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0:00:06 > 0:00:09- In tonight's programme, - diversification...
0:00:09 > 0:00:14- ..an award for one dairy farmer - despite problems for the industry...
0:00:15 > 0:00:18- ..and science giving - sheep farming a helping hand.
0:00:27 > 0:00:33- Meinir meets the NFU Cymru's - Dairy Stockman of the Year.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38- I'm happy with how the business has - turned out in the past five years.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42- We started with nothing and - invested all our money in cattle.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- We now have a herd - of around 200 cattle.
0:00:47 > 0:00:53- On Anglesey, one farmer is trying - to turn water into money.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01- The lambing season - is about to end for many farmers.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- It's a time to welcome new life - but it can be quite a challenge.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- This week, Alun is in Talybont - near Aberystwyth...
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- ..meeting a shepherd - who works for a company...
0:01:13 > 0:01:16- ..that tries to make life easier - for farmers.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28- Gorddu Farm is the home of Innovis.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- Elan Davies - is a breeding technician here.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39- She's in the middle - of the lambing season.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- It's an important time for us here, - lambing time.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- We lamb outside, - the lamb shed is empty...
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- ..and everything happens outside.
0:01:49 > 0:01:55- We do check them from time to time - in case there are any problems.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- If they're coping on their own, - we leave them alone.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04- That's what you're trying to do - on behalf of the whole industry.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- We're trying to make life easier.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- We're trying to produce sheep - that can look after themselves...
0:02:11 > 0:02:13- ..to save the farmer - looking after them.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- We're making life easier - for the farmer.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19- The grass is in good shape.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24- Did you keep them away from - these fields until lambing began?
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- We plant about 35 acres of swedes - every year.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34- The twin and triplet sheep were - in those fields until early March.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38- We then brought them - to these fields for lambing.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43- When they get here, - they're ready for lambing.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48- You don't interfere - with the sheep and the lambs now.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- Years ago, when you made a record...
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- ..you had to make a mark - the sheep and the lamb...
0:02:54 > 0:02:56- ..and tag the lamb when it was born.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- Does that not happen now?
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- I've worked with Innovis - for 18 months.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06- Up until five years ago, you had - to link the lamb to the sheep.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10- At every birth, you'd tag the sheep - and link it to the mother.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- You could trace - the family tree like that.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- We leave them alone - at the lambing stage now...
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- ..and bring them in - when they're four weeks old.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- We use DNA shepherding....
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- ..we tag them then and take - a tissue sample from the ear.
0:03:27 > 0:03:34- We link both up, send the data to - New Zealand and trace the lineage.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- Elan spends - half her time in the fields...
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- ..and the other half at the main - office in Peithyll, Aberystwyth...
0:03:47 > 0:03:51- ..where she analyses information - about the sheep.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54- It's a difficult question to ask...
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- ..but do you feel restricted - when you work in the office?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- There's a lot of work - beyond lambing.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- There's a nice balance in this job.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08- We're out for long periods - doing the hands-on work...
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- ..before coming back in here.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15- To be honest, we're the middle men - between the farm and the geneticist.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20- She does all the detailed work - of putting everything together.
0:04:20 > 0:04:26- We just collect the data, make sure - it's presented correctly...
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- ..and pass it on to her to allow - her to complete the next stage.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- When you see a sheep - with its lamb...
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- ..do you start recording then?
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- You start thinking how they'll work.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- Yes, when we see - the sheep and the lamb...
0:04:42 > 0:04:47- ..and there's no need for us to get - involved, we leave them alone...
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- ..and we'll make a note - that she lambed herself.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- The only time we make any record - is when we've had to help.
0:04:56 > 0:05:02- We scan the sheep using this, make - a note that we had to help her...
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- ..and that will feed in - to this database.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- If there are any problems...
0:05:07 > 0:05:12- ..do you then ignore those sheep - or are they still useful to you?
0:05:13 > 0:05:20- Yes, yes - instead of ignoring them - because they're not helpful to us...
