Farming

Less than a month to go to the closing date

Published

11 years ago

June 13, 2014

Who will win the title of NFU Cymru / Principality Building Society Wales Woman Farmer of the Year and the £500 prize money? This is the question on everyone’s lips as the closing date for entries is creeping closer.

Pembrokeshire’s female farmers are being urged to enter the NFU Cymru / Principality Building Society Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2014/15 competition, which – now in its 18th year – has helped to celebrate the contribution of women in what is still a very male-dominated industry. The reality today is that many farms are run in partnership, and the ‘farmer’ is not always a man. Women are not only running farms, but also in today’s tough financial climate, often running a separate business to bolster the family income, while juggling childcare and family life. Mike Plumb, NFU Cymru Pembrokeshire County Chairman said, “I think I’m safe in saying we have not had an award winner from Pembrokeshire since 2008, this is the 18th year that this award has been running, so let’s make it a good year for our county. Women in farming are still very much the hidden heroines of the industry. Very few want to claim the limelight, preferring instead to contribute behind the scenes. Many local children have been raised on farms sitting on pushchairs watching mum pull calves or milk cows or drive the tractor. This competition is for ordinary women, who perhaps don’t realise that what they are doing is extraordinary. ” Julie Ann Haines, Customer Director from the Principality Building Society, the competition’s sponsor, said, “Every year more and more women take the step to start their own business and no matter what the industry, it is important to recognise the exceptional work they are doing. Women make a tremendous contribution to farming and by shining a spotlight in their direction, we can champion them as role models, encouraging more women to enter into this field and challenge the notion that the farming industry is a man’s world. “It never fails to amaze me how women involved in farming manage to accomplish so much. If not farmers in their own right, many have set up alternative enterprises as farm incomes have fallen. Their contribution, determination and motivation is inspiring,” she said. The winner of the NFU Cymru / Principality Building Society Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2014/15 competition will receive £500 and the two runners up £100. The closing date is Monday, 16 June 2014. If you are interested in entering or nominating someone for the competition, please contact NFU Cymru in Builth Wells for an application form. Telephone: 01982 554200 or email: sarah.jones@nfu. org.uk or download a copy from the website: www.nfu-cymru.org.uk To celebrate the award coming of age NFU Cymru is inviting all previous winners to attend an 18th birthday party which will be held on the Thursday of this year’s Royal Welsh Show to coincide with the announcement of this year’s Award winner.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.