For four days the agricultural stage will be filled with the world’s media, politicians from Cardiff Bay, Westminster and further afield, as well as celebrities, 200,000 visitors and thousands of animals that descend on the Llanelwedd showground for an occasion that celebrates the very best in Welsh agriculture.
Political engagement
The event is an ideal opportunity for NFU Cymru to meet with key stakeholders, retailers, partner organisations and other lobbying groups to discuss the future of the farming industry in Wales. But while there is plenty going on behind the scenes, there is also a whole host of public facing activities being laid on by NFU Cymru and its partner, NFU Mutual.
As usual we will be offering tea, coffee and biscuits to stand visitors.
What's on
Below are some of the events we are encouraging members to join in and support as part of their visit to the Royal Welsh Show this year. Click on one of the bullet points below to learn more:
- Seminars in the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual marquee - hot topics up for discussion in the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual marquee, including a discussion with the First Minister
- Photography competition - a showcase of the very best of Welsh farming, through the farmer's lens
- Gareth Raw Rees Scholarship Award - helping young farmers travel and learn more about agriculture
- Wales Woman Farmer Award - who will be triumphant for the 25th celebration of the award?
- Business zone - information to help your business thrive
- The DPJ Foundation - your chance to win a vintage tractor
- Rugby 7s and Tug of War - NFU Cymru is once again sponsoring these Wales YFC competitions
Seminars
All in the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual marquee
Monday 24 July - 11am
How does Wales become a global leader in delivering food security and set the benchmark for sustainable food production around the world?
This is a pivotal time for Welsh farming with Welsh Government legislating to provide the primary legislative basis for future agricultural policy.
Welsh Government has the legal framework from which it can develop and operate future support schemes, and in due course there will be a consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme. As we stand on the cusp of writing our own 'made in Wales, for Wales' agricultural policies, we have seen spiralling and stubbornly high inflation increasing the cost of producing and purchasing food and ever greater numbers of Welsh households moving into food poverty.
Join our panel as we consider how we make sure that future Welsh agricultural policies support the production of safe, affordable and sustainable food for all in society.
Speakers
Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS
First Minister for Wales
Aled Jones
NFU Cymru President
Minette Batters
NFU President
Cath Smith
HCC Chair
Dylan Morgan
(Chair) NFU Cymru Head of Policy
Monday 24 July - 2pm
Dealing with high input costs in agriculture and economic prospects for individual sectors
This seminar will focus on primary agricultural production and in particular the effects of the unprecedented input price inflation the sector has faced over the last 18 months. All sectors of the agriculture industry in Wales will be covered by our knowledgeable speakers, who will also touch on future economic prospects. So, whatever type of farming you are involved in, there will be something for you in this seminar.
Speakers
Dr Andrew Francis
NFU Senior Adviser and Economist
Sharon Hammond
NFU Cymru Brecon and Radnor County Chair
Euryn Jones
Deputy Head of Agriculture, HSBC Bank
Rob Lewis
(Chair) NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chair
Tuesday 25 July - 11am
Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme - enabling uptake to ensure delivery
Welsh Government’s proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme – the scheme that is set to replace the BPS and Glastir from 2025 – aims to support farmers to produce food in a sustainable manner, mitigate and adapt to climate change and to maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems and the benefits they provide.
Welsh Government is also committed, through the scheme, to keeping farmers on the land by supporting the active farmer; also recognising the importance of the scheme working for all types of farms, so all types of farms can access it including tenants and those with rights to common land.
Uptake of the scheme by farmers will be central to the delivery of Welsh Government’s ambitions and, ahead of Welsh Government’s consultation on the final proposals for the Sustainable Farming Scheme later this year, this seminar will explore what is needed to ensure the scheme can work for all active farmers in Wales irrespective of sector, location and land tenure.
Speakers
Garry Williams
Beef and sheep farmer
Lesley Griffiths MS
Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd
Jeff Evans
NFU Cymru Dairy Board member
Bryony Gittins
NFU Cymru Next Generation Group member
Aled Jones
(Chair) NFU Cymru President
Wednesday 26 July - 11am
Future priorities for animal health and welfare in Wales
Welsh farming is at a time of landmark change and Welsh Government is looking to place animal health and welfare at the heart of future farm policy. From bovine TB to avian influenza, effective disease control remains a challenge across livestock sectors and partnership working between vets, farmers and government is critical to success. New trading relationships with the EU and further afield also mean there is opportunity for us to export more Welsh food and drink around the world, with our high animal health and welfare standards a vital part of our story.
