Cerys Mai Jenkins

Llanddowror, Carmarthenshire 

From the day she met her first cow when she was just a few weeks old, Cerys Mai has been passionate about farming and livestock.

Now aged 17, she has pedigree Jersey cows of her own on the family farm at Great Bishops Court under the prefix, Dyfroedd Jerseys. 

Cerys Mai divides her time between studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Science at Hartpury College and spending time at home on the farm where the family produce milk, beef, and lamb.
“Seeing how certain things such as TB affects farmers, my family and I included, I decided to study a course relevant to this to ensure I can help make a difference in the future,’’ she says.

Cerys Mai also enjoys exhibiting cattle in the show ring, showing pedigree Beef Shorthorns and Herefords, and plans to one day do the same with her own cows and potentially exhibit sheep too.

A talented sportswoman, having played a number of sports throughout her life, it is cricket that is her greatest love. After playing at a high level for a few years, injury forced her to retire from the sport but she is still actively involved, as team scorer for Cresselly 1st XV for the second consecutive season.

As she looks to the future, Cerys Mai hopes to study for a degree in agriculture and animal science or veterinary biosciences and to have her own farming business at home with her family.

As a member of the Agri Academy Junior Programme, she is eager to learn more about farming systems in Wales and overseas, putting this knowledge to use in her education and family farming business.

She also plans to use it as a platform to encourage more young people to follow her lead.