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0:00:17 > 0:00:21- Hello and a warm welcome to Ffermio.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25- Dairy farmers have been having - a hard time since early 2015.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- Milk prices have almost halved - for many of them.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33- We ask how much hope there is - of things improving any time soon...
0:00:34 > 0:00:38- ..especially as many processing - companies are reorganizing...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- ..and changing their contracts.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45- Later, Alun discovers - how farmers have come together...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- ..to compare and discuss - their businesses...
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- ..with the help of Farming Connect.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56- Before that, the weather - has been awful for three months.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- Every sector within agriculture - is suffering as a result.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- Despite this, - Daloni meets a young couple...
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- ..who are venturing into farming...
0:01:07 > 0:01:09- ..and are busy - ploughing their own furrow.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- Gwawr Hughes, Tomos Williams - and their son Elgan...
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- ..live at Bodgaeaf Uchaf.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21- It's near Bryncroes, - in the heart of the Lleyn Peninsula.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26- They're on their second year here, - and are up to their eyes in lambs.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- How many have come already?
0:01:31 > 0:01:32- About a hundred.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37- About a hundred twins have gone out, - and some 50 ewes.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39- Fifty ewes have had twins.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- How many ewes are there in all?
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- How many ewes are there in all?- - A little over 400 this year.
0:01:44 > 0:01:45- Then you're only just beginning?
0:01:45 > 0:01:46- Then you're only just beginning?- - Yes, yes.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- They'll be quick once they start, - next week and the week after.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53- And they're bagged up?
0:01:53 > 0:01:54- And they're bagged up?- - Yes, as the weather's bad.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57- We've had a lot of rain recently.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00- Using the coats - makes a world of difference...
0:02:00 > 0:02:05- ..just to keep them dry - and the rain off their backs.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- If it saves one lamb from the cold, - you've paid for the bags.
0:02:10 > 0:02:11- That's how we look at it.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14- Gwawr grew up in the Nantlle Valley.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- Her family farms sheep - and beef cattle.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22- Tomos also grew up on a farm, - Berth Aur, not far from Tudweiliog.
0:02:22 > 0:02:27- They have 100 acres at Bodgaeaf, - and a further 60 acres in Ceidio.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30- When did you come here, Tomos?
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- When did you come here, Tomos?- - We came here in January 2015.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- So, you've only been here - for 13 months?
0:02:36 > 0:02:37- That's right.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Where are the sheep from?
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- Most of them came from my home, - from Berth Aur.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45- How many did you bring here?
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- How many did you bring here?- - About 300-350 of them, probably.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- And you've had to buy more in.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- We have this year, - just to raise the numbers.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- Are you still - trying to find your feet...
0:02:57 > 0:03:02- ..or are you following the pattern - set out by your father at Berth Aur?
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- We follow a similar pattern.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- Stick to what we know.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- When will the lambs be sold?
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- In May, hopefully. That's the plan.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- In May, hopefully. That's the plan.- - Where will they go?
0:03:12 > 0:03:16- Woodheads, usually, - but it depends on the price.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18- The best offer will take them.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- It's different from home, Gwawr.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28- Yes, it is.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- It's usually a lot warmer here - than in the Nantlle Valley.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- That's not the case today, - as it's cold and windy.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37- But it's quite a change.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- What's the pattern of work here - between you, Tomos and little Elgan?
0:03:43 > 0:03:44- The ewes all lamb in here...
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- ..simply because we have room - for them to do so, to be honest.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- Given that they are Suffolk Mules...
0:03:51 > 0:03:56- ..lambing outdoors isn't as easy - as it is with Welsh ewes, perhaps.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01- To make sure the lambs all come, - we keep them in the shed.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- We try to move them - into small pens immediately...
0:04:05 > 0:04:06- ..on clean straw.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- They're kept in overnight, usually, - then go out the following day.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- The sooner, the better, really.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Even though Gwawr's busy at home...
0:04:18 > 0:04:22- ..she's Farming Connect's - Pig & Poultry Technical Officer.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- She also has a herd - of Black Welsh Mountain sheep.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- You grew up on Ffridd Farm - in the Nantlle Valley.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35- We immediately link that name - with Black Welsh Mountain sheep.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- You have won many times - at the Royal Welsh Show.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- And you've brought them to Lleyn!
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- And you've brought them to Lleyn!- - Yes, that was the bargain!
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- They have come with me to Lleyn.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- It's a bit different to Ffridd.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52- The terrain and so on.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58- They tend to grow faster here, - on the lowlands.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- There's plenty of food - for them in Lleyn.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- And this big one is the champion.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05- And this big one is the champion.- - The big one, yes.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- This is Eryri Special...
