A farmer has been using his experience with smart sensor technology to help other farmers protect their water supply.
Dai Evershed, who returned to his family farm in Ceredigion in 2022, has been mentoring other farmers as part of the Farming Connect Mentoring programme.
He has been using LoRaWAN technology to monitor water supply and detect leaks at his 194-hectare farm near Clarach.
This has helped him safeguard the limited spring water supply for his farm.
Mr Evershed's knowledge and experience have been beneficial to his mentees, including Powys sheep farmer Aled Haynes.
Mr Haynes was keen to apply this technology to help protect his own water supply at Trefnant Isaf, Welshpool, and applied to Farming Connect to be mentored by Mr Evershed.
Mr Evershed said: "Aled's farm is similar to mine.
"When I visited, we had a walk around and discussed what needed doing."
He stressed that a mentor is not a consultant, but someone who helps mentees come up with solutions themselves.
"It's about encouraging the mentee to concentrate on what their goals are and what can be achieved," Mr Evershed explained.
Mr Haynes has since invested in two sensors, one which monitors water levels in the receiving tank and the other the flow rate.
This data will enable him to know how much excess water becomes available in the winter and therefore the extra capacity in the system for supply in the drier months.
Mr Evershed's innovative approach to water efficiency saw him named as runner-up in the Farming Connect Farm Innovator Award at the recent Lantra Cymru Awards 2024.
He is now a mentor to three farmers and believes that mentoring is a two-way exchange of ideas.
He said: "I have learned so much from the farmers I have mentored, it is very much a two-way thing, an exchange of ideas.
"It is a brilliant way for me to see different farming systems and, as someone who is relatively new to farming, that has been very beneficial."
For Mr Haynes, the opportunity to discuss some of his ideas with Mr Evershed has been very beneficial for him personally and his business.
He said: "Every situation is different so having someone come to the farm, to have a look at the set-up and to bounce ideas off, is really worthwhile."
With a big range of potential mentors with different areas of expertise listed in the Farming Connect Mentoring directory, Mr Haynes encourages others to take up the opportunity and capitalise on that wealth of knowledge.
Share