Farming

Bringing back beaver

Published

5 years ago

October 15, 2020

PLANS to reintroduce beavers to the Cors Dyfi Nature Reserve have been criticised by the local branch of the FUW.
The Montgomeryshire branch of the union described the plans as ‘a short-sighted move’.
FUW Montgomeryshire County Executive Officer Emyr Wyn Davies said: “We believe there is insufficient evidence to conclude that this animal does not pose a threat to livestock and the people living here, including bringing disease into the area. That’s just one of many concerns and we are extremely worried about this short sighted move.”
Other concerns raised by the FUW about the reintroduction of the beaver include the animals damming watercourses, which could severely impact the adjacent agriculture land; the risk of the animals escaping their enclosure and the low lying levels of the Dyfi, which are already prone to flooding through natural means – the introduction of an animal which dams watercourses by instinct is likely to exacerbate the flooding propensity for this area.
Emyr Wyn Davies continued: “We must also consider what happens if a landholding in close proximity to the proposed enclosure enters a Welsh Government agri-environment scheme to increase biodiversity habitats by tree planting and on a Welsh Government inspection is found to be in breach of contract because of vegetation damage by beaver activity – which organisation compensates the at loss landowner?
“Furthermore, will NRW have a legal obligation to monitor and clear debris entering water courses as a direct result of beavers felling timber?” Mr Wyn Davies questioned.
He added that whilst the farming community is supportive of increasing biodiversity and habitats, this must not come at the expense of people living in an area.
“Let’s also not forget the ambulances getting through to Bronglais Hospital on a stretch of road next to the proposed release site that’s only just stopped flooding whenever it rains – the alternative is a 60 mile detour!”
Reintroducing a species which has been absent for over 400 years is a challenging project from an ecological and social perspective.
Over such a timescale, the ecosystem and its biodiversity have changed considerably due to a host of natural and anthropogenic drivers. Moreover, people have forgotten that beavers were a natural ecosystem component and so species that have been absent for hundreds of years may now be considered as invaders or intruders despite being originally native.
There have been more than 200 formal beaver reintroduction projects (plus numerous unofficial releases) in more than 26 European countries.
Beavers are often referred to as ‘ecosystem engineers’. They make changes to their habitats, such as digging canal systems, damming water courses, and coppicing tree and shrub species, which create diverse wetlands. In turn these wetlands can bring enormous benefits to other species, such as otters, water shrews, water voles, birds, invertebrates (especially dragonflies) and breeding fish.
However, through their activities, there’s the potential for beavers to come into conflict with land management, flood defence and fisheries interests
Additional problems arise when so-called ‘re-introducers’ release species into the wild unchecked and outside the stringent statutory procedures regarding wild animals return to UK habitats.
The reintroduction of beavers into the Scottish countryside almost came unglued after the unauthorised and unmonitored release of beavers to waterways around Tayside.
With regard to the illegal releases on the Tay, both the reintroduction process and the government’s response in Tayside (the Scottish Government declined to act) had been responsible for fuelling the conflict there.
Previous deliberate and ultimately disastrous introductions of non-native animal species into the Welsh countryside, for example mink, have also undermined the case for reintroducing once-native species.
In beavers’ case, the issue isn’t just about the reintroduction of a species – it’s about the reintroduction of an entire ecosystem that disappeared over 400 years ago..
Those who support beavers’ reintroduction say it will benefit both farmers and wildlife because beaver dams help reduce downstream flooding by holding back water and releasing the water slowly after heavy rain while reducing silt build-up.
However, research into Scottish releases revealed that among those opposed or sceptical about beavers’ reintroduction, identified that while projects listed ‘desired outcomes’, none of them considered what to do if those ‘desired outcomes’ were not achieved. The need to control beavers, their spread and absence of long-term funding for their management was also a concern.
Reintroductions involve humans. Individuals or groups carry out these projects which, in turn, have an effect on landscapes and the way they are being inhabited, used or simply perceived. In light of this, any reintroduction project is challenging. It implies looking at a specific species, its effects on the environment and people’s perceptions and acceptance of it. It also requires engaging in effective discussions which involve all the actual and potential stakeholders, without labelling them, to agree on a broad and long-term plan for the landscape.
The lack of trust between wildlife/conservation groups and farmers is the largest barrier to reintroductions’ success. In the case of the Dyfi Biosphere, the controversial Summit to Sea project drove a wedge between local farmers and projects involving species’ reintroduction which will take many years to resolve.

