Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Farming

NRW looks to develop partnerships

Published

on

Making Connections: NRW focuses on cross-sector working

AN EVENT to celebrate collaboration and developing partnerships to meet the growing challenges facing the Welsh environment has taken place at The Senedd.
Hosted by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and sponsored by the Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths AM, the Making the Connections event focussed on how NRW works with other organisations for a greener, safer and prosperous Wales.
NRW’s Chief Executive Clare Pillman explained: “Each week, indeed every day, we are witnessing new global and national commitments for nature and the environment – and that is both challenging and exciting.
“And I’m glad to see that Wales – and NRW – is at the forefront of making these commitments.
“But of course, we can’t do this alone, to succeed we need to build positive working relationships focussing on customer service and working in collaboration with partners old and new and this is what this event is all about.”
Following keynote speeches by NRW’s Chair Sir David Henshaw, Clare Pillman and the Minister, an informal networking session took place where guests were able to learn more about specific areas of partnership working.
Topics including waste crime, tourism, timber sector, land management, education, health and wellbeing, metal mines, flooding and LIFE projects were represented by organisations as diverse as the Welsh Revenue Authority, Confor, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Brecon Beacons, Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia National Parks, Met Office, Public Health Wales, Coal Authority, Cardiff County Council and the farming unions.
Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs said: “I am pleased NRW is taking this opportunity to showcase the work they carry out with their partners and for us all to have this opportunity to build networks and new partnerships.
“It is vital we all work together to reverse the effects of climate change and respond to the challenges of the climate emergency.”
The Minister also took the opportunity to thank NRW staff for their ‘expertise and professionalism’ in protecting communities from the effects of climate change, their work to tackle pollution which harms habitats and species and the complex policy and evidence work behind Wales’ drive to achieve net-zero emissions.
The Environment Act makes collaborative working a legal requirement in Wales and the interest in the Making the Connections event demonstrates its importance in developing innovative and sustainable solutions.
In his closing remarks, Sir David Henshaw said: “The challenges we face are considerable but so are the opportunities and we have, amongst us all, is a remarkable wealth of knowledge and ingenuity on what needs to be done.”
“So, our message is straightforward, not only do we want to develop partnerships, we want to make it easy for others to partner with us for the benefit of both the natural environment and for everyone who lives in or visits Wales.”

Farming

’Exceptional’ oat variety bred at Aberystwyth wins major award

Published

on

THE UK’s most widely grown oat, bred at Aberystwyth University, has scooped one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades.

The National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) has awarded its coveted Variety Cup to the winter oat Mascani describing it as an “exceptional variety” and praising “its unmatched quality and reliability”. 

Mascani was bred by researchers at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) and is marketed across the UK by Senova Ltd. 

The variety is extremely popular in the milling industry and is known for its consistent grain quality along with reliability in the field and resistance to crop disease.

The 2025 NIAB Variety Cup for Mascani was presented to Dr Catherine Howarth from IBERS and Alison Barrow from Senova Ltd at an awards ceremony at the 2025 Cereals event in Lincolnshire.

The Variety Cup acknowledges exceptional varieties that have made a major contribution to crop productivity through improved quality, disease resistance, grower return or commercial success, and can be drawn from the entire spectrum of horticultural, ornamental and agricultural crops.

Clare Leaman, Niab’s cereal specialist, said: “Despite the emergence of newer oat varieties boasting improved yield and agronomic traits, Mascani has maintained dominance in the industry due to its exceptional quality characteristics, which continue to meet the exacting standards of millers. Its success is testament to the unique dynamics of UK oat breeding programmes which often lead to varieties with remarkable longevity. Mascani’s sustained relevance highlights its unmatched quality and reliability, even in a competitive landscape, making it a prime contender for the Niab Variety Cup.”

Research on developing the Mascani oat began at IBERS thirty years ago and the variety was added to the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board’s (AHDB) list of recommended seeds in 2004.

Dr Catherine Howarth, oat breeding and research lead at IBERS in Aberystwyth University, said: “As a research team, we are incredibly proud to accept the Niab Variety Cup for Mascani. It’s a huge honour for all those who have been involved in the development of the variety – from the original cross in 1995 and subsequent years of selection to its release onto the market as a game changing variety. Its superb quality, yield and excellent milling consistency has made Mascani a favourite across the UK for growers, merchants and millers alike. Its continuing success is evidenced by its share of the UK winter oat market, which has been over 70% for the past 6 years. Oats offer clear benefits to human health, including lowering cholesterol as well as contributing to a more sustainable environment.”

