Gwyndaf Thomas

Meidrim, Carmarthenshire

Gwyndaf Thomas grew up on the family dairy farm in Meidrim, Carmarthenshire.  When he was reading for a BSc in Agriculture at Aberystwyth University, Gwyndaf’s family suffered a devastating blow – losing his dad after a tragic accident. He decided he had no option but to cancel his plans for travelling and working overseas and after graduating, returned home.

Working alongside his mother and brother as partners in the farm, they carried on with the business model already in place, with an all-year round calving, flying herd. They grew the business in size and scope, establishing two dairy units. However, recognising that their system left them exposed to milk price volatility, Gwyndaf moved to an autumn block calving herd with the emphasis on producing milk from grazed grass.

Today, Gwyndaf combines dairy farming with family duties and says much of his time is taken up ferrying his four children to their various after-school activities, but he also manages to help out at his local Penybont YFC.

He feels strongly that it’s the duty of all farmers to inform people about the importance of agriculture, where food comes from and to counteract negativity from the doom mongers who generally associate farming ‘news’ with poor weather, disease outbreaks or low prices.

“I hope that by being part of this year’s Rural Leadership Programme, I will have the new networks and skills I need to speak up on behalf of our industry, promoting agriculture as a good career choice, not only for those born into it, but from other young people from different backgrounds.