Wales Farmer 20 “


Ican’t imagine going back to using pen and paper. EID is really handy for keeping medication records, it lets us know what we have


left in stock. Richard Isaac


MODERN THINKING:


Richard and Mathew Isaac demonstrate the EID technology that has made such a


difference to their farm at Mynachdy Farm, Ynysybwl.


Valleys family farm turns its thoughts to the future


By Farmer reporter


AS athird generation beef and sheep producer, Richard Isaac understands the value in nur-


turing Wales’s future farmers. At 61, retirement is on Richard’s


mind and it presents an opportunity to draw his sons,Daniel and Mathew, into the business at MynachdyFarm, in the village of Ynysybwl, near Pontypridd. Richardplans to makeDaniel and


Mathewjoint head of holding, which means they can access funding from the Welsh Government’sYoung Entrants Support Scheme (YESS) at atime when significant investment is needed to upgrade the lambing shed and cattle housing. The scheme offers grants of up to


£15,000 forcapital schemes on farms run by young entrants,and mentors also deliverguidance and support. “Every farmer thinks about the next


project and the support scheme makes it possible fornew entrants likemeto makethatinvestment,’’ says 35-year-old Mathew.


The Isaacs own245 acres of land and


rent afurther 260 acres –110 through a farmbusiness tenancy and 150 on an annual rental agreement. Athousand ewesformthe main enterprise.Half the flock areWelsh Mountain Nelson-typeewesand the remainder areTexel-cross Welsh Mountain ewes. Thereisalso aflock of 40 pedigree Texelewes, which the Isaacs use to breed their ownrams. The ewesare fed home-grownoats


mixed with protein pellets. The eweslamb in March –the flock


scanned at 157% last year –and all the lambs aresold fatfromJulythrough to the end of January.The majority are sold to Waitrose and some aresold to Tesco to be marketed under its ‘Welsh Finest’ brand. Rams areretained as potential replacements. Forthe last five years,the Isaacs have


used electronic identification (EID) in the flock. They use it to keep records, including mortalities and medical details.They nowplan to use the per- formance data to makebreeding decisions.


MATHEW is also planning to create additional income by extending the barn conversion he shares with his wife, Leanne, and baby daughter, Annabelle, on the farm. They plan to build another bedroom to enable them to run abed and breakfast business. Mathew received 80% funding through Farming Connect for consultant fees to help him prepare abusiness plan and financial appraisal. Under the Whole Farm Plan he is entitled to eight days’ subsidised consultancy.


“I can’t imagine going back to using


pen and paper,’’said Richard. “EID is reallyhandyfor keeping


medication records,itlets us knowwhat we have left in stock.’’ AChinese delegation of 20 farmers,


vets,agricultural advisers and govern- ment officials sawthis system first-hand when they recentlyvisited the farmdur- ing atrip organised by the Welsh Government. Wales has its sights set on China as afutureexport market. “The group wasvery interested in our


breeding system, the visitors were very keen to knowhow our lambs arereared


and the measures we took to ensurethe flock receivedthe best possible welfare,’’ says Richard. The Isaacs also run aWelsh Black


suckler herd. At 20 months,the calves aresold to afarmer in Powys,who then finishes the animals forWaitrose. The herdcalves outdoors in April


and May. In an averageseason the herd would be fed silage from October,but wetconditions this winter meant that silage had to be fed from September 5th. It is apriority at MynachdyFarmto


grow as much feed as possible,asthis keeps costs low. In addition to high


sugar grasses and winter fodder crops, the Isaacs also grow 20 acres of oats. MynachdyFarm, which lies in a


severely disadvantaged area, has been farmed within Tir Gofal forseveral years,but when thatscheme ends this year the Isaacs will applytojoin Glastir. Although Richardwill still very much


be involved in the farm, he is looking forwardtostepping back alittle from the day-to-dayrunning and letting Daniel and Mathewtakegreater responsibility.Hewill also be able to concentratemoreonhis role as NFU council delegate forGlamorgan. “Wehad to makesuretherewas aliv-


ing wage forthem herebeforethey became moreinvolved in the farm,”said Richard. “The YESS scheme has certainly


helped with their plans going forward and the other support we have had from Farming Connect has been very impor- tant also.” The YESS scheme is open to people


under the ageof40who aresetting up as head of the holding forthe first time or have done so in the last 12 months.


FEATURE March 2013


LIVING SPACE: Mathew Isaac with the barn conversion at Mynachdy Farm.


SHEPHERDING THE FLOCK: Mathew and Richard with their ewes. For the latest Wales farming news: walesfarmer.co.uk


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