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0:00:18 > 0:00:20- Hello and welcome to Ffermio.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- Here in the valleys of South Wales, - the coal industry has faded away.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29- Mines such as Tower Colliery - are a shadow of their former selves.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33- On the outskirts - of these former industrial towns...
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- ..there is a flourishing - agricultural industry.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- I'll be meeting some of those - who earn their living...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- ..producing - food and drink in the area.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- I'll be visiting - the unique market at Penderyn...
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- ..and meeting a farmer - who has been a lifelong customer.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56- Meinir discovers how water is used - to create a special drink.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- From Towyn Tudweiliog - to Gelli Dafolog, Penderyn...
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- ..Daloni's had quite a journey - to bring you this story.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- The land is bare - and the sky is grey...
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- ..but the welcome at Gelli - Dafolog farm, Penderyn, is warm.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- This is home to Bryn Williams - and his family.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- Bryn farms with his son Rhydian.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- Where exactly are we, Bryn?
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- We're in Penderyn.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- It's between Merthyr, - Aberdare and the Vale of Neath.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34- Which valley is this?
0:01:35 > 0:01:36- This is Cwm Cadlan.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40- There is a mixture of land, - both agricultural and industrial.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44- It's partly hilly, partly flat.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46- There is some good land here.
0:01:47 > 0:01:48- How long have you farmed here?
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- How long have you farmed here?- - Between 35 and 37 years, I think.
0:01:52 > 0:01:53- Are you a farmer's son?
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- Are you a farmer's son?- - No, I'm not.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58- My father was a collier - from the Vale of Neath.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02- I came to work as a farm hand - at Gelli Dafolog many years ago.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04- And you stayed?
0:02:04 > 0:02:08- I stayed here, married - and I've been here most of my life.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10- Have you bought the farm?
0:02:10 > 0:02:11- Have you bought the farm?- - That's right.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18- We used to be tenants but we bought - the farm when we got married...
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- ..from the Bodwigiad estate.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26- Gelli Dafolog - is over 1,000 feet above sea level.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- Bryn and Rhydian farm 350 acres.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- They have 30 cattle and 900 sheep.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- The sheep are already inside.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- We brought them in early - because the weather has been so bad.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- It's so wet outside.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- Normally they come in - at the end of January...
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- ..but the weather has been terrible.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52- They are big sheep. Mountain sheep.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- They're not that big - but they're alright.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- They are Improved Welsh.
0:03:00 > 0:03:00- Type?
0:03:00 > 0:03:02- Type?- - Talybont type.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- What is your pattern with the sheep?
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- The sheep in these pens - are old sheep.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- They'll be put to a Texel ram.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- When they've lambed, - we'll sell them as couples...
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- ..sometime in the spring, - probably in May.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20- When will they start to lamb?
0:03:20 > 0:03:23- When will they start to lamb?- - They'll start around 10 March.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25- That's early for you.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- It's too early.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Only a few will lamb early. - The rest will lamb in April.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- We lamb them all through the shed.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- Once they've given birth, - we bring new sheep in.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39- Is that something new for you?
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- We used to lamb them all outside, - before we had the shed.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44- Was it cold?
0:03:44 > 0:03:45- Was it cold?- - Yes!
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- We managed, - but it is much easier in the shed.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- How difficult was it at first?
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- This type of sheep - is used to being outside, grazing.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- They like being outside. - They don't like it indoors.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05- Was the first year a struggle?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Was the first year a struggle?- - Yes. They weren't happy at first.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- They're used to it now.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15- When you keep them inside, - they lose their hardiness.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17- But it works?
0:04:17 > 0:04:18- But it works?- - It works.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- They don't live inside, - it's just during lambing.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24- We have a pen full of rams here.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- These are one-year-old rams.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31- You use the word 'myneryn'.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36- In Llanrwst, we call them 'meheryn'. - In the south, they say 'hyrddod'.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38- They're 'myneryn' in Penderyn!
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- And here they are, Penderyn rams.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- What are you doing with these?
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- We raise them - until they are a year old.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51- We sell them - in Talybont and Penderyn.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- There's a lot to do here.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- There's a lot to do here.- - Yes, there is.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- There's not much time to sit down.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- As well as working on the home farm, - Rhydian works as a contractor.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- Fencing in the winter - and shearing in the summer.
0:05:08 > 0:05:09- It's very busy here.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- There's a lot of feeding to do!
0:05:13 > 0:05:14- Sorry!
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- Roll and pull.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20- Roll and pull.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- Are the cattle all in here?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- They're not all in this shed, - but they are all inside.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- Is this the usual process?
