A total of £3,500 has been awarded by the Management Committee to scholars wishing to broaden their knowledge of agriculture.
The scholarship, which is facilitated by NFU Cymru, was set-up in memory of the late Gareth Raw Rees who, for many years, was a delegate on the NFU Council and Chairman of the NFU Education Committee. Gareth believed fervently that travel was an important form of education for young people. The scholarship is extremely grateful to the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust for its ongoing contribution to the Travel Scholarship Fund.
This year’s awards were presented by Owen Suckley, NFU Mutual at the Royal Welsh Show today, Tuesday 21st July 2026.
This year’s main winner is Olivia Thomas who received the largest amount of £1,200 to help fund her travels to the United States of America. 22-year-old Olivia, from Brecon, works on her family’s beef and sheep farm based in mid Wales. Currently studying agriculture with Business Management at Aberystwyth University, Olivia has a keen interest in livestock production, cattle breeding, calf rearing and farm business management. She is particularly interested in how genetics, nutrition, management and data recording can improve animal performance, efficiency and long-term profitability within commercial farming systems.
Heading to the United States will provide Olivia with the opportunity to visit progressive beef enterprises, feedlots, research facilities and performance-recorded herds across several states: giving her first-hand insight and experience into their commercial systems.
Olivia said: “Having worked across a range of livestock systems in Wales, New Zealand and Ireland, I have become increasingly interested in how efficient management and breeding decisions can improve not only profitability, but also labour efficiency and overall work-life balance for farmers. I believe the trip will broaden my understanding of how these principles can be applied within Welsh commercial systems.”
There are six further recipients from the scholarship this year who are each receiving a financial contribution to help with their travels.
Cerys Jenkins, from St Clears, received £750 towards a trip to Canada including representing the UK at ‘Farmfair International’. The 20-year-old runs two small businesses while also regularly working on her family’s farm. She is currently studying Veterinary Biological Sciences at Aberystwyth University and has particular interest in livestock production, animal nutrition, genetics, pharmacology and herd health. Cerys says that attending the Farmfair International event will give her first-hand exposure to approaches and technologies that may differ from those used within Wales.
Fflur Roberts, from Welshpool, received £500 towards a trip to Cape Town, South Africa to attend the ‘Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Conference’. Since leaving education Fflur has worked as an Agriculture Lecturer. She has been a part of several programmes, most recently the Harper Adams School of Sustainable Farming Program. Fflur is looking to explore new agricultural systems, technologies and management practices that can improve efficiency and resilience within farming businesses.
Pollyanna Turner, from Caerphilly, received £350 for her trip to Australia and New Zealand. Having just graduated with a degree in Animal Production Science from Harper Adams University, Pollyanna works on a local dairy farm and enjoys all aspects of farming life, with a particular passion for animal health and welfare. Pollyanna is a keen member of Bedwas Young Farmers’ Club and following her education hopes to take on a club officer role, to inspire and influence younger members showing them the wide range of possibilities within agriculture and to give back to her community.
Osian Hughes, from Conwy, received £300 towards his trip to Ireland. Having gained a degree in Agriculture through Aberystwyth University, Osian’s passion lies in grass and forage based-dairy farming. Working as Farming Connect Dairy Officer, Osian finds great satisfaction in helping other farmers identify opportunities of improvement within their systems. As a partner in his family’s farm business, Osian is driving forward their presence on social media and always on the lookout for ways to simplify and improve their farm.
Michela Ruiz, from Aberystwyth, received £200 towards her trip to Spain. The 25-year-old is currently in her second year of her PhD at Aberystwyth University, where her research focuses on developing a novel diagnostic approach for Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke) infection in cattle and sheep using extracellular vesicles (EVs) as biomarkers. Michela hopes to engage with one of the strongest EV research communities in Europe and learn directly from researchers, bringing new knowledge and research back to ongoing research and livestock health in Wales.
Ioan Mabbutt, from Aberystwyth, received £200 towards his trip to Peru. The 19-year-old is currently studying Veterinary Science at Aberystwyth University and enjoyed spending time on his family’s farm growing up, helping with the daily tasks as well as the more seasonal tasks such as lambing, harvesting and shearing. Before starting his current studies, Ioan also attended the Aberystwyth University Veterinary Science Summer School. Over the course of his trip to the Alpaca Breeding and Innovation Farm in Peru, Ioan hopes to broaden his understanding of species and production systems that differ to Wales and strengthen his practical and professional skills.