Welsh livestock exhibitors are being encouraged to enter this year’s East of England Winter Stock Festival even though it’s still unclear if they can attend.

Organisers are liaising with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to work out the implications of recent changes to bovine TB rules in Wales.

It follows calls from confused exhibitors planning to attend the Royal Welsh Winter Fair a few days earlier.

Online applications for the Peterborough event on December 1-2 must be in by Friday, November 3.

A full refund will be issued if it transpires Welsh exhibitors cannot attend.

Royal Welsh seeks new senior personnel

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is looking to recruit two high-fliers to drive innovation and boost income.

Both posts are being offered at £35,00-a-year.

The Head of Business Development – a new role – will be asked to a create new sponsorship plan, develop the tradestand model and attract new events to the showground.

The second role – for a Head of Operations/Show Manager – has resulted from an “organisational re-structure”.

This person will be expected to manage the delivery of the Royal Welsh Show , Winter Fair and other events, such as the All Wales Ploughing Championships and the Royal Welsh Grassland Event.

Deadline for applications , for both roles, is November 24.

Royal Welsh meat hampers make debut

Two new Meat Hamper classes are being introduced on the second day of this year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair .

Aimed at butchers, farmers, farm shops and Welsh food enthusiasts, the classes will be judged by Royal Welsh president-elect Tom Tudor.

One is for a Christmas Meat Hamper, the other for Breakfast Meat Hamper. Both must include uncooked Welsh meat and Welsh meat products.

Entries close November 3. Schedules are on the Royal Welsh website .

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Vacancy at North Wales Sheepdog Society

The North Wales Sheepdog Society (NWSDS) is seeking to appoint a part-time secretary and treasurer.

It follows a decision by current secretary Cathy Jones to resign from the post as she prepares for the birth of her first child.

The job pays £2,500-a-year and some evening and weekend work is required. Welsh is an advantage but not essential.

For details, or to send a CV, including the names of two referees, contact northwalessheepdogs@hotmail.com. Closing date is November 29.

Are you a livestock champion?

NFU Cymru is launching its annual award to find the best livestock person in Welsh farming.

Its Welsh Livestock Champion of the Year award, now in its fourth year, is sponsored jointly by NFU Cymru and NFU Mutual.

Entrants will be judged on herd care and management, breeding programme, their handling skills, health & safety and their involvement in the enterprise.

The winner will collect £300 and a Welsh Royal Crystal trophy at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair .

Closing date for entries is Monday, November 6.

Details: 01982 554200 or Daniel.johns@nfu.org.uk, or download an application form from the union’s website.

Gwynedd farmer Harri Parri, a partner in a family farm near Pwllheli, was the 2016 Welsh Livestock Champion of the Year
Gwynedd farmer Harri Parri, a partner in a family farm near Pwllheli, was the 2016 Welsh Livestock Champion of the Year

Conwy Valley farmland sells for a premium

A 10.59-acre parcel of Conwy Valley farmland fetched a blistering £114,500 at a recent auction.

Auctioneers J Bradburne Price brought the hammer down for almost £11,000-an-acre for the sloping land at Tafarn y Fedw, Llanrwst.

Formerly part of Ceirniach Farm, the plot offered both roadside access and a natural water supply.

HCC conference looks to the future

Post-Brexit trade and new consumer trends will be the twin focus of Hybu Cig Cymru’s 2017 conference in the Vale of Glamorgan next week.

The free conference, “Fit for the Future”, is at Vale Resort, Hensol, CF72 8JY, on November 9, 10am-3.30pm.

Speakers include rural affairs secretary Lesley Griffiths, TV nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton, food analyst Tim Rycroft and Flintshire butcher Peter Rushforth.

New HCC chair Kevin Roberts will also be outlining the organisation’s market analysis and future plans.

Booking: 01970 625050 or info@hccmpw.org.uk.

Top speaker for NFU Clwyd AGM

Andrew Slade, the Welsh Government’s rural affairs chief, is the guest speaker at NFU Clwyd’s 2017 AGM.

It’s at Llysfasi College lecture theatre, Ruthin , on Wednesday, November 15, 7.30pm.

He will be explaining his role and discussing Brexit, RDP and his vision for a post-Brexit Domestic Agriculture Policy.