Yr Amaethwr

Yr Amaethwr

December 2017 Yr Amaethwr

Yr Amaethwr March 2018

February 2018

NFU June 2018 CYMRU COUNCIL ELECTS NEW PRESIDENTIAL TEAM Survey reveals farmers’ NFU Cymru Conference broadband woes Embracing change 67% of farmers polled in could for success not access su cient broadband speeds #WeAreWelshFarming campaign launched NFU Cymru launches Brexit drives new campaign at the Senedd provenance pledge NFU Cymru survey highlights consumers’ desire to buy Welsh in 2018

Farming is Use of data transforming ‘Rock and Roll’ Raw milk vending sheep production Will Evans’ award-winning farming podcast is spreading positive messages about the industry Dairy farmers make A switch from beef production to a focus on sheep machine rejuvenates is reaping rewards for Pearce Hughes and his family ice cream dream a reality family dairy farm 001_FW_Dec17_cover - FINAL.indd 1 13/02/2018 11:38:44 14/11/2017 11:50:18 001_FW_Mar18_cover.indd 1 The story behind Desire to stay in dairy industry provides creative spark Lochmeyler Farm Ice Cream

that is drawing customers from near and far 001_FW_June18_cover.indd 1 16/01/2018 11:34:48

15/05/2018 14:30:14 001_FW_Feb18_cover.indd 1 Yr Amaethwr

2019 The publication which keeps our members in touch with Welsh news, policies and interests is Farming Wales. The magazine is published monthly o ering members the opportunity to understand more of what NFU Cymru o cials and sta are doing behind the scenes to ensure a première agricultural service.

Yr Amaethwr April 2018  Find out more on how your business would benefi t by Farmer is a champion adverstising in Farming Wales in his local community Meet the NFU Cymru/Principality by contacting Welsh Rural Community Champion of the Year Bernie Dutton on 01978 780 625

NFU Conference 2018 round-up News and views from #NFU18

001_FW_April18_cover.indd 1 13/03/2018 11:34:53 MEDIA WELSH FARMING IN THE MEDIA Ad Dimensions & Specifications Every month NFU Cymru secures positive media coverage on a variety of di erent platforms to ensure Welsh farming and the issues that matter to Double page spread Acceptable Files members in Wales the most remain in the media spotlight. Here’s the top picks of coverage this month. Type: 263mm (h) x 396mm (w) PDF, TIFF, JPEG, EPS Brexit’s impact on food prices NFU Cymru Deputy President John Davies and Next Gen- eration Policy Group member Jacob Anthony featured on Trim: 297mm (h) x 420mm (w) – all 320dpi CMYK high prime-time current aff airs show Panoramaspecial as part on of BBC a Britain’s Food and Farming: The Brexit Eff ect One. Bleed: 303mm (h) x 426mm (w) resolution formats. The programme, presented by Tom Heap, examined what Brexit and its implications could mean for the consumer. Jacob Anthony spoke about the opportunities that Brexit presented, including the chance to forge links with emerging markets, while John Davies warned that the wrong deal or a ‘careless Brexit’ could spell disaster for Full page Typefaces, Fonts and the Welsh agricultural industry. NFU Vice President Guy Smith also featured on the programme. Type: 263mm (h) x 181mm (w) Images: Farm support Welsh Government bovine TB announcement NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman Trim: 297mm (h) x 210mm (w) Please ensure that all fonts NFU Cymru o– ceholders and staff featured on a Wyn Evans took to the BBC Radio Cymru variety of platforms to give their reaction to the airwaves on Taro’r Post to set the record Cabinet Secretary’s bovine TB announcement in straight following reports over support for Cardiff Bay (further details on pages 8 & 9). Welsh farmers. It had been suggested that Bleed: 303mm (h) x 216mm (w) are either embedded or NFU Cymru President Stephen James represented the deal struck between the Conservatives the Union on BBC Wales News, ITV Wales News and and the Democratic Unionist Party Newyddion 9, while Clwyd Welsh Council delegate meant only farmers in Northern outlined. All picture/graphic Ireland would benefi t from farm and North Wales TB Eradication Board Member Evan Roberts and Pembrokeshire support up to 2022. However, Wyn farmer John Phillips provided a view from the farm gate on ITV Wales News and Evans was quick to point out that Half page Horizontal BBC Wales News respectively. NFU Cymru Milk Board representative Gareth the information received by the files should be scanned at Richards also spoke on the subject on Taro’r Post on Radio Cymru ahead of the Union suggested this was not the announcement, while NFU Cymru Deputy Director and Head of Policy Dylan case and Welsh farmers were not 129mm (h) x 181mm (w) Morgan spoke to ’s Ffermio. Coverage was also secured in the Western Mail, set to be disadvantaged. Daily Post, trade press and local titles. a resolution of 320 dpi and

