Clwyd West MS  Darren Millar MS and North Wales MS Sam Rowlands have been seeing first-hand how an upland farm is run in North Wales.

Both recently visited Gallt-y-Celyn farm in Pentrefoelas, near Betws-y-Coed.

Darren said:

“It is always a pleasure to meet up and support local farmers and see all the hard work which goes into keeping our nation fed.

“Farming is the life blood of the country and we all need to appreciate what an enormous amount of sheer hard work and effort goes in both to producing the food we eat and protecting our countryside.”

Sam said:

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with Alun Owen, FUW County Chairman, along with his wife, Marian, who have been successfully running an upland farm on the Foelas estate for many years.

“The farm lies between 600 and 800 feet above sea level and produces store cattle and fat lambs and it was fascinating to be taken on a tour around the area and see for myself what a hard way of life it can be.

“I was impressed to see how Alun and Marian are also planning for the future of the farm. The business was taken over from Alun’s parents and their son, Sion, is now following in their footsteps and is studying at Llysfasi College of Agriculture.

 “I also had the chance to speak with Glyn Roberts, FUW President and discuss his concerns on farming matters such as TB and Agri pollution regulations.”

 On the farm, Marian and Alun Owen, have a herd of suckler cows which are self-sufficient and are crossed with a Charolais bull. However, recently they decided to use the Aberdeen Angus bull.

In addition to a suckler herd which calve in Spring and Autumn they have a flock of Texel sheep crossed with a Llyn ram to get ewe lamb replacements, and a Texel ram to produce fat lambs and sell them, like the cattle through to live market.