Generous farmers in Brecon & Radnor auctioned off ewes to raise £4,081 for those in financial difficulty in the farming sector.

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution’s Brecon & Radnor committee launched the ‘Bring a Broker to Market’ initiative during the last week of October – with farmers donating a broker or cull ewe, which is no longer fit for breeding, to their local market and the proceeds going to RABI.

All the livestock markets in Brecon and Radnor took part in the scheme. Linda Jones, RABI’s regional manager for Wales, said: “Our volunteers worked extremely hard on this campaign and we are very grateful for their commitment and dedication to our welfare work in Brecon & Radnor. We’re also extremely grateful to the farmers who donated animals in order to help others.

“The money raised might help fund a relief worker for a farmer who is ill, or it might provide specialist equipment to someone who has had an accident or is disabled. This year we have already given out grants of more than £25,000 to farming people in Brecon & Radnor.”

Hugh Davies, treasurer of the Brecon & Radnor RABI committee and a NFU Mutual agent in Builth Wells, came up with the idea for the scheme. He said: “All the auctioneers in Brecon & Radnor waived their fees and this initiative shows how the farming community can pull together when there is a need.”

Elaine Stephens, vice-chair of the Brecon & Radnor RABI committee, added: “We were overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity shown to us at all the markets we attended. RABI helps many farming families in Brecon & Radnor every year and it is wonderful to be able to give something back. We also hope that we’ve shown people what help is available to farming families and they can summon the courage to call our confidential helpline 0808 2819490.”