June 2017 Meeting & Events

Sunday 11th June 11:30am. Visit to Down To Earth Project on the Gower.
An opportunity to visit this worthwhile project, where smallholding, sustainability and eco builds are used to help the disadvantaged. SA3 1ED will get you in the area but not to the site!
Event Report
We would like to thank Jon and Amanda for giving up their Sunday to show us around the Down to Earth Project. It was very interesting and as one who cannot even saw firewood straight I was very impressed with all the carpentry. Amanda also supplied us with excellent cakes.

Wednesday 14th June 7:00pm. Monthly Meeting at Carmarthen Mart, 200metres further up the road from up the road from Carmarthen Veterinary Centre
A visit to Carmarthen Mart where we will be shown the facilities available and the process of selling and buying your stock at the mart will be explained by the auctioneers. Please note the start time will be 7:00pm not the usual 8:00pm.
Meeting Report
The market is owned by Bob Jones Prytherch & Co Marts Limited (BJP marts). We were shown around by the Manager and his Clerk who explained how the market is run and what we would need to do as buyers or sellers of livestock.
All of the details about sales (including sale catalogues) can be found on their website www.bjpmarts.com. Further notes by Amanda are available in your Newsletter.

Sunday 25th June 10:30am for 11:00am start. Farm walk at East Williamston on two neighbouring smallholdings.
1) Approx 17 acres, with sheep, poultry and ponies. 14 years of environmental schemes with extensive tree and hedge planting and a wildlife pond.
2)  Approx 10acres, with wildflower hay meadow, fruit orchard and woodland. Large veg plot, one chicken and beehives. Glastir for 5 years.

Event Report
Our farm  walk with Cliff & Tim and then onto Sue next door gave us a chance to see sheep horses and chickens with a walk around fields, orchards woodland and ponds. Cliff and Tim have done a lot of work and had photos mounted at various places so that we could see how their holding was when they took over. Good productive vegetable areas making full use of poly tunnels with automated watering systems using collected rainwater. The otters in their pond make life dangerous for toads which they skin before eating. Sue has a big problem with her pond with one of these foreign invasive weeds taking it over.

May 2017 Meeting & Events

Wednesday 10th May 8pm. Monthly Meeting at Carmarthen Veterinary Centre.
One of our members will talk about ‘Pig Keeping for Beginners’.
Meeting Report
There was a full room for the talk about keeping pigs aimed at the newcomer to keeping these animals. We were advised to start at the end of the process before getting pigs so that aspects such as slaughter, transport and sufficient freezer space are all sorted before the day they are needed. Types of housing were then considered from temporary straw bale to permanent constructions, all with correct insulation to ensure food intake is converted to growth. It was highlighted that access for pigs and keepers is important as what is fine when they are weaners may not be adequate when they are porkers. Methods containment of were discussed as pigs are powerful and dig well. The advantages of weaners against buying a sow were covered. Feeding and diet were explained along with options on inseminating sows. Finally health and common diseases were discussed.

Saturday 20th May. St Clears Show at Carmarthen Showgrounds
We will again be in attendance and this is an opportunity for members to sell non-perishable produce. Volunteers are needed to man the tent on the day and to help set up on Friday evening. If you can help contact a committee member.
Event Report
This year DSA won shield for best stand at the show. Thank you to everyone who came and contributed to our win. One visitor said it was the liveliest, or did they mean noisiest, did they mean noisiest, marquee there!