0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:06 > 0:00:09- Welcome to the programme - where we'll be discussing change.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- Before we leave - the European Union...
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- ..Brexit is casting a shadow - over all our lives.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20- That was the catalyst - to last week's announcement...
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- ..for a plan - to boost the future of rural Wales.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38- Also on the programme, we find out - how drama is a powerful weapon...
0:00:38 > 0:00:42- ..to interpret the changes - in farmers' lives following Brexit.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- Daloni talks to the NFU's - Livestock Champion Award Winner...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- ..about the changes - farmers face in the future.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00- Last week, the rural development - forum for Mid and West Wales...
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- ..published a report - asking for a strategy...
0:01:03 > 0:01:06- ..to ensure the success - of the rural economy.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- What does that mean for farmers? - Meinir has the answers.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23- Baroness Eluned Morgan has called - on the Welsh Government...
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- ..to create an economic strategy - for rural Wales...
0:01:27 > 0:01:32- ..to respond to the challenges - of Brexit and the city regions...
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- ..but how practical are these calls?
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- The report has six headlines - for rural Wales.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- Infrastructure.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- Skills and production.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47- Business growth.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50- Promoting food, - farming and forestry.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- Local jobs provided - for local people.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56- Realising the potential of tourism.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02- It was crucial for us - to publish this report now...
0:02:02 > 0:02:06- ..because the Welsh Government - will publish...
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- ..its national economic - development plan...
0:02:11 > 0:02:12- ..within the next month.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- It was important - to publish this report...
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- ..to influence their ideas about - how they will develop their plan.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24- The Common Agricultural Policy - ends in Britain in 18 months' time.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28- We have to react to that - and prepare for that time.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34- This will have an effect on farming - and rural communities in general.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36- In addition to that, in Wales...
0:02:36 > 0:02:41- ..there are already plans in - our cities to develop the economy.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- There's no plan for rural areas - at the moment...
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- ..so it's important - we start preparing.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51- Do you think the Government - is doing enough?
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- The European Union - are currently responsible...
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- ..for developing the rural economy.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- A rural development plan - already exists but that will end.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- It was important for me - to look beyond farming.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- But farming - is the heart of rural areas.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- Farming is important to rural areas, - of course it is...
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- ..but tourism is also important.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- Without farmers, there's no tourism.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- I don't want to get involved - in that debate.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26- We have to work together - we can't - have a battle in rural areas.
0:03:27 > 0:03:33- The problem for me is the fact that - our food will have huge tariffs...
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- ..especially on Welsh lamb - and Welsh beef.
0:03:37 > 0:03:44- If that happens, we will struggle - to sell to markets in Europe.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- We must look at our own markets.
0:03:48 > 0:03:55- 79m people in this country - eat ready meals weekly.
0:03:55 > 0:04:03- We must ensure that we can add value - to our food in Wales.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- We need to generate jobs - in rural areas.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- We shouldn't export our food - unless we've processed it ourselves.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15- Some already do that - but we need to do a lot, lot more.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- Penri James, an IBERS lecturer - in Aberystwyth University...
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- ..is aware of the strengths and - weaknesses of European subsidies...
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- ..and the Government's support - to rural Wales.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- What's his view on - the recommendations of this report?
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- These are troubled times...
0:04:37 > 0:04:43- ..for rural economies and farming - as we leave the European Union.
0:04:43 > 0:04:49- Having a debate on the topics - raised in the report is welcomed.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- This will contribute - to the wider debate.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- We must define - what the countryside produces.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- Does it produce food, - does it produce energy...
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- ..or does it produce - the environment?
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- That forms part of - the Government's discussions...
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- ..and the decisions - that need to be made.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- In addition to all this...
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- ..we're not clear - which policies we'll have...
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- ..in rural areas in the future.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- We need an open, public debate - about this.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26- Does the report suggest that - the Government hasn't supported...
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- ..the countryside up to now?
0:05:29 > 0:05:33- We can be critical - in numerous ways.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37- There was an eagerness - to sign city deals...
