Pennod 36 Ffermio

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-Hello and welcome to Ffermio...

-..from the United Counties

-Showground near Carmarthen.

-It's one of the big events

-on the calendar for dairy farmers...

-..the Welsh Dairy Show.

-It's a chance to compete,

-discuss the industry...

-..and to consider

-if we can increase efficiency.

-Also on the programme,

-Meinir meets Ffion Haf.

-She came out on top...

-..in one of the most famous

-competitions for singers in Wales.

-We'll also announce the

-fourth question in our competition.

-Two years ago, Meinir went to meet

-student Joe Parry up in Scotland.

-He was on work experience

-as part of his university course.

-He has now graduated

-and is back on his family farm.

-He's come home

-with two special prizes.

-This time,

-Daloni went over to meet him.

-After studying at Harper Adams

-University for four years...

-..Joe Parry has returned home to

-farm Clegyr Mawr near Melin-y-wig.

-He's come home, not only with

-a first class honours degree...

-..but with the title

-of Agricultural Student of the Year.

-Many congratulations, Joe.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-

-It's quite an achievement.

-The best agriculture student

-in the UK.

-Well, that's what they told me

-on Thursday night.

-It's quite a feat.

-It's a good way to finish the time

-I had at Harper Adams University.

-I didn't expect to win at all.

-It was a good night as well.

-You've returned home.

-You've returned home.

-

-Yes, I've come home to farm.

-You've kept Welsh Black cattle

-for years.

-Yes, my parents started us off

-with Welsh Black cattle.

-I hope we can keep going with them.

-They're all pedigree.

-There are ten cows with calves

-in this field.

-They're the perfect breed

-for this kind of land.

-You're quite high up.

-Yes, we're about 800 feet

-above sea level.

-That's on the farmyard.

-We go up to over 1,000 feet.

-Do you know what, Joe? I've never

-come across such soft cattle.

-Oh!

-They love being stroked.

-They're lovely.

-It's no wonder

-you get so much pleasure, Joe.

-Well, no.

-This is the best job you can get.

-Nobody has an office like this one!

-Nobody has an office like this one!

-

-No, that's true.

-As part of his degree course, Joe

-spent a year on a farm in Scotland.

-Following that experience,

-he won another prize too.

-You followed a four-year course

-at Harper.

-You did one year in industry.

-Yes, in my third year,

-and I went to Scotland.

-You went to a farm

-where they keep Aberdeen Angus.

-Yes, that's it.

-That's why these are here now.

-That's why these are here now.

-

-Yes.

-You celebrated your 21st birthday

-during your work experience.

-Yes.

-As a present, Wedderlie

-wanted to give me a heifer.

-I'm sure you accepted!

-Yes,

-I was quite embarrassed at the time.

-I thought it was too much of a gift.

-She's come down here,

-as well as another eight of them.

-The other prize you've won...

-..is the prize for the best

-work experience student.

-Yes, that's it.

-It's the Agro Vista Placement Award.

-I got the highest mark from the

-Agriculture course at Harper Adams.

-That's how I won that prize.

-Will the Angus take over here?

-Not at the moment.

-We'll see how they compare.

-I do like these Anguses.

-I do like these Anguses.

-

-I do too, Joe.

-The growth in them.

-There's a difference in size and

-weight for these at 18 months...

-..compared to our 18-month heifers.

-Joe and his parents farm 400 acres.

-As well as the cattle,

-they keep a large flock of sheep.

-We have 600 Welsh Mountain sheep.

-We're in the middle of changing

-things around to be honest.

-We're going to try

-to keep around 400...

-..and cross

-about 100 or 200 of them.

-We're going to raise

-a flock of Mules too on the farm.

-You've just bought

-three Bluefaced Leicester rams.

-Yes, we bought three this year

-from the sale in Builth Wells.

-I've picked 250 of the old

-Welsh Mountain sheep for them.

-I've got another two rams

-from last year too.

-Horses are also an important part

-of the business at Clegyr Mawr.

-Their Section B ponies are sold

-and exported all over the world.

-The horses have the same prefix

-as the Welsh Black cattle, Eyarth.

-We have Section B Welsh Ponies

-at home.

-We usually rear 10-12 foals a year.

-We sell most of them

-after about six months.

-This year,

-we've sold one to America...

-..and another one is headed

-just the other side of Manchester.

