A Ceredigion farming family is challenging the traditional pathway of progression in the Welsh dairy sector. Arwel and Mary Davies and their son, Hywel, who milk 400 Holstein Friesians on three holdings, are offering a joint venture opportunity through Farming Connect’s Venture programme. Mr and Mrs Davies, who started their farming business with 55 acres, are ready to take a step back from the day to day management of the enterprise.
“We want to have the time to enjoy other things but we don’t want to exit farming altogether,’’ Arwel explains.
Their solution is to form a joint venture with an individual who is keen to progress in farming. The family is hoping to attract someone who will bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm, while sharing the rewards and responsibilities that come with running a dairy farm.
Hywel says the change is intended to secure a good work life balance for everyone involved. “The scale of the business is big enough to support two decision makers.’’
That role, he says, needs to extend beyond that of a farm worker so the family has launched a search for someone to join them in the business. To help with their search, they have registered with Venture, Farming Connect’s pioneering joint opportunities platform which facilitates mobility within the agricultural industry in Wales.
The Davies’s became aware of this initiative after reading about it in Farming Connect literature and listening to a presentation at a recent farming union county meeting.
Venture holds a database of ‘seekers’ or new entrants seeking an opportunity to enter the industry and ‘providers’ - established farmers or landowners wanting to provide that opportunity.
Hywel is confident Venture will provide the guidance the family needs to form a joint venture.
“This is all new to us so to get support and advice that is independent and free is a tremendous help. We wouldn’t want to take on someone without knowing what they can do.’’
The family farms two units at Talgarreg – Pantswllt and Blaenglowon - and another at Plwmp. The herd is calved in two blocks – spring and autumn. They are planning to update the milking facilities at Blaenglowon by installing a rotary parlour this year.
Offering a joint venture in the enterprise will provide a stepping stone for someone who wants to progress in the industry, says Hywel.
“The ideal candidate will be someone who wants to share the responsibility as well as the rewards, someone who wants to build up capital of their own. We are flexible on the type of arrangement, having the right person is the most important thing to us.
Joint ventures include contract farming, cow hire, equity partnerships and share milking agreements.
“However efficient you are, there is always room to improve and new people bring new ideas,’’ says Arwel.
The Farming Connect Venture platform captures data from farmers and landowners considering a joint venture and matches it with potential contenders such as young entrants, farm workers, herdsmen or those already in farming who want to grow and develop their business.
Once a compatible match is found, tailored support is provided to both parties through a range of Farming Connect services, including the Advisory Service which provides specialist advice on a fully funded basis to establish the new business structure and agreements.
If the Davies’s can secure the right candidate, Arwel and Mary plan to take a more leisurely approach to life.
If you think you are a suitable candidate for the Davies family, or would like to hear about other opportunities available through Farming Connect’s Venture programme Contact Einir Davies, Development and Mentoring Manager at Menter a Busnes by emailing einir.davies@menterabusnes.co.