Reflecting on times past and a future of changes

CHRISTMAS has come and gone once again. I’m often asked, “How was Christmas?” and my answer is normally, “We didn’t have any breakdowns or frozen pipes, so it was good”.

I do look forward to the festive season because it’s a winter break with plenty of family parties, lots of good Welsh food and a change to routine – although disruptive supplies can cause headaches and we have to make sure we have adequate cattle supplements through the period.

We managed to TB test during the week before Christmas and ended up with one inconclusive out of 690 tested. The reason we have so many was because of the number of beef calves and stores we’ve got, having been under restrictions since August 2016, so we remain on stop as regards movements.

As I write this, my final column as NFU Cymru president, I’ve had time to reflect on the past four years. While it does seem like quite a long period, it has passed by frighteningly quickly. And the four years before that spent as deputy president seem a lifetime away.

Before I walk off into the sunset, I would like to acknowledge the many members I have met during the past eight years, many on farms and at shows, and thank them for their hospitality and friendship. It has been a turbulent time in farming, with volatile prices, uncertain future trading arrangements, outbreaks of disease – many new and exotic – and some extreme weather conditions. But farmers are a resilient bunch and most of us have come out the other side.

When I first got involved in NFU Cymru beyond my county branch, it was as a TB spokesperson. I realised then that we can make a difference and influence policy. I would encourage all farmers to get engaged at whatever level suits. There will be challenges as we come out of Europe and we must help direct those changes to suit you and your community.

We have to get young blood into the industry and I’m really proud of our Next Generation Group, who have engaged with government in Cardiff, Westminster and Brussels, always asking probing questions. We are at a crossroads and will need to adapt our businesses – those who embrace inevitable change will succeed.

I wish my successor the best of luck and assure them that they will have my full support in the coming months and years. It has been a pleasure to serve as NFU Cymru president and I will, of course, still be involved in the union in more of a backseat role.