Alison Barrow, Technical Marketing Manager at Senova Ltd, highlighted that, after 21 years on the AHDB Recommended List, the variety continues to stand the test of time and remains the top-selling winter oat variety, with over 70% of the UK winter oat market.

“We’re delighted with the recognition of Mascani’s status and reputation within the marketplace by Niab. Mascani’s success can be attributed to its combination of superior grain quality and performance in the mill, along with its reliability in the field and suitability for sustainable rotations. Appealing to both end users and farmers alike, the variety has spearheaded the increase in UK-wide oat plantings and boosted development work into alternative oat markets, as the health and nutritional benefits of oats have been recognised. As a result, we now see oats being eaten at different times of day to just the traditional breakfast occasion.”

Speaking at the Cereal awards ceremony, Niab Chief Executive Professor Mario Caccamo, said: “It takes an exceptional variety to win the Niab Variety Cup, or its sister Cereals Cup, with candidates reviewed annually by our crop specialists and agronomists. This year, we had several strong contenders for the Variety Cup, and it is incredibly rewarding to acknowledge Mascani’s long-standing contribution to the industry. Its success exemplifies the impact that superior crop varieties can have on productivity and grower returns.

“As Mascani’s legacy continues to inspire innovation in crop breeding, Niab reaffirms its commitment to recognising and fostering excellence in agriculture. The Niab Variety Cup remains a symbol of achievement and dedication, inspiring breeders to push the boundaries of plant breeding.”

Established in 1986, the Niab Variety Cup is not awarded annually and is only presented when the organisers decide there is an exceptional variety which deserves recognition. It has been won twice before by plant breeders at Aberystwyth – for the perennial ryegrasses Aberdart in 2003 and Abergreen in 2015.

Continue Reading

Farming

Gareth Davies MS calls for moratorium on solar farms built on farmland

Published

on

Tory MS warns Welsh Government not to sacrifice food security for ideology

VALE of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies has called on the Welsh Government to impose a moratorium on the development of large-scale solar farms on productive agricultural land.

Speaking during a Welsh Conservatives debate in the Senedd on solar energy, Mr Davies urged ministers to adopt a more balanced approach that protects rural communities and food security, warning that current policy risks sacrificing farmland for limited environmental gain.

He told the chamber: “I’m deeply concerned by the rush to cover our valuable farmland in solar panels at the cost of food production and rural livelihoods. We can and should pursue renewable energy, but that pursuit must be rooted in evidence, not ideology.”

Mr Davies argued that Wales’ limited sunshine and growing food security concerns made the proliferation of solar farms on farmland particularly troubling. He noted that even in sunnier countries, solar energy is intermittent and requires vast amounts of land – a resource Wales can ill afford to lose.

He also warned that the growing trend of solar developments on farmland could be interpreted by the farming community as part of a wider agenda to phase out livestock agriculture, particularly in light of proposals under the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme which would see reductions in livestock numbers.

Instead, the Conservative MS called for greater investment in rooftop solar for homes, schools and public buildings, and urged the Government to prioritise more consistent forms of renewable energy such as tidal and hydroelectric power.

Mr Davies also raised environmental concerns over the toxicity of materials used in solar panels and the long-term damage to soil where solar infrastructure is installed.

Referring to recent global shocks such as the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, he stressed the importance of safeguarding Wales’ domestic food production capability.

“Wales needs energy that is secure, affordable and sustainable – not the result of an expensive ideological push,” he said. “I urge the Welsh Government to consider brownfield and degraded sites for solar development, rather than sacrificing our farmland. We must protect our farmers and preserve our capacity to feed ourselves.”

Continue Reading

Farming

JCB returns to Royal Welsh Show with new generation farm machines

Published

on

JCB is set to make a powerful return to the Royal Welsh Show this July, unveiling a series of new agricultural machines that promise enhanced performance, versatility and efficiency.

