Mon, 22 Aug 2016 Ffermio

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-Welcome to Ffermio...

-..and a warm welcome

-to Tremeirchion near St Asaph.

-On this programme, we'll meet young,

-enthusiastic farmers...

-..who are confident

-about their future in the industry.

-They include a young family who've

-just bought this farm, Plas Coch.

-Coming up, we join a local woman

-visiting the Pembrokeshire Show.

-We'll meet some of the competitors

-and see the showground.

-One of the dairy industry's

-main awards is the Gold Cup.

-Alun has been to meet a family

-who reached the final this year.

-Rhydygors near Talog

-in Carmarthenshire...

-..is home to Tomos and Elin Davies

-and their daughters, Mari and Sara.

-Tomos farms alongside his parents,

-Glyn and Myrtle.

-Recently, they reached the top six

-dairy producers in the UK.

-It began in January.

-I received a letter saying

-I'd qualified for the competition.

-I was given an application form so I

-could decide if I wanted to compete.

-I gave it a go.

-I filled in the form and sent it.

-A month or so later,

-I was told we were in the final six.

-I couldn't believe it.

-What were they looking for?

-A technically-sound farm.

-You produce quite a bit of milk.

-Animal health is a big factor.

-They also look at your business.

-If truth be told, they wanted

-to know how much money we made!

-They looked at everything in detail.

-They then came here

-and talked to me.

-They wanted to see...

-..that the farm corresponded to what

-I'd written in the application form.

-Glyn, tell me a little

-about the farm.

-How has it changed over the years?

-Four generations of your family

-have been here.

-How many more cattle

-do you milk now in comparison?

-Much more.

-My father

-only milked about 25 cattle.

-There are now a further 300

-on the farm.

-

-swnio fel 100 ond myrtle yn cadarnhau nes mlan

-Gosh!

-How important is it...

-..to have a good woman

-to run the business in the office?

-It's important.

-It's the backbone of the business.

-If the business is OK!

-

-os nad?

-Tell us, Myrtle.

-It's nice to hear those words

-sometimes!

-Some recognition!

-The NMR is very important.

-

-NMR - National Milk Records - milk recording and dairy herd ...

-

-

-

-https://

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-National Milk Records

-I'm sure having a record

-for every cow...

-..is so important for your business.

-..is so important for your business.

-

-It's very important.

-Very important.

-You wouldn't believe how much

-I have to write about every cow.

-We've now got over 300.

-Think about all the work

-involved with those...

-..let alone the ones yet to come.

-But I like to do it.

-It's been a tough time

-in terms of milk prices.

-Who do you sell milk to?

-Are you in the right place?

-This period will go down in history

-for dairy farmers.

-We sell milk directly

-to Muller Milk.

-We're receiving a bonus...

-..that some of the supermarkets

-have been willing to give.

-The milk cheque reached

-its lowest point at around 21p.

-That was when it was at its lowest.

-The family have looked very closely

-at the business.

-Every detail has been assessed.

-On average, every cow produces

-around 12,000 litres a year.

-There are also

-around 230 young stock here.

-Tomos, I know you've changed

-the business a lot in recent years.

-One change

-is to milk three times a day.

-Why did you decide to do that?

-What changes have you seen

-because of that?

-Back in summer 2014...

-..we employed another worker here.

-We just saw an opportunity.

-Over winter, the milk

-was just coming and coming.

-It wasn't overnight.

-The system

-was coming along nicely.

-In the spring, we decided

-to keep the cattle inside.

-We saw it as an opportunity

-to go for it.

-The price of milk was good.

-We added another 70-80 cattle...

-..and kept the entire herd inside

-through the spring.

-In three years...

-..we've gone from selling

-1.5 million litres to 4 million...

-..with the same amount of land.

-Our only investment...

-..is one shed to hold 80 cattle

-and one silage clamp.

-The only difference

-is milking three times a day...

-..and giving them more feed.

-When keeping the cattle inside,

-we could increase the herd.

-There wasn't quite enough land.

-We've decreased the amount

-of silage that each cow eats.

-Silage changes from day to day...

-..from season to season,

-from year to year.

-So that decreases the part of

-the cow's diet that would change.

-The diet of a cow that gives

-60 litres of milk shouldn't change.

-The lack of changes

-has improved the cows' health...

