In addition to representing NFU Cymru on the Organic Forum Haydn also chairs the Soil Association Farmers and Growers board, and is a farmer member of the Agricultural Land Tribunal in Wales. Haydn writes:
"As this is the first organic blog of the new year I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year.
2017 presented us all with big challenges many of which need solutions this year. Besides Brexit, regulations, and what shape a devolved agriculture will look like, 2017 was one of the wettest years on our farm.
This pattern has continued; we are averaging 38mm of rain on a weekly basis since November, and the ground at present is very wet. We failed to harvest all the whole crop last year and this has now put pressure on winter forage stocks.
A question that I am frequently asked is how we continue to farm organically under the constant threat and affects of climate change? Cows are housed longer and the management of the land, particularly marginal land, becomes more challenging e.g. weed infestation, such as soft rushes. Many growers faced an extremely difficult year and sadly a lot of crops were not harvested.
The wet weather has also raised other issues surrounding prescriptive dates and rules under the grants obtained fromthe rural development programme. As the debate intensifies around an agricultural policy post-Brexit, I sincerely hope that at some point the design of support grants will take a more practical and flexible approach.
Just to emphasise this point I am presently hedging and fencing 380 meters of hedgerow under an rdp scheme, but all work must be completed by the 31st March. Whilst the hedging is going well, most of the ground is covered with water and in no state to fence without substantial damage to my soil from tractors. This sort of conflict has to be resolved practically so that the farmer is not placed in this invidious position in the future. Surely if I do not damage the new laid hedge with animals I could fence when the ground says 'GO!'
Having attended a meeting with Defra officials before Christmas relating to the clean air strategy, I have been pleased with what appears to be a more enlightened attitude to some of these problems. There seems to be a more enabling culture going forward and a collaborative approach to achieve the desired outcome. In Wales, a recent decision by Government to delay a whole territory approach to NVZ has allowed farmers to work with government and other major stakeholders to,work together on a clean water strategy.
I am sure that this year will present its own unique challenges as we all face up to radical change, but it does also present us with opportunities to improve in some areas. If we all engage and help shape the rules and accept our responsibilities, then I am very optimistic for our future."