Sean Jeffreys

Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire

Brought up in Swansea in a single parent household, Sean Jeffreys’s journey into agriculture is not that of a typical young farmer. Now living in Llandeilo, Sean was fortunate to be able to experience a taste of rural life on his grandparents’ small holding. There, surrounded by the rugged landscape of the Gwendraeth Valley and a flock of pedigree Badger Face Welsh Mountain sheep, Sean’s interest in agriculture was ignited. 

Determined to pursue a career in the industry, Sean went on to gain work experience on farms in South Wales and across the border alongside his studies before attending Harper Adams University, where he served as Harper Cymru chairman. 

Now, with a degree in Agriculture with Marketing and a desire to strengthen the red meat industry, Sean works on the Hill Ram Scheme facilitating long-term genetic improvements in the Welsh sheep sector through performance recording. 

With a desire to climb up the farming ladder in his own right, having historically been involved in his grandparents’ business, Sean has recently started his own business. 

Still in its early days, the business will produce finished lambs and ewe lambs suitable for breeding. He is currently rearing dairy cross beef calves along the sheep enterprise for the first time. If successful, Sean would like to expand on this income stream but is mindful to weigh up its advantages and disadvantages. 

Supplementing the business, Sean also dedicates time to relief milking as a means of injecting capital into the business and despite having a positive outlook, he does identify some challenges and areas that require work, such as addressing soil indexes and grassland management. 

“Being part of the Business & Innovation Programme, I hope to develop the skills and knowledge required to continue growing my business. Due to my path in agriculture, I have not been exposed to some of the natural processes and experiences of running an agricultural business. Therefore, I look forward to networking with people to learn, gain support and inspiration.”