Hi, my name is Wynn Owen and I am the Hafod y Llan Farm Administrator. With the changes made over recent years in farming, more and more paper work is required to show stock movements, stocking levels, medical, ID records for welfare standards and budgeting.
It is my job to ensure that all this paperwork is properly administered. This is both a legal requirement and an aide to management for the farms financial sustainability and for the welfare of the distinct habitat of Snowdonia.
© NTPL / Joe Cornish
Harvest started - Tuesday 19 August
This summer like many of the last few, it has been very difficult to get the harvest started. At Hafod y Llan a lot of the grazing land requires (for conservation) stock to be kept off from early winter till late spring, forage is required for a long winter. Eventually the weather forecast showed 48 hours of dry weather, the local contractor got on with some of the silage before the rain returned.
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Gathering and sheering - Thursday 17 July
One of the main events of the farming calendar is taking place, when the sheep are gathered off the mountain for shearing. Neighbouring farmers, shepherds and their dogs start very early in the morning at the top and work down gathering sheep in front of them as the come down. Then local contractors move in to sheer the majority of the sheep. This year, it has been difficult dodging showers of rain. (Showers of rain in Snowdonia are heavy) Then they are treated for lameness, wounds and any internal or external parasites. They are also monitored for worms and are treated accordingly. The sheep are then sent back up the mountain until later in the summer.
Key member of staff takes maternity leave - May
To the Shepherd, his dogis the most valuable friend and help he can have.
With Hafod y Llan land on Snowdon extending to the top and covering 3000 acres, farming without good dogs would be impossible.
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