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- ..but there's no eagerness - to sign rural deals.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45- That's a point that's raised - in the report itself.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- Maybe not in those terms...
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- ..they want a better relationship - between city and rural deals...
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- ..but the countryside should have - the same priority as the city.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02- We don't have a big population but - we still need a good infrastructure.
0:06:02 > 0:06:08- Electricity, roads, - fast broadband and everything else.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14- Does this report provide some hope - for the countryside?
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- Let's not be too negative.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- Rural Wales has some - wonderful characteristics.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- It's important - that we sell those characteristics.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- It's somewhere that attracts - a lot of tourists...
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- ..and it's also somewhere - that produces high quality food.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38- It's important we look at what's - good and sell it across the world...
0:06:38 > 0:06:44- ..and make sure - that we generate income streams...
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- ..for the rural economy.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- You suggested the possibility - of appointing a commissioner.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- How much power - would that commissioner have?
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- This is something the - Welsh Government has to discuss.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06- What's important to me - is that the mind-set in Cardiff...
0:07:06 > 0:07:11- ..understands that the answers - to North and South Wales...
0:07:12 > 0:07:17- ..aren't necessarily the same - answers needed for rural Wales.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- They must be aware - that when they develop policies...
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- ..the answers might be different - for rural areas.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- That's the role of the commissioner.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- We need to continue - this economic plan...
0:07:33 > 0:07:39- ..and emphasise that people in - rural Wales must push this agenda...
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- ..and that it's not something - we develop from Cardiff.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- We've heard the thoughts - of one politician...
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- ..about the possibilities - of rural development in Wales.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- How do people feel - beyond the farming industry?
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- I'm visiting the Sherman Theatre - in Cardiff...
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- ..to meet a dramatist who wrote - a film based on the thoughts...
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- ..of one farmer - and the effect of Brexit on him.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24- ..shocked Leave farmers realise - too late where subsidies come from.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- BEEP
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- The Guardian asked Gary Owen - to write a short film...
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- ..to respond to Brexit - from a location in Wales.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47- He was inspired to follow the story - of someone in the world of farming.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- I come from a farming background.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- My family are farmers.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- After the Brexit vote, - I saw people posting things...
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- ..about farmers voting for Brexit...
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- ..and only now realising - where their subsidies come from.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- A lot of these people worked in - the public sector, maybe in arts...
0:09:09 > 0:09:11- ..and in different contexts...
0:09:11 > 0:09:17- ..they complain about the paperwork - needed to secure public funding.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- They know they don't get - funding for nothing...
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- ..while at the same time - they claim farmers don't know...
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- ..the source of their subsidies.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- I thought it was ridiculous.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- This film - was an opportunity to respond.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- How difficult was it - to get it made in Welsh?
0:09:36 > 0:09:41- I see the Guardian as being - a London-centric paper.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- They asked me if I could do - something from Wales.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- I asked them - if I could do it in Welsh.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- "No, absolutely no chance."
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- I was 50/50 wanting to do it - in Welsh or English.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- When they said no, I decided - it would have to be done in Welsh.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- They replied, "Actually, - you have to do it in English."
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- I said, "Thanks, but no, thanks."
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- The following day they phoned and - said, "You can do it in Welsh."
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- With subtitles, this marvellous - thing they'd discovered!
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Interestingly for me...
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- ..you chose a dairy farm.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- What inspired you to do that?
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- To me, Brexit will greatly - affect the sheep market.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- They will lose entire markets.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- It just struck me that Tesco - and other supermarkets...
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- ..paid less than it actually cost - to produce the milk.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- I was thinking - about this idea of subsidies.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- Who's working for nothing? - Who's subsidising who?
0:11:01 > 0:11:06- The farmers subsidise everyone - who drinks milk.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- It's difficult sometimes, - when you listen to people...
0:11:10 > 0:11:15- ..worried about the environment - and carbon emissions...
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- ..but they're not willing - to pay more for milk...
