Farming

Farm diversification more difficult in Wales

Published

3 years ago

February 14, 2020

Diversification: Upland farming makes task difficult

ALMOST half of UK farmers are planning to pursue diversified income streams to support their agricultural businesses, according to new research from leading rural insurer NFU Mutual.
With changes to Government support and the way Britain trades with the rest of the world ahead, farmers are diversifying their businesses to boost profitability and fortify their farms for the future.
Forty-eight per cent of farmers are planning to set up or expand diversification businesses following Brexit, moving into new areas such as tourism, hospitality, retail and renewable energy.
This figure has doubled since NFU Mutual carried out similar research in 2018 and found 23 per cent of farmers were planning to expand or start diversification enterprises.
The sharp increase in diversification comes as agriculture undergoes the biggest change to funding in decades following the UK’s exit from the European Union.
In a report published on Friday (Feb 7) NFU Mutual provides advice on setting up new diversification businesses and looks at case studies of successful schemes from wedding venues and glamping to kefir dairy products and cosmetics.
“The next seven years will be crucial for the farming industry,” explained Chris Walsh, NFU Mutual’s Farm Specialist. “Because of this, many farmers are looking at new business opportunities to spread their risk.
“Farmers have always had to adapt to changing times, and a number have been diversifying for decades. But even more are now deciding to support their agricultural work with new ideas.
“Whether it’s building holiday cottages, launching a wedding venue, or opening a farm shop, not only can these new businesses supplement the existing farm, they often provide other members of the family with a crucial role in the business.
“Our research shows nearly half of UK farmers are either looking into setting up new businesses on their land or expanding existing diversification ideas, with a quarter planning to diversify to create business opportunities for family members.
“There is only room for a certain number of farm shops, holiday cottages and wedding venues so farmers planning to diversify need to do careful research and costings before they start converting cow sheds into cafes.
“Farmers and their families also need to have the right skills – particularly if they’re going to be working with the public. It’s a big change looking after a demanding wedding party if you’re used to being on a hillside with a flock of sheep all day.”
The report stresses the importance of detailed planning to minimise risks to the public and employees and make insurance of new diversification schemes straightforward. It also highlights the importance of looking at the financial implications of setting up non-farming activities to avoid higher Inheritance Tax Bills.
Looking ahead, the report suggests there may be new opportunities for farmers to access Government financial support for diversification schemes as changes to agricultural support are rolled out.
DEFRA statistics show that diversification activity brought in £740m of income in 2018/19 – up 6% on the previous year.
NFU Mutual’s report, together with a series of videos and podcasts produced to help farmers considering diversification, is now available to download at nfumutual.co.uk/diversification
NFU MUTUAL DIVERSIFICATION ADVICE
Diversification means using your farm’s assets, such as its land, buildings or machinery to develop a new business activity. Diversification ventures usually set out to provide additional revenue and can complement the agricultural activity or may even, over time, replace it.
Before you start, consider:
• Do you have the skills, resources and commitment to make it work or would it be a distraction from the core farm business?
• Have you fully reviewed your farm business and identified strengths and areas where you can add value to your existing model?
• What are your assets – from people, land, location, buildings, finance to skills – and have you realised their full potential?
• What market and demand is there for your diversification venture?
• What makes your farm unique and sets you apart from the competition?
• Have you asked the experts for advice? For example, speak to insurers at the planning stage to ensure you understand the risks and have the right level of cover to meet your needs.
DIVERSIFICATION TOUGHER IN WALES
Farming businesses in Wales face many hurdles, such as poor upland land quality, and remoteness from centres of population. These factors severely restrict business resilience and diversification.
Improving farm efficiency, developing non-food and non-crop revenues, participation in agri-environmental schemes, or access to rural development funding and business support, are more difficult in Wales than elsewhere.
When compared with England, Welsh farms are also smaller and less well resourced and receive an average of £3,300 less in funding.
Although diversification on Welsh farms has grown over the past decade, diversification revenues on Welsh farms represented on average only 3.4% of total farm revenues in 2017, compared to an average of 7.7% in England.
That suggests reliance on increased farm diversification to build resilience in Wales remains an optimistic strategy. In the worst-case post-Brexit scenario diversification revenues might need to increase up to tenfold to replace other lost revenues.
Farms in Wales depend on income streams separate from the main farming business.
A range of actions might support the continued growth in diversified income. However, although they could help deliver wider social and environmental public goods, they might not support farming, community identity or build economically sustainable farm businesses.
Welsh Government policy might want to pull in one direction but reality suggests that its goals will be far harder to achieve than sunny optimism and glib soundbites suggest.

Farming

Battle over unauthorised buildings at Pembrokeshire farm set to continue

Published

2 weeks ago

May 19, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A PROLONGED dispute regarding unapproved structures erected at Cwm Farm in Llawhaden, Pembrokeshire, is poised to extend into next year, the Herald understands.

Pembrokeshire County Council has sought an injunction to demolish a substantial cattle shed constructed on the farm without obtaining planning permission.

