Farming

On farm meeting for politicians

Published

6 years ago

February 26, 2018

Discussing family farms' future: Adam Price and Jonathan Edwards

PROTECTING the Welsh family farm was on the agenda in its broadest sense this week as the Farmers Union of Wales hosted a visit for local AM Adam Price, MP Jonathan Edwards and Police Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn.

The visit to Mr & Mrs Rickman’s Gurnos Farm in Bethlehem took place on Friday (Feb 16) with representatives of farmers, unions, animal feed suppliers and work-from-home businesses all present to question the elected members.

Topics of discussion included the future of the family farm model were the UK to leave the Single Market and Customs Union, making the industry attractive to young people, connectivity, transport and security matters.

Dyfed Powys Police Commissioner, Dafydd Llywellyn was on hand to discuss rural crime and the considerations which need to be given to the way in which ports and borders operate after Brexit.

In 2016, Wales exported 92.7% of its meat to the EU, excluding the UK, tariff-free. Nearly 70% of all Welsh exports went to the EU. The trade agreement negotiated will, therefore, be of crucial importance to Wales’ farmers. Plaid Cymru politicians have consistently supported membership of Single Market and Customs Union as the best way to protect the interests of local farmers.

Speaking after the farm visit Assembly Member Adam Price said: “Wales’ high-quality food and drink is underpinned by high animal health and welfare and environmental standards. Our farmers can therefore compete with farmers anywhere in the world on the quality of their products, but they are not well-placed to compete on cost.

“The Welsh and UK Governments should therefore ensure a transition period for the future funding arrangements equivalent to the durations of the current and next Common Agricultural Policy funding cycle.

“In order to protect Welsh farmers, we were pleased to give an assurance on our visit that Plaid Cymru will require the UK Government to seek the endorsement of each UK country before any future trade deal can be signed.

“Leaving the EU does provide some opportunities, for example, EU regulation on procurement has been a hindrance to developing procurement policies that could benefit the Welsh food and drink industry. Public sector procurement, including by schools and hospitals, should favour produce from Wales as much as possible.

“The connection between farming and wider rural economies communities needs to be better recognised in future; through improved broadband and transport infrastructure; enabling farmers to develop small community energy schemes; and recognising farmers’ role in improving health, wellbeing, protecting our language, and attracting tourism through maintaining landscapes.”

Member of Parliament Jonathan Edwards said: “Of all Wales’ industries, agriculture faces the most uncertainty following the decision to leave the EU.

“Without the right trade agreement in place, the right regulatory framework and the right support, the consequences for our agricultural industry and wider rural economy will be disastrous.

“According to Hybu Cig Cymru, a scenario where the UK trades with the EU under World Trade Organisation rules could mean tariffs of 84% on cattle carcasses, 46% on lamb carcasses and 61% on cuts of lamb. The Tories promise to ‘grow more, sell more and export more great British food,’ but they do not explain how this will be done.

“The message I gave during my visit is that I and my Plaid Cymru colleagues will resist any attempts by the Tory hard-brexiteers to sell Welsh produce down the river in favour of the financial interests of the City of London.”

Farming

E-Tickets now on sale for Pembrokeshire County Show 2024

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

E-TICKETS are now on sale for this summer’s Pembrokeshire County Show, the largest county agricultural show in Wales. Preparations are coming together well for what is set to be a fantastic two days of livestock, competitions, attractions and much more.

General entry tickets for the show, taking place on Wednesday and Thursday, 14 & 15 August, are now available at an ‘early birds’ rate online from the website. Ticket prices have had to increase slightly to cover costs but still remain below 2019 charges. The early bird rate for Adults is £15, children £8 (5-16 years), Carers as well as children four years and under are free. Please visit: www.pembsshow.org to purchase your e-tickets.

Adam Thorne, President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society said, “At the event in August visitors will be able to tickle their tastebuds in the Castell Howell Food Hall, marvel at the livestock classes, enjoy watching the dog agility, be wowed by the showjumping, explore the horticulture, arts and crafts entries.

Shop ‘til they drop in the Country Market area, which will showcase over 40 quality local and award winning product and craft stalls and much more.”

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society Membership packages are also available and these include admission to the Show and the Members’ Area. Purchasing membership of the society will support its aim to promote, advance and improve agriculture, horticulture and rural crafts and skills by the improvement of livestock and the demonstration and showing of livestock, machinery, crafts, products, methods and processes connected with agriculture and agricultural education in particular by the holding of an annual show. Full details are available on the website: Become A Member | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org)

Putting together this event is hard work and requires an enormous effort by the staff, volunteers and trustees of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society. The Society is indebted to so many for their commitment and support in helping host the event.