Working alongside its Welsh dealer partners – Chandlers RFM, Emyr Evans, J E Lawrence, and Rea Valley Tractors – JCB Agriculture will showcase an impressive line-up, including the newly-upgraded 435S wheeled loader, two brand-new Telemaster telescopic wheeled loaders, and the latest specification of its Teleskid tracked skid-steer loader.

John Smith, Managing Director of JCB Agriculture, said: “Following the launch of an unprecedented number of new materials handling machines, it’s important to provide our Welsh dealers the opportunity to present these innovations to customers. The Royal Welsh Show is the perfect platform.”

Among the anticipated highlights are the compact-yet-capable TM110 and the mid-size TM280 and TM280S telescopic wheeled loaders. The TM110, standing at just 2.2m tall and 1.56m wide, offers a 1.1-tonne lift and a 3.5m reach, powered by a 50hp hydrostatic drive – making it ideal for navigating tight spaces with ease.

The larger TM280 and TM280S models feature powerful 109hp and 130hp engines respectively, with lift capacities of up to 2.75 tonnes and reach up to 4.8 metres. Despite their strength, they maintain a best-in-class 2.6m cab height for access through low doorways. The TM280S further impresses with JCB’s DualTech VT transmission, optimising performance at both low and high speeds.

Also turning heads will be the updated 435S wheeled loader, a contractor favourite. It now boasts 282hp – a 12% increase – delivering 19hp per tonne and more torque throughout the rev range. Transmission enhancements include direct-drive lock-up for road use and configurable lock-up for field operations.

Another standout is the latest JCB Teleskid 3TS-8T. This tracked skid-steer loader maintains its industry-exclusive single telescopic arm, side-entry cab, and superior reach of 4.03m. The new model features a lighter, more efficient 3-litre JCB DieselMAX engine that’s greener, torquier, and delivers 74hp.

The display will also feature several Loadall telescopic handlers, including the new 542-100 AGRI, the 538-60 AGRI Pro with DualTech VT, and the powerful 560-80 AGRI Pro.

Visitors can also find JCB’s construction dealer, Holt JCB, exhibiting the new X Series 145XR excavator – an 18.8-tonne reduced tailswing model designed for tight working conditions – as well as mini-excavators (25Z and 16C), and the popular 4CX backhoe loader.

The Royal Welsh Show takes place at Builth Wells from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th July.

Continue Reading

Community16 hours ago

West Wales marchers press on as Egyptian authorities crack down on Gaza protest

No reports of Pembrokeshire detentions as international participants face violence and deportation ACTIVISTS from Pembrokeshire taking part in the Global...

Business2 days ago

Milford Haven Port: Hospitality income overtakes biggest energy terminal

Tourism and hospitality generate more than any single energy customer, marking a historic economic shift for the UK’s leading energy...

News3 days ago

West Wales activists join international march to Gaza border

Campaigners walk 30 miles through the Sinai desert to demand humanitarian access to Gaza ACTIVISTS from West Wales are among...

News3 days ago

Pentagon review puts Pembrokeshire radar project in doubt

A DEEP space radar facility planned for the former RAF Brawdy base in Pembrokeshire could be scrapped or delayed as...

News4 days ago

Spending Review slammed as rail funding ‘falls short’ for Wales

Tories accuse Labour of rewriting history, Lib Dems say Wales ‘gets the scraps’, and unions urge caution LABOUR’S headline £445...

News4 days ago

Pembroke Road closed after serious crash near school

PEMBROKE ROAD in Pembroke was completely closed this afternoon (Tuesday, June 10) following a serious road traffic collision near Ysgol...

News5 days ago

Milford Haven function centre outdoor dining area refused

A RETROSPECTIVE scheme for an outside dining area on a listed building in the most prominent street in Milford Haven’s...

News6 days ago

Farage pledges coal revival and steelworks comeback for Wales

Reform leader eyes Senedd victory as critics blast ‘fantasy economics’ NIGEL FARAGE visited Port Talbot on Monday (June 10), promising...

News6 days ago

Are the traditional parties in Wales underestimating Reform UK?

By-election wins, surging polls and a reshaped Senedd system fuel Reform’s rapid rise REFORM UK is no longer a fringe...

Health7 days ago

Dentists warn Welsh reforms could ‘destroy NHS dentistry’

BDA survey reveals mass exodus risk as 64% of Welsh dentists say they may go fully private A MAJOR new...

Popular This Week