Mon, 10 Oct 2016 Ffermio

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Hello and welcome to Ffermio

-from Ceirnioge Mawr, Pentrefoelas.

-We're here for the end of an era...

-..in terms of breeding and

-registering Welsh mountain sheep.

-We'll also be launching the annual

-Ifor Williams trailer competition.

-And we'll be looking

-at the latest Brexit news.

-First, last week, Daloni

-went to meet Richard Tudor...

-..on his farm, Llysun, Llanerfyl.

-Congratulations to him...

-..for winning the Best Beef Farmer

-in the Farmers' Weekly Awards.

-Quite an achievement.

-With agricultural markets

-becoming ever more arbitrary...

-..there's yet more emphasis

-on diversification.

-Securing another income stream

-for the farm.

-Daloni has been

-to meet one farmer...

-..who has harnessed

-the natural resources on his land...

-..to generate energy

-and building materials.

-This is Blaencwm Farm,

-Cynllwyd, Llanuwchllyn.

-It's home to Wyn and Laura Jones

-and their family...

-..and Wyn's parents

-Arwyn and Glenys.

-The farmyard is 1,000 feet

-above sea level.

-The land extends up the mountain

-as high as 2,000 feet.

-Welsh Mountain sheep and Welsh Black

-cattle are reared here on 650 acres.

-You live in an amazing place.

-I've never been here before

-but the view is incredible.

-It's a lovely day.

-We're lucky

-to live in such a splendid place.

-We know we're very lucky.

-Where are we geographically?

-On the road between Llanuwchllyn

-and Dinas Mawddwy.

-Bwlch-y-groes

-is the name of the area.

-It's the highest road in Wales.

-We are quite high up.

-We are quite high up.

-

-How are you diversifying?

-My father bought a mobile sawmill

-in the 1990s.

-He would visit a lot of farms.

-Then we concentrated more

-on cutting up wood at home.

-Then we moved on to machinery that

-dried wood and planks in particular.

-We can do oak floors

-and skirtings and doors.

-We had a problem with the waste wood

-from that process.

-So we bought in a biomass boiler

-to heat both our houses.

-It also helps with drying the wood.

-We also erected a windmill in

-Llanidloes a couple of years back.

-It all helps with income.

-Over the years, they've benefitted

-from several environmental schemes.

-Today, they are hosting

-an open day...

-..for the Farmers Union of Wales

-and the FWAG Association...

-..the Farming and Wildlife

-Advisory Group.

-In 2014, we joined Glastir Entry.

-The following year,

-we joined Glastir Advanced.

-We've done a lot of work restoring

-hedges and fencing and the like.

-It works well with the farm.

-Dewi Davies, a consultant, helped

-with getting it to suit the farm.

-He helped to match it up

-with the environmental plan.

-How do you see things developing?

-We want to sustain

-our conservational activities.

-We have quite a wealth of bird

-species and wildlife around here.

-It's really good to see them here

-with the stock.

-Since 1990, the family has

-established several schemes here.

-They all involve wood.

-How did you start

-working with wood, Arwyn?

-I must have had some love for wood.

-There were rumours that farm

-subsidies were being reduced.

-I came across this saw

-in the show in Llanelwedd.

-I liked it and I bought it.

-We've been at it ever since

-and this is our third one.

-What can it do?

-It's not a normal saw.

-It's not a normal saw.

-

-It's called a bandsaw.

-It's very mobile and versatile.

-It cuts hardwood, softwood,

-small pieces, large pieces.

-It cuts anything from a foot

-to a full yard in thickness.

-You started out going

-from farm to farm cutting wood.

-That's where I started.

-I covered a huge area from Anglesey

-as far south as Llanddewi Brefi.

-By now, you have a use

-for the waste too.

-We do indeed.

-Wyn bought the biomass boiler when

-he saw there was support for it.

-It made complete sense.

-We had a huge pile of offcuts.

-It was worth running them

-through a chipper...

-..and using them

-to keep the houses warm.

-Is there too much for you

-and the family?

-The boiler is more powerful

-than was required for our houses.

-We keep timber dry in this shed.

-I hope to have a kiln to dry wood...

-..rather than use electricity

-to dry them.

-Today is an opportunity to discuss

-upland farmers' hopes and fears.

-Blaencwm

-is a great example of someone...

-..who's looked for new ideas and

-new income streams going forward.

-We're facing big challenges -

-leaving Europe and so on.

-Here, someone's thought positively,

-had a go and succeeded...

-..to secure future income...

-..on an upland farm

-such as this one.

-A day like this inspires people

-to think of new ideas.

-The discussions we've had,

-bringing politicians in...

-..and receiving positive comments

-from them, are great for the future.

-We're here

-to open the children's eyes...

-..to how farms can diversify

-so they can stay in the countryside.

-How important are days like these?

-What's worthwhile for me...

-..is seeing the initiative

-of the people of this valley.

-They've started a timber industry.

-We've seen how they've developed,

-keeping cattle and so on.

-Behind us, they've installed

-a satellite to receive broadband.

-We don't have a signal in this area

-but they've found a way.

