llysyfran YFC. She served as Club Secretary last year, a role for which she was named Club Secretary of the Year at County level. A talented musician, Alys plays the cornet with Goodwick Brass Band.

Outgoing President Adam Thorne used the occasion to thank all those who had supported him during his term in office.

Alys Owens, the 2025 Ambassador, is pictured between Margaret and Tim Johns, the 2025/26 Joint Presidents.

A FAILURE by dog owners across the UK to recognise the danger their pets pose to livestock is continuing to result in devastating attacks on sheep, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has warned.

The warning comes as the NSA launches its annual Sheep Worrying by Dogs Awareness Week and shares the findings of its latest survey, which reveals that 87% of respondents experienced at least one dog attack on their flock in the past year.

The most common cause identified is dog owners refusing to keep their pets on a lead while walking in the countryside.

NSA Project Manager Nicola Noble said: “Dog owners often assume their beloved pet could not be capable of causing harm to other animals, yet it is an instinctive response of a dog to chase, and for some, attack prey animals such as sheep. Barking, chasing, and physical attacks can all have devastating effects on sheep, especially at this time of year when so many are heavily pregnant or have young lambs at foot.”

Survey results released this week (Apr 14) show the situation is worsening, despite years of awareness-raising by farming and countryside organisations. On average, each farming respondent reported four sheep deaths due to dog attacks over the past year—an increase on previous years. These figures do not include unborn lambs lost when pregnant ewes miscarry from the trauma of being chased or attacked.

The consequences of sheep worrying are not only physical. They include long-term suffering for the animals and significant financial losses for farmers—through vet bills and a reduced number of healthy animals to sell.

Mrs Noble added: “Sheep worrying by dogs not only causes suffering to livestock but is also a real cause of stress and worry to farmers. Many farmers told us their mental health has been impacted by the continued threat to their animals. Alarmingly, 80% of those surveyed reported a negative experience when asking dog owners to put their pet on a lead, with nearly half receiving verbal abuse and, in some cases, even physical aggression.”

The issue of straying dogs is also highlighted in the survey. Some 43% of respondents discovered evidence of sheep worrying without witnessing the attack itself—suggesting dogs had either escaped from gardens or that owners were unwilling to admit their pet had attacked livestock.

More than half of the reported incidents occurred in private fields with no public rights of way, again suggesting either straying dogs or a blatant disregard for private farmland.

This makes identifying the dogs involved—and seeking compensation—especially difficult. Almost half of the farmers surveyed said they didn’t even attempt to claim compensation, citing a lack of faith in the system and feelings of helplessness when reporting incidents to the police.

NSA Communications Manager Katie James said: “It’s a common misconception that nothing will be done if sheep worrying is reported to the police, but if no reports are made, the scale of this issue will never be fully understood. This hampers our efforts to push for stronger legislation and proper enforcement.”

To help build a clearer picture of the scale of the problem, the NSA has launched a new online reporting tool for farmers. Mrs James added: “Although it is not a legal obligation to report attacks, we are urging all sheep farmers to use our new service alongside making reports to the police. The online log form is simple and quick to complete.”

The reporting tool and further advice are available at www.sheepworrying.org.uk.

The Sheep Worrying by Dogs Awareness Week runs from today (Monday, April 14) until Sunday, April 20. Throughout the week, the NSA will share real-life case studies and highlight new technologies being developed to help secure more prosecutions of those responsible for allowing attacks on sheep.

Follow the NSA on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates.

CARDIGAN will be the place to be on Saturday, June 15, as entries continue to flood in for this year’s Welsh National Tractor Road Run (WNTRR).

The popular event is being organised by the North Pembrokeshire Tractor Enthusiasts – a group of like-minded friends led by Dai Rees of Cilgerran.

The Run will begin at Awenfryn, Glanrhyd – the farm of Keith and Kevin Evans – and take in stunning views across Cardigan Bay before heading inland towards Cwm Gwaun and the Preseli Mountains. The route will then return to Awenfryn.

This year’s event will raise money for three charities: the Wales Air Ambulance, Crymych First Responders, and Cardigan First Responders.

Entry is £20 until the closing date of Monday, May 20. Early entries will be listed in the official programme and guaranteed a commemorative souvenir. Entries will also be accepted on the day for £25, but late entrants will not be guaranteed a souvenir – a decision made by organisers to reduce disruption caused by last-minute arrivals.

Entry forms can be obtained from members of the local organising team – Dai Rees, Alun Owens, Keith Evans, Kevin Evans, Sion Morgan, and Peter Lewis – at various tractor events. Alternatively, forms can be requested by email from the WNTRR secretary at anne.trials@btinternet.com, or downloaded from the WNTRR Facebook page.

Online entry is also available:

• English entry form
• Welsh entry form

Anyone interested in sponsoring the event or advertising in the souvenir programme should contact the WNTRR secretary or Sion Morgan via sion@pantygarn.co.uk.

Spectators are welcome at the starting point and along the route. More details will be released closer to the date.