FARMERS in Wales have a new resource at their disposal with the opening of the Centre for Alternative Land Use (CALU).

The new centre of excellence has been developed as the fifth Farming Connect development centre. Focusing specifically on the areas of horticulture, novel crops, novel livestock, biomass and farm woodlands, CALU is based at Henfaes Research Station, part of University of Wales, Bangor, and aims to become the focal point for technology transfer across a range of non-commodity enterprises. "All of these areas offer real economic opportunities for farmers who want to diversify without turning their backs on land-based production," says CALU manager, Geraint Hughes.

The addition of this facility increases the Wales-wide Farming Connect network of specialist Development Centres to five - the others being for the dairy, beef and sheep, organic and grassland sectors. These development centres are just one of the ways in which Farming Connect can help farming families make the most of their businesses. Other services include business and specialist agricultural advice, training, information, and investment grants.

CALU is run under the directorship of Professor Gareth Edwards-Jones from the university's School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, and in partnership with ADAS Wales, the Welsh College of Horticulture at Northop, Coed Cymru, Biorenewables Ltd, and Coleg Llysfasi.

Various projects are under-way, and during the summer farmers will have the opportunity to see first-hand various novel crops - such as non-conventional cereal crops, fibre crops and oilseed crops - growing on Welsh farms. Likewise biomass crops will be grown on three Welsh sites, demonstrating the potential benefits of this type of farming. Indeed the Centre is keen for farmers to take up the challenge, and encourages the formation of business development and discussion groups. Interested farmers should contact their local Farming Connect facilitator.

The establishment of CALU is a very important addition to the Farming Connect programme, and coming as it does in the wake of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, is very timely. It also opens at a time of increasing public understanding of how our energy, food and goods are produced, along with the on-going drive to improve sustainability through innovation. As regards Farming Connect's advisory remit, farmers will be pleased to know that Farm Business Development Plans, which have proved invaluable to so many farming families, are still running and we urge farmers who have not accessed these services to do so to gain the fully subsidised business advice which is available. Meanwhile, the development aspect is also being reviewed in light of the single farm payment with the aim of improving the service and making relevant to the current situation.

For more information about CALU's services ring 01248 680450 or email calu@bangor.ac.uk

For general Farming Connect information and details of your local facilitator ring 08456 000813 or visit www.farmingconnect.co.uk