-At the same time,

-it shows the challenges...

-..faced by family businesses

-in areas such as this.

-It's a lovely day.

-With all the challenges

-facing agriculture...

-..it's a chance to celebrate...

-..but we must also ensure

-that we fight for our future.

-What kind of day has it been?

-What kind of day has it been?

-

-A good one.

-The weather has been favourable.

-A good crowd's turned up.

-I've enjoyed myself immensely.

-Here in Ceirnioge Mawr, the rams

-are about to go under the hammer.

-It's the end of Cyril Lewis'

-long stint as secretary of CAMDA.

-CAMDA stands for Cymdeithas

-Amcanu Defaid Amgenach...

-..the Society for Sheep Improvement.

-We began in 1973-1974.

-There was a big sheep conference

-in New Zealand.

-A group of academics went out there.

-When they came back,

-they decided to start a scheme...

-..similar to one

-running in New Zealand.

-ABRO was running Rhyd y Glafes farm.

-Professor John King and Caradog

-Roberts were running ABRO then.

-What was ABRO?

-The Animal Breeding

-Research Organization...

-..that was run from Edinburgh.

-Everyone started off with ten sheep.

-Some were good sheep,

-others were not so good.

-Gwyn Williams

-from Bangor University...

-..and Caradog Roberts from Edinburgh

-were behind the scheme.

-It's gone well.

-Around 1980-1981,

-ABRO sold all the farms...

-..and we needed to find

-somewhere else to keep the sheep.

-Dr Gwyn Williams was friendly

-with Captain Charles Wynne-Finch.

-They came to an agreement

-over this vacant farm...

-..and we brought the sheep here.

-We've had some good lads working

-with us, looking after the stock.

-Because everyone considered...

-..that Welsh lambs

-weighed too little...

-..our aim was to make the sheep

-larger and to improve their build.

-We wanted them

-to produce more lambs...

-..that were of a higher standard.

-We came across a problem after

-working on this for some ten years.

-The sheep had become quite large...

-..and they didn't like

-going up on the mountain.

-We had to change tack...

-..and chose those

-with the best conformation...

-..from those with the highest index.

-That worked very well.

-Has it been successful?

-To be honest...

-..when it comes to selling rams...

-..the rams with the highest index

-are very rarely the top sellers.

-With the recording

-and the breeding...

-..we'd like a nice one if possible,

-but they are rare.

-If you can get

-the two things together...

-..you have something worthwhile.

-You should write a book

-about all this, Cyril.

-It's a long time.

-I've been the secretary

-for 40 years.

-I was only doing it temporarily

-when I started in 1976...

-..just until they found

-someone else.

-Let this be a lesson to anyone...

-..who takes over

-a secretary's position temporarily.

-Nobody else will step in

-to take your place!

-One thing is certain.

-It will be easier to sell the rams

-at Ceirnioge...

-..than to sort out the problems

-created by the decision...

-..to leave the EU.

-We'll discuss it after the break.

-See you in two minutes.

-.

-Subtitles

-Subtitles

-

-Subtitles

-Welcome back to the final CAMDA sale

-at Ceirnioge Mawr, Pentrefoelas.

-The ewes were sold

-around three weeks ago.

-It's just the rams

-and ram lambs left.

-There are two different

-kinds of buyers.

-Welsh breeders come here

-looking for a ram...

-..from its look, body and colour.

-People looking for Welsh lambs

-to fatten come here too.

-They want the index,

-the muscle fat and so on.

-One of the rams

-went for 2,300 guineas.

-That was a chap from Tal-y-bont.

-He's been here buying

-since the very first sale.

-He goes from the figures

-more than the animal type.

-Rhodri Moelgolomen...

-..you've come all the way

-from Ceredigion to Pentrefoelas.

-What attracted you to the sale?

-We've always come up to CAMDA.

-We keep records at home as have

-CAMDA for the last 40 years.

-We've done the same for 20 years.

-There aren't many places in Wales...

-..where you can buy Welsh Mountain

-sheep with these figures.

-It's a sad day for us.

-We've bought two good rams here.

-Next year,

-only three flocks in Wales...

-..keep the type of Welsh Mountain

-sheep who record.

-It's strange to think

-that this is ending.

-Yes, it's very strange. It's very

-popular. I've been coming for years.

-I'm sure you've bought

-now and again.

-Yes, I've got one at home now.

-Like every sale,

-people pick the same things.

-Some go for 2,000

-some for 700-800...

-..and some for as little as 100.

-Is it interesting to you, being

-able to come and sell on a farm?

-Yes, it's a big change.

-Welsh Mountain sheep can be

-the hardest animals to sell.

-We bought two last year.

-I'm very pleased with them.

-Did you look at figures

-when you were buying?

-Not as much as others.

-I wanted the type with a good head,

-body and the best conformation.

-Given the fattened Welsh lamb

-market, it's been a very good sale.

-The Prime Minister,

-Theresa May, has announced...

-..the UK will begin the process

-of leaving the EU by March 2017.

-That was the subject

-of the FUW's conference this year.

