National Farmers' Union (NFU) Cymru has wrapped up its fifth annual Welsh Farming Week campaign, which saw Members of the Senedd (MSs), including the First Minister, visit farms across Wales.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, who became Wales' new First Minister in May this year, was welcomed to a farm in his Bangor Conwy Môn constituency.

At Castellior farm in Anglesey, Senedd members gained a "first-hand insight into the contribution Welsh farmers make to food production, environmental management and rural communities".

NFU Cymru stated that the visit marked the first time a First Minister has took part in the campaign week, "providing a landmark moment for the initiative".

The owners of Castellior farm, Dylan Jones and family gave a tour of their "highly efficient" beef finishing enterprise to Iorwerth and MSs.

The farming union highlighted that the farm has adopted a fully home-grown forage system, which has reportedly increased output while reducing emissions.

Campaign

NFU Cymru noted that this year's Welsh Farming Week spanned across the country, with MSs visiting farms in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Clwyd, Gwynedd Maldwyn, Brycheiniog Tawe Nedd, Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni, and Glamorgan.

Through discussions between farmers and MSs, a number of common themes concerning the Welsh agricultural sector emerged, according to NFU Cymru.

The farming union noted that its members highlighted priorities, such as the future evolution of the Sustainable Farming Scheme and the impact of increasing regulation and bureaucracy on farming businesses.

In addition to this, Welsh farmers stressed to MSs the need for policies that support productive farming and the importance of maintaining a thriving domestic food production sector.

Concerns were also raised around bovine TB, water quality regulations and the challenges facing new entrants to the industry.

NFU Cymru

The president of NFU Cymru, Abi Reader outlined how the campaign allows for policymakers and farmers to engage with each other.

She said: "On-farm meetings like this provide such valuable engagement for us at NFU Cymru.

Jones, who hosted the Welsh First Minister at his farm, also commented on the campaign.

"While this meeting presented an opportunity for us to discuss some of the challenges facing our farming businesses, it was also great to be able to share our ambitions and visions for the industry," he added.