Lantra Awards 2025

Welsh farmer Mr Irwedd Griffiths of Nantygochel, Dolwen, Abergele, is the winner of the Lantra Wales 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contribution to Welsh agricultural training services. 

For more than four decades, hugely popular beef and sheep farmer Mr Griffiths, has been a driving force in professionalising and modernising the land-based skills sector throughout Wales, supporting farmers, foresters and horticulturists to gain the training, qualifications and confidence they need to work safely, efficiently and sustainably. 

A former member of Betws yn Rhos YFC and later county chairman of Clwyd YFC, Mr Griffiths has long championed the importance of equipping farmers with practical skills and the self-belief to utilise them on family farms and in the workplace.

Since taking over Grwp Hyfforddi Bro Gele in 1983, and later Grwp Hyfforddi Bro Hiraethog, both former Agricultural Training Boards (ATBs), Mr Grifiths has provided accessible, high-quality training, through his teams of professional trainers, who for over 40 years have delivered hundreds of accredited courses, ranging from practical machinery handling and land management to essential business and health and safety courses.

Acknowledged as one of the leading independent training providers in North Wales where his company is based, Mr Griffiths has built up an impressive client list which includes Farming Connect, Lantra Wales, the National Trust, several councils and many other clients throughout Wales.   

Mr Griffiths’ commitment, problem-solving approach and deep understanding of farming life has helped support generations of learners, of all ages and from various farming sectors, strengthening countless rural businesses.

Kevin Thomas, Director of Lantra Wales, said that Mr Griffiths was the unanimous choice for this year’s award, and thanked him for the outstanding contribution he has made to transforming not only the job prospects and earning power of so many trainees, but for giving them the support and confidence to put their newly-learned skills into practice for their own personal development and for the wider benefit of Welsh agriculture. 

The Brynle Williams Memorial Award 2025 has been awarded to Ynyr Pugh, an exceptionally able and focused young farmer well-deserving of this prestigious accolade.

Raised in a farming community in Mid Wales, Ynyr developed his passion for agriculture from an early age, inspired by helping his grandfather and through involvement with the YFC. After studying Agriculture at Coleg Glynllifon and Aberystwyth University, he spent six seasons shearing in New Zealand and worked on farms in Norway and France. In Wales, he ran his own contract shearing business and worked as an agricultural contractor.

Thanks to hard work, determination and support by Farming Connect’s Start to Farm service, Ynyr is now a business partner on a 600-acre farm in the Dyfi Valley. Working closely with the Ryder family who had no family members interested in taking it over but wanted to avoid stepping away completely, Ynyr has taken the lead on implementing numerous key changes to improve both productivity and resilience. He credits the knowledge and confidence gained through engaging with a range of Farming Connect support services and training courses, including Farming Connect's ‘Prosper from Pasture’ programme.

Strategic improvements introduced by Ynyr include transitioning livestock breeds, increasing stocking rates, introducing rotational grazing and developing an environmental infrastructure which are together driving the business towards a sustainable, regenerative future.

Ynyr, an Agri Academy participant in 2025, is a vocal advocate for continuing professional development, which he says has helped him achieve his lifelong dream of a career that involves not only practical, hands-on farming, but strategic management decisions too.    
 

Dylan Jones is the third generation to farm at his family’s 800-acre beef and arable system on Anglesey. Representing the best of sustainable agriculture, his award-winning farm business is a proven success story, finishing 1,600 top quality cattle annually on a self-sufficient, low carbon model.

Dylan is clearly not only innovative but commercially astute too. In 2016 he changed his family’s former beef and sheep system, successfully overcoming the core challenge of balancing environmental goals with profitability. He now runs a sustainable, self-sufficient beef and arable enterprise; has halved his use of chemical fertiliser and doubled the kg ratio of carcass weight per acre.

“Dylan represents the best of modern farming, using his farm for collaborative trials with Farming Connect to develop evidence-based improvements for the wider industry.  

“His achievements serve as a powerful, practical benchmark for sustainable agriculture, making him an outstanding winner of the Farm Innovator Award.”  

Jâms Morgan helps run his family’s predominantly dairy farm where he oversees day-to-day herd and flock management, renewable energy operations, industrial lets and the farm’s ongoing development. 

Passionate about innovation, he is developing a drone-based system to measure sward health and density, using LoRaWAN connectivity. Together with two farming friends, the trio turn weekly grassland assessments into accurate, automated data that will influence future forage decisions. His goal is to move from reactive to proactive decision-making through increased on-farm monitoring and carbon-focused grazing management.

Jâms enjoys working with schools through Farmer Time, speaking to children about the farming year and is a keen member of both the NFU NextGen group and Just Farmers. His long term aim is to grow the dairy herd, build an efficient grazing platform and continue trialling technology that supports profitable, sustainable production.

“Jâms combines practical skills with genuine innovation, showing leadership, curiosity and commitment, a deserving runner-up of the Farm Innovation Award.”