Join our panel in considering what the future priorities for farm animal health and welfare in Wales should be and where the
opportunities lie.
Speakers
Gwyn Jones
Chair of Ruminant Health and Welfare
Ifan Lloyd
BVA Welsh Branch Council
Dr Richard Irvine
Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales
Abi Reader
(Chair) NFU Cymru Deputy President
Thursday 27 July - 10.30am
How has the role of women in the farming industry changed over the past 25 years?
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of NFU Cymru’s Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award, we look back over the past 25 years at the role of women within the industry and how things have changed. We also look forward with a fresh view to the
next 25 years.
Join us to celebrate women in farming with the seminar followed by the announcement of this year’s NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award winner.
Speakers
Sharon Richards
Previous Wales Woman Farmer Award winner
Olivia Midgley
Editor, Farmers Guardian
Sian Davies
Former member of the NFU Cymru Next Generation and Student Farmer Groups
Abi Reader
(Chair) NFU Cymru Deputy President
All week - photographs displayed in the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual marquee
Photography competition
NFU Cymru is marking the Royal Welsh Show with a photography competition to help showcase the best of Welsh farming, through a farmer's lens.
The shortlisted photographs will be showcased on the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual stand throughout the Royal Welsh Show and the winner will be announced on the Sunday before the show and awarded a £100 farm shop voucher or a hamper of farm produce of equivalent value.
Tuesday 25 July - 12.30pm - NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual marquee
Gareth Raw Rees Scholarship presentations
This is an annual prize-giving presentation to scholars wishing to travel to broaden their knowledge of agriculture. A large number of farmers under the age of 30 have received a contribution towards their travels and learning over the years, all funded by the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust in memory of the late Gareth Raw Rees.
Learn more about the scholarship.
Thursday 27 July - 10.30am - NFU Cymru stand
Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award presentation
(pictured above: Previous winners of the award)
This year sees the 25th anniversary of the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Wales Woman Farmer of the Year award. Following a celebration seminar, the winner will be announced at the NFU Cymru/ NFU Mutual marquee. The award seeks to champion the contribution that women make to the agricultural industry and to raise the profile of women in farming. The last award winner was Clare Morgan, a poultry farmer from Pembrokeshire.
All week - NFU Cymru stand
The Business Zone
The Business Zone will be back again this year, located on the NFU Cymru stand, profiling the unrivalled services and discounts available to NFU Cymru members.
The area will promote second to none discounts and services that are exclusive to NFU Cymru members and are designed to cover every aspect of your farming business. Our professional services offer political, legal, regulatory and technical information as well as more practical business focussed solutions covering law, planning, environment and energy. Your NFU Cymru membership also means that you get access to discounts specifically negotiated with farmers and growers in mind, ensuring you’re getting the best possible access to what’s on the market whether it be vehicles, ATVs, agricultural tyres, fuel cards, farm security, health care, and much more.
In the same space will be some of our partners who provide our members with unrivalled affinity discounts across a huge range of leading brand names, so come and find out how to save money on your next purchases.
This year NFU Cymru will also host:
- The Royal Mint, who will be showcasing a range of products, from commemorative and historic coins to precious metals investment products.
- Tir Dewi who will be on hand to advise how they can help and support farmers.
- The Wales Police Forces - Cyber Crime Teams who will provide advice and guidance on cyber security.
There will also be a competition to win a Spada Rock Helmet with the winner to be announced after the show.
All week - NFU Cymru stand
The DPJ Foundation
The NFU Cymru stand will be supporting the DPJ Foundation again this year by hosting members of the team throughout the week.
This year, the DPJ team will be promoting their fundraising campaign 'The Big BBQ' where they are encouraging people to get together and hold their own BBQs, using Welsh produce and shopping local, and to socialise with friends, family and the community, which is very good for people's mental health.
Representatives from the DPJ Foundation will also be on the stand to discuss the subject of mental health awareness in rural communities.
Wales YFC Rugby 7s and Tug of War competitions
(Sponsored by NFU Cymru)
A reception for the finalists of both awards will commence at the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Marquee on Wednesday 24 July at 3.15pm. Receptions will also take place on the Monday and Tuesday afternoons, after each round of the rugby 7s.
NFU Cymru is once again delighted to be able to support Wales YFC’s popular Rugby 7s and Tug of War contests. Join us at the Main Cattle Ring to see who takes the spoils.