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:
FCN Cymru
Supporting farmers, farming families and the wider agricultural community through difficult times, both business and personal.
Addington Fund
Disaster relief for farmers, farmworker grants, and houses for farming families who must leave their homes.
RABI
Providing confidential, local support to those in the farming community in need of guidance, financial support and practical care.
MIND Cymru
Helping those living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, by providing a range of mental health services.
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.
