Sustainability has never been more important and once again NFU Cymru, along with sponsors Wynnstay Group PLC, is hosting its annual Sustainable Farming Conference, writes Hedd Pugh, NFU Rural Affairs Board chairman.

The event, now in its third year, will showcase the harmonious relationship between agriculture and the environment and will take place on Thursday 28th September at Bodwi, Mynytho, Pwllheli, LL53 7SG by kind permission of Edward Griffith and family.

Titled ‘Shaping Welsh Farming’s Future’, the on-farm event will promote the crucial role of farmers in Wales in producing high quality food alongside protecting, maintaining and enhancing the farmed environment, along with underpinning our rural communities and the Welsh language. 

The conference will begin with tea and coffee at 10.30am and will focus on farming’s net zero journey, with keynote speaker Professor John Gilliand.

John is an award-winning willow and livestock farmer from Northern Ireland, whose farm has independently been verified to be ‘beyond’ Net Zero, today.

There will be a sustainable farming in practice session, with a farmer panel highlighting the economic, environmental, social and cultural contribution of farming to Wales, and finally, weather permitting, a short farm work showcasing some of the environmental and net zero action being undertaken at Bodwi.

The conference is free for NFU Cymru members and stakeholders to attend. Lunch will be provided. Members should register for the event through the NFU Cymru website or by calling the NFU Cymru office on 01982 554200.

I must also take this opportunity to remind you about the NFU Cymru / Wynnstay Group PLC Sustainable Agriculture Award, which closes soon.

This award, again in its third year, seeks to recognise the unparalleled contribution Welsh farming enterprises make to the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of Wales.

The award aims to recognise the economic, environment, social and cultural contribution of farming in Wales.