-..and increased production.

-I think the entire system

-works well.

-There are two full-time and three

-part-time employees on the farm.

-Elin, Tomos's wife, is a teacher and

-also contributes plenty to the farm.

-Has this been an ambition for Tomos?

-Yes, I think it's something

-he's been aiming for all his life.

-It's recognition for the farm...

-..for him and for the partnership.

-It's come at a time when things

-aren't too rosy in agriculture.

-But it's nice to receive good news.

-In terms of the recent changes

-to the farm...

-..milking three times a day

-and keeping more cattle...

-..how has that changed your life?

-It might sound ironic

-but milking three times a day...

-..has improved

-our family's quality of life.

-We've had to employ more staff.

-Tomos isn't as tied to his work

-as he was.

-One of the girls is at school.

-He'd start milking

-when Mari came home from school.

-Now, milking has stopped by then.

-So he is more free now

-to spend time with us and the girls.

-In a way,

-one of the best things he's done...

-..is to milk three times a day.

-For the girls...

-..how good is this environment

-for them to grow up in?

-They're very lucky.

-They love being outside helping.

-Seeing the calves.

-They go out with Tomos

-every chance they get.

-The family obviously

-take great pride in their stock...

-..and what they produce.

-They want to ensure

-they're always at the forefront.

-The dairy industry

-is unstable at the moment.

-I have plans, but I'm not sure

-when they'll be realized.

-Maybe in the next year.

-We need to change

-the way we rear the heifers.

-We need a slicker,

-better system there.

-The parlour's getting older.

-We'll need a new one soon.

-I'm not sure if there'll be people

-in the parlour.

-A year ago, I'd have said yes.

-I'm not sure.

-Technology's changing all the time.

-Turning to you, as proud parents...

-..it must be nice to know that

-the future is in very safe hands...

-..something that's been recognized

-by others in the industry.

-It's very nice.

-I hope that after the

-two granddaughters have grown up...

-..they'll want to be part

-of the business.

-You three seem very happy

-working together.

-That's so nice to see.

-It's not like that every day!

-Just like every family.

-You're not here every day!

-I think it's an exciting industry

-to be in.

-It's changing. It's exciting.

-You move with the times.

-A lot of new technology

-is coming into dairy farming.

-It's up to you if you're going

-to use it or keep things simple.

-I think it's a good industry

-to be in.

-That's it for now.

-After the break,

-we visit the Pembrokeshire Show...

-..and we meet the young family

-who live here...

-..Plas Coch, Tremeirchion.

-See you in a minute.

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-Welcome back to Ffermio.

-I've come here to St Asaph

-to meet one young family...

-..who've bought their own farm

-and are living a dream step by step.

-Martin Sivill

-was raised in Tremeirchion.

-

-http://www.highindexrams.co.uk/suppliers/borsey-and-sivill/index.phtml

-He wasn't raised on a farm...

-..but he's always wanted

-to work in agriculture.

-He's been working

-for other farmers for years.

-With his wife, Gemma,

-and sons Thomas and Callum...

-..they've just bought

-their own farm.

-Plas Coch is a stone's throw

-from where he was raised.

-

-http://www.highindexrams.co.uk/suppliers/borsey-and-sivill/index.phtml

-I started off in the village

-of Tremeirchion.

-As a small child, I helped out

-on one of the farms in the village.

-I started

-when I was around seven or eight.

-All I wanted to do was farm.

-After missing a lot of school...

-..I took a year-long course

-at Llysfasi College.

-

-https://www.cambria.ac.uk/tag/llysfasi-college/

-I worked on a lot of big farms.

-I got a lot of good experiences

-on big farms.

-Then I met Gemma and we decided

-to start on our own farm.

-Do you have a farming background,

-Gemma?

-Not at all, no.

-My father was a doctor,

-Mum was a nurse.

-This is all new.

-Coming into this, here.

-How did it start with the sheep?

-Martin said in Glanrafon

-that we should have sheep.

-That we should have

-our own sheep on our own land.

-Mum said she wanted something

-that was nice to look at.

-That was

-where the Hampshires came in.

-A few years ago, we decided we

-wanted a breed of our own as well.

-That's where the Blue Texels

-came in.

-And you're hooked.

-Yes, definitely.