Farming

Huw Jones sets new British shearing record in Machynlleth

Published

52 minutes ago

July 10, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Hundreds gather to witness 663 ewes shorn in eight hours

A WELSH shearer has smashed the British record for the most ewes shorn in eight hours during a remarkable solo attempt in Mid Wales.

Huw Jones, aged 27, from Machynlleth, set a new British 8-Hour Solo Ewe Shearing Record on Saturday (July 6), shearing 663 ewes at Hendreseifion farm — eclipsing the previous record of 539 held by Martin Howlett.

The event began at 7:00am and concluded at 5:00pm, with hundreds of spectators present to support and cheer Jones on as he worked with extraordinary speed and precision. The site also holds local significance, being where Meirion Evans achieved a shearing record 12 months ago.

Speaking after the attempt, a visibly exhausted but elated Jones said: “Today has been an amazing day. Thank you to everyone who has helped me achieve what I have here today. Records like this are never just about the shearer — they’re a team effort. I couldn’t have done it without all of you.”

He also paid tribute to his family, saying: “My family has always supported me in everything I’ve done. I want to especially mention my grandad, who is sadly no longer with us. He was the one who started me shearing, and I hope he’s looking down on me today.”

The day also raised funds for the Welsh Air Ambulance and Aberdyfi Search and Rescue — two charities close to the hearts of many in the local community.

Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement at British Wool, said: “On behalf of British Wool, we offer huge congratulations to Huw on this outstanding achievement. It was a display of high-quality shearing, and Huw should be immensely proud. We also acknowledge the tremendous effort of everyone behind the scenes who made the day possible.”

Farming

Technology and simple changes can boost Welsh farm profits

Published

1 day ago

July 9, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Study shows major savings possible without big spending

TECHNOLOGY has the potential to revolutionise Welsh farming – but new research suggests some farms could achieve similar savings by simply improving their daily routines.

That’s the conclusion of a recent study by Irish agricultural body Teagasc, which worked alongside Farming Connect in Wales to assess how technology and practical changes can increase efficiency on farms.

At a series of Farming Connect events held across Wales, experts told farmers that tweaking working practices – rather than investing in expensive gadgets – could offer huge returns.

“It’s often the smallest changes that make the biggest difference,” said Conor Hogan, who manages the People in Dairy programme at Teagasc. “Something as basic as how the day is structured, or how the milking parlour is staffed, can save hours every week.”

Big differences in working hours

One study involving 90 dairy farms showed a wide gap in the number of labour hours worked per cow per year – from 23.8 hours at the most efficient farms to 38.9 hours at the least.

This difference, Hogan said, equates to more than 2,000 hours a year – worth around £34,000 if costed at £15 an hour.

The most efficient farms followed a set routine each day, while less efficient ones were more haphazard – leading to longer working days and lower profits.

Low-cost changes can pay off

Other improvements suggested include:

Streamlining milking: Automating cluster removal (ACR) systems and installing exit gates that can be controlled remotely means one worker can manage the parlour, saving time and money.
Better calf feeding: Automatic feeders can increase efficiency by 20%, though Hogan warned that returns vary depending on existing systems.
Grazing infrastructure: Investing in basic trackways, fencing and water points can deliver rapid returns by reducing labour demands.

Be realistic about tech ROI

Although technology can be transformative, Hogan urged farmers to be cautious.

“Tech like heat detection collars can be as good as a skilled stockperson,” he said. “But if a farm already has excellent fertility rates, the return on investment may not justify the cost.”

