Collaboration and vision has helped to secure a viable future for four Welsh family farms, who have invested a total of £3 million diversifying into free range egg production.
With the farms ranging in size from 40 acres, free range egg production presented a viable option to develop an enterprise capable of generating a sustainable income from this limited land base.
They were all in the initial stages of progressing their business ideas when they had an opportunity to join a Farming Connect Agrisgôp group led by Elaine Rees Jones. This fully-funded management development programme encourages eligible farmers and foresters to get together to not only develop their businesses, but to personally gain confidence and skills through action learning.
With some of the poultry units now up and running, the families all admit that joining the group was the helping hand they needed to put their ideas into action.
Arwel and Delyth Jones (pictured right) farm 56-acre Parc Farm at Llangwm, near Cerrig y Drudion, Conwy. They took over the running of the farm from Arwel’s parents four years ago. Although they have a flock of 100 North Country Cheviot and Beulah Speckled Face ewes, they wanted to create an enterprise that would allow one of them to work on the farm full time.
The couple, who for years had kept around 30 laying hens to produce eggs for the family and friends, decided on a free range egg unit.
They approached Elaine Rees Jones to learn what support and advice might be available. Under the umbrella of Agrisgôp, she introduced them to three other couples with a similar goal.
With the 16,000-hen unit scheduled to be up and running in November Arwel and Delyth say membership of the group had given them the knowledge and confidence to progress their idea. “We would still have diversified into egg production but it would have taken us a lot longer had we not been in the group because of the important advice and support we have received,’’ said Delyth, who has given up her job as a nursery nurse at a local school to run the enterprise.
The couple has secured a contract with Lloyd’s Animal Feeds, who will supply the pullets and feed for their multi-tiered system and buy their eggs.
At Rhallt Ycha Farm in Llanfair Caereinon, Powys, it has been a similar story for Daniel and Trudi Bates. Daniel has left his job as an agronomist to work full time with Trudi in their 32,000 bird unit.
“We wanted a business model that could support us on the farm and allow Dan to give up his job,’’ Trudi explained.
“We had been looking at different options when Elaine heard on the grapevine that we were considering egg production and got in touch. It was the best text message we have ever received!’’
Eighteen months later and their unit is almost operational with the pullets arriving in early November. They will supply eggs from their Hyline hens to Anglian Eggs.
“This enterprise will allow us to sustain the farm going forward,’’ said Daniel. “We are not dependent on subsidies so although Brexit is a concern because the poultry industry is very reliant on imported feed, we are confident that we will still have a family farm post-2020 and an income that makes it sustainable.’’
The group had met twice a month but now some of the projects have been completed or as nearing completion, it meets once every two months.
The group worked on all aspects of their new enterprises together and shared details such as dealing with banks, securing contracts, equipment choices and availability of building contractors.
Idea sharing has been integral to the success of the group. Elaine Jones who, with her partner, Robert Corfield, has established a 32,000 hen unit at Bron y nant, Trefeglwys, Powys, said it had made the process much easier and more rewarding. “Everyone was in the same situation and it gave us confidence about the whole process going forward. Instead of being the only ones doing the research we would all get involved and share our findings and ideas,’’ Elaine explained.
Robert had been producing milk at Bronynant when he lost his contract and needed another enterprise to sustain the farm. Elaine has now left her job as a hospital health care assistant to work full time at the unit.
The fourth couple in the group, Julian and Emma Morris, are awaiting the outcome of a planning appeal before they can proceed with their building work. Their smallholding in the Ceiriog Valley near Llangollen is just 40 acres. “Egg production is the only viable enterprise we could run on such a limited acreage, this is our first opportunity to get it back into a working farm,’’ said Julian.
If you are interested in establishing an Agrisgôp group contact Farming Connect on 08456 000813 for details of Agrisgôp Leaders in your area.