-Plas Coch is a 60-acre farm.

-They rent an additional 70 acres.

-They keep 400 sheep in all.

-They're a mix of commercial

-and pedigree sheep...

-..including Hampshire Down, Texel,

-Blue Texel and Beltex.

-Gemma's mother, Jennifer Borsey...

-

-http://www.highindexrams.co.uk/suppliers/borsey-and-sivill/index.phtml

-..has won several big competitions

-with the Hampshire sheep.

-That includes

-the Supreme Championship...

-..at the Royal Welsh Show in 2009.

-In addition to the sheep...

-..they keep ten cattle

-and buy and sell calves each year.

-In terms of the sheep, what's your

-work pattern? What do you work for?

-We're trying to go more pedigree

-than anything else.

-More Blue Texels

-and Beltex rams to sell.

-That's our next step, I think.

-We'll keep the Hampshires

-where they are.

-There's a market to sell around five

-or six rams from them each year.

-Blue Texels are in demand now.

-We're going to up those

-to around 100 pedigree sheep.

-We'll then try to sell the rams

-and sheep.

-Why are Blue Texels

-in such demand now?

-There are different points.

-They're fashionable at present.

-People want them for showing.

-They have good points.

-We try to use them

-to cross with the ewe lambs...

-..because they're easy to lamb.

-They still have a good carcass.

-If you cross them over

-the white sheep...

-..you get white lambs

-but with the blue gene.

-Where do you sell the sheep?

-The pedigree sheep are sold at big

-sales like Carlisle and Worcester.

-The Hampshires

-only have one big sale.

-That's Stratford or there is a place

-to sell them in Builth.

-That's a lamb sale in Builth.

-All of our commercial sheep

-are sold at auction.

-What do you do with your cattle?

-We exhibit our commercial cattle

-at winter shows and fairs.

-That is why they are bred.

-We go to the Show Potential shows.

-Anything that doesn't make the cut

-is sold as store cattle.

-They sell quite well.

-Martin has become known as a man

-who recognizes good stock.

-He's been invited to judge

-at shows all across the UK.

-At 38 years old,

-he knows what's what.

-The work is never-ending, Martin.

-Yes, it's hard to keep

-their feet in check.

-We try to put the sheep

-through the footbath often.

-That keeps the feet sound.

-And then they're straight out?

-And then they're straight out?

-

-Yes, indeed.

-If it's wet,

-we keep them in a while.

-What do you have here now?

-The Blue Texels first.

-The Blue Texels went out first.

-We want to flush embryos

-out of them.

-We're going to implant the embryos

-in these sheep.

-Are they Texel cross?

-They're Texel cross Lleyn.

-Good sheep then.

-They're big sheep

-with plenty of milk.

-It's easy for them

-to raise and carry twins.

-Despite plenty of work at home,

-Martin and his wife still work.

-Gemma is a teacher

-and Martin helps other farmers.

-With two children,

-their lives are busy.

-So, now,

-you have your own 60-acre farm.

-You're renting

-an additional 70 acres.

-You've got incredible stock.

-Are you content?

-I wouldn't say I was content.

-I'd like to try. Everyone wants

-to improve everything.

-We've got good stock

-but I'd like to improve it.

-I think when you think

-you're good enough and you stop...

-..that's when you begin to lose.

-I'd like

-to really improve the stock.

-I'd like to win somewhere big

-with the Blue Texel sheep.

-I'd love to win the Royal Welsh

-with the Blue Texels.

-I don't know, it may not happen,

-but that would be an achievement.

-Is it the sheep that give you

-that buzz that pushes you on?

-Yes. The sheep and the children.

-Seeing the children's interest

-in the sheep and cattle.

-That gives me a buzz to carry on.

-It's what gets me up.

-You've been here for eight months

-now and enjoyed every minute.

-Yes, we've enjoyed every minute.

-All the hard work has been worth it.

-I would say that there

-is a chance for people like me...

-..who don't come

-from a farming background.

-You can farm yourself.

-If you want it as much as I did,

-there is a chance.

-I've been lucky

-with the people of this village...

-..and the owners of Plas Coch.

-They've been very kind

-and they've really backed me...

-..as have my entire family.

-Keep trying and keep farming,

-it'll happen in the end.

-Good luck.

-Good luck.

