Why David would be an effective mentor
David Evershed has a high level of experience of utilising LoRaWAN devices and other smart sensors to monitor and control recourses at the 400-acre coastal family farm he runs in partnership with his father near Clarach in Ceredigion.
The family’s investment in smart technology (around £1,400) in 2023 and use of the visualisation of water data has been transformative, providing sustainable land management solutions to the challenges of the farm’s rugged terrain and unpredictable spring water supply. Prior to the LoRaWan installation, availability of drinking water for livestock was a major concern and the single greatest barrier to business growth, particularly during the 2022 heatwave.
The farm previously relied on an ageing network of seasonal springs and reservoir tanks to ensure continuous water supply for their flock of out-door lambing ewes, farm buildings and for their homes. The difficult locations of sufficient reliable springs had forced the use of electric pumps to move water from wells to the reservoirs before being gravity-fed to required locations.
LoRaWAN smart sensors now detect leaks as soon as they start. The pumping of water from wells to reservoirs can now be led by data rather than guesswork, and energy produced by new photovoltaic (PV) panels conserves energy. The business is not only mitigating food and drink risk and reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also benefiting from improved
energy efficiency
resource management
farm security
Health & Safety
Improved animal welfare standards.
Before returning to the farm in 2022, David held a number of senior management roles within the arable science industry in and around East Anglia, gaining valuable experience of training and coaching – skills he is looking forward to using in his mentoring role with Farming Connect. He has a good understanding of the agricultural landscape in Wales and has first-hand experience of successfully navigating various Welsh Government grant application processes. You’ll find him a knowledgeable and inspiring advocate for embracing innovation and new technologies, and he will also point you towards suitable funding that may be available
Current farm business
- 400 acre coastal farm (improved and semi-improved grassland, rough grazing and woodland)
- 750 breeding ewes (Welsh mountain x Charolais store lambs and pure Welsh or Welsh x Aberfield replacements)
- Low input business model at low stocking rates – room for growth. Flock size is steadily increasing year on year.
Qualifications/achievements/ experience
- BSc in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry (Durham University)
- Part time postgraduate researcher at Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS), Aberystwyth University
Top tips for business success
“Take advantage of any funding, which is frequently available for smart technology and innovative solutions to farming problems.”
“Consider areas of your farm where you regularly find yourself thinking ‘If only I had known about x, y, or z, I would have done something about it or made a different decision’. Why did you not know about x, y or z? Ask yourself whether these issues could be detected at low cost by utilising modern technology.”