A YOUNG farmer who works on Herefordshire’s border with Wales feels British farming can be future-proofed by spreading positive messages – as the vegan campaign gathers speed.

Ernie Richards, aged 27, works in the hills above Clyro as a shepherd for Stuart Morris.

He said working for the Morris family for the last five years means he has got to know the area and local community very well.

At Wernoog, they run a flock of a 1,000 Pedigree Lleyn Ewes, running them pure to produce breeding females and prime lambs.

“Annually we sell up to 300 breeding yearlings, both at the Lleyn society sales and off the farm,” Mr Richards said. “Using technology to our advantage, the use of social media and online engagement has really proven to be successful, not only in promoting our flock, but by creating strong sheep sales off the farm.

“With having only sheep on the farm, and effectively having ‘all our eggs in one basket’, we are constantly reviewing our system to ensure we are maximising what we produce off the farm.

“To create added value to our stock, we focus strongly on flock health and performance.

“Having a dosed flock, with only buying in replacement rams, means we are reducing new disease burdens on the sheep. All our ewes are in a strong vaccination policy to maintain our vigorous flock health status.”

Mr Richards said the key to keeping farming sustainable is by ensuring farmers know the limits of the system, and making sure everything is as efficient as can be.

He said he feels there are now more people who are turning to vegan diets, but thinks farmers can help themselves by pushing positive messages.

“In my opinion a way to future proof the uplands of welsh farms, is by spreading the positive message of British farming,” he said.

“In recent years, with the growth of social media, the vegan campaign has increased, trying to persuade and push negative messages into public viewing.

“Even though the consumption of red meat and animal products is still constant, there is so much bad press surrounding farming.

“I really feel having strong engagement with the public is so crucial, and in every opportunity given as farmers we should promo te and showcase all the highlights of British farming.”

He says he is trying to “bridge the gap” between the lack of knowledge by engaging in an initiative called Farmer Time set up by LEAF.

Farmer time is a video call between a farmer and a classroom of primary school children, where they have a chance to ask farmers about what they do, and what farming involves.

“It‘s a great way to explain where food comes from, and make them understand what living in the countryside involves,” Mr Richards said.

“Even though In farming. we all feel time is against us, but taking 20 minutes every month or so can be extremely rewarding!

“Even just knowing that, one child might go home after school one night and deciding to eat a lamb chop for tea.”

The Hereford Times has been supporting farmers throughout the coronavirus pandemic with its #BackingHerefordshireFarming campaign.

There are also the Food and Farming Awards to celebrate the best of the best.

For more: Hereford Times Food & Farming Awards deadline extended to April 30