-

-Thanks.

-The agricultural shows that have

-been held all across Wales...

-..are a great chance

-to show rural life at its best.

-Be it stock, flowers or handicrafts.

-This week, we're visiting

-the Pembrokeshire Show...

-

-http://www.pembsshow.org/

-..with a young girl from the area.

-Welcome to the Pembrokeshire Show.

-I'm Angharad Edwards

-from Maenclochog.

-I'm looking forward

-to showing you...

-..a few things

-that make this show so special.

-Over the years,

-many families have competed here.

-The Thorne family, George, Ionwy

-and Non from Milford Haven...

-..are celebrating

-a particular milestone.

-Tell us a little

-of the history of your herd.

-The herd started

-under my grandfather.

-When Dad started up, he bought

-one cow from the dispersal sale.

-He started his own herd there.

-I have now started too.

-I started in 2003.

-You're celebrating

-a special milestone this year.

-Yes, 70 years this year.

-We're still at it.

-The Hereford cattle are still here.

-They're becoming more popular

-as a breed every year.

-How many do you have at the Show?

-We've got eight this year,

-including three calves.

-We try to support the Show.

-This is where we see customers

-and meet up with people.

-It's important to come

-and show what we've got here.

-Ionwy, the Pembrokeshire Show

-is here.

-Tell me, how long

-have you competed with the cattle?

-Ever since I married George.

-So that's 30 years.

-Non is following in your footsteps.

-How do you feel about that?

-Non really

-enjoys the world of exhibiting.

-It's really good. It's nice to see

-Non has so much interest.

-You work as one team.

-You have to work as a team.

-Non works full-time.

-We're home all day. She's the one

-who does the cosmetics at the end.

-Who's the boss?

-Who's the boss?

-

-Non!

-The family competed in many classes

-and the standard was high.

-Ionwy, Non, you've got two queens

-with ribbons here. How did it go?

-It's been exceptional.

-It's been exceptional.

-

-We've had a great day.

-We've won a few classes,

-the group of three and the pair.

-It's looking promising.

-Plenty to celebrate tonight!

-Plenty to celebrate tonight!

-

-Not too much!

-Who do we have here?

-These are a cow and her calf.

-Queen is the mother

-and this is her first calf.

-They've done well.

-They've done well.

-

-Yes, they have.

-They went to the Royal Welsh

-and won a class there...

-..so they're out again today.

-..so they're out again today.

-

-Congratulations on a successful day.

-On to the next 70 years!

-We'll be here forever!

-Good luck.

-As well as all the animals

-at the show...

-..there's plenty here

-to please the whole family.

-At the food hall,

-there's plenty of choice.

-From the meat to the sweet treats,

-there's something for everyone.

-We've got a series of chilli jams

-which have been mixed with fruit.

-We also have goat's cheese.

-We have four flavours - honey,

-original, garlic and cranberry.

-Where are you from?

-Where are you from?

-

-We're from St Asaph, North Wales.

-The jams are made

-at a site in Ruthin.

-We've travelled down

-to this show in Pembrokeshire.

-Have you been before?

-No, this is our first time.

-We're trying to come down

-to different shows this year.

-We're trying to promote the brand

-across Wales...

-..instead of just North Wales.

-Emily and Beth from Cuckoo Mill

-Farm in Haverfordwest...

-..this show is on your doorstep.

-It's going really well.

-We've had a very good day.

-We're quite famous for doing a lot

-of talking particularly at the show.

-It's really busy around the shed.

-How's it going?

-It's good. A bit of a challenge

-working with Emily, but it's OK!

-What do you have here?

-It's home-made.

-I make it myself in Carmarthen.

-We've got two flavours...

-..one is whisky

-and the other is white rum.

-I've been making the whisky

-for 17 years.

-Dear me,

-you must be pretty good then.

-I used to give it as a gift.

-I've turned it into a business.

-I'm hoping for a good show.

-Without doubt, the Pembrokeshire

-Show is a special one.

-The industry may be facing problems

-but events like this...

-..give the rural community

-a chance to celebrate.

-That's it for this programme.

-It's been a pleasure to meet

-Martin Sivill and his family...

-..and to see quality stock.

-They're a young, enterprising family

-full of vision.

-Good luck to them.

-Until next time, goodbye.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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