Export dependant

South Wales farmers who recently came together to discuss the future of the red meat industry, in light of Brexit, at St. Mary’s Hotel in Bridgend, learned how Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) were hoping to ensure that Wales and the UK continue to have access to the European market.

Chairman Kevin Roberts told farmers that 70 per cent of red meat from Wales is consumed in the UK and that the other 30 per cent is exported to the European Union. He assured farmers that HCC will work with the industry to do all that is possible to keep such export markets open and is aiming to continue to further market development by targeting the middle class affluent market in different countries such as China and Saudi Arabia if market access can be obtained.

Farmers further heard that HCC will be inviting the decision makers from these targeted countries to Wales so that they can visit abattoirs, witness our processes and see that the market is safe and trustworthy.

Kevin added: “We want to maintain the current export trade and keep exporting to France which is a very large market for us, but we understand that all of this depends upon whatever Brexit deal we achieve.”

He added that HCC will also be looking at the shelf life of lamb, providing more information to farmers about what type of meat the market is looking for, so they can adapt their business, and ensuring that the Government imposes the same standards on future imports that UK farmers are subject to.

Togetherness

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more.

“You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you.

“When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful.

“There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for what you are.

“The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all.

“A ’phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you.

“You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon.

“You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and, in opening your heart you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible.

“You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are part of your life,” - Bob Marley.

Organic know how

Covering a heap of farmyard manure with sheeting and turning it regularly has been shown to double its potash value and significantly increase phosphorous levels during a Farming Connect trial at a Pembrokeshire organic farm.

The Miles family - Gerald, Ann and their son, Cazz - use composted manure from their herd of Welsh Black cattle to grow cereals and vegetables.

Until this year, they had stored manure uncovered and there were no interventions until it was spread on the land. The family was keen to establish if nutrient values could be enhanced if the manure was treated differently and participated in a trial through their work as a Farming Connect Focus Farm.

With advice from ADAS horticulture specialist, Chris Creed, the manure was covered with plastic sheeting and the heap turned every month; a second heap of manure acted as a control. Covering manure prevents leaching of valuable nutrients and reduces nitrogen losses from gaseous ammonia. Turning the heap causes it to heat to a higher, more even temperature throughout.

Introducing oxygen is considered to enhance microbial activity which breaks down the particle size of the manure, rendering nutrients more available in the soil. The ideal temperature is 60 degrees C as it will kill weeds and most pathogens.

The results of the trial, which were presented to farmers during the open day, showed that not only was the potash value in the covered heap double that of the control - 5.99kg/tonne/freshweight compared to 2.73kg -but the phosphorous was much higher too, at 3.71kg compared to 2.8kg and the magnesium value was also greater, at 1.9kg/tonne/freshweight compared to 1.49kg.

Enhancing the nutrients in manure is of benefit to all farmers, regardless of their system, says Chris.

“It means there are more nutrients in each tonne of manure so a smaller quantity can be used on a larger area. This has particular implications for farms in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones which are limited on the volume of manure they can apply to their land.” Nutrients are also more rapidly available to crops.

“The aim is to produce a friable humus that when applied provides additional benefits to the soil,” added Chris who also suggests that by analysing the compost, farmers can apply it at the correct rate for the crop being grown.

“Farmers always seem to spread manure at about 10 tonnes an acre and then find they have run out,” says Gerald Miles. “By taking time and a little effort to manage the manure we can produce good manure that will cover a far greater area on the farm. I think composted manure is the most valuable by-product of farming and it is an asset we should all really manage better to fertilise our farms.”

The open day was facilitated by Dr. Delana Davies, arable and horticulture technical officer at Farming Connect, who claimed the project had demonstrated that attention to detail in dealing with a commonly available waste product on farm can deliver a very valuable commodity that will enhance self-sufficiency on many holdings.

Must see

Officials and helpers of Pembrokeshire Young Farmers Clubs are staging a fundraising pantomime entitled Cissies Cake Capers on three nights later this month. The venues are Theatr y Cromlech, Crymych, on the 20th, Pembrokeshire College on the 22nd, and at Letterston Community Hall on the 30th -each night at 7.30 pm, all tickets £5.

Wise words

Gertrude B. Elion, the American Nobel prize-winning biochemist and pharmacologist who developed medications to treat leukemia, malaria, meningitis, herpes, and more insisted: “Don’t be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don’t let others discourage you or tell you that you can’t do it. In my day, I was told women didn’t go into chemistry. I saw no reason why we couldn’t.”