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0:00:06 > 0:00:10- The highest number of sheep - since the turn of the century.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12- Has it affected the market?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14- There may be too much. - Where will the lambs go?
0:00:15 > 0:00:20- Would you like to save thousands - on feeding costs?
0:00:20 > 0:00:24- We hear from one farmer - who's succeeded in doing so.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28- Many people can do it, - they just haven't thought about it.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33- A problem that many families face - - succession.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38- It's a sad situation. We discuss it - as a family every now and then.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42- We haven't found the answer yet.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52- At the last count, there were - 10 million sheep in Wales.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54- It's the highest number - for 15 years.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- Is this good news for the sector?
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- It's a busy day in Ruthin Mart.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- Farmers are eager to get - the best prices for their stock.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15- Numbers fell during the time - we had the Foot and Mouth disease.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- After that, numbers increased again.
0:01:19 > 0:01:24- Do all these sheep make a difference - in the marketplace?
0:01:24 > 0:01:30- Any rise in numbers increases demand - for different markets.
0:01:30 > 0:01:35- We must remember that we - import lambs from New Zealand.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- The numbers of sheep in New Zealand - had dropped dramatically.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- They were down a million and a half - last year.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- There's a market here, there's - a place for them in the market...
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- ..but yes, the numbers - make a difference to the prices.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- With a higher number, more sales - are needed which affects the price.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59- Meat Promotion Wales - keeps an eye on the industry.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- They're also responsible - for marketing the lamb.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- How have they responded - to the recent rise in numbers?
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- Numbers have reached 10 million.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- The market has been relatively - buoyant in recent times...
0:02:15 > 0:02:18- ..and sales of lamb - have been quite high...
0:02:19 > 0:02:21- ..especially on the continent.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- Export sales - have been very strong too.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- At the same time...
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- ..we've seen a drop in the number - of suckler cows in Wales.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34- That's also an important factor.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38- If farmers don't keep cattle, - they keep more sheep.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- That's why we have so many of them.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- Back in the mart, - we catch up with Rhys Hughes...
0:02:44 > 0:02:48- ..a Llangollen farmer.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- There may well be too many, - there may well be too many.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- Where will all the lambs go?
0:02:54 > 0:02:59- There's a market for the best lambs - but not for those under 30kgs.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- There's no market - for them this year.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- There was no market - for them last year.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- It is a big worry.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- Meat Promotion Wales tell us we have - to change our system of farming...
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- ..and breed heavier lambs - but it's not easy on the hills.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21- Is having 10 million sheep in Wales - affecting your business?
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- Yes, there are too many sheep.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26- The market for small lambs...
0:03:27 > 0:03:31- ..has been troublesome - over the past three years.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37- There was a strong market in - Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- Those markets have changed - for different reasons.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46- Economies in those countries aren't - as strong as they were 10 years ago.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- Business is being done but - that business is often undermined...
0:03:52 > 0:03:56- ..by produce coming in - from Bulgaria and Romania.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- The market has changed.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- We'll have to adapt the way - we supply those markets.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08- Despite an increase in sheep numbers - with more being exported...
0:04:09 > 0:04:15- ..last year, lamb sales fell by 10% - in Great Britain last year.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- Are we overproducing?
0:04:18 > 0:04:20- I wouldn't say so.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25- There are more in the market but - you have to change with the times...
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- ..and unfortunately, - if prices fall...
0:04:29 > 0:04:32- ..the only way to increase income - is to produce more.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- That's natural in life.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- I wouldn't call it overproducing.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43- Farmers are just producing animals - that don't fit market demand.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- What we produce is still the same...
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- ..and what the customer consumes - in Great Britain is also the same...
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- ..but a greater proportion of - what we produce has been exported.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- Exports have increased - due to the weakness of the pound...
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- ..compared to two years ago.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- That's why the price of lamb eaten - and bought in shops in Britain...
