The Aberystwyth HQ of red meat body Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) was the venue for a mini-conference where 16-18 year-old students from two mid-Wales schools had the chance to discuss the latest developments in a number of topics which are key to the future of Welsh farming.
BTEC Agriculture students from Aberystwyth’s Ysgol Penweddig and Ysgol Bro Hyddgen in Machynlleth heard from HCC’s experts on a number of the key topics in their course, including sheep breeding and genetics, grassland management, and animal health.
The students were also able to take part in an interactive discussion on how the changing demands of the consumer and patterns of world trade could influence the future of the Welsh sheep and beef sector.
According to HCC’s Communications Manager, Owen Roberts, the event was an opportunity to engage with young people who would be the backbone of the red meat industry in years to come.
“More and more schools are now offering the BTEC Agriculture course alongside A-levels,” he said, “so HCC is looking at ways in which we can help schools to deliver these courses and engage with the future leaders of Welsh farming.”
He added, “Schools already make use of the resources we have available on our website: Meat Promotion Wales. It was great to discuss with sixth-formers in our immediate area, who were informed and interested in how to produce what the modern consumer wants efficiently and sustainably, and we’re looking at ways to broaden this kind of event out to the rest of Wales.
“Many of the key topics on students’ curriculum, such as animal health and sheep genetics, form important parts of the work HCC is doing as part of our five-year Red Meat Development Programme,” explained Owen. “This programme is supported by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government, and looks at how our sheep and beef sector can be as efficient as possible in the future.”
Teacher Lowri Evans said; “The pupils, and myself, had an invaluable experience of hearing about the latest developments in meat production from expert professionals. The event also gave the pupils an insight into alternative career possibilities within the agriculture industry.”
On the same day as the session in Aberystwyth, HCC’s Marketing Manager Rhys Llywelyn also engaged with the next generation of farmers, through a discussion session held in Trawsfynydd by Prysor & Eden branch of the Young Farmers’ Club.