Last week I represented NFU Energy at the Innovation and Diversification Wales show at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells. This was a new event staged by Farming Connect, an organisation providing Farm and Forestry businesses across Wales with business support and training. Although a relatively small show, taking place over a single day, there was a good number of exhibitors and a packed seminar programme, with speakers covering a range of topics throughout the day.

Arriving in Builth Wells on the Wednesday evening after a slow and winding journey through Mid Wales, it was straight down to business setting up the stand up so that I was ready for the following morning. After a good night’s rest, it was a short walk back to the exhibition hall to be ready for the doors to open to the public at 10.00 am. We had a great position for our stand, right by the main entrance and on the main thoroughfare. So, it wasn’t long before a steady stream of farming visitors were passing by and taking an interest.

Early on, interest seemed to be focussed on solar, wind and even hydro generation, which resulted in a number of feasibility study enquiries. Contract sales and the Buying Group also proved popular throughout the day. With a majority of visitors being NFU members and a number admitting they were out of contract and on standard variable rates, our service offering here was well received. Midway through the morning, I was visited by Lauri and Bronwyn from the NFU Cymru office, they were a great help and bought NFU Wales goodies with them as giveaways on the stand… Which was very handy as shortly before lunch, what seemed like most of Wales College students descended on the show and proceeded to hoover up any and all giveaways on offer. The NFU Cymru carrier bags especially came in really useful for them! John Davies, NFU Cymru President came and visited late morning, along with a professional interest in NFU Energy, John also has an interest in our buying groups, so this was a great opportunity for us to showcase our service offering.

The afternoon bought enquiries from a number of established Anaerobic Digester, Biomass and Combined Heat and Power owners who we already knew but it was another opportunity to promote our services and support. Altogether this was an interesting and productive day out of the office. An opportunity to meet and introduce NFU Energy to a few more members of the Agricultural sector, to a few more NFU members, as well as an opportunity to spend a little time with NFU Cymru colleagues. It was a busy show and one worth having a presence in the future.

Thank you to everyone involved and to those who came to say hi during the day. If you would like more information with anything mentioned in this blog please give me a call on 024 7669 6512.