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- ..has fallen a little.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- When you produce something, - you expect a fair price for it.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- You don't want to be offered - 1/kilo for lambs in a mart.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- That's what happened today, locally.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24- 1/kilo.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- The price has bottomed out now.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33- Is there a future in Wales for - the small lamb? Is there a future?
0:05:33 > 0:05:39- If there's no future, where do I go? - Many farmers feel the same.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- From the mart in Ruthin - to Llanefydd.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53- Alun's met a farmer - trialling a new system on his farm.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- At this time of year, we start - to regret our New Year resolutions.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- Most people want to save money - and lose weight.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14- I have no problems losing weight, - but today I'm visiting a farm...
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- ..that's cut 6,000 - from its cattle winterising bill.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- Arthur and Menna Williams - farm Carwed Fynydd...
0:06:30 > 0:06:36- ..a 400-acre farm consisting - of 120 cattle and 900 Lleyn sheep.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- Last year, they looked at ways - of reducing costs.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- After feeding kale since 2010...
0:06:44 > 0:06:49- ..Arthur now grows fodder beet...
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- ..in the hope - of keeping cattle out longer.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56- When you turned the cattle - to that crop for the first time...
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- ..how did you control - how much they ate?
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- There must have been a lot - of calculations.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- You can't just turn them - to fodder beet.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- There's a lot of work to do.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- We initially put the breeding - heifers on the fodder beet.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- We put them in - and lifted the fodder beet by hand.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25- We fed them - and increased the amount every day.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30- We would increase the amount - until they were eating it properly.
0:07:30 > 0:07:36- We made sure they didn't eat - too much leading to acidosis.
0:07:37 > 0:07:43- With the kale, you could turn - the cattle to kale right away.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- That's a big advantage - with the kale.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- Seven and a half acres of the farm - was sown with Robbos fodder beet...
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- ..to see if it was more productive - than kale.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- We have 23 breeding heifers on it.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- It will sustain them for 120 days.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- They've been on it - since the beginning of December.
0:08:07 > 0:08:12- There's room for 500 lamb ewes - for 70 days.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- As well as reducing feeding costs - for cattle...
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- ..you're cutting sheep costs too.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- What happened to the sheep - before this?
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- We've been sending 600 lamb ewes - to Chester on tack.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- We still send some, just in case - the fodder beet didn't work.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- We'll be sending less next time - and growing more fodder beet.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- Today, Farming Connect - have organised an open day...
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- ..to show the results - of the experiment.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48- Emyr Owen has been crucial - during this process.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- He's the Red Meat Technical Officer - for North Wales.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- I was hoping to see half the land - used to grow fodder beet.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- Because it produces so much - per hectare...
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- ..it would ultimately - prove cheaper than kale...
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- ..because kale requires more land.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- Fortunately, - that's exactly what's happened.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- It's not for everyone but a lot of - people have the ability to do it.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- They just haven't thought about it.
0:09:17 > 0:09:23- Can it become a problem - when there's challenging weather...
0:09:24 > 0:09:30- ..or the ground is being compacted - because there's so much trampling?
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- You should just take it as it comes.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- Just be as proactive as you can be - when you're managing stock.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- The cattle do much - of the maintenance work for you...
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- ..you're not burning diesel and it's - a great system if you can do it.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- One of the guest speakers, - Charlie Morgan...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- ..is an expert at growing crops.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00- A good turnout, Charlie, an audience - keen to learn something different.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05- People are realising now - that things have to change.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- No-one knows - what the future holds...
0:10:08 > 0:10:15- ..but they know that if they do the - same thing, they'll go backwards.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- They have to ask - how are they going to change...
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- ..what's the answer for them - in the future...
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- ..and how much - they are willing to spend.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Hay is 120-130 per tonne.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- If you want to build a shed, - that incurs a great cost.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- If you're looking - for flexibility within a system...
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- ..when you grow a crop like this, - you can change things.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46- Some people are talking about - keeping more cattle and less sheep.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- Is that fair or not?
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- You have the flexibility here - without having to spend too much.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58- It's been an eye-opener to see how - one business has helped cut costs.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- What did farmers think - about the day?
