- Location:
- Vale of Glamorgan
- Sector:
- Beef, Diversification, Sheep
- Specialism:
- Administration and Paperwork, Animal Health and Welfare, Benchmarking, Business Management and Planning, Direct Selling, Grassland Management, Innovation, Marketing
Why Katie-Rose would be an effective mentor
- Award-winning farmer, respected college lecturer and passionate advocate for farming with nature and the environment, Katie-Rose Pugh is helping to shape the future of Welsh agriculture both on the farm and in academia. Combining practical farming experience with a talent for inspiring and educating others, she brings a fresh, forward-thinking perspective to every challenge while remaining firmly grounded in commercial reality.
- Katie-Rose and her husband run a 1,500-acre hill farm in the Ogmore Valley, with land rising to 1,850 feet above sea level. Their business includes around 750 South Wales Mountain ewes and a 45-cow Stabiliser beef herd, managed through a low-input, grass-based system designed to maximise efficiency while enhancing environmental sustainability.
- In 2019, the couple replaced their pedigree Welsh Black herd with Stabiliser cattle. Using genomics and hybrid vigour, they have developed a herd of fertile, efficient cows ideally suited to challenging upland conditions. Renowned for calving ease, excellent maternal traits and reduced carbon emissions, the breed demonstrates that profitable livestock production and environmental responsibility can work hand in hand.
- Diversification has also played a key role in strengthening the business. Katie-Rose established the Bwlch Mountain Lamb boxed meat enterprise, creating a valuable direct-selling income stream while building closer relationships with consumers and promoting high-quality Welsh lamb and beef.
- Innovation underpins every aspect of the farm. In 2025, Katie-Rose secured funding to introduce ‘NoFence’ virtual collar technology, using GPS-based livestock management to improve grazing efficiency, enhance biodiversity, support soil health and further strengthen animal welfare standards. Her willingness to embrace new technology while carefully measuring business performance reflects her belief that continuous improvement is essential for resilient farming businesses.
- She has received numerous prestigious farming and teaching awards and continues to hold several influential leadership roles within Welsh agriculture. Her ability to explain complex ideas clearly, encourage confidence and motivate others makes her an engaging and highly effective mentor who will offer realistic, supportive guidance.
Current farm business
- 1,500-acre hill farm, rising to 1,850 ft above sea level
- 45 Stabiliser beef herd
- 750 South Wales Mountain ewes with a small flock of 100 South Country Cheviots
- Extensive hill grazing mixed with herbal leys to promote biodiversity and resilience.
- Bwlch Mountain Lamb/Beef boxed meat enterprise
Achievements/ experience
- 2025 – Future Farmers of Wales Award
- 2025 - Dai Davies Industry Impact Award
- 2025 – Arwain DGC Ambassador
- 2025 - Beef Farmer of The Year - British Farming Awards
- 2025 - Attended Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace (contributions towards education in agriculture)
- 2025 - ‘Farming Woman of the Year’- National Women in Agriculture Awards 2025
- 2025 - Glamorgan NFU Chairman
- 2025 - LFA Board Delegate Glamorgan
- 2025 to date - Farming Connect Agrisgôp leader
- 2024 - FE Lecturer of the Year 2024 (Professional Teaching Awards Cymru)
- 2024 - Pearson National Teaching Award (Silver)
- 2023 - NFU Cymru Woman Farmer of The Year
Top tips for business success
“Benchmark your business, monitor performance and use reliable data to guide management decisions.”
“Be open to new ideas, technologies and different ways of farming. Small changes, introduced for the right reasons, can make a significant difference to both profitability and sustainability.”