A well-organised event that clearly brought together the energy and innovation within the Welsh farming community
On Friday the 13th of June the GWCT Wales team proudly attended the 2025 Da Byw conference at Coed Coch Farm, Dolwen near Abergele, a forward-thinking event that brought together farmers, land managers, researchers and conservationists to explore the future of Welsh farming.
The day began with a series of panel discussions covering crucial topics ranging from sustainable livestock production to family farm succession and the future of Welsh Agriculture, inviting discussion within the audience and taking in the opinions of the people working on the ground.
Following on from lunch the programme continued with a presentation by Micheal Blanche, whose engaging talk set the stage for the afternoon’s breakout sessions. Participants were divided into four smaller groups and taken on a guided tour of stations that had been set up across the estate, each hosted by an expert in their field.
Station 1 – Theory in Practice, led by Dr Allen Williams from Understanding AG, this station considered real-world applications of regenerative agriculture principles.
Station 2 – Building Soil, soil health and nutrient management were discussed by Joel Williams from Integrated Soils, highlighting some of the practical ways to improve and maintain soil vitality, whilst running a profitable farm.
Station 3 – Natural Capital, hosted by Dr Bill Hurditch of the Fifth Estate and Josh Heyneke from Regenerate Outcomes, this session examined the role of natural capital in land stewardship and ecosystem service delivery.
Station 4 – Knowing your numbers, with Rhys Williams from Coed Coch Farms Ltd, who provided guidance on farm financial planning and benchmarking to help farmers make informed and data driven decisions.
The GWCT Wales stand was ideally positioned at the entrance to the marquee where panel discussion were held, allowing the team to engage with a wide range of attendees throughout the day. The event provided a valuable opportunity to share information about GWCT’s research, conservation work and ongoing projects across Wales.
It was a privilege to take part in such a well-organised event that clearly brought together the energy and innovation within the Welsh farming community. The GWCT Wales team was pleased to connect with so many like-minded individuals, exchange ideas and contribute to the broader conversation around sustainable land use.