0:11:02 > 0:11:08- The yield is good but I'm worried - about spraying on the slopes.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12- There are places you can drill - but you can't go there to spray.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- You need to spray it three times.
0:11:16 > 0:11:22- Paul, looking at the set-up here, is - it suitable for your land at home?
0:11:22 > 0:11:27- Very unlikely, with three times - the amount of rain they have here.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- I don't think so, - my land is much heavier.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34- It does make you think - about what you can grow.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- That's why I asked the question.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- If neither fodder beet and kale - are options, swedes are an option.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- It's made you think differently.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- I've grown the odd year of kale - over the past few years.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- I'm very interested in fodder beet.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- From what I've understood today...
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- ..it does require more work.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- There are more costs, spraying work - and more feeding work.
0:12:08 > 0:12:15- It has its uses and it's worth a lot - to cattle as feed.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- It's early days on the fodder beet.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- You'll still want to calve cattle - on this system.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- That's the future.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- That's cost effective.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- This is pioneering.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35- After all, if you can save 6,000 - of costs in one year...
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- ..it's a substantial saving.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39- Yes, it is.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- You save money - by not sending sheep out on tack.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49- If there's any chance to save money, - you should try something new.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- It's nice to see farmers adapting - their businesses for the future.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- Next, the latest about bird flu.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10- Following the announcement - that bird flu had been detected...
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- ..in two locations in England...
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- ..Defra has extended the bird flu - prevention zone across England.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- The risk level for poultry - was raised to medium...
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- ..and for wild birds to high.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32- Cabinet Secretary for Energy, - Planning and Rural Affairs...
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- ..Lesley Griffiths, has decided - that there is no reason...
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- ..to declare statutory controls - in Wales at the moment.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- The situation - will be closely monitored.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- Poultry keepers - should remain vigilant....
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- ..and adhere to the strict - biosecurity regulations.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57- That's all for Part 1.
0:13:57 > 0:14:03- Join me later for a subject that - can cause concern for families.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05- See you soon.
0:14:06 > 0:14:06- .
0:14:11 > 0:14:11- Subtitles
0:14:11 > 0:14:13- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- We're not getting any younger.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23- The question of succession, - who will be here to farm after us...
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- ..is a question worrying - more than one family farm.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- The same worry exists - at Trefaes Fawr, Newcastle Emlyn.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41- Here, Huw and Carys - have farmed for 40 years.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- They have four daughters.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- As part of her journalism course - in Cardiff University...
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- ..youngest daughter Elen - reported on this subject.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- I had to write an article - as part of the coursework.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- They said "write what you know".
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- It would be easy for me - to get information from Dad...
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- ..and it would be easy for me - to add my own input.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- A lot of people - are thinking about the future.
0:15:15 > 0:15:20- In terms of writing the article, - have you had any added pressure...
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- ..about the future of the farm - - does it worry you?
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- It does worry me but it's difficult - for me to come up with an answer.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35- I've chosen to study - Welsh and Journalism in Cardiff.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40- It makes me wonder whether - I could come back to the farm.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- I don't think it's something - you can easily do on your own.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- I couldn't come home - to start farming on my own.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- It's a large farm.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- It's a lot of work.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- Tell us your story. - How did you get into farming?
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- Well, I was an only child.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- Dad and Mam were farmers.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- That's it, - I didn't think anymore about it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- I walked into it quite easily.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- I enjoyed farming anyway. - I would join Dad all the time.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- I was following him everywhere - from a young age.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- From then on, that's all I knew.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24- I stayed very close to home.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- My parents farmed and they wanted me - to do something beyond farming.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34- They hoped I'd come back to farming - after other experiences.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- I had the chance to work - in a bank...
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- ..so I took it to get experience - of the other side of life.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44- A farm was coming up from Tad-cu, - Wern Gadno.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- I was working on that farm - for some of the year.
0:16:48 > 0:16:54- I kept 100 sheep on rented land so I - had that when I came home from work.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- I then made the decision - to come home to farm.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- I met Carys at the same time - and I've been farming ever since.
