WIREDGOV

Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, Rebecca Evans, recently visited a north Wales farm to see first-hand a share farm at work, and explore the benefits such practices can achieve for those involved.

The Deputy Minister was invited to Tyn y Bryn Farm, near Pentrefoelas, Conwy, by the Country Landowners Association (CLA) Cymru, which promotes share farming practices and launched its own guidance for the industry at the Royal Welsh Show earlier this year.

Tyn y Bryn Farm is owned by CLA Cymru Vice Chairman David Wynne Finch, and is farmed by Rhys Williams. David provides the land and the infrastructure, and Rhys provides the cows and the labour. Profits are split 50/50.

This arrangement has allowed the current herd manager at David Wynne-Finch's home farm at Cefnamlwch to build experience and capital and has also enabled two former managers to progress onto other units. 

The Deputy Minister said,

"I am grateful to CLA Cymru for today's invitation and for their work in promoting a greater understanding of the benefits of share farming in Wales.

"Share farming not only offers existing farmers a way of spreading their workload while maintaining an income, but also gives new entrants an excellent opportunity to start a career in agriculture.

"Mobility within the industry is essential if we are to continue to build an innovative and profitable farming industry in Wales. That is why I very much welcome the Joint Opportunities Platform proposed in Malcolm Thomas' recent report on mobility within the industry, and why I have instructed my officials to take this work forward as a priority."

The Malcolm Thomas report into the Next Generation into Farmingmakes a number of recommendations to encourage mobility and increase skills within the farming industry.

The establishment of a Joint Opportunities Platform (JOP) is an essential tool in creating mobility and opportunities and help to encourage entrants into agriculture by offering more innovative methods of working and promoting arrangements such as share and contract farming. The Welsh Government is currently working with the industry through its Young Entrants Support Scheme (YESS) Stakeholder Group to scope out the development of a Joint Opportunities Platform, and also to identify appropriate mechanisms of support for young and new entrants through the new Wales Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 - 2020.