NFU Cymru Sustainable Farming Conference 2025

First published26 August 2025

A graphic with information about the conference and a picutre of the Swan family

NFU Cymru’s upcoming Sustainable Farming Conference, kindly sponsored by Wynnstay Group plc is set to showcase farmers’ work feeding the nation, enhancing the farmed environment and spearheading their local communities.

Quick links

To be held on Wednesday 3 September from 9.30am at Ffrith Farm, Treuddyn, Mold, CH7 4LE, by kind permission of the Swan family, the event will hear insights from industry experts and include a farm walk of the 250-acre mixed farm.

Attendees will also have a tour of the family-run farm shop, Swans Farm Shop, established in 2003 selling high-quality beef, pork and free-range eggs produced on-farm. 

Sustainable farming in practice

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “At this time of unprecedented change for farming in Wales with the Sustainable Farming Scheme launching in 2026, this event is all about showcasing the essential contribution of farming to the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of Wales. 

“Attendees can expect to hear about the latest advancements in sustainable farming and rural research, with a packed programme of leading experts and practitioners in this field. The event will also provide the opportunity to see sustainable farming in action from farm to fork at this award-winning business. We are very grateful to the Swan family for hosting this year’s conference.” 

Meet the hosts

Agenda

9.30am

Tea/coffee on arrival

10.00am

Welcome

John Mercer, NFU Cymru Director

10.05am

Welcome to Ffrith Farm

Clive and Ed Swan

10.10am

President’s Address

Aled Jones, NFU Cymru President

10.20am

Advances in agricultural and rural research

Prof. Iain Donnison, Head of IBERS, Aberystwyth University
Dr Alastair Leake, Director of Policy, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
Prof. Janet Dwyer, Professor of Rural Policy, Countryside and Community Research at the University of Gloucestershire

Q&A chaired by NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones

11.30am

Supply chain perspectives on sustainable farming

Steve McLean, Head of Agriculture and Fisheries at M&S
Dr Julie Finch, Agriculture Governance and Compliance Manager at Kepak Group
Ben Williams, Sustainability Manager at Leprino

Q&A chaired by Kath Whitrow, NFU Cymru LFA Board Chair

12.15pm

Policies for sustainable farming 

Samuel Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Economy, Energy & Rural Affairs 

Q&A chaired by NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones

12.45pm

Sustainable farming in practice 

Mathew Roberts, NFU Cymru Livestock Champion
Ed Swan, host farmer
David Williams, dairy farmer and NFU Cymru Clwyd County Chair
Jessica Williams, beef and sheep farmer


Q&A chaired by Rachel Lewis-Davies, NFU Cymru National Environment and Land Use Adviser

1.25pm

Summing up and thanks 

Hedd Pugh, Chair NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board

1.30pm

Lunch

2.15pm

Farm tour

4.00pm

Depart

 

Registration

Pre-booking is essential. The conference is free for NFU Cymru members and stakeholders to attend. Lunch will also be provided.

Register your attendance here

Alternatively, you can call the office on 01982 554200 or email nfu.cymru@nfu.org.uk

Ask us a question about this page

Once you have submitted your query someone from NFU Cymru will contact you. If needed, your query will then be passed to the appropriate NFU policy team.

You have 0 characters remaining.

By completing the form with your details on this page, you are agreeing to have this information sent to the NFU for the purposes of contacting you regarding your enquiry. Please take time to read the NFU’s Privacy Notice if you require further information.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.