Ifan Mars Jones

Denbigh, Conwy

Harper Adams Agriculture graduate Ifan Mars Jones has a full-time general management role at his family’s diverse and progressive mixed farming business, which milks 300 British Friesian cows on a grass-based system. One of Ifan’s key goals is to improve the herd’s genetic status through genomic testing and more strategic bull selection, aiming for long-term gains in productivity, health, and efficiency.

The farm also finishes all beef calves from the dairy herd; manages 400 Welsh Mule ewes and grows around 100 acres of arable crops annually. Ifan’s responsibilities include milking, sheep husbandry, grassland management and record-keeping. 

While at university, his placement year on a 1,000-cow Velcourt dairy in Dorset provided him with valuable exposure to high-output systems, business analysis and benchmarking, all skills he now utilises at home.  

A keen proponent of continuing professional development, Ifan has obtained additional qualifications in topics including first aid; cattle condition scoring; DIY AI; book-keeping and machinery handling. In his spare time, he enjoys rugby and singing in a choir.

“The Agri Academy will give me a wider insight into the industry and the chance to step back from the day-to-day to develop both personally and professionally as part of a supportive network of future agricultural leaders.”