An event to be held at Middle Garth Farm, Bettws, Newtown, SY16 3LN on Tuesday 10 May 2011 will be an opportunity to find out more about marketing options for organic grain. The event is being organized by Organic Centre Wales as part of the Farming Connect Organic Development Programme, and would be useful for both organic and conventional farmers.
As the global supply of grain tightens, cereals that are currently grown for livestock needs might need to be diverted to feed humans and now is a good time to look at other marketing options.
“As well as there being an increasing demand for grain worldwide, especially in developing countries, there are millers and micro-brewers in Wales that would love to be able to source their requirements from their own country,” said Phil Jones, OCW, one of the event organisers. “At this event, we intend to share information on the potential market for Welsh organic grain and how and what to grow for those markets.”
In attendance at the all day event will be Andrew Trump, Senior Marketing Officer of Organic Arable, a farmer owned grain marketing organisation. In the morning session he will lead a discussion on alternative markets for cereals and how to meet their specification. After lunch, there will be a walk around the cereal crops at Middle Garth.
The 90 ha at Middle Garth Farm supports a mixed farming system of beef, sheep and arable crops. Andrew Owen took the farm into organic conversion in 2008 and has been a Demonstration Farmer for OCW since 2009.
The event starts at 11.00am with coffee and presentations from staff at OCW and a discussion led by Andrew Trump. As there will be a crop walking session in the afternoon, farmers attending should bring suitable footwear with them. It is free, but you should register with Phil Jones, OCW on 01970 622248 to ensure a place and check the arrangements.