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- Yes, I give the cattle some hay - as well as silage.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36- How many cows to you have?
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- We've got 30 sucklers.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41- All cross-breeds?
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- All cross-breeds?- - Yes, they're all cross-breeds.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- Limousins and Belgian Blues.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- Are they raised here - or do you buy them?
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- Sometimes we buy them - and sometimes we raise them.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54- We sell the best ones on.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- Where do you sell them?
0:05:56 > 0:06:01- We sell the calves in Sennybridge, - Brecon, at the start of October.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- We sell them when - they're seven to nine months old.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11- We keep the ones born in late summer - until December or January.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- That clears up space for the cows - to begin calving again.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- On the outskirts of Penderyn - are 7,000 acres of common land.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27- When Bryn bought Gelli Dafolog, he - was granted the right to graze here.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30- It's a very different world up here.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33- The weather shows no mercy.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- We turn the sheep out in the spring - after the lambing season.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- They live here throughout summer.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- They come down in August. - We remove the lambs.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- Then, before we turn - the sheep back...
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- ..in late October, early November, - we introduce them to the ram...
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- ..and keep them in for two or three - weeks before turning them back out.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56- How difficult is it to farm here?
0:06:56 > 0:06:57- How difficult is it to farm here?- - It's difficult.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- But the stock are used - to living in a place like this.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- It's a way of life. - Will it always be like this?
0:07:07 > 0:07:08- Yes, it will.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- We have to carry on as we - always have done over the years.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17- Sheep have always been here and - people made a living out of them.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- But it gets harder and harder - each year to make a living from it.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Rhydian, would you ever leave - the South Wales Valleys?
0:07:25 > 0:07:26- No.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31- I like the mountains and living in - the same place as the sheep graze.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33- I'll be here for a while yet.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34- Your heart belongs here.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Your heart belongs here.- - Yes, my heart is here.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- Would you move away, Bryn?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Would you move away, Bryn?- - Never. I'll be here till the end.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- Do you farm ponies as well, Bryn?
0:07:44 > 0:07:45- Do you farm ponies as well, Bryn?- - Yes, we do.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- We have wild or feral ponies - here at the moment.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- The thing is with them, - I like keeping them...
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- ..but it doesn't make - financial sense.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- You can't sell them. - There's no money in them.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- But as long as I live, - we'll have ponies here.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- Farming can be thirsty work.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- Instead of putting the kettle on...
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- ..one local family - has established a brewery...
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- ..using one of the hills' - natural resources.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- There's plenty of that around - at the moment.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- What can you produce by combining - water from a nearby brook...
0:08:28 > 0:08:29- ..with barley?
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- The Jones family from Treorchy...
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- ..have secured a second income - for their farm by brewing beer.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39- Cheers!
0:08:41 > 0:08:46- The beer has been produced here at - Fforch Farm, Rhondda Cynon Taf...
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- ..since last April.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- It truly is a family venture.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- Although father, Lynne, planted - the first seed back in 2014...
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- ..the family works together well.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- His two daughters, Grug and Caryl, - and his son, Arwel...
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- ..are also part of the business.
0:09:05 > 0:09:11- We lost some of our land, when farms - we were renting were sold off.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- We were looking for a new venture.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- I went to the pub one week and spoke - to a man with his own business.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- We arranged to meet up to see - if we could come up with something.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- He came up with the idea - of brewing beer here.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- When I came home, the children - were rather fond of the idea.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- We went on from there then.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- I'm sure you enjoyed researching it, - getting to taste beer.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Well, somebody has to be - chief taster!
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- I've got a better palate - than the rest because I'm older.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- How much inspiration did - the local area have on the produce?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- It's a coalmining area.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03- Everybody knows - that the coal mines existed here.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- We tried to find something - that suited the local area.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- That's how it started, anyway.
0:10:10 > 0:10:16- We named the beer - after the coal mines...
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- ..and after things - which were in the coal mines.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- There's Tommy Box, - which was the colliers' lunchbox.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- Then there's the Pithead Baths - and things like that.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- We try to do things which suit us.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- After your dad - had the original idea, Grug...
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- ..he handed over the reins to you.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- There were only about six months - between having the idea...
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- ..to starting up the business.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- Dad came home on the Friday...
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- ..and within a week, - we had a business plan.
0:10:54 > 0:11:00- We were up late researching - the feasibility of everything.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- We had to make sure - there was a market.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11- Craft brewers - are very on trend at the moment.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17- A lot of people like home brews - and local produce.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- It's become a lot more popular.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- The beer is bottled - and branded here at home.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- Caryl is responsible - for the paperwork...
