CALU - GWLAD - 0505

For the first time in generations, Welsh farmers can implement crucial business decisions free from the subsidy strait-jacket. The Centre for Alternative Land Use, based at Henfaes Research Centre believes this will give the necessary incentive for many farm businesses to look beyond cattle and sheep for their main source of income.

“A more diverse agricultural industry will benefit everybody,” says Geraint Hughes, CALU Manager. “Welsh farming has the ability to produce a vast range of food products, from exotic mushrooms to blueberries, the country’s energy requirement and many essential industrial and non-food products.”

This potential will be demonstrated this year on 5 sites across Wales as part of CALU’s alternative crop demonstration project. Each site has established a crop of naked oats, crambe (an oilseed), flax, calendula and dwarf beans.

“Welsh growers can obtain contracts for growing some of these crops now, but to extract the maximum financial benefit from any new crop, we need to develop the processing capacity in Wales. This is what farmers, or groups of like-minded individuals should be focusing on” explained Geraint Hughes. “CALU through Farming Connect can provide technical support for developing opportunities in alternative crops. The question that should be on growers’ minds is not ‘who’s going to buy it from me’ but rather ‘how am I going to process and sell my crop for the maximum return.’”

CALU will be organising a series of events at the 5 sites which will provide the opportunity for people to assess the performance of these crops. Dates for these meetings will be published in Gwlad and will be available through Farming Connect facilitators.

“These 5 crops are only a handful of potential crops that could be grown in Wales. We know that hemp, linseed, camelina, and a range of other interesting vegetables performs well under Welsh conditions, but to capitalise on the increase in the demand of functional foods and natural sources of oils and cosmetics, we need to encourage and support farmers to develop the processing facilities and routes to markets. This project will raise the awareness of these opportunities.”

CALU establishes 4 business development groups

Four Business Development Groups (BDGs), funded through the Centre for Alternative Land Use (CALU) have met for the first time.

“The purpose of BDGs is to bring a group of farmers and other interested stakeholders in the rural economy together to develop business opportunities,” explained Geraint Hughes, CALU Manager. “CALU can fund BDGs in 5 sectors; horticulture, alternative crops, biomass, alternative livestock and farm woodlands. We expect that some groups will be meeting to learn more about a new business opportunity, whilst other groups will bring producers together to advance their existing businesses in an emerging sector.”

The four BDGs established under CALU can spend their funding on inviting specialists to talk, arranging educational visits and on venues to hold regular meetings. Four groups have been set up to bring farmers and individuals interested in goat meat (south west), horticulture (Pembrokeshire) alternative crops (Pembrokeshire) and dairy goats (south Wales) together.

“Farmers interested in establishing a BDG under CALU should contact their local Farming Connect facilitator. A BDG can be an effective method for a group of farmers who wants to explore an opportunity before committing more time or capital into a venture.”