Wales Farmer 16 NEWS


THE BIGGER THE BETTER: Triple


winner Peter Scale (right) receives a


trophy from dressed turkey judge Nigel


Meakins at the Welsh Turkey Association dinner.


February 2013


LEFT: Judge Nigel Meakins


congratulates top turkey producer Steve Gouldbourne and his son Brandon of Nantgaredig, Carmarthen.


PICTURES: Meyrick Brown Turkey dinner is chance to show off breeding


TURKEY breeders took abreak during their busiest time of the year for the dinner of the Welsh Turkey Association. The association’s 58th AGM and dinner was held at the Llety Cynin Leisure Club,


St Clears, and after chairman Martin Davies, of Haverfordwest, welcomed everyone, the dressed turkey competition was held before the business meeting. Judges Mr and Mrs Nigel Meakins


awarded the champion bird to Steve Gouldbourne. There was afestive treble for Peter Scale, of Upper Haythog, Spittal, who won the best female turkey 12lbs and under, 13-17lbs, and 18lbs and over.


Another triple win went to Martin Davies, who took home the prizes for heaviest stag bird, best dressed stag and best packaging, promotional or marketing material.


WelshBlack choice cut for supermarket


■ Mid Wales farmssupply Waitrose


By Debbie James


THERE was plenty of prime quality Welsh Black beef on offer to Christmas shoppers in atop super- market, thanks to agroup of mid Wales farmers who received support through


Farming Connect. The Wyeand Towy Valley


Welsh Black Beef Marketing Group,which represents six Welsh farms,has been established as akey regular supplier of Welsh Black beef to Dovecote Park,the dedicated suppliers of beef to Waitrose. To cope with the increase in


demand at Christmas time,the group sawa100% increase in requirements of cattle. Deputy minister foragricul-


ture, Alun Davies,said: “Good quality,distinctive food is an emblematic part of our Welsh culture.


“Consumer confidence in our


excellent produce is currentlyrid- ing high, which is amassive achievement, especiallyinthe light of the challenges our pro- ducers have faced in recent years. “I am delighted to see thatthe


group has seen an increase in orders and thatthereisconsider- able demand forthis fantastic product.” The catalyst which prompted


farmers to join forces and seek support to set up anew Farming Connect Agrisgôp in Llandovery, wasanawareness thatWaitrose waskeen to source Welsh Black cattle forbranches in Wales.


Group takes leadon scab


THE inaugural conference of the Sheep Health and Welfare Group (SHAWG)has voted in favour of creating an industry- led


sheep scabcontrol


programme. Morethan 220 delegates from


all over the UK, including sheep farmers,vets,advisers and other industry representativeswho had to battle through severe flooding, reached the event at Worcester Warriors Stadium in Worcester. The debate around sheep scab concluded abusy dayand result- ed in overwhelming support for the group to initiate acontrol programme forEngland, work- ing closelywith existing projects in Wales and Scotland. Chairman Peter Baber,asheep


farmer from Devon, commented: “This is the first event organised by SHAWGand we were delight- ed to see so manypeople and reallylively discussion about all the


topics covered, from


Schmallenbergdisease to the development of newtechnology. “The final session on sheep


scabalso clearly showedwhat farmers want SHAWGto be con- centrating on. “The majority of the sheep industry is acting extremely responsibly to control scab, but greater understanding of treat- ment options and timings,and encouragement forfarmers to work with their neighbours to prevent re-infection, is clearly needed. “Wealso need to address the


RIGHTCONNECTIONS: Waitrose customer services assistants Andrew Painter and Rhodri David with aprime cut of Welsh Black Christmas beef from cattle bred and reared by agroup of Welsh farmers supported by Farming Connect.


Group member Arwyn Lewis,


whofarms at Cwmgwyn near Llandovery,saysworking togeth- er in an Agrisgôp group wasvital initially–when enthusiasm was high butconfidence about how best to work together as asingle supplier in order to win the


Waitrose contract waslow. “The development of the


group could have taken us much longer,but thanks to support from our local Agrisgôp group leader,weachieveddelivery of the product through to retail in recordtime,” said Mr Lewis.


The group’sinitial arrange-


ment to supplyWaitrose with Welsh Blacks has grownsubstan- tiallysince the scheme started. RobBunn, livestock schemes


manager forDovecote Park,said: “This group of farmers supply quality cattle consistentlyevery


For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


fortnight, with excellent commu- nication between all parties main- tained at all times. “This is asuperb example of


farmer collaboration at every leveland has ensured thatthe scheme goes from strength to strength.”


small minority of the industry whoare ignoring the problem and act as areservoir of infection. “SHAWG will takethis man-


date and work very hardto assess the situation and possible solutions.” Anyone wishing to register


interest forthe group’snextevent should email shwconference@ nationalsheep.org.uk.


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