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- ..and whatever else needs doing.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- The family has received a lot - of help to establish the business...
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- ..from both Cywain - and the Welsh Government.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- One thing that's extremely important - to the business is branding.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- It's really important - to get the labels right.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51- People look at the label first - before they try the beer itself.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- They look at the names - on the bottles.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56- But it's not just the names.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- They look at the colours - and pictures we put on them too.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- So it's important.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08- The pictures we put on the labels - are of our own cattle.
0:12:08 > 0:12:13- It's something unique to us - as a family.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- Is it difficult to keep discovering - different flavours?
0:12:17 > 0:12:18- Yes.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- It's difficult for us - because we are still learning.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- We have to conduct - a lot of research...
0:12:27 > 0:12:33- ..to find out what kinds of hops - make different flavours.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38- I know a lot of people - use things like fruit and flowers.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- We've got a lot more learning to do.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- I hope we'll be a lot bigger - in the future.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51- Agriculture is still central - to the 500-acre farm.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- Lynne and Arwel are responsible - for the everyday tasks.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- They keep around 500 - Welsh mountain sheep...
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- ..as well as a herd - of 30 Highland cattle.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- As well as all this, - Arwel is the head brewer.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- We try to brew twice a week.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- On one of the other days, - we deliver the beer.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24- Some of us - have got to bottle the beer.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- The cattle are interesting - - Highland cattle.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- Yes, you have to keep livestock - capable of living on the mountain.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- It's not worth us keeping Friesians, - they'd never survive up there.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- We have to have suitable livestock.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- There's not a lot of money in them.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- But they look good - and are cheap to keep.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- You feed them waste - from the brewery.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52- Yes, we feed everything - that's left over from the brewery...
0:13:52 > 0:13:54- ..to the cattle and calves.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- It suits us well.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- It's somewhere to get rid of it, - without carrying it far.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03- I'm sure it gives a unique taste - to the meat.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- Yes, there's a great taste - to the meat.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- There are also quite a few - wind turbines on the land.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15- Eight wind turbines. There's more - profit in those than anything else.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- I couldn't live without them.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- Not with how things are - with sheep and cattle.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- That job has become useless now.
0:14:23 > 0:14:24- Do you enjoy the work?
0:14:24 > 0:14:25- Do you enjoy the work?- - Yes.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- It's warmer there than out here!
0:14:29 > 0:14:31- By the radiator.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- What's the secret - to making good beer?
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- It's got a lot to do - with the spring water.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- That makes the biggest difference - to the taste.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- The water drains through the peat.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- I think that's what makes it - taste different.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- Cwm Rhondda Ales has had - a good start to the business.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- The family is proud of their roots - here in the South Wales Valleys.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- But how do they hope to develop - in the future?
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- I'd like to see the children - get a tidy living from it.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- They make a small living - at the moment.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- There's not enough for everyone.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13- I'd like to see it grow...
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- ..into being able to give work - to some of the local people.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- There'll be no stopping us.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- I hope there'll be no stopping us.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30- That's all for now.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- After the break...
0:15:32 > 0:15:37- ..I'll be watching the sheep - being sold at Penderyn Market.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38- Don't go far.
0:15:40 > 0:15:41- .
0:15:45 > 0:15:45- Subtitles
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:15:49 > 0:15:50- Welcome back.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- When most of us hear the word - "Penderyn"...
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- ..we think of Dic Penderyn, - the author Nansi Selwood...
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- ..or the famous whisky.
0:15:59 > 0:16:05- But there's a successful mart too - promoting the Nelson breed of sheep.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- Penderyn lies at the foot of - the Brecon Beacons, near Hirwaun.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- Today, almost 500 sheep and lambs - are going under the hammer.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- One who's been faithful - to this market is Dilwyn John.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- His 13-year-old granddaughter, Elin, - shares his passion.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- Last year, she made a calendar...
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- ..recording a year - in the life of the mart.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36- Here it is.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- I always have my camera with me...
0:16:42 > 0:16:46- ..because if I think, "That's - a good shot," I take a photo.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- What photos have you taken today?
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- I've taken photographs - of the older generation.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- I enjoy seeing them here.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- I hope they'll be here - for years to come.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- Do you have a favourite photo?
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- My favourite one - is the cover photo...
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- ..because the mart - was full on that day.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- There were around 5,000 sheep - here on that day.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16- There were people here - from everywhere.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19- The calendar was very popular - last year.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- It raised thousands - for a cancer charity.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27- Going by its popularity, - another one will be needed for 2017.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31- We started this charity in 1999.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- Over the years, - the farmers have got involved.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- It's started from there.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- This year's calendar...
