Farming Connect have announced that 12 new farms have joined the Our Farms network. Since 2015 the Our Farms network have been helping farmers drive improvements in efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. The farms represent a broad range of agricultural sectors from across Wales including red meat, dairy, forestry and horticulture.
As part of the scheme innovative projects focusing on trailing new ideas and technologies will be held on the 12 farms over the next year.
Among the farmers recruited are Peter and Jacob Anthony who farm at Cwmrisca Farm, Ton-du, Bridgend. Their intention is to explore farming practices from a regenerative approach by investigating how to get started with applying regenerative principles to the management of the cattle and sheep on the farm.
Another farm added to the Our Farms Network is Pengelli Isaf, Caernarfon run by Tudur Parry. Energy and electricity represent a major cost to the business like any other dairy farming business. Tudur hopes to explore cost-effective energy alternatives, by performing a feasibility study on renewable electricity production, calculating the return on investment and payback period to offset bank interest expenses.
Caryl Hughes who farms at Tuhwntir Afon, Llanarmon, Dyffryn Ceiriog intends to focus on sheep health and performance. She’s hoping to investigate the effects of different footbath solutions on sheep lameness and the impact of bolusing tup lambs on their weight gain and overall performance to reduce the number of lambs sold after four months post-weaning.
Also recruited to the network is Pencedni Farm, Glandŵr, Pembrokeshire, a smallholding managed by Tom Clare and Jacqui Banks that integrates trees into its pasture-based system, reflecting a growing interest in regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. They would like to further develop the ecological understanding and practical application of agroforestry principles on their farm.
Laura Simpson from Parc y Dderwen, Llangolman, Pembrokeshire would like to investigate the establishment of perennial horticulture crops to seek out alternative routes for business diversification. She’s hoping to monitor and report on ground cultivation, planting, establishment, weeding, and pest management throughout the season, including perennial bed overwintering for next year’s healthy crop.
In a statement, Siwan Howatson, Head of Technical at Farming Connect, said:
“We are delighted to welcome these twelve new forward-thinking farms to the Our Farms network. The network provides a fantastic platform for practical, on-farm innovation, driven by the farmers themselves. The diverse range of projects, from regenerative practices and renewable energy to animal health and diversification into horticulture and agroforestry, truly reflects the commitment within the Welsh agricultural sector to embrace new technologies and sustainable approaches for a resilient and profitable future.”
The other new farms are:
- Aled Wyn Evans, Fferm Penllyn, Tywyn, Meirionnydd (Red Meat)
- Leonard Griffith Swain, Ty’n Yr Onnen, Waunfawr, Gwynedd (Woodland)
- Rhodri Jones, Pen y Parc, Llanerfyl, Montgomeryshire (Dairy)
- Jonathan Lewis, Carneddau, Builth Wells, Brecknock (Red Meat)
- Andrew Rees, Moor Farm, Rhosson, Pembrokeshire (Dairy)
- Jonathan Evans, Berry Hill, Newport, Pembrokeshire (Dairy)
- Michael James, Nant Yr Hebog, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire (Dairy)
For more information about the scheme, and Farming Connect’s wider work, follow this link to their website.