Raised on family farms, Roger and Dyddanwy have built a progressive beef and sheep enterprise rooted in teamwork. Committed to continuous improvement, the couple manage a spring-calving Limousin and Aberdeen Angus-cross herd alongside Texel-cross ewes, combining their strong practical skills with a readiness to embrace new ideas. As part of Farming Connect’s ‘Our Farms’ network, they have shifted from organic to higher-stocking, non-organic production while trialling innovative practices that are strengthening resilience.

Projects to date include introducing herbal leys including deep-rooting chicory and plantain to combat summer droughts, testing biological inputs to reduce chemical reliance and successfully outwintering cattle on fodder beet to cut wintering and labour costs. Close collaboration with expert advisers and universities has also helped improve lamb performance, soil health and parasite management.

“Roger and Dyddanwy’s combined commitment, courage to trial new approaches to improve sustainability and their focus on learning made them stand out as highly commended Innovators of the Year.”                     

Angharad Gwillim is a progressive young farmer who manages 130 North Country Cheviot ewes and a flock of commercial Welsh ewes with her partner James, while also supporting her family’s larger flock and suckler herd. A trainee accountant, she approaches farming with a clear philosophy of building a high-health flock by expanding numbers sustainably to drive profitable, efficient systems.

Committed to continuous learning, Angharad has completed Farming Connect’s Master of Medicines course, gained her dipping licence, and regularly attends Animal Health & Welfare workshops, putting new knowledge into practice immediately. 

She has been instrumental in identifying and managing issues such as Johne’s disease and toxoplasmosis, improving scanning rates from 125% to 175%, and strengthening flock resilience through rotational grazing, targeted worm control and hard culling decisions.

“Angharad is a deserving winner of this award, demonstrating outstanding commitment to flock health, rapid uptake of best practice, and a proactive, evidence-based approach that sets an exceptional standard.”

Julie Ayers manages a diverse flock of 160 Dorset, Ryeland and East Friesian ewes across 65 acres. Julie prioritises the highest standards of animal health and welfare while managing grassland efficiently and diversifying the business to generate new income streams in readiness for her student son Rob to return home to the farm, where he will be the fifth generation.

A strong advocate of CPD, Julie regularly attends Farming Connect workshops and applies new knowledge to improve flock health, productivity and performance. Blood testing identified cobalt deficiencies, leading to targeted bolusing, while close work with local vets has introduced more effective worming and Faecal Egg Count (FEC) planning. 

Blending tradition with innovation, Julie launched the farm’s appropriately named ‘5th Gen’ sheep-milk gin in 2025 and plans to expand into other areas too. 

“Julie’s enthusiasm and willingness to apply best practice make her an exceptional advocate for animal health and welfare and a worthy winner of this runner up award.”

Allan Walton runs a small, closed herd of suckler cattle and 125 mainly homebred ewes, prioritising animal health and welfare. By maintaining a closed herd, he minimises disease risks. He keeps stock at a manageable number to ensure high-quality care.

A regular attendee at Farming Connect animal health workshops, Allan puts his learning into practice, implementing strategies such as quarantining, performing blood and fertility testing, scanning cows, separating thin ewes for targeted feeding and using faecal egg counts to identify the most effective drench, always aiming to reduce flock stress and minimise costs.  

Allan is committed to exploring better ways to care for his animals, from the latest foot-bathing techniques to considering boluses to ensure all cattle get essential supplements. Always keen to learn, he enjoys discussing challenges with experts and other farmers to improve his management regimes.

“Allan’s proactive approach and hands-on commitment to animal health and welfare make him a worthy winner of this Highly Commended award.”    

Naomi and her partner Richard own Nevern Valley Veg (Llysiau Cwm Nyfer) a ten-acre market garden and conservation site in north Pembrokeshire. Specialising in growing vegetables, herbs and flowers naturally, the couple use a minimal till method, avoiding use of herbicides or pesticides. 

Over the last three years they have planted over 1,000 trees and new hedgerows, created a wildflower meadow, wildlife ponds and barn owl habitat while also maintaining three acres of wet alder woodland. 

By commercially growing vegetables and herbs interspersed with flower beds, compost heaps, ponds and beetle banks, they have created a home for pollinators within a sustainable ecological environment. 

“Naomi and Richard have enhanced biodiversity, improved soil health and developed a wildlife haven in the heart of the Nevern Valley. 
“Their focus on continuing professional development, commitment to sustainable land management and active engagement with their local community, make them worthy winners of this award.”

In 2022, Becky and Sean Davies established River Meadow Flower Farm - a commercial diversification venture, on a south-facing hillside at the beef and sheep farm which has been Sean’s family for seven generations.

Specialising in growing a wide range of perennials, biennials and hardy annuals, in addition to a popular ‘pick your own’ patch and recently planted ‘peony field’, the business now supplies flowers and foliage for bouquets, weddings and funeral arrangements. A popular visitor destination, Becky also hosts tours, talks and flower workshops.  