He added that some benefits – such as better cow health or early detection of lameness – are harder to quantify but may shorten the payback period, especially with grants.

Case study: Rhodri Jones

Rhodri and Siwan Jones, who converted their family sheep and beef farm at Penparc, Llanerfyl into a spring-calving dairy unit, hosted one of the Farming Connect events.

They now milk 197 cows on 65 hectares, achieving strong performance with simple, low-cost systems.

Rhodri considered investing in heat detection collars but concluded they wouldn’t significantly improve fertility on their farm. He is, however, open to exploring other labour-saving tech like automatic calf feeders.

“It’s important to stay open-minded,” said Rhodri. “Technology might help us streamline the business even further.”

Environmental benefits

Dr Non Williams, Farming Connect’s carbon specialist, said precision agriculture – such as GPS and sensors – could reduce waste and cut emissions by improving productivity per input.

New trials of biomethane-powered machinery, running on gas collected from slurry stores and anaerobic digesters, also offer more environmentally friendly alternatives to diesel.

Williams noted that technology like heat detection collars could indirectly reduce the carbon footprint by improving reproduction rates and reducing the number of bulls on-farm.

For more information visit: www.gov.wales/farmingconnect

Photo caption: Conor Hogan of Teagasc with dairy farmer Rhodri Jones at Penparc, Llanerfyl (Pic: Mentera).

Business

Major development at Hayscastle farm refused by planners

Published

4 days ago

July 7, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire farm diversification which packages and distributes specialist medical equipment across Europe to relocate to an agricultural building has been turned down by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr Van Der Spoel of Castle Villa Farm, Hayscastle, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought permission for the relocation and expansion of an existing farm diversification business into an existing agricultural building.

A supporting statement said the applicant, together with his wife and adult daughter ran the farm diversification at their 135-acre sheep farm.

It added: “The business run from this site is FRIO ASTRID EURO Ltd, which has a franchise agreement with FRIO UK. This business has been run from Castle Villa since its incorporation in 1998. The business was initially run from the stable building on the farmyard at Castle Villa.

“The business set-up involves receiving stock from FRIO UK in Wolfscastle, packaging orders and distributing the stock to seven Western Europe countries. There are three employees, Mr Van der Speol, his wife and adult daughter who all live at Castle Villa.”

Wolfscastle-based FRIO produces the world’s first patented insulin cooling wallet which keeps insulin and other temperature-sensitive medicines cool and safe.

The supporting statement said the Castle Villa Farm business has now outgrown the site and scope for increasing the building is unviable, and all other buildings at the farm used for agricultural purposes.

It added: “In terms of a functional need for the business to be located at this site, the applicant still farms over 135 acres surrounding the site and 300 sheep. He could be needed at any given moment to tend to these sheep, especially during lambing season. Therefore, having the site just a seven-minute walk away is vital in ensuring the agricultural use is not lost at Castle Villa.

“Additionally, the products distributed from the site are medical products and therefore, efficiency of getting these products away to purchasers is vital. Losing hours each week commuting would drastically reduce the efficiency of the business and could result in a downturn of business.”

An officer report recommending refusal said a previous retrospective application for a steel-framed storage and distribution building was refused, with a later appeal dismissed, a later application conditionally allowing the building for an agricultural use.

It also said an appeal had been lodged with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) in early 2024 after an enforcement notice was served, adding an inspector later confirming the only ground upheld was the period for compliance with the notice was too short.

The scheme was refused by county planners on the grounds the development “does not derive its inputs from the land, it is not therefore an enterprise for which a countryside location is essential”.

It added: “In addition, robust evidence has not been provided to demonstrate that the type of activity being undertaken could not be accommodated, or would not be viable, within a nearby settlement or an allocated employment site.

“The development also fails to demonstrate that the scheme operates as a farm diversification. Therefore, it has not been demonstrated that the development is in an appropriate location.”