-They've been all over the world,

-Europe and everywhere.

-Have the horses always been here?

-Yes, my mother started the horses

-as a hobby when she was my age.

-We've moved on since then.

-It's an important part

-of the business now.

-They'll be here for a while.

-They've been here for a long time.

-At home in Melin-y-wig,

-is that where you want to be?

-Yes, this is where I'll be.

-I haven't thought of anywhere else.

-What next, Joe?

-You've finished university,

-you've got a good degree.

-You've won prizes. What next?

-You've won prizes. What next?

-

-I'm going to try at home.

-I think there is a future in farming

-and on family farms like this one.

-You just have to keep an eye on

-things, don't you? It's a business.

-Farming is a way of life

-but you have to make money.

-As long as you keep your eye

-on everything...

-..I feel that it is possible.

-I'm going to try and if I can't I'll

-have to think of something else.

-At the moment, I fancy trying.

-I've learned a lot

-at Harper Adams...

-..and on my year in industry.

-I was fortunate to be placed

-on a farm that's so efficient.

-I hope I can use what I learned

-there to make changes here at home.

-Joe is clearly very passionate...

-..about every aspect of

-farm business here in Melin-y-wig.

-Following his success,

-he has received numerous job offers.

-But he has chosen to live and work

-here, in his own area.

-Back at the Dairy Show, there is

-a huge crowd around the stands.

-After a very eventful year

-for the industry...

-..everyone is wondering

-what will happen next.

-There have been a number

-of important developments...

-..in the last few weeks.

-The European Union has announced

-a 500 million euro aid package...

-..for the industry.

-On average, Welsh farmers

-will receive 1,800 euros.

-Some supermarkets

-have also formed contracts...

-..to pay higher rates to farmers.

-We're hoping that we've seen

-the industry's lowest point...

-..and that there is

-a way out of this.

-Higher prices will return.

-We can look back at history.

-In New Zealand and in the USA...

-..this has happened

-in cycles of so many years.

-We will come out of this.

-The good news is that there is

-rising demand for our produce.

-In future, people will look at

-their business differently.

-They will make the most

-of the good years...

-..and they will have to

-prepare themselves...

-..for periods

-when things are not as prosperous.

-This is likely to be the future.

-In the long-term...

-..we have to take responsibility

-for how much milk we produce.

-That's how I feel very strongly

-that farmers must work together.

-They must come together.

-Whoever they supply with milk,

-they need to act more wisely...

-..work together

-and discuss matters as an unit.

-It's no good talking

-as 100 or 200 separate producers.

-They need to know how much milk

-their buyers would like.

-This would force them to have

-a discussion with their buyers.

-The farmers need to ask questions.

-The buyers would then say,

-"Our farmers are asking us."

-This is what needs to happen.

-Can you explain a little

-about the discussion...

-..about the development

-of futures market for milk?

-Who is promoting that?

-We had a presentation

-from Paul Vernon, Glanbia.

-This already happens with some

-of the milk produced in Ireland.

-The buyer and the seller

-agree on a price in advance...

-..for a period of three years.

-So the producer knows that a portion

-of his milk is already sold...

-..for a stable price.

-It won't be the best price

-but it won't be the worst either.

-You know what you're going to get.

-That will suit some people.

-This winter is going to be the most

-difficult winter they've ever had...

-..for many producers.

-But in the long-term,

-I think the industry will survive.

-Back in the ring, it was good to see

-the younger generation doing well.

-Ifan Wilson

-won the heifer championship.

-Ifan Wilson, congratulations.

-Tell us about this heifer.

-Thank you. She's a two-year-old.

-We reared her ourselves.

-Who exactly owns this one?

-I am the owner.

-I'm quite lucky. She's one of mine.

-One of my babies!

-Are Jersey cows good at producing

-milk in a cost-efficient way?

-Yes, the standard of their milk

-is better than some other cattle.

-You will be taking on your father

-and grandfather from now on!

-Congratulations to you.

-That's it for this part.

-After the break, Meinir will meet

-the winner of the Blue Riband...

-..at the National Eisteddfod

-in Meifod this summer.

-And I'll have more from

-the Dairy Show here in Nant-y-ci.

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-Welcome back

-to the Welsh Dairy Show.

-It's not just the cattle

-winning awards here today.

-There's also a special prize for the

-Welsh Dairy Stockperson of the Year.

