Photographic reportage exploring the traditions, life and history of upland farmers in Wales, and the modern forces that threaten their generational way of life
riving out to his mountain farm in the Dyfi valley, John Pughe is on the lookout for holly branches. Cutting the holly, to be used by market traders for Christmas gifts alongside wood to be sold for burners, John is always looking out for extra income. He and his farm-trained son, Alwyn, rear sheep and cattle over steep rocky hills following the generational family tradition.Some upland farmers are being negatively affected by changes to the basic payment scheme, an annual grant to farmers.
The Dyfi valley sits on the southernmost reach of Snowdonia. The valley straddles the River Dyfi, which starts high up on Aran Fawddwy, then weaves its way through the valley getting wider until it meets the Irish Sea in a large estuary at Aberdyfi. The valley is a Unesco biosphere, meaning it is an area where conservation protections and sustainable economic development policies are in place.The next generation of farmers in the Dyfi valley are adapting and changing their practice.
Many upland farms are vulnerable to the government’s changes to the basic payment scheme, an annual stipend to farmers which on average makes up 60% of a farmer’s income. The new funding scheme requires farms to use 10% of their land as woodland and habitat, which is often unsuitable in the high terrain. Alongside this, the 2024 autumn budget has changed the rules around inheritance tax on agricultural assets worth more than £1m, which may negatively affect UK family farms.
Some farmers are reacting to these changes through modern and progressive techniques. Rhidian, John and Dafydd’s nephew, has studied agriculture at university and now runs a successful farm where he uses data and selective breeding to produce profitable results. He uses the land in an intensive style and is converting his traditional sheep farm to a dairy farm.Top: Farmers and livestock traders watch the results of the auction at Dolgellau farmers’ market.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Royal Photographic Society awards 2024The recipients of the Royal Photographic Society awards have been announced for 2024. New categories have been introduced to better reflect the international photography community and the society’s evolving focus and role.
Read more »
The big picture: striking a pose in 1970s Lagos, Africa’s street-style capitalJohn and Funmilayo Abe’s famed Abi Morocco photographic studio captured generations of Nigerians on camera
Read more »
Make do and mend: a Welsh cottage gets all dressed upA sheepskin bootmaker has furnished her lovely yellow house in Wales with home-made, second-hand and repurposed materials
Read more »
Code-hopping trailblazer: The Welsh Bulldog who walked so Suaalii and Co can runLong before Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and SBW, Jonathan Davies turned up at Belmore Oval - and made jaws drop.
Read more »
High-flying Wallabies are favourites but must avoid slipping on Welsh banana skinAustralia arrive in Cardiff on a high but their Twickenham heroics will mean little if they cannot back it up in a fixture everyone predicted they’d win
Read more »
Play prompts Welsh children to demand apology for black boxer denied title shotHundreds of children have written to BBBC after watching The Fight, which tells story of boxer Cuthbert Taylor
Read more »