Welsh Livestock farming essential for a healthy environment

Ahead of World environmental impact of

nd

Earth Day (22 April), different farming systems

Hybu Cig Cymru – across the world, with

Meat Promotion Wales Wales being especially

(HCC) is reminding the suited for rearing cattle

public of the essential and sheep.

role livestock farming “The Welsh Way

plays in looking after of farming has a very

the environment, different story to tell

stressing that there is compared with some

a marked difference in of the intensive and

production systems industrial systems found

across the world. in other parts of the world.

Rachael MadeleyWith high standards of Davies, HCC’s Head of animal husbandry and Sustainability and Future grassland management, Policy said: “Welsh our family-run farms livestock farmers know have helped preserve that if you look after our unique landscape the environment, the for generations and will environment will look continue to do so for after you. generations to come,”

“For centuries, added Rachael Madeleythey have played a Davies. pivotal role in creating The vast majority and maintaining the (80%) of Welsh farmland spectacularly beautiful is unsuitable for growing rural landscapes that we crops, therefore raising know and love, and their cattle and sheep is the sustainable management most efficient way to turn has helped create a marginal land into highdiverse rural environment quality food. that is rich in wildlife and The Welsh Way of visitor-friendly, thanks to farming is largely nona network of footpaths intensive: unlike other maintained by farmers.” parts of the world, where

While the impact of water resources are agriculture on climate depleted, or significant change remains a land is used to grow very hot topic, HCC is feed, Welsh sheep and reminding people of the cattle are overwhelmingly huge variations in the reared on our natural resources – grass and rainwater.

Grassland in the Welsh hills captures carbon from the atmosphere, and Welsh farmers make a positive contribution to mitigating climate change; managing this grassland by combining traditional practices with new innovation. One such farmer is Emily Jones, who alongside her parents Peter and Gill, use expertise gained by generations of farming heritage to produce delicious Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef.

The uplands of mid Wales are unsuitable for growing crops, much like most of Wales, and the land is marginal. However, livestock thrive on these hills. Garnwen Farm, a centuries old slate and stone farmhouse with numerous outbuildings and traditional drystone walls is located in Penuwch, about seven miles from the nearest town of Tregaron and 17 miles from the university town of Aberystwyth.

The 150-acre farm is a beef and sheep unit which includes a commercial flock of EasyCare and South Wales Mountain, along with pedigree North Country Park Cheviots, North Country Hill Cheviots and Charmoise Hill sheep. In terms of beef, the herd includes Stabiliser crosses, pedigree Beef Shorthorns and Red Poll cattle.

Speaking about their farming system, Emily said: “We make every effort to go back to the old times – to older farming traditions. But we’re also looking ahead and doing our bit to help the environment, such as increasing the amount of carbon capture and farming in harmony with nature.

“This has included planting herbal leys, which include clover, chicory and plantain. All of these have natural uses and will help us improve soil health, and productivity on farm, therefore reducing our carbon emissions.

“This has been a relatively new thing for us here at Garnwen, but we are aware of the impact of climate change and determined to be part of the solution in producing quality food in the most environmentally friendly way possible.”