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- ..we tend to downgrade them - and class them as recipients.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- We keep them in the herd - but ignore their genetics.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- We'll place the embryos we collect - into those recipients.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38- There are 1,300 sheep here...
0:05:38 > 0:05:43- ..and the company has - 23 breeding partners across Britain.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- Last year, 2,000 rams were sold.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54- Well, Elan, - there's a mixture of breeds here.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- This is important - for your organisation.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- Tell me more - about the different breeds.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- There is a mixture.
0:06:02 > 0:06:08- We don't stick to the traditional - breeds you see on most farms.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- We produce different crossbreeds - to produce our rams.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- Aber is the prefix - for most of them...
0:06:16 > 0:06:22- ..Aberfield, Aberdale, - Abertex, Abermax, Aberblack.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- It's a mixture of maternal - and terminal rams.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31- We have the Primera and Highlander - genetics from New Zealand.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36- We imported them to Innovis - and bred them over the years...
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- ..and bred the rams to sell on.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- You're producing rams - for all types of markets.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49- That's important for us - we're - appealing to all kinds of customers.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- They might be lowland farms - or upland farms.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- We produce rams that will suit - different systems.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- It's cold here today.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- If I was at home now, I'd go out - with some sugar beet or sheep cake.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- Do you give these sheep - any supplements?
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- No, nothing in terms - of concentrates.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- They have just under a tonne - of blocks out in the fields.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- There's two blocks in every field.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22- We send those out a fortnight - before lambing and that's all.
0:07:22 > 0:07:27- You must have good control - of the grass and the land.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- A lot of work - goes into grassland management.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36- We do a lot of work - testing the soil...
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- ..to make sure the pH and potash - reach the required levels.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- By doing the hard work...
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- ..we find there's no need - for additional feeding...
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- ..and the grass is sufficient.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- This is some view. - The weather conditions vary up here.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- How high up are we?
0:08:20 > 0:08:25- Where we are now, we're at 1,100ft.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- To the furthest part over there, - it's 1,200ft.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- It's important for people - to know we're not at sea level.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- We're not far from Aberystwyth, - to the south of us...
0:08:36 > 0:08:43- ..and as you go further up, - it's a different world up here.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- It's an impossible question - to answer...
0:08:46 > 0:08:50- ..but do you think - this is the future...
0:08:50 > 0:08:55- ..the records you keep and knowing - all the facts about your sheep?
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- It's a difficult question...
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- ..but in terms of - the industry itself, as it is now...
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- ..we have an uncertain future ahead - of us, especially after Brexit.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- Goodness knows what will happen.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Since being out in New Zealand...
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- ..we've seen a country - without subsidies.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- They've changed their mind-set...
0:09:19 > 0:09:24- ..and they use modern technology to - create a herd that can do the job.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- The sheep looks after the farmer, - not the other way around.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- I hope our customers - can appreciate...
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- ..that the rams we sell - fulfil a role for them.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- In a few weeks' time...
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- ..the first window of the - Farm Business Grant will open.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- To qualify to apply for the grant...
0:09:53 > 0:09:59- ..you must attend Farming Connect's - Farming For the Future roadshow.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04- The grant is worth 3,000-12,000 - for qualifying businesses...
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- ..to improve economic - and environmental performance.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13- You must book your place beforehand - to attend the roadshow.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- The first one is on April 25.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20- For more information, - contact Farming Connect.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- That's it for now.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28- Join us after the break - to hear about a new venture...
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- ..on Tyn Pwll Farm, Pentraeth.
0:10:33 > 0:10:33- .
0:10:38 > 0:10:38- Subtitles
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0:10:43 > 0:10:48- Despite all the problems - facing the dairy industry...
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- ..some farms are still succeeding.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- Meinir learnt more.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Iwan Francis is NFU Cymru's - Dairy Stockman of the Year.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- Despite not being raised - on a dairy farm...
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- ..he knows what's needed - to succeed in the industry.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- Five and a half years ago, - Iwan started his tenancy...
0:11:11 > 0:11:16- ..on Nant Glas Talog in Carmarthen - as part of a partnership.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- By now, - he runs the business himself.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- When I left school, I went - to study agriculture in Gelli Aur.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- I spoke to other students there.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- I started learning - about dairy cattle...
