JANUARY 10th, 2007

ORGANIC CLUB GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

After five years of promotion, marketing, and creating awareness of their beef, the Welsh Black Cattle Society's Organic Club has held a celebratory dinner.

The Organic Club now boasts 70 members – approximately 18% of the Society's members as a whole – and more than half turned out for the event at the Fronolau Farm Hotel at Tabor near Dolgellau, where they dined on what else but organic Welsh Black Beef.

The dinner was organised by Mrs Beth Rees of the Rhys Herd of pedigree organic Welsh Black cattle. Among guests were invited were Marilyn James of Quality Welsh Food certification Ltd, and representatives from the Soil Association and Organic Farmers & Growers, who discussed many issues regarding organic production with Club members.

The guest speaker was Glyn Owen, a partner in Ruthin Auctioneers and a familiar face on S4c's Noson Lawen.

The end of 2006 saw the Organic Club hold its annual general meeting when retiring Chairman John James (Tyllwyd Herd) handed over office to Stephen Baker (Disgwylfa Herd) from Pontyberem near Llanelli.

The Vice Chairman is Edwin Jones (Cwmbwra Herd) who farms at Ferryside in Carmarthenshire.

At the meeting the results** were announced of the 2006 Organic Herd competition which was sponsored by Tom Cowcher of Cambrian Organics. The judge Mr John Pratt, Council member for Brecon, was impressed with the diversity of organic farming and animal husbandry he witnessed whilst viewing farms throughout Wales .

Looking to 2007, Welsh Black Cattle Society Chief Executive, Andrew James, said there was plenty of activity coming up.

“Forthcoming Organic Club events include a day's on farm training on preparing an animal for show and sale, while the popular on farm herd competition will be held for the third consecutive year.

“Members interested in these events are asked to contact the Society's Builth Wells office for more information,” he said.

**RESULTS

Class 1 - Best Organic Welsh Black Herd in a severely disadvantaged area (SDA)

1 st EW & MM Jenkins, Tynygraig, Talybont, Ceredigion

2 nd GO & NC Thomas, Blaenynant, Nantffrancon, Bethesda

3 rd Beth Rees, Coedmawr Farm, Llanbedr DC , Ruthin

Class 2 - Best Organic Welsh Black Herd in a Non-severely disadvantaged area.

1 st Wynne & Bethan Davies, Brynonnen, Nanteris

2 nd Dafydd James, Fferm Tyllwyd, Felingwm Uchaf, Caerfyrddin

3 rd Stephen & Sally Baker, Disgwylfa, Pontyberem

Class 3 - Best farm self-sufficient in winter cropping

1 st Wynne & Bethan Davies, Brynonnen, Nanteris

2 nd Beth Rees, Coedmawr Farm, Llanbedr DC , Ruthin

3 rd EW & MM Jenkins, Tynygraig, Talybont, Ceredigion

Class 4 - Best environmental-friendly farm system

1 st Mrs Bini Jones, Fferm Ty Isaf, Ffestiniog, Gwynedd

2 nd Mr J Lewis-Bowen, Clynfrw, Boncath

3 rd Mr P & J Sands, Blossom Farm, Pencader

Class 5 - Best stock bull

1 st Wynne & Bethan Davies, Brynonnen, Nanteris with ‘Caerynwch Major'

2 nd Dafydd James, Fferm Tyllwyd, Felingwm Uchaf with ‘Brysgaga Erddyn'

3 rd EW & MM Jenkins, Tynygraig, Talybont with ‘Penwernhir Sambo'

Class 6 - Best Pair of young stock up to 30mths; heifers or steers

1 st Mr J Lewis-Bowen, Clynfrw, Boncath

2 nd Dafydd James, Fferm Tyllwyd, Felingwm Uchaf

3 rd EW & MM Jenkins, Tynygraig, Talybont

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information contact:

Andrew James, Chief Executive Welsh Black Cattle Society

Tel: 01982 551111

Distributed by:

Sheila Coleman

Coleman Roberts Communications

Tel: 01792 817532 / 07968 357474

sheila@colemanroberts.co.uk

www.colemanroberts.co.uk

PR 59