-The competition is held by NFU Cymru

-and this year's winner is Sam Carey.

-He is a share farmer

-in the dairy initiative...

-..at the Rhiwlas Estate near Bala.

-Sam, many congratulations.

-Did you know you had been nominated

-and who had nominated you?

-Richard Price asked

-if I'd consent to be nominated...

-..and of course, I agreed.

-However, I didn't expect to win.

-How are things at Rhiwlas? It's not

-usually linked with dairy farming.

-It's quite a venture.

-Have things panned out

-as you expected?

-It's been a challenge

-to get things going.

-To reseed, build everything

-and put systems into place.

-But it has

-taken its place perfectly.

-Growing pasture in Bala

-isn't a problem.

-Yes, amongst other things.

-Yes, amongst other things.

-

-We get plenty of rain!

-It's worked out perfectly.

-We've been very fortunate.

-Everyone in the area has been

-very supportive of the venture.

-All the staff are locals.

-It's great.

-Is your aim

-to become more of an owner?

-You are currently a share farmer.

-You are currently a share farmer.

-

-Yes.

-At the moment,

-it's about growing the business.

-I never thought I'd be where I am

-after such a short amount of time.

-It makes me wonder

-what else is possible.

-I'd like to own my own farm...

-..but I'd also like

-to grow the business.

-I think the way to do that

-is in partnership with others.

-Every competitor here today

-is hoping to win a red rosette.

-But one woman from the Tywi Valley

-came to the fore...

-..by winning a blue riband.

-Meinir has been to meet her.

-The winner of the David Ellis

-Memorial Prize, the Blue Riband...

-..at the 2015 National Eisteddfod,

-Montgomeryshire and the Marches...

-..is Ffion Haf.

-Ffion Haf is originally

-from Dancapel farm, Cwrt Henri...

-..in Carmarthenshire.

-This year, she won

-the Blue Riband competition...

-..at the National Eisteddfod

-in Meifod.

-Many congratulations, Ffion. Quite

-an achievement for one so young.

-It was a real shock.

-I still haven't got over it.

-I think my face said it all on TV

-when the result was announced.

-It was incredible.

-You've been working very hard

-on the singing.

-I've always enjoyed singing

-over the years.

-I had lessons from a very young age.

-I started when Mam-gu

-had visitors over in Dancapel...

-..and I had to stand on a step

-and sing to whoever was there.

-It has always been

-part of my life...

-..but I never dreamt

-that I would reach the Blue Riband.

-# Oh, my beautiful beloved

-# Dry my sad tears #

-Another influence on your life

-is the YFC...

-..and specifically

-the Llanfynydd branch.

-I'm now too old, unfortunately.

-It's a strange feeling this year.

-The regional YFC eisteddfod

-has just taken place...

-..and I can't be a part of it.

-I've had so many experiences

-from being part of the YFC...

-..both locally and regionally.

-Did being a member of the YFC

-help with your singing?

-It was amazing.

-Stepping onto the stage

-at the regional eisteddfod...

-..was a brilliant experience

-from a young age.

-When I was older...

-..I had the opportunity

-to go on to the national event.

-It has been very important to me.

-Do you think you'd be where you are

-today without the YFC?

-No, I don't. It has added a lot

-to every aspect of my life.

-Even when you apply for a job

-these days...

-..it helps to have done

-some extracurricular activities.

-I have also been part of the Urdd.

-It all helps.

-Even though Ffion now works

-as an accountant in Swansea...

-..she still keeps in close contact

-with her family in the Tywi Valley.

-She helps with the animals

-when needed.

-Some sustenance for the cattle

-before the winter!

-They like having some hay.

-They like having some hay.

-

-They're very quiet.

-They aren't always,

-but they're quite good.

-What happens with the cattle here?

-What happens with the cattle here?

-

-We keep about 200 calving cows.

-We fatten about 400 beef cattle.

-You also have a machinery business.

-Yes, we're very lucky.

-Tad-cu set up the business

-in the early 1960s.

-My mother works there

-and my father helps when he can.

-My father and Dafydd

-are up here on the farm.

-# Lord, give me fear

-of thy greatness #

-Not a day goes by without Ffion

-going to the piano and singing.

-She has always performed and sung

-in chapel and through the YFC...

-..and has developed

-to be a singer of a high standard.