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- ..and found some work experience - on a local dairy farm.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- I worked on that farm - during the holidays...
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- ..and learnt the basic skills - of milking on that farm.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- I went to Aberystwyth - to learn more...
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- ..and the interest - developed from there.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- Not many tenant farms - become available...
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- ..especially farms - as good as this one.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- I was in the right place - at the right time.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- I was very fortunate.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- The system you have here...
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- ..is different to the system - we associate with Wales.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- Yes, we calve half the cattle in - the spring and half in the autumn.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- We calve them in blocks - of eight weeks.
0:12:20 > 0:12:28- We try and get as much milk - as we can from the grassland...
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- ..through grazing - or silage in the winter.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- We feed them a tonne of concentrate.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- The cattle are also different.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- They are Friesian cross Jersey - cattle.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- The genetics were introduced - from New Zealand.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- When I visited New Zealand...
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- ..I saw the cattle there - and the way they performed.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- They performed well from grazing...
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- ..and the milk quality - was high in protein and fat.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07- In terms of these cattle, what are - the most important characteristics?
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- Fertility is important.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- Since I calve in blocks...
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- ..they need to return - relatively quickly...
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- ..and they can calve as soon - as possible in the block...
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- ..and spend as much time in milk - before they calve the next time.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- You use a system - that's similar to New Zealand...
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- ..but is it suitable for - the landscape and climate of Wales?
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- I try to get as much milk - as possible from the grassland.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- It's difficult to get it - exactly the same as New Zealand...
0:13:43 > 0:13:51- ..because there's more rain - - about 1.7m of rain in Wales.
0:13:52 > 0:13:59- It's important to get the same - mind-set, to limit our costs...
0:13:59 > 0:14:06- ..and be efficient in what we do.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- Iwan milks 200 cattle - on 300 acres of land.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- He's won awards - for his managing skills...
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- ..but there are some things - he can't control.
0:14:24 > 0:14:25- 40 young calves, Iwan.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- There's a lot to do here.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- Yes, there's plenty to do.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- 40 have been born since March - and they're all females.
0:14:36 > 0:14:43- Without the TB restrictions, I would - have already sold half of them.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- How much of an impact has TB - had on your business?
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- Since January, - it's had a big impact.
0:14:52 > 0:14:58- I haven't managed to sell cattle - that calved late in the block...
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- ..or sell male calves at the mart.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- Selling a stock of heifers, - or cattle that calve later...
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- ..is very important to the business.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- It's so important for the cashflow.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18- I don't have many empty cattle, - I don't have any waste.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23- I have heifers to sell every year. - It's important for me to sell them.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- At the end of the block...
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- ..I have some Hereford calves.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- I don't know - what to do with them yet.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- There's more value - associated to them.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- It's a bit of a headache for me.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42- How much of a difference - has it made financially?
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- Over 100 a calf between - a Hereford and a Friesian calf.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- Over the five years - you've been farming...
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- ..what's been - the greatest challenge?
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- Up until now, we haven't - been affected by TB at all.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- We haven't had - to face that challenge.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05- We've worked hard over the past five - years to increase the herd size.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10- It's been a commitment - in terms of money and effort.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- To lose any stock isn't nice.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Of course, in this part - of Carmarthenshire...
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- ..TB is a constant threat - for local farms.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- How does Iwan hope - the business will develop?
0:16:29 > 0:16:35- I'm happy with the way the business - has developed over five years.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39- I started off in partnership, - we started with nothing...
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- ..and we spent all our money - on the herd.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- We've built from nothing - up to 200 cattle...
0:16:46 > 0:16:48- ..and we also have calves.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52- I'm happy with things as they are.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- I'd encourage others to do the same.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- If you can get a tenant farm, - it's a good way to do it.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04- I'd be happy to go into partnership - with another farm.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- If I could find a tenancy, - I'd be happy to do it again.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- This has worked out well.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18- Drinking water is a crucial part - of a balanced diet.
