Mon, 09 May 2016 Ffermio

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-Hello and welcome to the programme.

-As you can see, I am among the

-horses and tractors in Cardigan.

-Traditionally on Barley Saturday,

-farmers would meet up in the town...

-..to employ workers for the year

-and to inspect stallions.

-These days, it's the horses and

-tractors which take centre stage.

-Also on the programme, Daloni visits

-a unique dairy farmer on Lleyn.

-Originally from Manchester,

-he turned his back on city life...

-..in order to make a living

-from his love of farming.

-This town is full of history.

-Alun has also been here this week...

-..meeting the official vets

-working at this event.

-They have reached

-a very special milestone.

-Agriculture has experienced huge

-challenges over the past 80 years.

-However, Priory Vets

-in the centre of Cardigan...

-..is a business

-which has flourished...

-..and which continues to develop.

-J E Thomas

-was the founder back in 1935.

-Here to tell the story

-is his son, Richard Thomas.

-He started in Newcastle Emlyn

-next to the Red Cow.

-The lads brought down the horses...

-..and had a couple of pints

-while the animals were treated.

-There were no dogs or cats

-in those days.

-Dogs were spayed on the farmyard.

-The tom cat in a Wellington boot.

-That's how it was.

-He then came to Cardigan...

-..and rented a room at The Ship,

-a tavern.

-That's how he started in Cardigan.

-He used to go out to heal,

-like a paramedic.

-These days,

-they are so sophisticated...

-..they use preventative medicine.

-They treat them

-before anything goes wrong.

-Some diseases back then

-aren't around any more.

-How long is it

-since you passed the reins over?

-At the millennium, in 1999.

-I decided to go but I don't think

-they've realised I've left yet!

-There's nothing worse than

-comparing how you used to do things.

-It's constantly developing.

-Edward's son has returned.

-I had two children but no sons.

-Edward is very lucky that his son

-will follow in his footsteps.

-I'm confident local boys will come.

-These days, Edward and Ruth Jones

-are in charge.

-They own four different sites -

-two in Cardigan, one in Aberaeron...

-..and they opened a new site

-in Crymych in March.

-Our practice

-was historically a dairy practice.

-I came to Cardigan in 1976.

-That was 40 years ago and

-there were six veterinarians here.

-We all went out to the farms.

-A sick dog

-was a bit of a nuisance really.

-You'd call in to see the dog

-on the way to seeing another cow.

-The cattle were paramount.

-Things have changed entirely.

-The pets are just as important now.

-In 1976, we were six vets...

-..with two receptionists

-here in Cardigan.

-Last year, we were 14 vets...

-..with three more

-testing exclusively for TB...

-..and six

-devoted to doing cats and dogs.

-The company

-looks to be in safe hands...

-..as Edward and Ruth's son, George,

-has become part of the venture.

-I grew up watching Dad doing

-caesareans in the dead of night.

-It didn't necessarily

-make me really want to be a vet...

-..but it was part

-of my everyday life here.

-I wanted to come back to this area

-and I'm a people person.

-I also wanted to work outside.

-That was my ambition.

-Some day,

-you'll be the boss at this practice.

-Does that appeal?

-For my father, it's nice

-that someone is coming through.

-I'm happy living in this area...

-..and it'll be convenient

-for me to take over some day.

-It's clear that everyone here

-at the practice is very content.

-There are vets working here

-from every corner of the globe.

-We have some Welsh vets.

-We also have English vets.

-Two from Poland.

-We have one that's just arrived

-from the Netherlands.

-We've had a vet from Portugal.

-There's one from Norway.

-We also have

-a pet specialist from Germany.

-What's your catchment area?

-You're getting bigger all the time.

-We're confined on one side

-by the sea.

-Our semi-circle of influence

-extends almost down to Fishguard...

-..around to Crymych,

-Trelech, Newcastle Emlyn...

-..and Llangrannog to the north.

-Vets have no time to be idle...

-..rushing back and fore to treat

-all creatures great and small.

-However, as they celebrate 80 years

-of existence as a company...

-..it's obvious that a solid

-foundation was laid initially.

-How pleased are you to be

-a part of this family business?

-It's nice to work with your parents.

-They've taught me a lot.

-Dad has instructed me

-on how to be a vet.

-It's great to have someone

-you can consult with about things.

-Do you get on well, Edward?

-Is he a good worker?

-We get on really well.

-It's a two-way process not one way.

-I'm learning new things and George

-is picking up the stuff I know.

-We need young blood.

-There are only three or four

-of the old boys left now.

-We have a lot of youngsters

-and they have good ideas.

-We feed off each other.

-Back here at Barley Saturday, there

-are horses of every kind on show.

-Getting them ready for

-the competition ring is hard work.

-Last week,

-I visited Fronwen Farm, Llanarth...

-..to see exactly what it takes

-to prepare for the big day.

-After a bad accident on the farm,

-Wyn and his wife...

-..decided to sell all the stock

-and focus on horse breeding.

-Horses have always been

-in Wyn's blood.

-As well as training them,

-he's also a faithful supporter...

-..of Barley Saturday and the

-Aberaeron Festival of Ponies & Cobs.

