Taking a lead

Why doesn’t agricultural politics appeal to the younger farmer?

Actively engaging with the next generation of farmers would appear to be a key priority for the farming unions and encouraging members in the 25 to 40-year-old bracket to get involved is something which probably needs to be fully addressed.

A young Lancashire farmer, Colin Bradley, certainly thinks so and he’s made the first steps towards his goal.

He invited a group of 10 entrepreneurial younger farmers from his county to see over his business and although a good look around the premises and some new, innovative plant were high on the priority list, some serious issues about their relationship with the political temperature also came to the fore.

A union liaison officer who brought all parties together, said: “It quickly became apparent that significant messages aren’t getting through to the next generation of farmers. This is because the communication channels we use most aren’t the ones that our younger members are using. The members present at Colin’s farm told us that Facebook is the best way of getting the message out to their age group and this is certainly something we’ve taken on board and will act upon.

“What was encouraging though is the fact they really wanted their union to inform them of industry developments. The bad news is the information isn’t getting through at the moment, but the good news is the appetite is there. We also want the young farmers who have attended today to become ambassadors for their industry and we’ll do all we can to assist them in becoming leaders.”

In a constantly changing world farmers, of all ages, have to fully realise that, individually, they don’t have much of a say in shaping the food industry but together they could have some very real influence - for example, most supermarket buyers are the younger element and, as an industry, the younger farmer can better relate to this age group and capitalise on these relationships.

The UK’s favourite

It’s official, The Wildlife Trusts’ Skomer Island is the UK’s favourite nature reserve!

This wildlife haven located less than a mile off our beautiful coast was the only Welsh nature reserve nominated in this highly competitive category by LandLove Magazine Awards UK.

Conservation manager Dr. Lizzie Wilberforce, says: “Skomer is internationally important for its seabird populations, and without a doubt it is the best place to see seabirds in southern Britain. I consider it to be a real privilege to care for a nature reserve which is so very important, but where we are also able to welcome so many visitors, and to know that the island’s wildlife makes such a profound impression on so many people.”

These are the second LandLove Magazine Awards; they aim to celebrate the very best things about the British countryside. Last year, the awards received over 25,000 votes.

Skomer Island is home to an abundance of wildlife, including 21,000 puffins, 23,000 guillemots, 7,000 razorbills, harbour porpoises, Atlantic grey seals and has the world’s largest population of Manx shearwaters. Around now, the island is covered in a carpet of bluebells, a spectacular site not to be missed. A shade of pink is added to the island’s colour during the summer as swathes of campion cloak the landscape.

Marketing and development manager Gina Gavigan, was also thrilled.

“We are so absolutely delighted that Skomer has been recognised as the UK’s favourite nature reserve. It’s an amazing place to visit and stay for a unique wildlife adventure. The island attracts a variety of visitors, including wildlife enthusiast, photographers, and walkers. Proceeds raised by visitors and overnight guests support our vital research and conservation work. We’d like to thank everyone that took the time to vote and we hope to see you on the island soon!”

Skomer is managed by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and will this year be open to visitors from until October 2016. If you’d like to visit, attend an event or book an overnight stay on the nature reserve in 2016, then please visit www.welshwildlife.org for further information or call 01239 621600.

Spring funtime

The Royal Welsh Spring Festival taking place at the Builth Wells showground tomorrow and Sunday promises to be a fantastic weekend-long celebration of smallholding and rural life.

The two-day festival, with its action-packed programme of entertainment, have-a-go educational activities, displays and main ring performances, offers the perfect family day out.

And to make things even better for our visiting families, this year all children aged 16 and under will have free entry.

Director Kay Spencer tells me she is very much looking forward to the event.

“The spring festival is the perfect family event, packed full of free, educational and children’s activities. Whether you are smallholder, thinking of becoming one, or just enjoy rural life, the festival offers everything in one place.

“2016 is Visit Wales’ Year of Adventure, so we have made sure there is even more on offer than usual to tempt our visitors to join in and have-a-go at something new. There will be loads of opportunities across the festival site to get involved and have some fun.”

The good news is…

One of the big four retailers, Sainsbury’s, has promised to stock its shelves with 100 per cent British lamb from the start of July! Their commitment comes as the retailer continues to work with local farmers to increase the availability of quality new season lamb throughout May and June until it is all British.

The announcement follows a move last year to extend the end of the British lamb season until the New Year, making it five weeks longer than the previous year.

Sainsbury’s Philip Hambling tells me: “The weather can have a big impact on our sheep farmers so the cool, wet spring we have had means many of these farms have had a difficult start to the year.

“We never stop buying British lamb and we’re pleased to confirm 100 per cent of the lamb we source after next month, if not sooner, will be British. We feel it’s important to make this commitment to our farmers in advance so they can plan for the season ahead.”

A farming union adviser said: “We welcome Sainsbury’s announcement to extend the season both with British new season lamb but also extending the season until after Christmas when we still have plentiful supplies of good quality British lamb available - Sainsbury’s continue to show that by working with our supply base builds trust and innovation which improves quality and consistency allowing the retailer to extend the period they stock British lamb over imported lamb that has traveled many thousands of miles to reach the British consumer.”

Y Darlun

Some readers of this column will be familiar with a story behind the song, ‘Y Darlun,’ which, translated, means, ‘The Picture.’

The story is that, during the 15th century, a family of 18 called the Durers lived near Nuremberg, Germany. They were relatively poor, but two sons, Albrecht and Albert, wanted to attend The Academy of Arts for four years. The toss of a coin decided that Albrecht would go, while Albert would work in the nearby mines; after which they would exchange roles.

Albrecht became very successful with his etchings, woodcuts and oils and earned large commissions for his works. When he returned home the family feasted, and he toasted his brother Albert, and said: “It is now your turn to attend the Academy and follow your dreams.” Albert replied with tears in his eyes.

“No, it’s too late for me. Look at what the mines have done to my hands in four years. I can’t even raise a glass to respond to your toast, let alone make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a brush or pen.”

So to pay homage to Albert, Albrecht made a drawing of his brother’s abused hands with palms together and fingers stretched upwards, He called this powerful drawing, ‘Hands,’ but the world opened their hearts to the great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love, ‘The Praying Hands.’

Most people are familiar with it as copies can be found all over the world.

Afterthough!

Women fully realise that they are never childless if they have a husband!