Welsh dairy farmers will get the chance to learn more about NFU Scotland’s campaign for fundamental changes in milk supply arrangements when one of those who helped develop the initiative addresses the Farmers’ Union of Wales annual function on the eve of next month’s Welsh Dairy Show.
NFUS milk committee vice chairman Gary Mitchell is the guest speaker at FUW’s event on Monday October 17 at 7.30pm at Nantyci Showground, near Carmarthen, where the Welsh Dairy Show will be held the following day.
FUW Carmarthenshire county executive officer Meinir Bartlett said: "Mr Mitchell is a relatively new milk producer but he was greatly involved in developing NFUS’s milk price initiative which looks to deliver a more sustainable dairy supply chain.
"A key element is the desire to see a transparent pricing formula, based on existing market indicators, made a compulsory element of contracts between dairy farmers and their milk buyers."
Before speaking at the FUW function Mr Mitchell will visit Gelli Aur College Farm, near Llandeilo, which demonstrates and compares two different milk production systems.
These comprise an autumn herd delivering high bottom line profit achieved by a moderate yield with emphasis on health and fertility to spread overhead costs and a summer calving herd to develop and investigate an alternative system optimising milk from forage to produce low cost milk.
Also during the evening function the winner of the FUW/HSBC plc award to the person who has given outstanding service to the Welsh dairy industry will be announced.
And on the FUW stand at the Welsh Dairy Show on Tuesday October 18 there will be a representative from Oswestry-based land agents Davis Meade and Partners to provide advice and assistance to FUW members on a variety of topics including renewable energy schemes.
Representatives from the Environment Agency will be also present to answer questions on the proposed new regulations on septic tanks.
Members are welcome to visit the stand and enjoy a bowl of homemade cawl.