-Who taught you?

-Who taught you?

-

-I've had a few different teachers.

-After leaving school, I was with

-Maureen Guy for about nine years.

-Sadly, she passed away

-at the beginning of the year.

-Since then,

-I've been going to Miriam Bowen...

-..and I continue to do so.

-Back in 2009, we did a TV programme

-locally called Seren Bethlehem.

-That's where I first met Nia Clwyd.

-Since then, I've been coming

-to see her regularly...

-..and we've been going

-from strength to strength together.

-Winning the Blue Riband

-has opened many doors for you.

-Yes, I've had quite a few

-opportunities since August.

-I'm lucky to be going to Australia

-for a fortnight next year...

-..as a result of winning.

-You're also going to the USA.

-Yes, next week, with Cor Cwmtawe

-and their conductor, Conway Morgan.

-I'm looking forward to that.

-# Your power is all I see #

-Ffion Haf has had a very busy time

-since winning the Blue Riband.

-To crown it all,

-she has produced a CD...

-..with a collection

-of popular songs.

-# How great Thou art #

-I've been up at the Sain studio

-in North Wales.

-It came out this week.

-It's exciting.

-You work as an accountant

-at the moment.

-Do you hope to sing professionally?

-Do you hope to sing professionally?

-

-Not at the moment.

-I enjoy working

-for Bevan and Buckland in Swansea.

-I sing in the evenings and

-on weekends in concerts and so on.

-You are a country girl at heart.

-Has that influenced your life?

-Certainly. I enjoy coming home

-to the farm on the weekend.

-There's nothing like coming home,

-I have to emphasize that.

-It has been a big influence

-in my life...

-..from the YFC

-to growing up in a rural area.

-We have reached

-the highlight of the day.

-The main championship

-is being judged now.

-There are five breeds in the ring,

-all reared by the owners, unusually.

-The championship will be decided

-by the judges for every breed.

-No-one scores their own breed.

-The winner of the championship

-was the Jersey cow...

-..Jubilee Excitation Ceres 2

-owned by Jeff and Anthea Daw.

-Anthea Daw, congratulations.

-I know, I know. Second year running.

-I can't believe it.

-What were your expectations?

-We go to every show as a new show

-and every challenge is a new one.

-Different judge, different day.

-You never know

-where you'll be placed.

-I was standing next to your daughter

-outside the ring.

-She said she thought

-the Holstein would win.

-She was in tears when you won!

-We never expect it.

-It's just one of those things

-that can go any way.

-There are so many good cows

-in this area.

-It is a tougher challenge than

-some of the shows we've been to.

-Congratulations once again.

-Congratulations once again.

-

-Thank you.

-Iwan Morgan, Nantybwla,

-you won the reserve.

-Tell me about this cow.

-She was champion of the Holsteins

-this morning.

-She's competed a lot this year.

-She won at the Royal Welsh Show.

-She's done well.

-It must lift your spirits

-to come out and compete...

-..when the industry's

-going through such a rough time.

-We all like coming out for the day

-and forgetting about things.

-It's nice to meet people

-and maybe sell something...

-..to make up for the price of milk!

-..to make up for the price of milk!

-

-Well done. Congratulations.

-That's it - the best cow of the day

-has been crowned.

-Now, a chance for you to compete

-for a prize in our competition.

-We're proud to offer three

-great prizes yet again this year...

-..courtesy

-of Ifor Williams Trailers.

-The first prize is the 10-foot TA5G

-trailer worth 4,105.

-The second prize

-is the LM85G trailer worth 1,970.

-The third prize

-is the Q5e trailer worth 1,110.

-To win one of them, you'll need

-to answer seven simple questions.

-The first letter of each answer...

-..will be an anagram

-of a seven-letter word.

-You'll have to send us that word

-by 25 November.

-This week,

-we announce the fourth question.

-What is the President

-of the USA's surname?

-Competition details and rules

-can be found on our website.

-On next week's programme,

-we'll announce the fifth question.

-Good luck to you all.

-That's it for this week.

-It's been a good day

-of chatting and competing...

-..here at the Welsh Dairy Show.

-From what I can gather,

-many of the answers...

-..regarding the industry's future

-are in farmers' hands.

-That's it for this week.

-From me and the rest

-of the Ffermio crew, goodbye.

-S4C Subtitles by Testun Cyf.

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