0:17:03 > 0:17:08- Those are the experiences of Huw - and Carys but what of the future?
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- We do worry that no-one - will succeed us on the farm.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- We must think - about taking things more gently.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23- We won't be able to keep going - during the lambing season.
0:17:23 > 0:17:29- We lamb 1,500 - we can't continue - doing it as we get older.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- What's the answer if you want - to attract new blood to farming?
0:17:33 > 0:17:38- We're getting the same price for our - produce but our costs have doubled.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- That makes it difficult for people - who want to become farmers.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- It's a large cost initially...
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- ..and you have no guarantee - for the price of your produce.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54- It doesn't give anyone - any confidence in farming.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- Three of Carys and Huw's daughters - have chosen other career paths.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- Nerys is a doctor, - Gwawr's a nurse...
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- ..and Sara works - for Ceredigion Council.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- I decided when I was choosing - A Level subjects...
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- ..that I wanted to become a doctor.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- That was a turning point.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- I knew I faced many years - in college.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- I don't think anyone studies - for five years, sits the exams...
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- ..and then turns their back on it - and returns to farming.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- After qualifying, - I decided I wanted to become a GP.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39- That's what I'm doing now - in Pontyclun, Llantrisant.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- I have no intention of farming - ever again, to be honest.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- I never knew what I wanted to do - when I was in school.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- I chose my subjects - and Mam and Dad...
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- ..encouraged us - to do well in school...
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- ..and to study in university.
0:18:56 > 0:18:57- I did a nursing degree.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03- I'm now a community nurse - in Cardigan.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- The experience of being raised - on a farm, it was brilliant.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- I enjoyed every minute.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- I enjoyed the motorbike, - I enjoyed going around the fields.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- When you're in your teens, - the situation changes.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- We grew up - and learnt how to cook supper.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- My memory of the lambing season...
0:19:26 > 0:19:30- ..is Mam and Dad in the shed - every hour of the day and night.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- They'd come in for supper - I'd cooked at 8.00pm.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- Supper in the oven. - They'd come in at 10.00pm.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43- We'd usually eat supper together but - that never happened during lambing.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- They were out all the time.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- I've never said - I wouldn't come back...
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- ..but I go to work, 9 to 5.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- When I leave work, I leave work - behind and start again the next day.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Mam and Dad are in work - all the time.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03- It's 24 hours a day, - seven days a week.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- Like I said, it's a way of life.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12- I think life is easier for my - sisters who have a settled life...
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- ..when you compare it - to Mam and Dad.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Nerys is a doctor, - she earns a wage...
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- ..she knows how much she earns - every month.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- She's on maternity at the moment.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- Had she been a farmer, the baby - would be out with her all the time.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- She wouldn't receive - any maternity pay.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- She would have to keep going - on the farm.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- Only by working - would she earn money.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- Looking to the future, would you - want to see your daughters...
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- ..coming back to the farm - and leaving their way of life?
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- It would be nice, yes. - That's what gives you pleasure.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- It would be nice to see them back - but I can't see it happening...
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- ..the way farming is going - right now.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- We're not making big profits.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- They work 9 to 5, they know - where they stand every week.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- They enjoy coming home, - they enjoy working on the farm.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17- It's another thing to work here - every day of the week.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33- It's a sad situation. I don't think - we've found the answer yet.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- We discuss it as a family - every now and then.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- We haven't found the answer yet.
0:21:41 > 0:21:46- I feel guilty that none of us - will return to farming.
0:21:46 > 0:21:52- These are family farms. - These farms have sentimental value.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- They've been passed down - through the generations.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59- They're also homes for us.
0:21:59 > 0:22:06- It's sad to think that the farm - won't stay in our family...
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- ..for generations to come.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- It's a concern shared by families - across Wales.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- If you're wondering what to do - with your farm in the future...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34- ..get in touch with us - so we can hear your story.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- That's all for this week. - Join us again next Monday night.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- Thanks for joining us. Goodnight.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:00 > 0:23:00- .