Walk at winning farm of the 2008 Silver Lapwing Competition

sponsored by National Grid

Those who ventured out from their homes in torrential rain last Friday morning, 21^st August were rewarded that afternoon, with magnificent views in glorious sunshine, from the higher land at Pwllyrhwyiad, Tal-y-bont on Usk near Brecon. Pwllyrhywiad is home to the Morgan family - Glasnant and Linda, and their three sons. The family won the FWAG Cymru- National Grid Farm Conservation Competition in 2008, and the day was arranged to celebrate the win and to show the high standard of commercial farming alongside sensitive environmental management which had so impressed the judges of the competition.

The Morgans' vibrant farm business is based on rearing quality lamb for Waitrose, as well as the production of high-class weaned suckler calves. Unsprayed spring cereals and root crops supplement the conserved grass forage as well as providing ideal habitats for wildlife. Glasnant Morgan, following the work of his father, has managed the land sensitively all his working life, believing that the good land should be managed for agricultural production, with the marginal land having more of a wildlife focus. The fact that receiving this farm conservation award follows 3 years after winning the British Grassland Society's UK grassland management competition emphasises the production-environmental balance the family have achieved. Habitats ranging from hay meadows and hedges through to woodlands and magnificent individual trees have all been managed under the agri-environment scheme, Tir Gofal. The farm tour in tractor drawn trailers ensured that the 30 or so guests on the day saw a good cross section of these habitats, as well as the quality cattle and sheep. The termination of the Tir Gofal scheme and its replacement by Glastir, a scheme with generally fewer environmental opportunities and lower payments is of grave concern to the Morgans as they are very keen to continue with their work to enhance the natural environment on their land.

The day was arranged by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Cymru, and was sponsored by National Grid with support from the Countryside Council for Wales

The day was chaired by Tim Bennett, FWAG trustee who farms in Carmarthenshire. He explained that FWAG was celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, and that the group of farmers who set up the organisation in 1969 were adamant that commercial farming can go hand-in-hand with sound environmental management - Glasnant Morgan and family were to be congratulated on demonstrating this and winning this accolade - the Silver Lapwing is the most prestigious award in the farming/conservation arena, with the competition itself now over 30 years old.

The day concluded with delicious Welsh cakes baked by Mrs Morgan and fresh apple juice pressed by Glasnant's brother at near-by Aber Farm. Hywel Roberts, the Mid Wales FWAG chairman proposed the vote of thanks and paid tribute to the high standard of commercial farming and wildlife care which had been evident throughout the tour. Farmers present were encouraged to enter this year's competition which is now open for entries - the closing date is 30^th September. Again this year, National Grid have are generously donating the prizes - £200 and an engrave farmgate plaque for each of the 3 regional winners; north, mid (Powys & Ceredigion) & south Wales. The overall Wales winner will receive a further £600, with the awards to be presented at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society's Winter Fair. Application forms are available from the FWAG Cymru office on 01341 421456, cymru@fwag.org.uk or from FWAG's website http://www.fwag.org.uk/