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- ..the breed's champion ram - at last year's Royal Welsh...
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- ..and the breed's - overall reserve champion.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- He's ready to go again this year, - hopefully.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- As long as we give him enough food - until then, we'll be fine.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- They also keep cattle here.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- How many do you have, Tomos?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- About 20 cattle this year.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- Have these come from Berth Aur too?
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- Have these come from Berth Aur too?- - Yes, 14 of them came from home.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- We bought six in calf last summer.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42- Have you left anything - for your father and brother?
0:05:42 > 0:05:43- They do alright!
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- What's the pattern with the cattle?
0:05:46 > 0:05:48- The same as at home.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- Finishing fatstock, in a way.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- We have options - about what to do with them.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- We can sell them as sucklers, - stores or as fatstock.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- I'll stick as we are for now.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- I may try to finish them earlier.
0:06:01 > 0:06:02- Younger, in a way.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- Younger, in a way.- - How much earlier?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- We finish them - at two years to 30 months now.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- I may try to finish them - aged 20 months, maybe.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- It may be a challenging time - for agriculture...
0:06:15 > 0:06:20- ..but this enthusiastic young couple - clearly love farming...
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- ..and are looking forward - to the future.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- We've been lucky - to have had a fairly good start.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- Yes, we've been very lucky that way.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- Because we've both - been raised on a farm...
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- ..I think we're both aware...
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- ..of the fluctuations - in the industry for many years now.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- We've learnt how to deal with it - and how to carry on.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- It isn't an ideal situation...
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- ..to come into the industry - as it is currently...
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- ..but we have to adapt and move on.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00- It's important for every farmer - to try to look ahead.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- Don't stand still and be satisfied, - always try to improve and change.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09- That way, at least - you try to move ahead every year.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- What's your biggest worry?
0:07:12 > 0:07:17- At the moment, our biggest worry - is potentially coming out of Europe.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- If that happens, it seems no-one - will get any Single Payments.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24- For us now, it's a huge help.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- Starting out, definitely.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30- It's a step to move on, - instead of going around in circles.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35- The Single Payment helps us to - improve the business year on year.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- The only answer for us currently...
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- ..is to make sure - that we adapt now...
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- ..in preparation for a time...
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- ..when the Single Payment - will no longer be available to us.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52- We'll have to consider a way - to bring in extra income.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- What that will be, we'll see.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- But you enjoy it - and it's in your blood.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59- Yes, it's in our blood.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- I doubt you could do it - if you didn't like it.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- I can't think of a worse job - if you didn't like it!
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- If your heart's not in it, - you couldn't do it.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- It's definitely in us - and always has been.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- It's clearly in Elgan too.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18- Well, yes.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- That, farming, and eating.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23- Yes.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25- Yay!
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Good luck to the young couple.
0:08:29 > 0:08:35- Statistics show that Wales - has 58 fewer dairy farmers...
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- ..compared to this period last year.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- That's the equivalent - of one farmer a week...
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- ..giving up - and leaving the industry.
0:08:48 > 0:08:54- Peter Rees from Llandovery has been - keeping an eye on the industry.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- What is his opinion - about the current situation?
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Unfortunately, it's still serious.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- The price of milk worldwide - is still low.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- Nothing has changed.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- We're still producing too much milk.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- Production in the UK is up 2%-5%.
0:09:21 > 0:09:22- It's still up across Europe.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- Nothing has changed in the market.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- Something must change - before the price goes up.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- If there's too much milk on - the market, the price can only drop.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- We see that milk production - is now down in New Zealand.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Some of the cattle - have been slaughtered.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- That is having an effect.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- There's no sign of it - happening in Europe yet.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- How have the processing companies - changed the contracts?
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- Over the past year, - the contracts have changed.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- There are A contracts - and B contracts.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- The level of the A contract...
0:10:02 > 0:10:08- ..depends on how much milk you have - produced over the past two years.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- You get 90% of that - at one price level...
0:10:11 > 0:10:17- ..and the B contract covers - the additional 10% that's produced.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- It's a way for the processors...
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- ..to control - how much milk the farmers sell.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- But the problem we have - is that as it stands...
0:10:27 > 0:10:32- ..it doesn't seem to be worthwhile - for a farmer to produce less milk.
0:10:32 > 0:10:37- Can we expect prices - to stay unstable for the long term?
0:10:37 > 0:10:38- Oh, yes.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43- Everyone said that it would happen - once quotas were abolished.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- It has happened, and it's now worse - than we thought it would be.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53- But the price will definitely rise, - production will rise too high...
