Caeadda

David J Shaw

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Hill Farmers of the Dyfi Valley - Machynlleth - Wales - 2024

Driving out to his mountain farm in the Dyfi Valley, John Pughe is on the lookout for holly branches. Cutting the holly to be used by market traders for Christmas gifts, John is always looking out for extra income. He and his farm-trained son, Alwyn, rear sheep and cattle over steep rocky hills following the generational family tradition.

The valley has an industrial history, with slate mining being predominant in the 1800s to early 1900s. Alongside this, hill farming has been another staple industry in the area, with long standing farming dynasties tending livestock in the hills of the valley for generations.

‘Caeadda’ explores the community of upland hill farmers in the Dyfi Valley area of Wales, examining tradition, identity and family. It follows the Pughe family including Dafydd, the brother of John, who has three children of which one daughter plans to have her own farm. For both farmer and livestock, their lives on the land are generational and farming is a significant part of their identity.

Upland farms face challenges from recent policy changes: the ‘Basic Payment Scheme’ is to be replaced by the ‘Sustainable Farming Scheme’ which requires 10% of land to be woodland and habitat, which is difficult in high-altitude areas. Additionally, new inheritance tax rules on agricultural assets over £1 million may further strain small family farms.

Some farmers however are reacting to these changes through modern and progressive techniques. Rhidian Glyn, John and Dafydd’s nephew, has studied agriculture at university and now runs a successful farm where he uses data and selective breeding to produce profitable results. The next generation of farmers inheriting the traditional lifestyle, are also learning to be sustainable in a changing world order and environmental landscape.

Caeadda, which translates to ‘Adam’s Field’ in Welsh, is the name of the farm where this family grew up (or are the descendants of previous custodians) and the community have a deep and personal relationship with these hills. The land, way of life and knowledge has been passed down through the generations. They will manage it with care until it’s time for the next cohort to start their guardianship.

Upland (hill) farmers working in the hills of the Dyfi Valley lead a life of hard work. Alongside constantly battling the elements tending livestock in tough terrain, they are also vulnerable to economic difficulties and a farm's success is never certain.

Some upland farmers are being negatively affected by the changes to the Basic Payment Scheme, an annual grant to farmers. Now they have to have 10% of their land as habitat and woodland to receive the grant which is often unsuitable for hill farms.

Alongside these changes to government funding, new UK inheritance tax rules put further pressure on small family farms.

Dafydd Pughe, the elder brother of John, lives on Caeadda Farm which has been in the family for seven generations.

Mairwen and Willie Pughe were manning the farm up until the 1980s when their elder son Dafydd, gradually took over. They brought up four children Gwen, Dafydd, Rwth and John on the farm.

Heledd is Dafydd’s eldest daughter. She was brought up on Caeadda farm and during the pandemic her boyfriend Aron moved in and they all collectively worked on the farm. Heledd is not going into farming and is currently training to become a paramedic. Despite this she feels very lucky to have had the upbringing she has had and enjoys helping on the farm.

Catrin is Dafydd’s younger daughter and has recently finished studying agriculture at university and aims to one day follow the family trade and have her own farm.

Allt Ddu’ house where David Griffiths - Dafydd, John, Rwth and Gwen’s grandfather lived as a child. He would walk approximately two miles over steep hills through Morben farm to get to school and back everyday.

John whose second name is Pughe, is often referred to as John ‘Morben’ which is the name of his farm. Traditionally farmers’ were referred to as the name of the farm as their second name.

Dafydd Pughe (left) with his brother John and his son Alwyn, reading the results after a day scanning ewes for pregnancy. The community is tight-knit and often assist each other with the bigger jobs.

Dolgellau farmers market where sheep and cattle are brought to be sold at auction to other farmers from the surrounding hills. John works here as an animal wrangler and is well known and popular amongst his farming colleagues.

Rhidian Glyn, who is John and Dafydd’s nephew, leases Rhiwgriafol farm which he is converting from a traditional sheep farm to a dairy farm. Rhidian has won national awards recognising his innovation.

Rhidian is the descendent of generations of sheep farmers, has recently converted the farm from a traditional sheep rearing farm to a dairy farm. He has built a new start of the art milking parlour on his farm. In the next photos, Rhidian measures the length and nutrients in his fields so he knows where best to feed his cattle.

Rhidian will not be affected by the basic payment scheme change as his land (on the left) has been left as natural heath. Many farmers will not be able to change their land to the requirements demanded by the new scheme.

Despite the challenges this farming community face, their dedication to the land, animals and community in unchanging. The farmers feel proud of their heritage and identity, and proud to continue the lifestyle they inherited where they battle the elements and constant stress to provide food that feeds the nation.

The next generation of farmers in the Dyfi Valley are adapting and changing their practise. Although not necessarily in a traditional way, as long as one child from each family continue to farm, their legacy continues. They are guardians of a way of life, as well as the land that was handed down to them.