A talk which should interest not only farmers but all people interested in wildlife is to take place next week.

It has been organised by the Isle of Man’s Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.

The speaker will be the current holder of the Silver Lapwing award, Iwan Davies of Glasfryn, Cerrigydrudion, Wales.

The prize is given to commercial farmers who protect and enhance the countryside in which they farm, demonstrating how high-quality food production exists hand-in-hand with sound environmental management.

The local equivalent of the award, FWAG’S Bronze Chough award, will be going to Wales next year to represent the island and to compete for the big prize.

The holders of the Bronze Chough award are Rob and David Cooil, who farm at Ballagawne near Ballabeg next year.

The award is sponsored by Jacksons.

At Hafod y Maidd, Iwan and family have embraced the integration of producing sustainable, quality meat while protecting the environmental needs of the farm and creating new habitats.

Hafod y Maidd is a beef and sheep enterprise, is mainly grassland but with a substantial area of root crops grown annually. Luing cattle are kept, these a hardy native breed based on Shorthorn crossed with Highland cattle, originating from the Isle of Luing, Scotland.

Beef is sold direct from the farm with their catering business, Eidion Luing Cymreig-Welsh Luing Beef, selling cooked beef at food festivals, weddings, eisteddfodau and various other events.

The sheep kept are a flock of pedigree Penderyn.

The farm is currently in the Glastir Advanced agri-environment scheme and was previously in the Tir Gofal wholefarm scheme.

A few years ago, through the helpful advice of their local RSPB Cymru officer, in excess of 15 ‘lapwing scrapes’ were created around some of the wet, rushcovered areas of the farm.

They cut and clear designated strips of rushes annually so that lapwing chicks can roam while they still have cover to hand.

Tractor work is halted on these areas from May until August, while sheep are also removed during these crucial times to create conditions conducive to ground nesting bird breeding.

While he is in the Isle of Man, Iwan will meet the Cooils and Anna Kerruish, who farms in Maughold and who has also been awarded a Bronze Chough.

He will also meet members of the Manx National Farmers’ Union and representatives from the Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture.

The talk will be held at the Creg ny Baa pub from 7pm on Tuesday, December 12.

It is open to the public.

Paul Fletcher of FWAG in the Isle of Man said: ‘The talk is an opportunity for farmers and lovers of wildlife to hear what other farmers are doing.

‘The Isle of Man has some brilliant biodiversity.’

He said that farmers grow their crops and produce good food while respecting nature.

It would be good to get together to hear an expert.

‘Every day is a school day,’ Paul said. ‘It’s an opportunity for knowledge transfer.’