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- ..and the price will fall again.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- The fluctuations in the market - will continue.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- But if the market does grow, - we have to ensure...
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- ..that we make enough profit - to survive when the price is higher.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12- That has happened for years - in the pig industry.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- It'll be true - for the dairy industry too.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- One thing is certain.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- Every farmer must be efficient...
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- ..know how much - it costs them to produce milk...
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- ..and assess - any decision thoroughly.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- That's all for part one.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- After the break, I meet a family - that's going against the flow...
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- ..and is investing - in the dairy industry...
0:11:37 > 0:11:42- ..and Alun meets farmers who are - cooperating to improve performance.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44- We'll see you in two minutes.
0:11:47 > 0:11:47- .
0:11:50 > 0:11:50- Subtitles
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- Welcome back.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- As we heard in the first part, it's - a difficult time for dairy farmers.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- But today, I'm visiting a family - who have faith in the industry.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- They've decided to invest - at an uncertain time.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- Gelligatrog, Llandyfaelog, - Carmarthenshire...
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- ..is home - to Elwyn and Cheryl Thomas.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- They've just built - a new milking parlour...
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- ..and increased - the size of the herd.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- They've supplied many companies - but their milk now goes to Muller.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- What kind of year has it been?
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- It's been quite exciting.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- As you know, - we have a new set-up here.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- The old parlour - was coming to the end of its days.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- If we were to remain in the - industry, we felt we had to invest.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- Otherwise, - we had to leave the industry.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- That wasn't an option for us.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56- We've invested a considerable amount - in the set-up.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- We just hope - that things will improve.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- I feel that we may have done it - at the wrong time.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- But we've geared ourselves up - and we're ready...
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- ..so it's heads down now - and get on with it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- What is the biggest problem - for the industry?
0:13:14 > 0:13:19- There are many contributing factors - to the current situation.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24- For one thing, I don't feel - that milk is marketed enough.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- If you go to the dentist...
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- ..your dentist will tell you - to drink milk or water.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- In that case, - why don't we as an industry...
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- ..take the opportunity - to better market our product?
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- The unions and companies - such as DairyCo...
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- ..should be marketing milk - and making it more trendy to buy.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- It should be the obvious choice - for the cup holder...
0:13:50 > 0:13:52- ..when you're on the road.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57- Do you think overproduction - has also contributed to the problem?
0:13:57 > 0:13:58- Yes, to some extent.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- Having said that, - there's been nothing in place...
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- ..to stop overproduction.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- We can all say - that we shouldn't have expanded...
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- ..but if there was nothing - to stop us expanding...
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- ..and importing animals, - it was the obvious thing to do.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Nowadays, everyone looks after - their own business.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- Every farm is different.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- Something that suits us on this farm - may not suit the farm down the road.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32- Another big problem is that - everyone's situation is different.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37- Some are paid as little as - 8 or 9 pence per litre.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- Others are still being paid - 28 or 30 pence per litre.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- I think the average price - is 24p per litre.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- There is such a vast difference.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- As an industry, we can never unite - under these circumstances.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Those being paid 28p - are perfectly happy.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- I would be happy enough too - and I wouldn't go out to protest.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- But we have to consider - the bigger picture.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- Within six months, those being paid - 28p might be down to 20p per litre.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- They may want to protest.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- Are further protests - being organized?
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- We have a protest in March.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18- It will be on Wednesday 23 March.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- Farmers will be protesting - on the streets of London...
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- ..and the protest - will end at Downing Street.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- How does the situation - affect you mentally from day to day?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- I'm very concerned.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- I'd be lying - if I pretended otherwise.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40- When I'm milking, I really enjoy - my time in the milking parlour.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- But when it comes to paying - the bills, it's no joke.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51- I'm determined to see it through.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- I hope that thousands of others - feel the same as me.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- We chose this career.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- We're not going to let - the government walk all over us.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09- In an attempt to keep farm targets - ambitious and realistic...
0:16:09 > 0:16:14- ..Farming Connect advises farmers - to form benchmarking groups.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- They can compare prices, - systems and figures.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- Alun has more information.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- It's important to view the farm - as a business these days.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- Gethin Owen, who farms at Nant yr - Efail with his father Richard...
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- ..has decided to work with - Farming Connect.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- He wants to take advantage - of expert advice...
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- ..as he plans for the future - and works to develop the farm.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41- It's crunch time, I suppose.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45- In another five years, it's likely - there won't be a single payment.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- So we have five years - to make sure our businesses...
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- ..can stand on their own two feet.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00- I believe the best way to learn - and to improve your business...
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- ..is to keep an open mind...
