European Innovation projects are on target to achieve success
MORE than 100 groups of farmers and foresters in Wales have expressed interest in investigating more efficient methods of working or introducing new technologies through a series of sector-specific projects funded by EIP (European Innovation Partnership) Wales.
Since the programme was launched in 2016, more than 30 group applications for a diverse range of projects at locations throughout Wales have been approved and are now in progress.
Lynfa Davies, Farming Connect’s knowledge exchange manager, who heads the EIP Wales programme, says the project currently involves more than 150 farmers, foresters and horticulturalists actively engaged on EIPfunded projects.
“I have been delighted with the number and calibre of applications received to date, which reflects the determination of those working in the industry to identify and implement new opportunities to improve efficiency and increase profitability at this critical time, as the industry prepares for the challenges and opportunities widely expected when we leave the EU,” said Ms Davies.
“Taking into account the breadth and quality of applications we are currently processing, we are on course to deliver our target of 45 projects and are therefore not accepting any additional applications.”
One of the projects currently under way is investigating ways to add value to sheep, a main source of income for many businesses in Wales.
In 2017, Alan Jones, a sheep farmer from Chwilog, near Pwllheli, who is now an approved Farming Connect mentor, joined a local Farming Connect Agrisgôp group led by Geraint Hughes. Mr Hughes had invited a number of sheep farmers in his area to investigate ways of adding value to their sheep enterprises to help them prepare for economically challenging and uncertain times.
Alongside husbandry and nutrition, the group’s key focus was on managing dairy ewes for cheese production, which a number of group members achieved so successfully that Mr Hughes encouraged them to take their investigations to the next level by seeking EIP Wales funding.
“From the promising start achieved by our Agrisgôp group, which led to a number of us starting to provide ewe’s milk to speciality cheese producers, we are now building on the knowledge gained, which we could never have tackled so successfully without the support of EIP Wales,” said Mr Jones.
The group were awarded the maximum amount of £40,000 over a twoyear period, which funded advice from a number of the UK’s top experts, enabling them to monitor the milk quality and improve the bacteriological profile of the sheep milk produced by each member.
“This means we have each been able to produce better-quality ewe’s milk and as our collective vision is to be at the forefront of this emerging sector, we now believe we have a strong foundation in place and a production system which will help us tap into this rapidly expanding market,” said Mr Jones.
Ms Davies was keen to emphasise that the breadth of topics now being investigated will have huge potential for the industry in Wales.
“All the information gathered will be shared through Farming Connect’s communication channels so that many other farmers, foresters and horticulturalists can benefit from EIP findings and learnings.
“The range of sectors and topics covered is very broad, from reducing antibiotics in sheep and assessing the potential of genomics testing in dairy herds to growing small-scale organic asparagus and establishing new forests in land blighted by bracken.”
For updates on EIP Wales projects completed or under way, or for advice on all other support available through Farming Connect, visit www.gov. wales/farmingconnect