Welcome to

Welcome to FarmWell Wales, a one stop resource to help you and your farm business stay strong and resilient


FarmWell Wales is an initiative launched by the Wales Farm Support Group in 2020.

The Wales Farm Support Group includes:

MIND Monmouthshire

Independent local mental health charity for over 40 years. Working our way to better mental health across Monmouthshire.

Free training available in December 2023 from the DPJ Foundation

Updates from Gwlad

BPS Payments 2023

Subject to completion of the full validation, BPS 2023 balance payments, or full payments for those who have not received an advance payment, will commence from 15 December 2023.

Farm Liaison Service

The Welsh Government Farm Liaison Service provides advice about policies and grants, including:

  • Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)
  • Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online
  • cross compliance
  • animal health and welfare
  • record-keeping
  • Glastir
  • Rural Development Programme
  • scheme rules

Innovative ideas to tackle ammonia emission in Wales

The Welsh Government is making £1 million available to support new projects which can help reduce ammonia emissions.

Winter Update 2023

The Winter Update has now been published online. It contains information, important dates and rule changes from a variety of key areas relating to rural affairs.

Bovine TB long term trends show progress, with targeted action in key areas

Bovine TB cases in Wales continue to decline overall, with a targeted approach taken in hot-spot areas and specific projects taking place in Pembrokeshire and Anglesey.

‘Working in Wales’ – land-based workers in the spotlight at Farming Connect conference

Facilitate and promote the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) now in order to modernise and professionalise our land-based industries and prepare them for the economic and environmental demands of the future!’

Home-mix ration offers cheaper alternative to concentrates at Welsh livestock farm

A home mix ration formulated with high quality ingredients and incorporating homegrown forage has provided a cheaper alternative to bought-in concentrates for pregnant ewes and beef cattle on a Powys upland farm.

How to care for pets and horses during fireworks season

Guidance to help owners keep their pets and horses safe during firework season.

Rural Schemes: new application dates added (4 schemes opening 6 November 2023)

Glastir 2023 Payments

This year, in order to maximise EU spend by 31 December, payments of the Glastir Advanced, Commons and Organic claims will start from 1 December 2023. This is subject to claim eligibility and receipt of all necessary supporting documents.

Open Consultation: Code of practice on the control of ragwort

Views wanted on the proposed changes to the code of practice to prevent and control the spread of ragwort.

Parallel trade permits and treated seed

New legislation has been introduced to temporarily extend or temporarily reinstate transitional provisions put in place through EU Exit legislation. This is in relation to seed treatments and parallel trade products. This will ensure continued access to important plant protection products imported from the EU, for the control of:

  • pests
  • weeds
  • diseases

Caring for farm animals and horses in extreme winter weather

Extreme winter weather can pose a major threat to livestock. If you keep livestock you should inspect them often. It is important they have access to shelter, feed and water.

Farming Connect: Free workshops to guide farmers on herd and flock improvements to reduce emissions

Wales’s ambitious goal of reaching net zero by 2050 is going to require some changes to agricultural practices, including improving herd and flock health, performance and productivity.

Habitat Wales Scheme closes on 10 November 2023

From Friday 29 September, applications can be made for the Habitat Wales Scheme. The scheme will provide an alternative offer of support for eligible farmers, including Glastir Advanced, Commons and Organic farmers when their contracts end on 31 December 2023. The aims of the Habitat Wales scheme are to:

  • protect habitat land previously under management in 2023 up to the full introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2025
  • introduce additional habitat land, not currently under paid management, into sustainable land management before start of SFS
  • maintain environmental support for common land

Consultation

The Minister has published the two co-design reports which include views from farmers and other stakeholders, along with the Welsh Government’s response.

The next stage in the process will be the consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme which is due to take place later this year. Decisions on the final design of the scheme will not be made until after this consultation has concluded. Full story

New Rural Wales Facebook page launched by Welsh Government

https://www.facebook.com/cymruwledig


Alzheimer’s Society

For over 40 years, Alzheimer’s Society has been working to speed up accurate diagnosis of the disease, provide support for those managing it, and to fund research and new treatments to create hope for the future.

Dementia is not just about losing your memory.

It can also affect perceptions, logic, reasoning and visual perception.  Farms are inherently dangerous places, with large animals, slurry pits, machinery and firearms all possible reasons for concern to a farming family when a loved one begins to develop dementia.

You can also email: enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk


New Resources form Samaritans Cymru

Toolkits for those looking for guidance on how to understand and talk compassionately with those suffering poor mental health and emotional distress are available from Samaritans Cymru. Please click here for more details about these, and other support resources available in Wales.


Diversification – Advice on setting up a campsite or caravan park on your farm

Pitchup can advise on everything you need to know, from information on planning permission, to taking payments, to waste disposal, to how such a venture might affect your BPS entitlements.


Other News

Avian influenza – the latest guidance from NFU Cymru if you have birds on your dairy or livestock farm

THE GREAT GRAZING GUIDE from The Prince’s Countryside Fund

BASIC PAYMENT SCHEME announced for 23/24

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones predicts that 2023 will be a pivotal year for the future of Welsh farming.

NFU Cymru: The Welsh Farm Safety Partnership are using the next quarter to highlight the risks associated with using machinery on farm. Find out more here.

Farming Connect has established a new mentoring scheme for farmers and foresters who will be able to receive guidance and advice from their peers on a wide range of topics.

Eligible mentees can access 15 hours of fully funded mentoring services with their chosen farming or forestry mentor. Find out more.

Visit Farming Connect to find out what’s going on over the next couple of months in their regularly updated calendar


More Updates

  • Welsh farmers will need to manage habitats across 10% of farm. Click here.
  • Non-intensive ‘Welsh Way’ of farming could offer solutions to climate and food security challenges. Click here.
  • RWAS Smallholding and Countryside Festival updates. Click here.
  • Apply for funding for a Farming Connect Training course. Click here.
  • FREE Mental Health Awareness training from the DPJ Foundation. Click here.

Keeping your business resilient through change

Links to the most useful and user-friendly information sources across all farm business areas, where you can find the facts to help plan successfully and efficiently.

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Farming Business Help
Farming Business Help

Staying fit and healthy

Supportive links, advice and help, aimed at achieving stronger emotional and physical intelligence, whilst maintaining a safe and healthy working environment.

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I need to talk to someone

Guidance on how you can access additional support and mentoring, both from a business and personal perspective, should the need arise.

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Farming Business Help