SMNR consultation Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Half Page Vertical NFU Cymru’s concerns over the Welsh NFU Cymru President Stephen James and former converted to CMYK format. Government’s ‘Taking Forward Wales’ Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Sharon Richards Sustainable Management of Natural featured on Heno to promote this year’s Wales 263mm (h) x 88mm (w) Resources’ consultation were featured on Woman Farmer of the Year competition. Sharon the Farmers Guardian website FG Insight. Richards told presenters Rhodri Owen and Mari The article, which quoted NFU Cymru Rural Grug that her 2004 competition win had provided Sending Files Aff airs Board Chairman Hedd Pugh, said the her with good opportunities within the industry and Union was ‘deeply worried’ by the consultation, which closes in September. she encouraged others to consider applying for the Quarter page Horizontal Further details on the consultation can be found on page 12. award. Email: Please email files as A new domestic agricultural policy Future of Farming: A New Domestic Coverage of NFU Cymru’s 62mm (h) x 181mm (w) Agricultural Policy report featured prominently in the Country attachments to: & Farming section of the Western Mail. The article, which quoted NFU Cymru President Stephen Quarter Page Vertical James, focussed on the Union’s calls for support for farmers, protection against volatility, investment to boost [email protected] productivity and rewards for environmental work. uture of Farming: A New Domestic Further details about the F 7 129mm (h) x 88mm (w) Agricultural Policy report can be found on page 13. Farming Wales - August 2017 T: 01733 362 700/701

www.nfu-cymru.org.uk Eighth page 62mm (h) x 88mm (w) Ad Rates DPS £2000 Publication Schedule & Deadlines Back Cover £1130 2019 Booking Copy Inserts Insert With Issues Deadline Deadline Deadline Delivery Members Inside Back £1030 Jan-19 28-Nov-18 03-Dec-18 05-Dec-18 11-Dec-18 22-Dec-18 Full page £850 Feb-19 03-Jan-19 07-Jan-19 09-Jan-19 15-Jan-19 24-Jan-19 Half page £510 Mar-19 30-Jan-19 04-Feb-19 06-Feb-19 12-Feb-19 21-Feb-19 Quarter Page £310 Apr-19 27-Feb-19 04-Mar-19 06-Mar-19 12-Mar-19 21-Mar-19 Eighth Page £185 May-19 03-Apr-19 08-Apr-19 10-Apr-19 16-Apr-19 26-Apr-19 Classified SCC £8.50 Jun-19 08-May-19 13-May-19 15-May-19 21-May-19 31-May-19 Jul-19 05-Jun-19 10-Jun-19 12-Jun-19 18-Jun-19 27-Jun-19 Aug-19 03-Jul-19 08-Jul-19 09-Jul-19 15-Jul-19 25-Jul-19 Sep-19 07-Aug-19 12-Aug-19 14-Aug-19 20-Aug-19 30-Aug-19 insert Rates Oct-19 04-Sep-19 09-Sep-19 11-Sep-19 17-Sep-19 26-Sep-19 Nov-19 02-Oct-19 07-Oct-19 09-Oct-19 15-Oct-19 24-Oct-19 Weight of Wales Wales Dec-19 30-Oct-19 04-Nov-19 06-Nov-19 12-Nov-19 21-Nov-19 & England* insert Jan-20 27-Nov-19 02-Dec-19 04-Dec-19 10-Dec-19 20-Dec-19

Up to 5g £60 £45 FEATURE FEATURE “I saw how the cows performed o Up to 10g £70 £55 grass in New Zealand and knew that was how I wanted to farm” Up to 15g £80 £65 Up to 20g £90 £75

