NFU Cymru : Farmers get insight into Rhug Estate Farm

Rhug Farm Shop and Restaurant

NFU Cymru members in Clwyd had the opportunity to delve into the inner workings of the Rhug Estate Farm during a unique visit to the business recently.

During the visit, Lord Newborough, owner of the Rhug Estate and Gareth Jones, Farm Manager, explained the operations of the Estate and the evolution of the farm shop from two small vans at the farm gate to the successful scale it has become today.

Lord Newborough explained that the estate is made up of two main sites, one in Corwen and the other in the Llyn Peninsula - Ty Mawr. The estate runs a flock of 1,400 North Country Mule ewes with the ability to produce salt marsh lamb down at Ty Mawr, in addition to a herd of Aberdeen Angus breeding cattle which produce store cattle for finishing back at Corwen.

Lord Newborough and Gareth Jones, Rhug Estate Farm Manager, also took questions from the members, with topics including Brexit, supply and demand, supermarket branding and advice on how to replicate some parts of the Rhug Estate business model on small family farms.

Following the presentation from Lord Newborough and Gareth Jones, Clare Morgan, the NFU Poultry board representative, gave an insight into the poultry industry.

During her presentation, Clare showcased the NFU's ongoing work on Avian Influenza. She explained the NFU was ensuring that poultry keepers were kept well-informed of the latest AI outbreaks and restrictions, and also reassuring the public that there are no risks to public health.

Clwyd NFU Cymru County Chairman, Paul Williams said: 'I would like to thank Lord Newborough for his hospitality at the Rhug Estate and also to Gareth Jones and Clare Morgan on providing us with very interesting presentations. Following the discussions, it is clear that we must work together as a farming industry and sell 'brand Wales'. Welsh products are quality products and we must use this unique selling point to drive business in the global market.'