A special mention must go to the county show sponsors. Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society is proud to have many local, regular, sponsors who make the event possible.

Sponsorship Director, Richard Cole, said, “Sponsorship and Pembrokeshire County Show have been a successful combination for the last 45 years. Sponsors have enjoyed promoting their businesses through the varied mediums of banners, announcements, show rings, buildings, equine and livestock classes and championships over the years. It isn’t too late. If you’d like to discuss becoming a corporate sponsor please complete the form on our website: www.pembsshow.org.”

Farming

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society in search for county’s top progressive farmers

Published

3 weeks ago

April 9, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IF you farm in Pembrokeshire and can demonstrate your farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture then the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourage you to enter the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award.

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire County Show President, said, “We are looking for local Pembrokeshire farmers, under the age of 45, who can demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture. They also need to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm as well as present an aesthetically pleasing example of farming in the county. The competition welcomes all livestock and arable sectors to take part.”

Last year’s winners of the Award were Mark and Caroline Davies of Little Newcastle, Haverfordwest. They milk 230 pedigree Holsteins through a fully automated system. They rear their own replacements and also have a small beef enterprise. The farm is all grassland and they follow a strict reseeding and liming policy to optimise the yield from their multi-cut silage system. The couple place significant emphasis on animal health, husbandry and breeding to maximise the efficiency of their system.

Baron John Fredrick De Rutzen was President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society in 1936 and the Baron de Rutzen Trophy was produced in his memory. The third Baron served in the Welsh Guards and tragically died, aged 36, in 1944.

This year’s entrants must be fully practising farmers within the county of Pembrokeshire and were under the age of 45 years on 1 January 2024. Entries can either be by nomination or direct application online on the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society website. Click here to apply: Baron de Rutzen Award | Pembrokeshire County Show | Pembs Agricultural Society (pembsshow.org)

The closing date for nominations and applications is at noon on Wednesday, 29 May 2024.

Farming

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society elect new president

Published

4 weeks ago

April 1, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ARABLE and beef farmer, Adam Thorne, has been unanimously elected to become the new President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society for the year ahead. Adam is the third generation of his family to hold the position.

During the Annual General Meeting of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, held last week on the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr Tim John and his wife Margaret John were also voted in as Presidents elect.

Adam Thorne has had a long association with Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society. After visiting the show as a toddler, then helping show the family’s pedigree Herefords, his uncle got him into helping him with stewarding in his early teens. From there he progressed to being a Steward with his own section, Commercial Cattle, and then also the Butcher’s Lambs section.

From stewarding, Adam became involved with committee work, starting as an Executive and then on to the former Finance and General Purposes Committee. He has been Chairman of the Estates Committee for 12 years and is now a Board member and a Trustee.

Adam said, “I am proud of my long association with Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society. I am the third generation to now be President, following my late grandfather, Walter Thorne, my father, Robert Thorne and more recently my uncle, George Thorne. I am looking forward to my year in the prestigious position.”

Away from his work with the society, Adam runs the family’s arable and beef farm in Robeston West, Milford Haven. He has been heavily involved with Tiers Cross YFC from an early age, having been Club Secretary twice and Chairman. He has also sat on Pembrokeshire County YFC Committees and the Wales YFC Rural Affairs Committee.

The 2024 Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society officeholders, announced at the AGM, include Miss Ffion Edwards who was awarded the role of Ambassador at last year’s show. Ffion, a nurse from Maenclochog, has enjoyed many years of attending the county show and believes that there are so many good elements to it. Ffion has been a member of Llysyfran YFC for 15 years and enjoys every aspect of young farmers – trying new experiences, competing and travelling to name a few. Mrs Nicola Owen was also elected as the Honorary Treasurer.

Brian Jones, the outgoing Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society President, took the opportunity to thank everyone who had helped and supported him throughout his presidency. During his year as President, Brian and his wife Helen, raised a tremendous amount of money for various charities including the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, RABI, Tir Dewi and the DPJ Foundation. Brian also gave his assurances that Castell Howell will continue to sponsor the Food Hall for future years.

Pembrokeshire County Show, the largest county agricultural show in Wales, will be held over two days again this summer on 14 and 15 August. Everyone is invited to attend the celebration of rural life in the county.

Pictured (left to right): Ffion Edwards the Ambassador for 2024; Adam Thorne, President; Margaret and Tim John, the Presidents Elect.