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Farming

Cabinet Secretary to highlight ‘Start to Farm’ scheme at Royal Welsh Show

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THE Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, will attend this year’s Royal Welsh Show to witness the impact of Farming Connect’s ‘Start to Farm’ scheme, a vital initiative ensuring the future prosperity of family farms in Wales.

Euryn Jones, chair of the Farming Connect Strategic Advisory Board, praised the programme, stating, “Matching landowners wanting or needing to step back from the industry with younger farmers or new entrants keen to gain a foothold in farming is not only invigorating and modernising Welsh agriculture but also safeguarding the future of many farm businesses at risk.”

Mr Jones will oversee a special ‘Start to Farm’ event focused on joint ventures during the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd from 22nd to 25th July. The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, will join an invited audience of Welsh landowners and opportunity-seekers registered on Farming Connect’s ‘Start to Farm’ database. The event will also feature former beneficiaries of the scheme, who now farm collaboratively as part of joint ventures, and representatives from key stakeholder organisations within the industry.

The ‘Start to Farm’ initiative has successfully facilitated 78 new joint venture partnerships across Wales, covering all sectors of the industry, through fully funded mentoring, business, financial, and legal support. An additional 29 matched pairs of providers and seekers are currently on their pathways towards new joint ventures or share farming partnerships. Supported by approved mentors and specialist advisers, these prospective partners are developing business plans and legal frameworks in preparation for their unique business arrangements.

Mr Jones emphasised the necessity of staying abreast of best practices, new technologies, and innovative, sustainable working methods to drive established businesses forward. These areas can pose challenges to more traditional farmers, especially if there is no succession plan to transfer responsibilities to the next generation.

“Farming Connect, through its Knowledge Transfer Programme, strongly encourages and enables younger farmers to invest in personal development and engage in farm business management early on, whether within a family farm or a new partnership, while their enthusiasm, ability, and energy are at their peak,” said Mr Jones.

The ‘Start to Farm’ joint venture support services will be delivered by Farming Connect’s approved team of specialist advisers and legal experts, tailored to meet the requirements of both landowners and prospective incumbents. The initiative aims to facilitate the seamless transfer of skills, knowledge, and expertise from older or more experienced landowners to individuals who have the ability, skills, and energy to ensure sustainable farm development.

During his visit to the ‘Start to Farm’ event, the Cabinet Secretary will hear first-hand about the ‘life-affirming’ benefits experienced by many farmers involved in successful share farming arrangements in Wales. Speaking ahead of the Royal Welsh Show, Mr Irranca-Davies remarked, “Ensuring that the knowledge and expertise of more experienced farmers is passed on to new entrants is extremely important. Bringing together this expertise, experience, and insight with the ‘Start to Farm’ initiative is key to the future prosperity of Welsh agriculture.

The Welsh Government will continue to work with Farming Connect to deliver a farming industry that supports thriving rural communities and is sustainable in every sense of the word.”

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

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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.

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Farming

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

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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].

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Farming

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

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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.

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