0:11:19 > 0:11:21- ..that's produced locally.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- Some of the farmers I met...
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- ..they felt that maybe - we'd lost perspective...
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- ..on how much it costs to produce - food of a high standard...
0:12:07 > 0:12:13- ..the food we want to eat, - the premium organic produce...
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- ..and how much it costs.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- Throughout the film, - there's an undertone of frustration.
0:12:21 > 0:12:27- It's quite sad at times, almost - heart-breaking about the future.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28- What inspired that?
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- We have a family farm in - Pembrokeshire, outside Narberth.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- We're likely to lose it.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40- My uncle farms there now. There's - no-one in the family to follow him.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43- It's likely it'll be sold.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- My cousins have fond memories - of growing up on that farm...
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- ..helping with the harvest, - jumping on the trailer...
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- ..getting the grain into the sacks.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- Our children won't have - the privilege to do the same.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- It's very sad.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- ..it doesn't feel like - my country anymore.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- Time for a break.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- In Part 2 we turn from drama - to the reality of farming...
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- ..as Daloni meets a determined - farmer on the Lleyn Peninsula.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- See you soon.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- .
0:13:44 > 0:13:44- Subtitles
0:13:44 > 0:13:46- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- We're ten years behind the rest - of the world in beef production...
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- ..according to one farmer.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02- Harri Parri was the 2016 NFU Cymru's - Livestock Champion Award Winner.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- He believes we have a lot of work - to do to catch up with America.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- Daloni met him on his farm - in Sarn Mellteyrn.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Harri Parri is 31 years old.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- He farms in partnership - with his parents.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- They have three farms, - Bodnithoedd near Botwnnog...
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- ..Maesog neat Clynnog Fawr - and Crugeran in Sarn.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- There are 700 acres in all...
0:14:33 > 0:14:34- ..500 cattle...
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- ..and over 800 sheep.
0:14:41 > 0:14:46- All the cattle are Stabilisers, - a breed rooted in America.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- There are 35,000 in Britain.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- The performance of 9,000 of them - is recorded...
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- ..and they're all part - of the multiplier herds.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04- Crugeran Farm - is one of those multipliers.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- My father was here first, - at the end of the '90s.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16- He had models for suckler cows - influenced by the Holstein cow.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- Those weren't sustainable. The - quality of cow was deteriorating.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- He wanted a suckler cow - that would improve every year.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- He wanted to keep suckler cows...
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- ..without relying - on the single farm payment.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- The Stabiliser Cattle Company, - the SCC, sets all the rules.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- We have a contract to breed cattle.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- They're responsible - for getting the embryos over to us.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- We're responsible - for breeding and recording them.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- They help promote the breed...
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- ..and find sales - for pedigree cattle.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- Everything that goes from here - leaves the farm.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- We don't take breeding cattle - to the marts.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05- There's a set price for bulls - and heifers, whatever their ages.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- That works out well for us.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- What's the ratio for the cattle?
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- How much do they eat, - how do they kill out?
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- As a rule of thumb, for every 6kgs - of dry matter the animal eats...
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- ..it'll put on a kilo in weight.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27- The best Stabiliser cattle we breed - have a 4:1 ratio.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- It's 30% cheaper - to breed these cattle...
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- ..than it is to breed others, - on average.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- We keep the calves from the bulls.
0:16:41 > 0:16:48- It'll take a few generations - for the herd to average out at 4:1.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- Are we behind the times - in this country?
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- Yes, most definitely.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- They say we're 10 years behind.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- The chain in America is far more - efficient compared to this country.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- There are question marks - over their feed lots system...
0:17:05 > 0:17:07- ..but at the end of the day...
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- ..they produce meat that's the same - quality in appearance and taste.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- The taste - is the most important aspect.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20- We've lost that in this country, - for various reasons.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26- Maybe that's why consumption drops - every year.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- These cattle are a combination - of many breeds...
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- ..but since 2014, the Stabiliser - has been acknowledged...
