Beef & Sheep Group

After three years of not seeing many people, the Nuffield Beef and Sheep Group were very pleased to join with Nuffield Cymru for two days of visits to three very enterprising young farmers, and us. Our proposed gathering date was postponed for a couple of weeks out of respect for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Ian and Bridget Howie were unable to make the second date so conducted their own mini tour and we were very glad to host them.

It was really good to meet up after so long and we were encouraged by the number of prospective Nuffield Scholars who came along on both days Not everyone was able to make the two days, but some did and it was very interesting to catch up with old friends and meet some new faces. We were so glad that Aled Griffiths who has had a very challenging time over the last twelve months or so, made the huge effort to attend. With Ian and Aled, we had Nuffield Royalty along, not forgetting Mike Evans and Rees Roberts of course!

Iwan Vaughan, Nuffield Cymru Chair, has written a good round up in his report of the farms we visited, but other than our place it was really encouraging to see such enthusiasm and drive from the three other young farmers we visited. Both Rhidian Glyn at Rhiwgriafol, and Marc Jones at Trefnant Hall are tenants on their beef and sheep farms. Morgan Tudor, after losing his father tragically at just 17 stepped up to run the newly established forage based dairy herd back in 2020. We saw some top notch forage management on what must be one of the most challenging years in most people’s memory. We are very grateful to all of our hosts for their openness and how they see the challenges and opportunities for our future. This will be my last report as Chair and I would like to thank everyone for their help, advice and support with the Beef and Sheep Group, particularly Arwyn Owen who will now take over the reins. The group will now be looking for a new vice chair so if you are interested, please get in touch with Arwyn. Best wishes to you all and despite the many challenges, I believe that the grazing of livestock will have a huge role to play in the future, saving the planet, enhancing the environment and feeding the ever growing population.

John Yeomans NSch 2006