The most westerly farm in Wales was the venue for a recent farm walk organised by the local Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG Cymru).

A large group of members and farmers enjoyed the tour hosted by Rob and Eleri Davies of the organically farmed National Trust holding, Treginnis Uchaf, near St Davids.

Located on the very tip of Pembrokeshire, overlooking Ramsey Island, their appreciation of the important ecology and archaeology of the area, which they pass on willingly to visitors to the farm, and associated Farm for City Children, was a key factor in their regional success in the Silver Lapwing award last year. FWAG (south Wales) chairman, Nigel James, of Clarbeston Grange, highlighted the integration of the Davies’ system, based on a sound organic rotation.

“Rob and Eleri are a superb example of top class commercial farmers who fully appreciate the bio-diversity of Treginnis, using their FWAG membership benefits, and are happy to share the many aspects of the farm with the general public,” he said.

Rob Davies said: “We accept that producing lambs for Waitrose here is something of a challenge, mainly because of the exposure of our farm, but using Welsh ewes as a foundation flock and then carefully cross-breeding we have developed a 700-ewe breeding flock which, we are very happy to claim, can produce a consistently good lamb.”

FWAG’s farm conservation advisors understand the pressures on farming and the environment and their expertise and practical advice brings conservation into the farm management resulting in a positive contribution to the business.

FWAG has a successful track record in supporting farmers for grant schemes and, in Wales, for Tir Gofal and Tir Cynnal. The organisation also helps farmers to access Woodland Grant Schemes and other farm based grant applications. One-to-one farm visits are reinforced with tailor-made plans to help implement the advice on the ground and FWAG also represents the needs of farmers and that of wildlife conservation when in consultation with government and other environmental bodies.

The 2009 Silver Lapwing competition, sponsored by National Grid, will again aim to highlight the vital role which Welsh farmers play in protecting and enhancing the habitats and species across the principality.

Details are available from The FWAG Cymru Office, Ffordd Arran, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1LW. Call 01341 421456.