What a difference a year makes. You will remember this time last year, we were in the middle of a very dry spell that caused a lot of worry and cost for farmers. This year it’s been the complete opposite and we have had very high rainfall, which is causing problems with shearing and silage making.

I would like to congratulate Matt Launder, a young farmer from Llanerfyl, Montgomeryshire and his brother Dan for climbing nine of the highest peaks in the UK in less than 72 hours, in some very testing weather. The enterprise has raised over £11,500 for the mental health charity, The DPJ Foundation, which aims to support people in rural communities with mental health problems. It is still possible to sponsor the team by visiting their Go Fund Me page https://uk.gofundme.com/9-peaks-in-3-days-for-mental-health-in-farming.

My congratulations also go to Abi Reader, a past chair of NFU Cymru in Glamorgan, who received an MBE for services to farming in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. She is a dairy farmer from Wenvoe, near Cardiff who is passionate about educating children, adults and politicians on the importance of food and farming. Recently she has been part of the ‘Cows on tour’ educational experience, of which she was a founder member, travelling Wales to tell the farming story with model cows and a range of farmyard animals, to stimulate discussion about where food comes from.

I would like to remind everyone that NFU Cymru has launched a new Sustainable Agriculture Award which seeks to champion outstanding examples of sustainable farmers and/or farming businesses in Wales. It aims to recognise the unparalleled contribution Welsh farming enterprises make to the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of Wales.

The winner of the award will receive £500 and a commemorative award, and the closing date for entries is Monday, September 30. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at their farm by the judging panel during October and the winner will be announced at the NFU Cymru Conference on Thursday, November 7.

Nomination forms are available to download from www.nfu-cymru.org.uk or you can call the NFU Cymru office on 01682 554200 or email nfu.cymru@nfu.org.uk to request one.

I am really looking forward to next week’s NFU Cymru She Who Dares…Farms conference where I will be speaking on the panel. I look forward to seeing all you farming ladies there.

Finally, the beef price at the farm gate has recently fallen. Why not make a tasty Welsh or British beef meal this week.