Tag Archives: farming
Pontbren farmers – a beacon for upland livestock farming
Demands on the land The traditional view of nature conservation, forestry and farming is basically one in which all three are seen as competing and conflicting land uses. This view is unhelpful. Farming not only dominates in terms of land … Continue reading
Agriculture Policy 2012 – a year of standing still
What a year 2012 was in agriculture policy – dynamic, innovative, outcome focused… Sorry, I have frequently been told that sarcasm is not a flattering attribute but it is either that or rolling on the floor, screaming in frustration! In … Continue reading
Wales Woodland Creation conference – not seeing the wood for the trees
Some reflections on the recent Institute of Welsh Affairs woodland creation conference On the surface this conference appeared a cacophony of vested interests and established agendas and not much evidence of a lot of listening. Into this the Minister John … Continue reading
Shelter belts and farming in a time of drought
In times of drought, native trees planted as shelter belts can help farmers support crop yields. A review of the impact of shelter on arable and pasture crops has been undertaken for the Woodland Trust by Louise Donnison at Harper Adams … Continue reading
No more butter mountains?
Time moves slowly in CAP land. This time last year I was writing a blog about the options for reform proposals for Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Twelve months on, we now have the actual proposals! The EU has gone for the … Continue reading
Forest Regulations report ready
Following the setting up of the Farm Regulations Task Force last year, there was talk about the possibility of mirroring the process in Forestry so as to deal with ‘red tape’ issues in this sector, too. After much discussion, the Forestry … Continue reading
Farmers and trees – and the EU
Images of butter mountains and wine lakes spring to mind as the EU launches the latest proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Now there is a phrase that will sink most of us into gloom at a rapid rate. … Continue reading