Their seasonally grown flowers are available from April to September. No peat is used, and the flowers, sold mainly locally, literally do not ‘cost the earth’.  

“This couple have created a successful model that proves commercial horticulture, and environmental best practice can flourish side by side. 

“This is sustainable horticulture at its best, with the ‘slow-farming’ approach protecting soil health and biodiversity - a deserving runner-up for the horticulture award.”  

Haydn Evans is an experienced mentor whose trademark is his ‘whole farm’ approach. Haydn’s wealth of business and financial knowledge gained through his previous banking career and calm, reassuring manner, proves invaluable when supporting farmers who often approach him when faced with difficult business challenges.

Beyond practical tasks such as scrutinising profitability, cash flow, and lending propositions, Haydn is also adept at facilitating discussions on issues such as succession planning and diversification proposals. His support often extends to the mental health challenges many farmers experience, and his balanced approach has proved transformational for many farmers needing to build resilience and effective communication within farm businesses.

“Haydn’s ability to build trust and confidence enables him to provide valuable support to farmers often facing significant challenges, ranging from financial restructuring and tenancy disputes to legal or regulatory compliance and milk contracts. He has proved to be an outstanding mentor, a deserving winner of this award.”  

Gwenan’s mentoring service equips Welsh farmers with the confidence and practical skills to stay compliant, improve efficiency, and manage mandatory digital records. Since September 2023, she has supported an exceptional 355 farmers, offering hands-on guidance with IT systems, digital compliance, control of agricultural pollution (CoAP) workbooks and risk-mapping for nutrient management planning. By breaking down complex requirements into clear, manageable steps, she demystifies regulatory requirements to ensure farmers to understand not only what to do, but why it matters. 

Her reassuring approach enables farmers to become self-reliant. She signposts essential resources, highlights potential pitfalls, and shares her own experience of using the digital platforms vital for safety, traceability, and day-to-day farm assurance. Gwenan’s practical, ‘learning by doing’ support enables farmers to complete mandatory digital tasks correctly at the first attempt and to handle compliance with growing confidence.

“Gwenan stands out for her exceptional impact, clarity of guidance, and unwavering commitment to making digital compliance achievable for every farmer.”

Despite not coming from a farming background, Aaron Buckingham is a successful, well-respected dairy farm manager, leading a team of six colleagues in a demanding spring block calving system, milking around 700 cows daily.

Aaron is committed to continuous learning, developing his knowledge and applying the highest standards across the farm. He has gained technical expertise in DIY artificial insemination, cattle scanning, foot trimming, grass measuring and staff management, driving improvements in both herd performance and farm profitability.

Through implementing best practice, high animal health and welfare standards, more efficient grazing management, and strong team organisation, Aaron has already delivered measurable benefits to the business.

Highly respected by his colleagues, he also supports the development of others, regularly hosting hands-on training courses on the farm.

“Aaron’s exceptional commitment to ongoing learning, his leadership skills, and achievements in strengthening farm performance make him a truly deserving Farming Connect Learner of the Year.”

Dan Jones is a tenant farmer for the National Trust, grazing 700 breeding ewes on the Great Orme, Llandudno. A champion of sustainable farming and conservation, through targeted grazing, Dan enhances the biodiversity of this internationally important limestone grassland, balancing livestock management with environmental stewardship. 

Each year, Dan engages with thousands of visitors, schools, and local communities to explain the vital role farming plays in shaping and caring for the landscape, while producing high-quality food.

Alongside running the farm, Dan has pursued long-distance learning with Aberystwyth University’s IBERS research and teaching institute, in livestock nutrition, livestock production science, and sustainable supply systems, applying his studies directly to improve decision-making on the farm. A Nuffield scholar, Dan’s future aim is to develop a rural consultancy specialising in conservation grazing and upland farming best practice.

“Dan’s commitment to sustainable farming, public engagement, and continuous learning makes him an outstanding runner-up for Farming Connect’s Learner of the Year award.”

At just 18, Freddy Tewson Green has already demonstrated exceptional commitment to agriculture and the wider rural economy, earning him a Highly Commended award in this year’s Farming Connect Learner of the Year awards. A first-year student at Harper Adams University studying Rural Enterprise and Land Management, Freddy combines his academic studies with hands-on experience at the family farm and neighbouring holdings.

He has completed several Farming Connect and Lantra Wales courses, including chainsaw operation, windblown tree management and dry-stone walling, applying these skills to real-world challenges caused by extreme weather. At home, Freddy works across a mixed farming system, helping manage Hereford cattle, sheep and woodland management, and has recently taken the initiative to establish his own sheep enterprise.

“Freddy’s enthusiasm, practical skillset and clear ambition to develop a career in estate and land management mark him out as an outstanding young learner with huge potential for the future of agriculture.”