-After a strong campaign

-to remain in the European Union...

-The Farmers Union of Wales

-have gathered at Llanelwedd.

-They want to discuss

-the possibilities...

-..and opportunities

-for the industry.

-I feel a responsibility now

-to make sure that it works.

-I do feel we have a responsibility

-to lead and set a foundation.

-One thing came out

-from Warwick Lightfoot this morning.

-It was positive for me.

-In his opinion, the traditional

-Welsh family farm...

-..will be more certain

-of its future than big farms...

-..where they get

-up to 800,000 in subsidies.

-We'll have to look after

-the family farm.

-The taxpayer will prefer

-seeing the money go to family farms.

-It's important that the pot of money

-is spread to where it's needed.

-I think that came out

-quite clearly this morning.

-If we're going to get

-favourable trade deals...

-..cheap food will come in

-from other countries too.

-A spin has been put recently...

-..on free trade

-with Australia and New Zealand.

-As far as agriculture is concerned,

-that won't help at all.

-It will hinder us.

-Australia and New Zealand

-want to import to this country...

-..exactly what we want to export

-from this country.

-It doesn't make much sense.

-Welsh farmers receive over 200

-million in European funds annually.

-They also gain access

-to 500 million customers.

-What challenges

-does the industry face?

-I think the main political challenge

-we have...

-..is that we're not sure

-who we'll be working with.

-There's still a tension

-and uncertainty.

-We're not sure who is going

-to fund agriculture.

-We know the money comes

-from the Treasury.

-We don't know

-what the route back to farmers is.

-The last thing we want to see...

-..is the money going

-through the Barnett Formula.

-That will cut the money

-that comes to agriculture.

-We also don't want it in a position

-where it can be moved...

-..from one budget to another in

-Wales under political motivations.

-We want something that guarantees

-money for agriculture.

-Maybe we need a framework.

-That is a huge political discussion.

-We as the FUW have asked

-for a law to be drafted...

-..that forces local authorities and

-the public sector to buy locally.

-If we do that,

-it will transform the market.

-It will guarantee the long term

-sustainability of the industry.

-A wide range of speakers

-are discussing various topics...

-..ranging from the economy

-to communities.

-They include Aled Jones,

-the RWAS Assistant Chief Executive.

-One of the things that struck me

-is that there will now be a focus...

-..on ensuring trade deals

-with other countries outside Europe.

-There are challenges there.

-There are political battles

-we'll have to fight...

-..to get these deals to work for us.

-There's a role for us to play

-in this as a society.

-I made a presentation following

-the Nuffield Scholarship.

-I looked at wider roles.

-The main purpose of that role

-has evolved...

-..over our long history

-of promoting agriculture.

-That was to produce more. We now

-promote agriculture to the public.

-We need to get the customer...

-..to support the produce

-we make in Wales.

-There were many themes on the day.

-One was the importance

-of the environment...

-..as part of future subsidies.

-The public image of the industry

-was important too.

-How do farmers look to the future?

-As a mountain farmer,

-subsidies are incredibly important.

-It represents around three quarters

-of our income on mountain farms.

-What we produce in Welsh lambs

-doesn't come to much money.

-It hasn't done so for a few years.

-Until we get the money we expect

-from the lambs that we produce...

-..we can't do without them.

-As we've heard today, we've

-got the produce and the country.

-We need to use it and sell it here,

-not in foreign countries.

-We need to start here.

-The point I made was that

-while we are becoming...

-..more and more regulated

-which adds cost to our product...

-..in other parts of the world...

-..other countries that are not

-as highly regulated as us...

-..they carry on producing

-their products...

-..without the environmental

-standards...

-..without the animal welfare

-standards we have here in the UK.

-It enables them to import cheaper

-product here to us in the UK.

-As a farmer,

-I want a level playing field.

-There's a little worry

-but we need to be positive.

-We're leaving Europe.

-We need to work hard to market

-our produce to the outside market.

-I think it's important

-to be positive.

-There's always an upside

-to every challenge.

-Nothing comes easy.

-I think it's a good thing

-that this has happened.

-You'll get no fruit

-without shaking the tree.

-It's good to shake things up

-now and again.

-Next, the details

-of our annual competition.

-This year again,

-we've got three excellent prizes.

-They've all been donated

-by Ifor Williams Trailers.

-The first prize, the horsebox

-trailer, HB506 worth 4,180.

-The second prize

-is the P8G trailer worth 1,945.

-The third prize

-is the P7e trailer worth 950.

-To win one of them, you will have

-to answer five simple questions.

-They will be announced on Ffermio

-from next week onwards.

-The first letter of each answer will

-be an anagram of a five-letter word.

-You'll need to send us that word

-by 23 November.

-The details and rules of the

-competition are on our website.

-Don't forget to watch next week's

-programme for the first question.

-Good luck to you all.

-That's it for another week.

-The rams have all been sold

-and spread all across the country.

-They'll be breeding and keeping

-the CAMDA blood...

-..in the Welsh Mountain flock.

-That's it for now. From myself

-and the Ffermio team, goodbye.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

-.