Elin Thomas GWCT Cymru’s Agriculture and Conservation Officer along with Lee Oliver Director for Wales attended the Sustainable Grass and Muck Event at Aberystwyth Uni’s Trawsgoed Farm, Aberystwyth last Thursday as part of Ceredigion’s County Events in the run up to the Royal Welsh Show. It was great day were important topics important topics were discussed. A day filled with trade stands, seminars and exhibitions. A very special way of showing the farming community at its best, with agricultural stalls representing the industry in a positive and professional way. The exhibitions successfully showed agriculture processes taking place. The seminars once again successfully targeted important topics within agriculture, including politics, sustainable science, future generations, and the future of food production here in Wales. This was an opportunity for the vital questions to be asked, from the future of agriculture tied to politics to the future of food production here in Wales. This is another great example of how the farming community comes together to do something special. It has most certainly been a great day, and with that the organisers deserve a huge congratulations for organising such a great day.
A Blog by Elin
Firstly, I would like to congratulate the organisers on such a successful event. A day packed with a variety of trade stands, seminars, and exhibitions. There’s nothing other than praise for the day. A very special way of showing the farming community at its best, with agricultural stalls representing the industry in a positive and professional way. I think the seminars in particular, broaden understanding as they discussed very important topics about the future of the agriculture industry here in Wales. In the political seminar, important and strong points were made, and important questions were asked. This was an opportunity to listen to the views and beliefs of different political parties. Strong and fair arguments were made about the future of agriculture tied to politics. Great respect to everyone for participating and to those who asked the all-important questions that needed to be asked. On to the sustainable science seminar, where there was an interesting discussion about the definition of the term ‘sustainable’. Everyone from the panel recognised that farming is so different for every farm, and that what works for one farm, is not necessarily going to work for another farm. Again, an important discussion, which recognised the need for sustainability, but in a way that works for each farm individually. There’s never a point that wants to get to where sustainability is ticked off, it’s an ongoing process, that makes changes as needed for mitigating the necessary needs. In the future generations seminar, this is where an interesting discussion took place about current studies, technical developments that are beneficial in the agriculture industry, and what the future holds for agriculture. This was an exciting opportunity to listen to 6 individuals discuss their research. I think the main takeaway from this seminar was that things are changing all the time, that agriculture is changing, that new technology is being developed that is useful within agriculture. The seminars concluded with a seminar on the future of food production in Wales. In my opinion, this is the more poignant seminar that opened my eyes the most. An overview and information on agricultural policy making was provided by Gareth Parry of FUW. Mr Prys Morgan discussed his role as a beef and sheep farmer, and his role as Director of Procurement at Kepak, a non-executive Director of Welsh meat promotion. He made it clear that agriculture in Wales needs to be profitable for the farmers, otherwise there will be less, and less Welsh produce produced. Then there was an account of dairy farming life by Aled Rees, where he discussed how he farmed organically for 24 years and is now moving towards regenerative agriculture. Aled spoke about the challenges facing the dairy industry, such as high costs with the price of milk falling, and of course bovine tb. This was an opportunity to see the truth behind the points and debates that have been made recently. As Mr Prys Morgan said, farmers aren’t against change, but the support must be there to do this in a way that is fair for everyone. Once again this is an example of how the agri-community here in Wales is coming together to create something so special. Once again, congratulations to everyone involved in the day. Without a doubt, it has been a day to remember!
