04 September 2025
Farmers and growers trialling different farming techniques and innovations as participants in the Farming Connect Our Farms network are hosting events in September when other farmers will learn what they have discovered from projects ranging from targeted selective treatment for sheep to intercropping maize.
For the second year, Farming Connect will hold a series of ‘Visit Our Farms’ events in September on its network of beef, sheep and dairy holdings and at businesses producing vegetables, fruit and flowers for the horticulture sector.
Last year there were 15 of these knowledge transfer events but they proved so popular with the industry that 2025 sees that number increased to 22.
Each provides opportunities for other farmers and growers to gain valuable insights into trials and projects that have concluded or are ongoing.
In Flintshire, farmers will see first-hand how Rhys Davies and his parents, Dei and Heulwen, are managing their 85ha farm to cope with a changing climate and how they are increasing outputs without increasing inputs, and also using technology driven by artificial intelligence (AI) within their business.
The family produces milk from a spring calving herd of 120 Holstein Friesians producing an annual average milk yield of 7,500 litre /cow at 4.6% butterfat and 3.67% protein.
At the event, topics for discussion will include whether pre-mowing is a cost-effective tool to maintain pasture quality in a rotational grazing system, and farmer Dai Evershed will advise on how farmers can utilise LoRaWAN technology to manage water supply for their livestock.
Rhys says he is looking forward to learning more about pre-mowing from IBERS lecturer Cennydd Jones, a speaker at the event, and grassland management in general.
Rhys has been trialling pre-mowing as an alternative to baling leys on the grazing platform to extend the rotation in a dry spell and encourage cows to clean up fields, and comparing the performance of those paddocks to others that are grazed.
“Pre-mowing does seem to help with the utilisation of every last blade of grass so there are no rejections,’’ he says.
Attendees will also hear findings from the Farming Connect Welsh Pasture project and UK Government funded project, Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE-Leg), led by industry and IBERS, he adds.
The diversity of farmland birds at Moor Farm will also be discussed – recording devices monitoring birdsong were set up on the farm and these showed a significant number of different species, many on the ‘watch list’ of endangered birds.
Technologies related to the project work at Moor Farm will be demonstrated on various stalls at the event.
The value of this event and others in this series of farm walks was summed up by people who attended last year's programme, with 99% of attendees stating that they had learnt something new and 93% planning to make changes to their business following the events.
Farming Connect sector officer Osian Hughes, who is overseeing the project work at Moor Farm, says the event offers an opportunity to network with like-minded people and industry stakeholders.
"We are looking forward to welcoming farmers to our event to share findings and showcase the project work that's been going on at Moor Farm over the last two and a half years,’’ he says.
“It will be a great opportunity to learn and discuss common challenges facing the industry and see what technologies and best practices are out there to meet these challenges.’’
The event at Moor Farm will take place on 18 September from 11am – 2pm. Refreshments will be provided therefore visitors are advised to book a place in advance of the event.
For a full list of the farm walks in north Wales and across the country visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/whats-on