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- ..Elin's grandmother died of cancer - three or four years ago...
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- ..and she was treated - at the hospital.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- We've always raised money - towards cancer things.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- She had the idea of the calendar - which has raised a lot of money.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- We auctioned one here - which we got 100 for.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- Elin's grandfather Dilwyn John - has a big influence on her.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- He farms in Tan y Graig - on the banks of the River Taff.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11- He has 600 Nelson sheep on 200 acres - and some hilly common land.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- I've bred rams for over 50 years.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- My father bred some - when I was at home.
0:18:22 > 0:18:23- We came here in '68.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26- My father gave me 100 ewes...
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- ..and that's how I started.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- I have 600 ewes here now.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- I think we'll have to cut back.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39- Time's catching up!
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- Yes, catching up with me.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- But you still go up the mountain.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- We make a lot of use - of the mountain.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- It suits the system.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- We keep mountain sheep...
0:18:55 > 0:19:00- ..and they stay on the mountain - for most of the year.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- Even with your Welsh native breed, - have you noticed...
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- ..that they're not as hardy - as they used to be?
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- That's the trouble.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16- Years ago, they wanted larger lambs.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- The sheep - were meant to be a bigger size.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- But I haven't gone down that road.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- The sheep I have are big enough.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- My best lambs reach about 40 kilos.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- You won't get better sheep - to look after their lambs.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- If you buy the lambs, - it'll follow you around the farm.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- Over the years, Dilwyn has - been keen to keep Nelson rams.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- Last October, he received 7,000 - guineas for a ram at Penderyn mart.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- He also received an average of - 1,800 guineas for 18 yearling rams.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- Let's see if you beat 7,200 guineas - for a ram this year.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- I've received the best price - three times in Penderyn.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- It's happened the other way - but that doesn't worry me now!
0:20:10 > 0:20:16- What is the auction like when - it's in full swing in September?
0:20:16 > 0:20:18- More attend it every year.
0:20:19 > 0:20:25- Over the last three years, I've - noticed more people coming back.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- It's put Penderyn on the map, - hasn't it?
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Yes, it has.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- When we go to North Wales, I just - have to say I'm from Penderyn...
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- ..and everyone knows where I'm from!
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- The breed has a fairly - strong presence in the area...
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- ..despite all the modernization - in agriculture.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- They're coming back.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- A lot are looking for sheep that are - cheaper to keep, lamb easily...
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- ..with less work and fewer costs.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- That's what has to be done now.
0:21:00 > 0:21:01- Wise words.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- On modern sheep, I heard a man say, - "The blighters are bloody dying...
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- "..if the forecast gets bad!"
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- Dilwyn has been farming - in Tan y Graig since 1968.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- How has the area changed - over the decades?
0:21:22 > 0:21:24- When I was at home with Dad...
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- ..a lot of the boys who were - underground helped with the hay.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- When we were shearing, - they'd hold the sheep.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- They'd have some potatoes - and some bacon.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- They were quite happy.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- They've all gone now.
0:21:42 > 0:21:43- Yes.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- Let's talk about Elin for a moment.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- It's obvious that you have - a close relationship with her.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- It's what keeps me going.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- Back in the mart, the sheep - have gone through the auction ring.
0:22:02 > 0:22:03- What are the views on the prices?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- What are the views on the prices?- - On the whole, they sold well.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- It's picked up after Christmas.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- It usually goes down in the new year - but it's going the other way now.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15- How important is this mart to you?
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- How important is this mart to you?- - It's nearby.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Buyers come here from everywhere.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- There aren't many here today...
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- ..but at other sales, it's packed.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- You'll be looking forward - to the summer when it starts again.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- Before we go, - starting today, 18 January...
0:22:36 > 0:22:41- ..there's a new electronic system in - Wales for recording sheep movement.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43- It's called EIDCymru...
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- ..and is for livestock markets, - abattoirs and collection centres.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- It isn't yet compulsory - for farmers...
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- ..but we are encouraged - to record electronically too.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- The government - and Meat Promotion Wales...
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- ..argue it tracks sheep movements - in a practical and effective way.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08- For more information, - contact EIDCymru by phone or email.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- That's it from Penderyn - and the Valleys.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16- Despite all the changes that have - happened here over the decades...
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- ..it's nice to say that the word - 'native' is still relevant.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- The local breed of sheep is going - from strength to strength...
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- ..and Welsh is spoken by the locals.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- For now, from me and the rest - of the crew, thank you for watching.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33- Goodbye.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.
0:23:50 > 0:23:50- .