0:17:40 > 0:17:45- ..as a stand alone breed since it's - possible to trace its bloodline.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50- This is the fastest growing breed - in Britain for the past five years.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Its numbers have grown - by almost 65%.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- In terms of cattle, - what's the calving pattern?
0:18:01 > 0:18:06- We have two separate herds, cattle - don't move from one to the other...
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- ..apart from the bulls.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- One herd calves in the spring...
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- ..in a block - from the end of March until May.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- How many are in that herd?
0:18:15 > 0:18:17- How many are in that herd?- - About 120.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- 90 have been calving - over the last fortnight.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- There's a six-week gap...
0:18:23 > 0:18:28- ..from when the bull goes from - the spring herd to the summer herd.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- Why do you do it like that?
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- It's how we've done it since the - 1990s with the cross dairy cattle.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- Those that missed out - during the spring..
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- ..we'd keep them on - until the end of the year...
0:18:43 > 0:18:47- ..and they would calve - in September and October.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52- Since we switched to the Stabiliser, - the cattle are more fertile...
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- ..we've been able - to bring them forward...
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- ..and give them a bull - in September, October.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- That helps with the cash flow - of the business...
0:19:02 > 0:19:07- ..especially with the block calving, - everything is sold at the same time.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- Having two herds helps us - with the cash flow.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- We can keep more cattle too.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18- If we only calved in springtime, - we'd only keep about 170-180.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- We can keep a touch over 200 - as we are now.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- It's a closed herd here - in Crugeran.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- It's entirely closed - - we don't buy anything in.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- The bull embryos come from America.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36- You mentioned buying embryos. Do - they come with their own problems?
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- Or have the problems been rectified - before they reach you?
0:19:40 > 0:19:47- I don't think anything is perfect - or we'd all be happy in no time.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52- We'll never get anywhere without - evolving and moving the goalposts...
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- ..to try and improve the herd.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- Something goes wrong all the time, - empty cows and still birth calves.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- 60 acres of barley is grown here...
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- ..20 acres o swedes for the sheep...
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- ..five acres of fodder beets - and 15 acres of oats.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17- In addition to the Stabilisers, - there are 300 Lleyn sheep...
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- ..and 550 New Zealand Suffolk - cross Lleyn sheep.
0:20:24 > 0:20:30- This is Maesog. We're about - 45 minutes from home by car.
0:20:30 > 0:20:36- It goes from 850 to 1,500, all - the way to 1,600 right at the top.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40- The land improves as you go higher.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- Yes.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- There are some less fertile - acres here...
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- ..which are suitable - for dry cattle and sheep...
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- ..which don't produce anything.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- During the most productive times - of the year...
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- ..we use land - on the Lleyn Peninsula and here...
0:21:00 > 0:21:04- ..for the stock - that's rearing or flushing.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10- We use the less favourable land - for the dry cattle and sheep.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- There's a tight schedule. - Everything has to work on time.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- When you have to go, you have to go.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24- Yes, yes. We don't push and push - and keep them until they're 40kgs.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31- If they're 35kgs and fat, - they're within the required spec.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- We send the lambs to Waitrose.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- I get the feeling - that you're a cattle farmer...
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- ..who also keeps sheep.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- Yes, more or less.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- My father and grandfather - always favoured cattle to sheep.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- We've done well - from the sheep over the years...
0:21:58 > 0:22:05- ..but we benefit from what - the cattle give back to the land...
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- ..in terms of manure.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- We use the sheep to graze the land - where cattle can't graze...
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- ..on the winter pasture - we grow on Lleyn.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- This stock is the way forward.
0:22:20 > 0:22:27- For us. We are where we are now - with the Stabiliser cattle.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- Who knows what's around the corner - but we'll stick with them for now.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- Will we see the Stabilisers - in the Royal Welsh?
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- I don't think so. They're not for - shows. They're for making a profit!
0:22:50 > 0:22:57- That's all for this week. Whatever - changes, we'll be back next week.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- Until then, from myself - and the crew, cheerio.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:22 > 0:23:22- .