-Take us back to the very start.

-I was farming, building,

-concreting and raising children.

-But everything changed.

-I was working on the slates

-with a partner.

-There was an accident

-and I remember nothing else.

-You remember it well.

-I was there.

-They were on the slates

-and he fell 18 feet to the ground.

-They didn't think he'd live.

-The ambulance came.

-They told me he died several times.

-He's now relearnt

-to walk, eat and write for himself.

-He's still very good at maths.

-No-one will con him!

-No, they won't.

-No, they won't.

-

-I don't have any money!

-It also means

-you've renewed your love of horses.

-We had to sell all the sheep.

-Wyn picked it up as a hobby

-to get him out of the house.

-Instead of sitting in a corner,

-he went to see the mare.

-Suddenly, there was fresh interest

-and we bought a stallion.

-You enjoy yourself with the horses.

-You enjoy yourself with the horses.

-

-It's something to do.

-It keeps me fit

-with the riding and the hunts.

-Breaking them in

-and buying the odd one.

-So the horses look their best

-for the occasion...

-..they need a shampoo and set.

-Wyn has plenty of friends

-and family willing to help out.

-Every hair

-is then in the right place.

-Your job is watching the boys work.

-It's a change.

-Why's that?

-Why's that?

-

-I used to do the work.

-How much of a thrill do you get

-riding the cart around the ring?

-It's like going through a big town.

-There are thousands there

-watching you.

-More than the Royal Welsh.

-Father called last night.

-He said the mare was in the field

-and she needed to be done up.

-I thought it would be

-a 15-minute job.

-It's a bit longer today.

-She'll have to be washed

-tonight and tomorrow morning too.

-You have to bear in mind

-the time of year.

-These animals haven't really emerged

-from their wintering period yet.

-They are losing their winter coats

-and we'll have to brush that away.

-It's a bit rough right now, but by

-tomorrow morning, she'll be shining.

-We'll go through town with everyone

-clapping and him in the carriage.

-Look out.

-Look out.

-

-Yes, look out.

-Wyn's interest in horses

-started when he was a young lad.

-One of his favourites these days is

-the Andalusian stallion from Spain.

-What's your secret? I hear you're

-a dab hand at breaking in a horse.

-I read his mind.

-Breaking these animals in

-is good for your health too.

-I have tinnitus.

-That's noise in the head.

-Everyone who has it

-knows it isn't good company.

-When I'm on a horse,

-it seems to disappear.

-It goes quiet.

-It goes quiet.

-

-You're concentrating on the horse.

-Join us after the break

-to see the family in competition.

-Daloni also finds out

-how a city boy from Manchester...

-..has ended up

-owning 400 head of dairy cattle.

-See you in two minutes.

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-Welcome back.

-With the amount of competitions

-today, astute judges are required.

-They include a young Dryslwyn woman

-who's judging for the first time.

-What are you saying, eh?

-Lisa, this is your first time

-judging. How did it go?

-OK, I think.

-I hope the competitors

-agreed with my choice.

-I hope to do it again.

-Why must horse judges look so smart?

-It's an honour to be asked.

-There are so many people involved

-with horses in Wales and the UK.

-You have to accept the invitation

-and look the part.

-There's no point

-turning up in slippers!

-It's disrespectful to those who put

-so much effort in behind the scenes.

-Where did you develop

-your judging skills?

-A lot of my experience

-comes through the YFC.

-Putting things in order

-and giving reasons, and so on.

-I have a lot to thank

-the Young Farmers for.

-The dairy industry

-is suffering at the moment.

-But Daloni

-met a young family from Lleyn...

-..who are going against the flow

-by starting out in the industry.

-Penllech Bach Farm, Tudweiliog,

-is home to Matthew Jackson...

-..his partner, Mari Elin, and

-their children, Seren and Sionyn.

-They farm 240 acres here

-and milk 400 dairy cows.

-But Matthew's story is different

-to that of most young Welsh farmers.

-He was born and raised

-in Manchester.

-He doesn't have

-an agricultural background...

-..and he left school aged 15.

-I've been learning Welsh

-for two years.

-I speak it with the children

-every day.

-But I don't like speaking...

-..or rather, I'm not comfortable

-speaking Welsh with older people.

-I want to go to Nant Gwrtheyrn.

-I feel that I'm ready now...

-..to move on to the next step.

-After spending his holidays and

-every moment possible in Lleyn...

-..Matthew got a chance

-to start farming.

-It's a great story...

-..coming from where he did

-to what he has now.

-He's done great.

-So, Matthew started with nothing?

-So, Matthew started with nothing?

-

-Yes, he did.

-I remember a long time ago...

-..we looked after Cian and Beca

-and did odd jobs.

-He'd work with Dilwyn Parc,

-fencing, anything.

-When he started milking,

-I saw he had a big interest in it.

-He stuck with that...

-..and that's how this opportunity

-came about at Home Farm.

-What's Matthew's secret?

-I don't know anybody

-who works as hard as he does.

-Ever since we first got together,

-he has worked every hour of the day.

-He's quite stubborn as well.

