A CALL to remove an agriculture condition imposed back in 1989 on a Pembrokeshire farm site which is said to be “economically unviable” as a farm has been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Rosalyn Jayne Evans sought permission for the removal of an agricultural worker-only condition for residence at Upper Hayscastle Farm, Hayscastle, near Haverfordwest.

The original condition was imposed as part of a 1989-approved planning application.

A report for members said the land, some 26.3 hectares,” is, following independent valuation, not considered to be an ‘economically viable unit in its own right’.”

“The report author contends this was also likely to have been the case at the time when [the 1988 scheme] was originally granted as no housing for livestock, crop or slurry storage was provided as part of the original consent or since the approval.

“The report also states that whilst the land is productive for uses such as grazing and crops, the lack of building(s) would restrict the economic viability of Dolfach as a separate agricultural holding.

“If investment were to now be made at the holding in relation to dairy or beef farming, the report contends that this would be economically unviable, due to the holding at Dolfach being unable to support a sufficient number of animals to produce the financial return required to sustain the business. The report also highlights that building(s) for livestock would be essential in relation to the prevalence of Bovine TB in the locality.”

It added: “It is considered that the information provided by JJ Morris is sufficient to indicate that the scale of the land holding and the lack of infrastructure would make a farming enterprise at the site an economically unviable proposition.”

It recommended “the existing Section 52 agreement be discharged to remove the requirement for the dwelling to be tied to the land in agriculture at Upper Hayscastle Farm and for the dwelling to be occupied by a person solely or mainly employed before retirement in agriculture”.

The recommendation of approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously backed by committee members.

A WELSH college farm is successfully lambing triplet-bearing ewes outdoors on exposed hill ground after introducing genetic performance recording to strengthen maternal traits and flock resilience.

At Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, near Ruthin, a flock of 120 pure Welsh Mountain ewes grazes land rising between 1,000 and 1,300 feet above sea level, where winter conditions can be harsh and only the hardiest sheep thrive.

Since joining the Farming Connect Welsh Sheep Genetics Programme in 2023, the farm has used Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to target improvements in maternal ability, growth rates and overall performance. Although genetic gains are often gradual, staff say results are already clear just three years into the scheme.

Historically, ewes carrying triplets were lambed indoors, adding labour and cost. Now, improved maternal strength means they can lamb outside with minimal intervention.

“The ewes are holding their body condition better, we haven’t had any problems lambing them outdoors and they keep their lambs very well,” said shepherd Alun Jones. “We’re seeing fewer losses and far less hands-on work. In the 2025 season we only assisted two ewes out of 120.”

The wider system runs 600 ewes, including Welsh Mountains crossed with Abertex to produce mule ewe lambs, and mules crossed with Beltex or Texel rams for finishing lamb production. Plans to phase out the Welsh Mountain breed were reversed after recognising its value for hardiness and mothering ability in upland conditions.

Performance recording began in autumn 2023 with tissue samples, body condition scoring and regular weighing to create a reliable data baseline.

“Before, we were judging by eye,” said Mr Jones. “Now we’ve got hard evidence to guide decisions.”

By identifying and removing the bottom 20 per cent of performers, the flock’s overall index has risen from £13 to £16.24 — a significant lift in commercial potential.

Lambs are currently creep-fed and sold from November to January at 38–42kg liveweight, with a longer-term aim to finish earlier and reduce concentrate use.

Farm manager Dewi Jones said the data has also changed how they buy rams.

“When you’re at a sale and you’ve got the indexes in front of you, you can draw a red line through the animals that don’t stack up. Type still matters, but figures matter just as much. Data gives you confidence in your choices.”

Some home-bred ram lambs are now matching the performance of sale-topping sires, creating opportunities to retain or market their own breeding stock.

Mr Jones believes the sheep sector could benefit from taking a more data-driven approach, similar to dairying.

“If we don’t measure, we can’t improve. Recording takes time, but the rewards are there. It’s about working smarter and building a more resilient flock for the future.”

Shepherd Alun Jones with Welsh Mountain ewes at Llysfasi.
Performance recording and weighing form a key part of the improvement programme.

THE FINAL sign-off for plans for a heifer accommodation building and associated works at one of Pembrokeshire’s largest dairy farms, with a milking herd of 2,000 cows, have been given the go-ahead.

In an application backed by councillors at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Hugh James of Langdon Mill Farms Ltd sought permission for a 160-metre-long heifer accommodation building, a slurry separation/dewatering building and associated yard areas at 1,215-hectare Langdon Mill Farm, near Jeffreyston, Kilgetty.

A supporting statement through agent Reading Agricultural Consultants said: “The holding currently has a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows, which are housed indoors for the majority of the year, with dry cows and heifers grazed outdoors when weather and soil conditions permit.

“There has been significant investment in buildings and infrastructure at the farm over the last decade in respect of cattle accommodation, slurry storage, milking facilities, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant, feed storage. Recently a calf and weaned calf accommodation buildings were approved by Pembrokeshire County Council with construction almost complete.

“The unit is efficient, achieving yields of more than 10,000 litres/cow/year, with cows being milked three times/day in the 60-point rotary parlour. Langdon Mill Farm currently directly employs 21 full-time, and three part-time staff.  Of these, four live on site in the two dwellings opposite the farm, with the remaining staff living in the locality.”

It added: “Although the unit has previously purchased heifers to aid expansion, the farm now breeds most of its own replacements to improve genetics and to minimise the ongoing threat of bovine tuberculosis (bTB).”

It said the proposed building would be used by heifers between the ages of 7-22 months, the siting  “directly influenced by the adjacent calf and weaned calf buildings, with livestock being moved from one building to the next as they get older”.

Members unanimously supported the recommendation of approval, giving delegated powers to the interim head of planning to approve the application following the final approval of a habitats regulations assessment.

An officer report published yesterday, February 5, said Natural Resources Wales confirmed it had received the assessment, and, “in consideration of the mitigation measures detailed and on the understanding there is no increase in stock, they agree with the LPA’s conclusion that an adverse effect upon the integrity of the SAC [Special Areas of Conservation] sites can be ruled out”.

Formal delegated approval has now been granted by officers.