“I think the dairy industry will do OK WELSH DAIRY STOCKPERSON OF after Brexit. Two of our major milk THE YEAR 2017 Up to 25g £100 £85 Dedicated, committed and enthusiastic buyers are European and they are dairy stock managers are again being recognised by NFU Cymru and NFU Mutual invested heavily in the UK. They will with the launch of the annual Welsh Dairy Stockperson of the Year. Up to 30g £110 £95 make it work” The winner of the award, now in its seventh “Livestock sales are a big part of the business; we year, will receive £300 and a Welsh slate always have excess heifers to sell as in-calf heifers. engraved cheese board. We sold 47 last year and to lose that income this Applications are being sought from those year will have a big infl uence on cashfl ow. We had involved in the management of dairy cattle Up to 35g £120 £105 43 heifers born this spring and we are taking a who are working within the dairy industry in chance by keeping all of those.” Wales. The person who nominates the winner Iwan pays close attention to fertility, applying of the award will also receive £50’s worth of tailpaints three weeks before mating and observing local farm shop vouchers or goods. cows on heat. The closing date for entries is It is his attention to detail that earned Iwan Monday 25th September Grass plays a huge part and we try to replicate it as much as we can.” Up to 40g £130 £115 slurry store so no scraping is needed and the new the award of NFU Cymru/ NFU Mutual Welsh and the winner will be in Iwan's system Iwan also shares the positive mindset common shed has automatic scrapers. Dairy Stockperson of the Year 2016. There are announced at this year’s to New Zealand dairy farmers. “They have a good Sand is used as bedding, a material which Iwan di erent interpretations of the fundamentals of a Welsh Dairy Show at work life balance, the system and the weather help says has had a positive influence on cow hygiene good stockperson, but for Iwan it all comes down to the United Counties and comfort. with that.” Showground, Carmarthen, That mindset is also shared by fellow members having a good knowledge of how to get the best out “It has improved the amount of time cows lie in of the cows. “Dairy farming is hard work and a big on Tuesday 24th October. of the Merlin discussion group. “We are all on the cubicles, they are more content. They are also commitment but when you get to a situation where Minimum fee for inserts: £600 the same wavelength because we are all trying to 200 cleaner when they come into the parlour, we just a cow produces a calf for you every year then the NEW ZEALAND Anyone interested in entering the award achieve the same goals. Our meetings provide an need to wipe the sand o them so it keeps milking rewards are there.” FRIESIAN X JERSEY should contact [email protected] for time down.’’ opportunity for a good exchange of knowledge.” COWS an application form, call 01982 554200 or *Farming Wales and British Farming 40 tonnes of sand is delivered to the farm every Visiting New Zealand gave Iwan an insight into visit www.nfu-cymru.org.uk. two weeks for replenishing the beds, costing £12/ an industry functioning successfully without farm tonne. Iwan says the only downside to sand is the support payments. “Personally I try not to rely too & Grower combined cost of removing it from the storage tanks. much on subsidies although the prices we are paid Selective dry cow therapy is used on two-thirds need to be a more accurate reflection of what food of the herd, an approach encouraged by the farm’s costs to produce. vet and milk buyer. Milk recording identifies which “I think the dairy industry will do OK after cows need antibiotic treatment. Brexit. Two of our major milk buyers are European Iwan agrees that the industry needs to move to and they are invested heavily in the UK. They will a situation in which less antibiotics are used. He is make it work.” making cost savings by reducing antibiotic usage. “A But farming is never without challenges and dry cow tube costs about £7 a cow but we now only Iwan’s system is currently under pressure from use these on a third of the herd.” bovine TB. Four cuts of silage are taken each year, with the A test in January revealed a reactor and 15 fourth cut harvested as big bales. A 100kg/acre inconclusive readings. At the second test, three of dressing of urea is applied after each grazing and if those were repeat IRs and this escalated the disease needed grass is pre-mown during the grazing season status to severe. to reduce wastage. 6% Iwan has a very fertile herd – his empty rate last Grazed grass is at the heart of the system, an THE EMPTY RATE OF year was just 6% - and he has taken advantage of approach Iwan saw work successfully in New IWAN’S HERD LAST that situation to breed heifers to sell. TB is having a Zealand. “Grass drives the system in New Zealand YEAR major impact on that selling policy. Farming Wales - August 2017 29 Ad Contacts www.nfu-cymru.ork.uk 28 Farming Wales - August 2017 Bernadette Dutton Alan Brown T: 01978 780 625 Group Sales Manager M: 07747 763 053 T: 02476 858 955 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]