0:17:18 > 0:17:25- In the UK, 2.8bn litres of - bottled water is drunk every year.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- This week, I've crossed the bridge - to meet a man...
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- ..hoping to benefit - from this market.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41- Tyn Pwll farm on Anglesey - is the source of Ffynnon Mon water.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- They've just started to bottle it.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- The process of producing the water - has taken seven years.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- The spring has always been there.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- The family have been here - for 120 years...
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- ..and we've always used - the spring for the farm.
0:17:58 > 0:18:04- We made some enquiries, tested the - water and did a geological survey.
0:18:04 > 0:18:11- We found that the farm was on the - largest deposit of glacial gravel...
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- ..on Anglesey.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19- This was the end of the glacier - where the gravel was churned up.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25- When the glaciers melted, - this all became a large lake.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- Sand built up - over thousands of years...
0:18:28 > 0:18:34- ..and the lake drained - thousands of years ago.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- From that, the water's - filtered through the sand...
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- ..then through the gravel...
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- ..that lies on top of the limestone.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- This is where it pops up naturally - at a gallon a second.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56- A lot of businesses use bore holes - and they drill down 400 yards.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- Here, we let the water - come up naturally...
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- ..and we take it from the spring.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08- We found out that no spring water - came from Anglesey...
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- ..so we thought it would be good - to start a business and create jobs.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- What's in the water? - What's the calcium content?
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- It has half the calcium of milk...
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- ..and it's also high in iron.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- It comes up - as bottled water quality.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- No filtering happens to the water...
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- .and it emerges to that quality.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- The water we see in the field...
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- ..is the water in the bottle.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- You don't clean the water.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47- Not at all - all we do is pump it - from the spring to the shed...
0:19:47 > 0:19:49- ..and straight into the bottle.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- No filtering happens at all.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- The entire bottling process - happens on Tyn Pwll farm.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04- Dafydd has a substantial shed where - he controls the production process.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13- What happens in the next stage - of the process?
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- The water is pumped - into this building...
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- ..which was built - for bottling purposes.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- It comes straight - into the milk tank.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- We label the bottles here.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- The water is pumped - into the fillers.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36- We rinse the bottles before filling - them and then they're capped.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- If they're filled - with sparkling water...
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- ..there's a separate process - which makes the water sparkling.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- It sounds like a simple process.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- It takes getting used to - - you get into a rhythm of doing it.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- We have two members of staff here - two days a week.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01- They bottle the water and - we fill 1,500-2,000 bottles a week.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- They're leaving the farm as soon - as we fill them at the moment.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11- Everything takes time - - the machines don't do all the work.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- You're here to place the bottle - in the machine...
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- ..you're here to cap the bottle.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- It takes a long time - to complete one bottle of water.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- Yes, but initially, - this was the best way to do it...
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- ..with these machines.
0:21:30 > 0:21:37- Maybe, in the future, - we'll have more automated machines.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- If we continue to do it like this, - it helps create jobs.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- We feel it's an efficient process.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- Everything is hand bottled - which makes it more special.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- Tyn Pwll is a 120-acre farm.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- It offers B&B accommodation - and numerous summer houses.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- In addition to all this, - Dafydd has two other businesses.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- You have a good business head, - Dafydd.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- I like running my own business.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- The opportunities on Anglesey - are limited...
0:22:15 > 0:22:18- ..so we have to create our own.
0:22:18 > 0:22:24- I have a contracting business for - tractors, trailers, hedge-cutters...
0:22:24 > 0:22:30- ..and another business where - I convert cooking oil into diesel...
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- ..to fuel the tractors - and the business vans.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- I'm doing well with those.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- This is the next thing I want to do.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- It's a higher level but I've had - experience of running businesses...
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- ..and this has been set up nicely.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Most of your time - is taken up by the water.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- Every business - needs time initially...
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- ..but I hope in the long term - I can employ people full-time...
0:22:58 > 0:23:00- ..and I can manage the business.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04- I'll always be around - with input into the business.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- That's it for this week.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15- We're back the same time next week. - Cheerio.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:33 > 0:23:33- .