With higher grain prices hitting the headlines, NFU Cymru used the Monmouthshire Show to urge cereal growers not to gamble with the market and risk losing out on much needed revenue. The Union is stressing to all cereal producers the importance of knowing the quality of their crops before actively marketing what they have produced. For the best result, producers should monitor current prices, take account of market analysis and seek out expert advice.

NFU Cymru is also asking growers to draw on their experiences of the 2007 harvest and to consider how best to take advantage of the current spike in prices.

Colin Phillips, NFU Cymru Monmouthshire County Vice Chairman, said, "Growers need to respond positively to the current rising market by having a flexible marketing plan in place. The alternative of just taking what's offered on the spot market for the whole of the year's production is simply gambling.

Tim John, Wales YFC (Young Farmers' Clubs) Chairman recently completed 4 challenges, taking the total number of challenges completed to 12, one from each of the County Federations in Wales.

The 1st of August saw Tim, along with officers of the Meirionnydd Federation, embark on a journey up Cadair Idris. The following week he endured a tractor pull at the Brecon Show, a challenge set by the Brecknock Federation. Eight days later, Tim completed a number of challenges set by the Glamorgan Federation, including milking a cow by hand, a treasure hunt and a tug of war competition.

Throughout the month of August, Tim has also been completing various challenges that were set by the Pembrokeshire YFC, 13 challenges in total, including performing 'Jail House Rock' with county officials during an Elvis Tribute night!

'Challenge Tim' was set up to raise money for, and awareness of, the charity of the year Kidney Wales Foundation. Each of the twelve YFC county federations in Wales was asked to set Tim John, who was elected as chairman of the organisation in September last year, a challenge which he would complete along with other members from the county.

"Challenge Tim has been an excellent way of visiting all of the Wales YFC county federations during my year as chairman of the organisation," explains Tim. "I have met with a number of inspiring members along the way and I would like to thank anyone that has contributed in any way or form; the response has been exceptional."

Members will find out how much money has been raised for the Wales YFC charity of the year, Kidney Wales Foundation, at the Wales YFC AGM on Saturday the 11th of September.

www.yfc-wales.org.uk

The Welsh Assembly Government announced on 24th August 2010 that the application period to join the all-Wales element of the Glastir scheme will run from October 4th to November 22nd 2010. This is to accommodate a final change to the scheme's options in direct response to discussions with the farming unions. The new option relates to the management of woodland and takes to 40 the overall number of options available under the all-Wales element of Glastir.

The Glastir scheme has been finalised following extensive dialogue with farming and countryside interests over the past year.

Detailed guidance will be made available in the Glastir application pack that will be sent to those farmers who expressed an interest in the Glastir All-Wales element on their 2010 Single Application Form (SAF). It is important that that the information is up-to-date and accurate. The inclusion of the woodland management option does require the application period to be put back. This will not impact on plans by the Welsh Assembly Government to hold one-to-one interviews with farmers who submit an application.

In addition to the detail that will be provided in the application pack, and information already made available, a significant number of presentations and training events for farmers have been held across Wales in recent weeks.

Livestock chairmen from the farming unions of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are warning that the long-term sustainability of UK beef production is being threatened by the continuing low beef price. In a joint statement aimed at the UK's beef supply chain, the chairmen said that the continued year-long decline in the beef price has left producers operating below the cost of production. Fears are mounting that production costs will continue to escalate on the back of rising feed and bedding costs expected this winter.

Peter Davies, NFU Cymru's Livestock Board Chairman said, "We hear the right signals from the supply chain about the need to secure supply on a long-term basis, but the short-term approach currently being taken illustrates that the market is failing to deliver. At current prices, beef producers will be unable to afford to produce beef this winter and some are starting to seriously question their future in the industry.

Members of the public at this year's Meirionnydd County Show were urged to help get British sheep's wool to the London 2012 Olympic Games, through signing a public petition to revive the fortunes and popularity of British wool. NFU Cymru launched a public petition on its stand at the Show, highlighting the green credentials of wool and calling on the Olympic organisers to make sure the Games provide a showcase for what was once Britain's largest export.

The approach struck a real chord with Welsh sheep producers, who have seen wool prices at rock bottom for many years. Sheep farmer and Meirionnydd NFU Cymru County Chairman, Eifion Davies said, "Wool has been in the doldrums for far too long, with the result that farm-gate prices have not even covered the cost of shearing."

The Welsh Assembly Government has announced that the application window for joining the all-Wales element of Glastir is to be deferred. Application packs to join the all-Wales element of Glastir will now be issued from 4th October 2010 and applicants will have until 22nd November 2010, to return their completed application forms.

