Claire Jones

Llanddewi-Brefi, Ceredigion

Claire Jones is a farmer who embraces change. Alongside her husband, Stephen, she is in her second year of producing milk, making the switch from beef and sheep farming. 

Keen to produce that milk in a way that is sustainable and which supports wildlife and nature, Claire tapped into the Farming Connect Mentor programme for advice and support from an established dairy farmer.

Pant Farm is now home to 140 cows, run on an extensive, spring-calving grazing system.

Transitioning to dairying was a means of future proofing the business for the next generation; the next step is to introduce regenerative farming techniques.

Claire was new to farming when she met and married Stephen and joined him on his family’s farm.

Born and raised in Ceredigion with no family background in agriculture, she started her career as a jeweller.

But Claire has embraced agriculture, absorbing herself into the general running of the farm, milking, operating machinery, grass measuring and the administration associated with the business.

As she looks to the future, plans include improving soil health, reducing fertiliser usage, growing more mixed leys and improving cow tracks to reduce herd lameness rates.

Acknowledging that challenges lay ahead for agriculture, Claire is keen to learn how small sustainable farms like Pant Farm can make an impact whilst being profitable.

The Agri Academy, she says, will help challenge her mindset and allow her to learn new skills to successfully develop the business.