0:17:02 > 0:17:08- ..and talk things over with other - farmers who run similar systems.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- Everyone can learn - from each other's strengths.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18- Gethin and his father - now farm 650 sheep and 35 cattle...
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- ..on 300 acres of land.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25- As well as farming, - Gethin also works for AHDB.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- His work at AHDB - and Farming Connect...
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- ..have allowed him - to see a variety of systems.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- He realizes the importance - of planning and benchmarking.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- To be honest, we have - a liquorice allsorts of sheep here.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44- We've tried lots of breeds and every - cross under the sun over the years!
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- Before we started - measuring and weighing...
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- ..and making use of EID...
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- ..we weren't sure - which sheep was best for this farm.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00- The most productive and the most - profitable sheep for this farm.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- Since we started - making use of EID...
0:18:05 > 0:18:11- ..we can link a lamb to the sheep - at birth and follow its progress.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- I weigh the lambs - when they're weaned.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- I then follow the lamb's progress - up until slaughter.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- Which breeds came out on top - following your assessment?
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- One sheep was head and shoulders - above the rest.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- That was the Aberdale cross sheep.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- For every kilo of sheep - introduced to the ram...
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- ..they produced - almost 30% more kilo of lambs...
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- ..compared to the others.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- The only drawback is the fact - that they're so productive.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- We have to try and control - the number of triplets.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51- By weighing and measuring and - attending the benchmarking group...
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- ..I saw there was room to improve...
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- ..the number of kilos of lamb - produced per hectare.
0:18:57 > 0:19:03- I'm not sure if I want to produce - more lamb meat from the same land...
0:19:04 > 0:19:09- ..or produce the same amount - from less land.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- Not far from Nant yr Efail - is Ifan Ellis's farm.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- He's also taken advantage - of Farming Connect advice...
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- ..and has planned carefully - for the future.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- The farm is on quite high land.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- We keep about 1,200 breeding ewes - and their resulting shearlings.
0:19:29 > 0:19:35- We also buy in a few young store - cattle to clear up every summer.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- When we started the group, our aim - was to increase our output...
0:19:40 > 0:19:41- ..for every hectare we farm.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47- I think that's what - every sheep farmer should do.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- We need to make more - of every piece of land we have.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- We looked at grazing systems.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- We thought it would help - to make the most of the grass...
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- ..and try and fatten - as many lambs as possible on grass.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- I feel that the sheep industry - is lagging behind...
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- ..compared with the dairy industry.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16- They record everything and know - the exact cost of a litre of milk.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- I think it would help - the sheep industry...
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- ..if we did the same - in terms of recording information.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- Gethin Prys Davies - is responsible for...
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- ..the red meat demonstration farm - network in North Wales...
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- ..on behalf of Farming Connect.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- One aspect of discussion groups - in terms of sharing information...
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- ..is benchmarking - something - we feel farmers should be doing.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46- We hope to develop a programme - that is available to farmers...
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- ..so that they can - compare themselves...
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- ..with other farmers in Wales, - not just within their group.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- They will be able - to compare their performance...
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- ..in different aspects - of the business...
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- ..whether relating to - cattle or sheep.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- The Farm Business Survey - is sent to farmers every year.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- Can that be linked in to this?
0:21:09 > 0:21:14- Yes, they can both be used.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19- You can compare your own figures - with the figures in the survey.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24- That is very good practice to see - if your business is performing...
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- ..below average or whether - it's in the top or bottom third.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- It's a very useful benchmark - for farmers.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40- This is the system - for inputting the information.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- What's the name for this?
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- This programme has been developed - by Farming Connect.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- This spreadsheet - is called Measure to Manage.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- The resource is available - to discussion groups...
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- ..to facilitate benchmarking, - whatever their system...
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- ..cattle, sheep or mixed.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- There are a great many - successful farmers of all ages.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- The older generation based their - knowledge on experience, prudence...
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- ..and a good eye for an animal.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- For the younger generation, - the terminology has changed.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- They base their work - on business planning...
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- ..and measuring - animal performance...
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- ..based on collecting - and sharing information.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- The message I want to convey...
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- ..is that people should be willing - to weigh things up at home.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37- You need to understand your costs - and also join benchmarking groups.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- I think it's the way forward, - not only as a way of learning...
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- ..but also as a way - of having fun together.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- I feel it's a way of keeping - the industry young and fresh.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- More events - are held by Farming Connect.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- For more information, visit - their website or give them a call.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- That's it for this programme.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- Despite it being a challenging time - for farmers...
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- ..it's nice to see young people - having a go...
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- ..to ensure a prosperous future - for themselves and their families.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15- Until next time, - thank you for joining us.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16- Goodbye.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:32 > 0:23:32- .