Landowners Ryan and Declan Cole undertook the construction of a 96×29 meter cattle shed on their property without seeking the necessary planning consent.

Despite submitting two unsuccessful planning applications for a sizeable agricultural building, hardstanding, and access track in 2019 and 2020, the brothers proceeded with the construction.

On February 12, 2021, the council’s planning department issued an enforcement notice mandating the removal of the structures within four months.

The Planning Inspectorate subsequently extended this deadline to nine months.

However, the brothers failed to comply with the order.

In an attempt to rectify the situation, the Cole brothers applied for retrospective planning permission for the same developments.

Unfortunately for them, the council’s planning committee rejected their application in September of last year.

Consequently, Ryan, 24, and Declan, 23, both residing at Clifton Villa in Clynderwen, were each fined £1,000 by Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 9, for non-compliance with the enforcement notice.

Undeterred, the Cole brothers have now lodged an appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales against the council’s refusal to grant retrospective planning permission.

During a hearing on Thursday, May 18, His Honour Justice Jarman KC agreed to suspend the proceedings until the appeal process is finalized.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council stated, “In light of the Cole brothers’ appeal to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) against Pembrokeshire County Council’s refusal to grant them retrospective planning permission, both parties have mutually agreed to halt injunction proceedings until the appeal’s outcome.”

The parties involved will reconvene in court to provide an update on the progress of the appeal at the earliest available date after February 18, 2024.

The ongoing battle over the unauthorized structures at Cwm Farm remains unresolved, leaving the ultimate fate of the contested cattle shed hanging in the balance.

Farming

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society launches search for county’s top progressive farmers

Published

4 weeks ago

May 10, 2023

Tom Sinclair

IF you farm in Pembrokeshire, are under the age of 45, and can demonstrate your farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture then the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourage you to enter the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award.

Brian Jones, Pembrokeshire County Show President, said, “We are looking for a local Pembrokeshire farmer who can demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture. They also need to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm as well as present an aesthetically pleasing example of farming in the county.”

Last year’s winner of the Award was Michael Williams, a dairy farmer from Puncheston. He farms conventionally using regenerative farming practices. His emphasis is longevity of herd and sustainability of on-farm food production using low inputs and low disturbance methods. Producing food and enhancing the environment to make for happy cows. Michael is signed up to the Regenerative Farming Plan with a net zero commitment by 2040.

The de Rutzen family have had a considerable influence in Pembrokeshire through their agricultural estates and diverse businesses interests over many years. Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society gratefully acknowledges the generosity of J H Llewellin & family, of Kilbarth, Rudbaxton, Haverfordwest, for kindly presenting the Baron de Rutzen Trophy to the Society.

Baron John Fredrick De Rutzen was President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society in 1936 and the Baron de Rutzen Trophy was produced in his memory. The third Baron served in the Welsh Guards and tragically died, aged 36, in 1944.

This year’s entrants must be fully practising farmers within the county of Pembrokeshire and were under the age of 45 years on 1 January 2023. Entries can either be by nomination or direct application online on the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society website. Click here to apply: Baron de Rutzen Award | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org)

The closing date for nominations and applications is at noon on Wednesday, 31 May 2023.

Farming

Animals seized from Pembrokeshire farm as man arrested by police

Published

1 month ago

April 20, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A DRAMATIC animal welfare operation has taken place in Pembrokeshire, resulting in the seizure of almost 100 animals and the arrest of a man. The operation was a joint effort by the RSPCA, Dyfed-Powys Police, and inspectors from Pembrokeshire’s animal health and welfare team, who were called to land at the Ridgeway in Lamphey on Tuesday, April 18.

Concerns had been raised about the welfare of the animals, which included one cow, five dogs, 19 various poultry, 26 sheep and 43 pigs. The seizure was carried out under the authority of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, with the aim of preventing suffering.

According to Pembrokeshire County Council, the operation was linked to the prosecution of Richard Scarfe, of Pembroke Dock. Scarfe had been convicted of multiple animal welfare offences on January 26, 2022, and was disqualified from keeping cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and donkeys for five years. Animal health officers from the council visited the land and acted after vets issued a Section 18 determination, meaning the animals were suffering or were likely to suffer if they were not removed.

All of the animals have now been taken to safety, where their veterinary needs were assessed and their care will be monitored.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that a man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a disqualification order made under the Animal Welfare Act. The 42-year-old man was later released under investigation.

A spokesperson for the force said: “On Tuesday, April 18, Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime Team Officers assisted RSPCA, Pembrokeshire Animal Health and Welfare Inspectors with the seizure of a number of animals at an address in Lamphey, Pembrokeshire. A 42-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of breaching a disqualification order under the Animal Welfare Act. He has since been released under investigation.”

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that further proceedings will now follow. Cllr Michelle Bateman, cabinet member for housing operations and regulatory services, praised the actions of council officers and partners. “I commend the actions of council officers and partners to remove these animals, prevent suffering and protect their welfare,” she said. “I hope this action will serve as a deterrent to others that Pembrokeshire County Council will act decisively where serious cases of animal neglect and suffering arise.”