PLANS for new livestock buildings at a Pembrokeshire dairy farm, aimed at “improved animal husbandry” will not lead to an increase in herd size, councillors heard.

In an application recommended for approval at the February meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Mr Roblin of Clynderwen Farm, Clunderwen, sought permission for two livestock building at the 210-hectare dairy farm of 280 cows and 235 head of young stock.

A report for members said each livestock accommodation building would have a length of 77 m, a width of 33m, an eaves height of 3.6m and a ridge height of 8.9m.

Both buildings would be parallel to each other and would cover a footprint of 5,082sqm (2,541sqm each). The proposal includes a total of 308 cubicles, loafing and feed areas, with a central feed passage in the middle.

It said the buildings at the site, some 200 metres from the nearby Redhill school and just over a kilometre from Clunderwen, would sit a little lower than those already on site, and the proposals would not lead to any increase in herd size.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the scheme would lead to “improved animal husbandry to serve the existing milking herd and to support the next farming generation”.

He told members the application was accompanied by environmental enhancements and screening, with no objections from members of the public or any statutory bodies.

Mr Beynon went on to say the herd was currently housed in historic farm site buildings that “fall short of current standards,” with a farm move towards Holstein cattle which need more space.

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“It will improve animal husbandry and efficiencies in what is currently a challenging market,” he concluded.

Approval was moved by Cllr Alan Dennison, seconded by Cllr Brian Hall, and unanimously backed by committee members.

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.