Speaking at the Meirionnydd County Show, NFU Cymru's President Ed Bailey said:

"The decision to defer the application period is symptomatic of the whole development process of Glastir. As insufficient spadework was undertaken before the new scheme was launched it is continually being revisited and revised and the original date for applications is now also being delayed so that new options requiring changes to be made to the pre-populated Glastir application packs can be carried out.

"Whilst NFU Cymru feels that the revised application period is more timely in terms of the on-farm pressures facing farmers, when the Union had pressed for a later application period during the consultation phase all sorts of arguments had then been presented by the Welsh Assembly Government as to why this wasn't possible and yet it is now a case of needs must! The Union still feels, however, that it will be difficult for farmers to source the help they need in such a short application window."

Surgeries will be held by the Welsh Assembly Government to guide farmers through the all-Wales element of the Glastir application process. For those farmers requiring assistance with form completion, NFU Cymru has made arrangements with FWAG Cymru to assist members. Members requiring such assistance should contact their local NFU Cymru Group Secretary as soon as possible to ensure that their needs are prioritised with FWAG Cymru.

www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/

Wales Young Farmers' Clubs (YFC) will be holding a YFC Freshers' event at Glyndŵr University to celebrate the beginning of the YFC year. The weekend event will be held from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th of September.

A Bavarian 'oompah' band will kick off the event on the Friday night and there will be a YFC freshers' ball and casino on the Saturday night. Members attending will also have the opportunity to visit a north Wales Wind Farm thanks to the generosity of Wind Power Wales giving the event an educational twist.

The weekend will also host the all-important annual general meeting where the chairman and vice-chairman for the forthcoming year will be elected and the winners of three awards will be announced. The Beynon Thomas Junior Trophy will be given to the Federation where the junior members have scored the most points in the Wales YFC programmes of work, and the Western Mail Trophy will be given to the Federation where all members have scored the most points in all Wales YFC programmes of work. A trophy will also be awarded to the county that has seen the highest increase in their membership during the year.

Members will also find out how much money they have raised for the charity of the year 'Kidney Wales Foundation' and a presentation will be made to a representative. It is also customary for the new chairman to announce his or her nominated charity or good cause for the year.

For more information please go to www.yfc-wales.org.uk

Welsh farmers have been investing in rams with superior genetics in a bid to boost the performance of their flocks. A total of 97 performance-recorded Texel and Suffolk rams were sold at an auction held at IBERS in Aberystwyth. The highest price at the sale was £1,200 for a Texel ram, while the average price for a ram was £605.

The event offered farmers who had signed up for the Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales - Elite Ram Project the opportunity to purchase a ram that was eligible for funding. The HCC project is funded under the Rural Development Plan for Wales 07-13 and was launched in July.

Just over a month later, the project has already seen hundreds of farmers across Wales complete an online course to qualify for 50 per cent funding of up to £400 toward the purchase of a performance-recorded ram. This financial assistance enables eligible farmers to implement a breeding plan through the introduction of premier genetics into their flocks.

Dewi Hughes, HCC's Project Executive, said: "There was an excellent selection of rams on sale. I was delighted to see that so many farmers are interested in buying performance recorded rams.

"Farmers are gaining a greater understanding of the benefits that can be achieved by using a ram that has superior breeding qualities. The results from the sale demonstrate that farmers are prepared to improve the performance of their flocks through the use of top genetics."

Notes:

A total 97 out of 120 rams on sale were sold at Aberystwyth University, IBERS, on August 19th, with Aled Ellis of Aberystwyth being the auctioneer. The average price in 2010 was £605, while in 2009 it was £453. More information on the Elite Ram Project can be found at www.eliteramproject.org.uk.

Clwyd YFC has received a financial boost of £200 to help fund county training and activities from NFU Cymru members in Clwyd. The Clwyd Federation has 15 clubs across the county, with almost 500 members. The county organises a large number of events each year including county sports and competitions, training, foreign exchanges, entertainment evenings and balls.

On presenting the cheque to the movement at the recent Denbigh and Flint Show, Ceiriog Jones, Clwyd NFU Cymru County Chairman said, "NFU Cymru is proud to offer its support to the young farmers of the county. Young farmers are the future of the industry in the region and it's so important to support their development. The federation is a vital part of the rural community here in Clwyd and we're delighted to be working with them and recognising the good work they do. It's also about ensuring that the training and activities they offer can continue."

Accepting the cheque, Mari Jones, Clwyd YFC Vice-chairman said, "The partnership between NFU Cymru and Clwyd YFC goes back decades and for that we are very grateful. The continued support from the NFU Cymru ensures that young people in rural communities are gaining the skills needed to move the industry forward. It also furthers their own personal development and opens up and improves job opportunities, for those members not exclusively from farming and agricultural families."

www.nfu-cymru.org.uk/