The Young Farmers Award 2006
The 2006/7 Master of the Welsh Livery
Guild, Keith Arnold presents Richard Lewis with the Welsh Livery Guild
Young Farmers Award 2006
Through their charitable work, the Welsh Livery Guild has given many people
the opportunity to travel and study.
In 2006 the Welsh Livery Guild have for the first year supported a Welsh young
farmer with an award of £1,000 for displaying a passion for agriculture.
It was established to support a Welsh young farmer who showed enthusiasm for agriculture and farming and would benefit most from this award, so that he or she could further develop his or herself, be it through personal investment in training or investment in a project they are developing.
A panel of judges, included representatives from the Welsh Livery Guild and Wales YFC, interviewed three finalists.
The judges were incredibly impressed with the calibre of the applicants, all of whom showed enthusiasm and passion for the agricultural industry through their thoughtful and well planned business ideas related to home farm and individual enterprises.
After tough deliberation the panel came to the
conclusion that Richard Lewis from Upper North Farm, Trefgarne, would benefit
most from the £1000 reward to further develop his business.
Richard Lewis
Winner of the 2006 Welsh Livery Guild Young Farmers Award
Although his parents were not farming, Richard, 26, a member at Keystone YFC in
Pembrokeshire, developed an interest in agriculture on his grandparents’
smallholding.
While completing his HNC in agriculture, Richard started his first job as assistant
herdsman for a 400-cow dairy herd.
He used the money earned to set up in partnership with his mother and brother
and purchased six ewes which were grazed in a small paddock outside his home.
The number increased to over 20 ewes as further land was rented.
Richard told the judges that at that time, he also trained as a cattle foot
trimmer and gave up his herdsman’s job to concentrate on this. At this time he
also undertook relief milking at various farms.
After working for Genus and becoming qualified, Richard was able to set up his
own foot trimming business and through demand from the large dairy herds found
in Pembrokeshire, he was able to purchase his own handling equipment and has
consequently built up a large client base.
Richard was able to rent land and further expand on his sheep flock, when an
opportunity arose where he said that he persuaded a farmer who had gone out of
dairy production to allow him to take his sheep over winter on the farmers
land. They later rented the 100-acre farm and with the extra land built up a
flock of 300 ewes and 90 cattle.
Last September they purchased Upper North Hill Farm, a 108-acre holding. His
brother had since married and was no longer involved in the farm. Ewe numbers
had been increased to 600 and Richard is also rearing beef calves.
Richard still foot trims six days a week, he hopes that he can maximize his
time available for foot trimming by creating an easy care flock that will lamb
outside in April. He is also looking to develop the cattle side of the farm.
The Master (2006) of the Welsh Livery Guild, Keith Arnold commented “We
received 10 strong entries from all over Wales for the Award, each of which
clearly highlighted a passion for their industry. Richard story is a truly
inspiration case, his dedication to farming is quite humbling and I hope that
receiving this award can encourage more young people to actively choose to
become farmers with confidence!’
The Master and Deputy Master (for
the year 2006/7) on the farm with Richard and Pete Smith
Chair of rural affairs Welsh Young Farmers Association.