16 February 2026
Ynyr Pugh is a dedicated and focused farmer from Mid Wales who was recognised this past January as the well deserving recipient of the 2025 Brynle Williams Memorial Award.
Raised in a close-knit agricultural community, Ynyr’s enthusiasm for farming was sparked as a child while working alongside his grandfather and taking part in Young Farmers’ Club (YFC). After being inspired by his roots, he continued his education with further studies at Coleg Glynllifon and Aberystwyth University.
"A big part of my interest has come from a childhood of being on the farm where I have very fond memories," says Ynyr Pugh.
Ynyr’s experience continued further afield as he honed his craft over six shearing seasons in New Zealand before returning to Wales to establish his own shearing and agricultural contracting business. His journey from a young enthusiast to an established business owner makes him a truly worthy winner of his recent award.
"Even though my parents had some land, I had to look beyond the family business to find a full-time opportunity in farming. Since buying a farm from the outset was a no go, I knew I had to be open-minded and explore different routes to reach my vision. That is when I reached out to Farming Connect to help me turn my goal into a reality." says Ynyr.
Through his determination and the support of Farming Connect’s Start to Farm service, Ynyr has become a business partner on a 600-acre farm in the Dyfi Valley.
Ynyr formed a partnership with the Ryder family, who wanted to stay connected to their land but had no family members to run the farm day-to-day. They have since entrusted Ynyr to take the lead. Since joining the business, he has introduced key changes to make the farm more productive and secure for the future. Ynyr considers himself fortunate for the strong partnership and working relationship they have built since connecting through the program.
"I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in farming but lacks the resources to register their interest with Farming Connect. Keep an eye on the opportunities out there; you won't regret having a chat about what's available."
Ynyr prioritises staying current with technology to drive the business forward. While he uses various tools like EID (Electronic Identification) readers and plate meters, he considers his laptop to be his most essential piece of equipment.
"If I had to choose one, it would be the laptop," Ynyr explains. "It is a piece of technology that has allowed me to do benchmarking work and keep track of exactly how the business is performing."
After finalising a Business Plan with Farming Connect, Ynyr hopes to increase stock numbers through improved grass management and to boost profits by reducing the farm's reliance on external inputs. His focus is on making the land work harder and more efficiently. As a member of the Welsh Pasture Project, Ynyr is putting theory into practice by installing new fencing and water tanks to support a rotational grazing system for cattle and sheep.
"My hope for the future is to create a business that is sustainable in terms of the inputs spent on the farm. I want to farm with nature, transforming a 150-acre block into a regenerative system that supports animal health and welfare."
‘Success’ for Ynyr is when the business is performing to its full potential and is when you “find that sweet spot between stock numbers, input costs, and work-life balance.”
Ynyr has utilised many Farming Connect services over the years and has benefited greatly in doing so. He has participated in various discussion groups, gaining knowledge and challenging the ‘status quo’ to ensure the business remains progressive. His participation in the Agri Academy in 2025 provided a sounding board to discuss ideas with a network of like-minded individuals.
The Advisory Service supported the partnerships Business Plan, and the Mentoring program offered a valuable chance to consult with an expert in share farming to identify the best strategies that would work for him. Ynyr also drew insight from Our Farm events, where he learnt more about local research and implementations firsthand that he could take away and incorporate into his own business. Additionally, a Surgery with Matt Blyth focusing on technology helped ensure his farm systems were operating efficiently and communicating with each other. Recently Ynyr completed his Level 2 Award in Rodent Management and plans to continue his professional growth through further Farming Connect courses.
When asked what words of wisdom he would share with someone in a similar situation, Ynyr emphasised the importance of networking and continuous professional development. “Take every opportunity to meet new people and do not stop learning. Push yourself out of your comfort zone!”
Ynyr expressed sincere gratitude for his nomination for the Brynle Williams Memorial Award 2025, and that the recognition came as a big surprise. The nomination highlights the hard work and dedication Ynyr put into building his share farming partnership. As he continues to implement his strategic business plan and regenerative practices, his journey remains a great example of how the next generation is shaping the future of Welsh agriculture.
For further details on ‘Start to Farm’ and other opportunities, visit the Farming Connect website or contact your local development officer to find out more.