-If he wants something,

-he works for it and he'll get it.

-It's obviously worked.

-There's one thing to say...

-..about coming here to live, being

-accepted, and people actually...

-..from Manchester

-not having a clue about farming.

-Coming here

-and people giving you chances.

-Realizing

-there might be potential there...

-..if they're willing

-to give you the chance.

-Everyone's been really good

-like that.

-Lending tractors and little things

-that have helped me along the way.

-Trailers and a van here and there,

-stuff like that.

-That's been people.

-People make everything work.

-By now, Matthew is 28...

-..and in a co-operative

-farming contract with a landowner.

-Cefnamwlch Estate

-owns the land and buildings...

-..and Matthew owns the stock.

-The profit

-is split equally between them.

-The hard part is making sure

-you find the right person...

-..to be in a partnership with.

-Having been to New Zealand twice,

-that's the system he employs here.

-It's a system which is dependent

-on the pasture.

-I went to New Zealand to learn

-about the grass graze system.

-I learnt a lot about milking

-off Gary...

-..where I lived in the first place.

-With this system, cows are out

-ten months of the year...

-..and are grazing top-quality grass.

-They're a different breed of animal.

-They're a Jersey cross,

-New Zealand Friesian cross.

-They convert grass to milk.

-We put as little bought-in feed

-as possible into them.

-They produce

-lower amounts of milk...

-..but higher milk solids

-off grazed grass.

-Although milk prices are low...

-..Matthew believes

-there's a way to survive...

-..and he monitors his costs closely.

-The price of milk has gone down

-this year, but I like a challenge.

-My answer to that is I've got

-to get better at what I do...

-..and reduce the production cost

-of the milk.

-It's difficult for everyone

-at the moment.

-But you've just got to do

-the best you can.

-Where can you cut costs

-with milking?

-Reducing the bought-in feed

-in the milking parlour.

-So, it's tight?

-We're already producing it

-at a very low cost.

-The fertility side of it

-is one of them.

-We've got a lot of heifer calves

-coming through.

-Normally, I'd sell the surplus,

-but they're worth less this year.

-We're getting rid of the older cows

-and bringing more heifers in.

-They're better breeding.

-That's one of the cost cuttings

-with fertility...

-..as in not using as much

-veterinary intervention this year.

-Despite all the obstacles

-in agriculture...

-..Matthew is passionate

-about farming...

-..and his family's

-way of life in Lleyn.

-Over the next few years, we'll be

-looking into buying our own farm.

-I was in New Zealand

-last November...

-..learning more about goal-setting

-and strategic planning.

-That's what we need to do next.

-Put a strategy together

-where we're going to be...

-..rather than going day to day.

-Where do you think you'll be

-in ten years, Mari?

-Not far from here.

-It'd be nice to have our own farm,

-but not far from Tudweiliog, I hope.

-The grand parade is about to start.

-But first, I can't wait to hear

-how it went with the Fronwen family.

-Wyn, how has your day been?

-Wyn, how has your day been?

-

-Excellent.

-Everything has been great.

-How did it go with

-the horse and cart and the stallion?

-Did you get a ribbon?

-Did you get a ribbon?

-

-Yes, but that's not why I came.

-Everything was brilliant.

-What was the general standard

-of the horses today?

-I didn't get much time to see them.

-I didn't get much time to see them.

-

-You were too busy.

-A full-time job.

-You'd have to go far

-to find as good a turnout.

-What's next for the Fronwen family?

-No idea.

-To stick at it and improve.

-Following hours of judging,

-the champion was Danaway My John...

-..a nine-year-old stallion

-from the Gwilym Park stud.

-Congratulations, Dai.

-You are very successful

-here at Barley Saturday.

-It's going very well.

-I'm champion for a second year

-at the show.

-A different horse,

-but I'm delighted.

-The tradition has changed a lot.

-The vintage section has over

-a hundred cars and tractors.

-In days gone by, the tradition

-was to find a stallion for the year.

-They could see the stallions here

-and pick one for their mares.

-What's it like to judge here?

-It's a great experience

-and a wonderful show.

-A significant show in Ceredigion.

-It's a chance for breeders...

-..to come and pick a stallion

-for their mares...

-..and good publicity

-for the stallions and their owners.

-It's a day

-for business and pleasure.

-How much work is it

-to prepare for a day like this?

-Last night, the committee

-was getting the barriers ready.

-At 6.30am today, we set up

-400-500 barriers along the street.

-We're all stewarding here now.

-We'll reload the barriers

-onto the trailers.

-By five o'clock,

-the town will be back as it was.

-It's been going for centuries,

-and the whole family enjoys it.

-The children are very interested.

-It's interesting

-for them to look back.

-Their parents

-can tell them how things work.

-The age of the horse.

-How important is it

-that traditions like this continue?

-I think it's very important.

-Once it ends, it'll never come back.

-That's all from the excitement

-of Barley Saturday.

-It's nice to see such traditions

-continuing in our communities...

-..and to see so many turning out...

-..to appreciate the work

-of the volunteers and exhibitors...

-..and to enjoy the grand parade.

-Until next time,

-thanks for joining us and goodbye.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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