NFU Cymru's Next Generation Group 2025

Following on from this Andrew decided that he would stay in the East of England work for one of the most prestigious Agricultural Management Consultancy Business’ in the region, for a five year period, gaining experience in many agricultural sectors and helping farms in the region.

Then Andrew became an Assistant Farm Manager near Newmarket for five years before being given the opportunity to join R&L Anthony in Bridgend as their Arable Farm Manager in January 2025.

Andrew was always keen to come back to Wales and to help shape the future of Welsh/British agriculture and being part of the NFU Cymru’s Next Generation Group would enable him to do that.

Arwel studied Agricultural Engineering at Gelli Aur College and later graduated in Machinery Dealership Management at Reaseheath College in Cheshire. He has worked for New Holland and Case main Dealerships. 

In 2009 and 2011 Arwel travelled and worked in Australia on large farms.

In 2011 his family purchased one hundred acres of land and from there the farming business started. Arwel and his Father built new buildings to house dairy heifers on a contract rearing system.

In 2016 Arwel secured the tenancy of a National Trust farm on the Dolaucothi Estate, where a calf rearing and sheep enterprise is run.

Arwel started Amaeth Cothi in 2019, an Agricultural Engineering and Machinery Sales business specialising in Case tractors. 

The farm itself operates as two separate businesses, one half is farmed by Delia's parents and the other half is farmed by Delia and her family. Alongside farming, they own and manage a civil engineering company.

Delia graduated with an Environmental Health degree and has worked as an Environmental Health Officer. She then took time out to travel and worked on a dairy farm in New Zealand before deciding to live and work on the family farm. Along with farming, she has previously worked for a Welsh homeless charity.

Delia is passionate about food security and is looking forward to being part of this group and being part of something that will help to shape the future of Welsh agriculture.

The family farm pigs, cattle and chickens, all of which supply their farm shop that has been established 21 years.

They champion sustainable food production focusing on sustainability across the entire supply chain as well as a key emphasis on eating quality, home produced products. They have recently diversified further into pick your own pumpkins and sunflowers, renewables, and open farm access in the form of a farm trail.

They are currently in the transition to regenerative farming and look forward to the future and seeing what further improvements can be made to soil structure, biodiversity and the environment.

Farming and the world of business are part and parcel of her life, with Elliw's parents having diversified to funeral directing and to Monumental Masons. 

Elliw has a degree in Welsh from Cardiff University and a Masters degree from Bangor University, however in her day-to-day work she is a Monumental Mason. She has been a member of the Federation of Young Farmers in Wales since a young age and during her time as a member she had the opportunity to be a Club Chair, County Treasurer and Chair of the Events and Marketing Committee for Wales YFC. This year she is also the Anglesey Agricultural Society’s Ambassador.

As part of the group, Elliw is looking forward to making new connections and helping to shape the future of Welsh agriculture.

Gethin gained a National Diploma in agriculture at Gelli Aur, before going to work home on the family farm and doing various other jobs such as relief milking and fencing. They now run a 220 pedigree holstein cow unit with the average yield of 9,000 litres, and hope to increase that yield and having a beef rearing unit in the next two years.

Gethin is looking forward to meeting new people on the NFU Cymru Next Generation Group and hoping to have more of an insight into what the future holds for young Welsh farmers and trying to find a way of getting more first generation farmers into the industry.

The family farm on two units in Mid Wales – one holds the dairy cows the other includes a silage and youngstock grazing platform. They farm a system of rotational grazing, multi cut silage and whole crop cereals.

Over the last few years, They have diversified to sell more produce from the farm gate. They currently sell milk through a vending machine and have a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, with cheese currently in the pipeline.

Ieuan and his wife are currently working on their garden with the aim to grow more of their own food. Over the last few months, they have begun making their own sourdough bread, yogurt and butter.

Leisia attended Aberystwyth University to study Agriculture (BSc) and is currently working as an Agriculture Manager at Dunbia, helping to bridge the gap between retailers and farmers. Last year, she was awarded the ‘Rising Star’ award at the UK Women in Meat Industry Awards.

Being a farmer’s daughter, as well as her role as Agriculture Manager, she is fortunate to see the process through from farm to fork but this also gives her an insight into the current issues and potential future issues we could face as an industry. 

Leisia has always had a strong interest in agriculture and is continuously looking to develop her knowledge further and meet more like-minded people within the industry.

Lucy runs an autumn/winter calving system with 300 Pedigree Holstein Friesians, selling milk to First Milk on a Tesco cheese contract. She graduated from Harper Adams with a degree in Agriculture with Land, Farm Management. Her background is in Farm Accounts and Welsh Government grant applications after working for Agriangels for the past 11 years.

Lucy completed the RABDF Entrepreneurs in Dairying Course in 2023. Lucy's main role at home on the farm is Youngstock Management. In 2024 she was runner up for the Farming Connect Animal Health and Welfare award.

In her spare time she enjoys competing with her horse and playing netball.

Having spent a couple of years working away in Pembrokeshire, Marcus returned home in the spring of 2014 and took over full management control in 2016. 

Marcus continues to farm in partnership with his father as well as his wife Vicki, and they have now grown the business to 300 procross autumn calving cows, who are extensively grassed through the summer.

As well as the dairy, Marcus also runs a small contracting and consultancy service focused around the guidance and application of utilising foliar nutrition in order to reduce fertiliser inputs. He has a keen interest in crop agronomy and completed his basis foundation in agronomy in 2024 and is currently undertaking his FACTS qualification.

He finds that the two businesses complement each other very well, due to the peak work loads being at opposite ends of the year. 

Rhodri has been concentrating on improving the efficiency of the farm during recent years and will continue to develop all aspects of the farm (including grazing systems, health, fertility etc..). Over the last five years, he has developed a caravan and camping site which runs well alongside the farming business. 

By taking advantage of Farming Connect discussion groups and their other services, Rhodri has been able to learn and develop his knowledge and meet other farmers from across Wales. He looks forward to continuing this through NFU Cymru’s Next Generation Group.

As a member of MRICS and FAAV, he takes pride in providing expert guidance to the agricultural and rural sector.

Alongside his professional work, he runs a diversified farming business, managing 200 acres and lambing 250 Texel and Mule ewes. Since establishing the enterprise in 2015, he has developed a strong focus on producing high-quality livestock while maintaining sustainable and efficient farming practices.

Beyond sheep farming, he has expanded his operations to include first-cross beef heifers, selling them as cow-and-calf outfits. He also provides bed-and-breakfast turkeys during the autumn, supporting local producers and adding further diversity to his farming activities. As he continues to grow the business, he remains committed to innovation and ensuring the best standards in both his professional and farming work.

He studied agriculture at Glynllifon College, where he built a solid foundation in livestock management and farm business skills. He's always valued the Young Farmers for the friendships, experiences, and opportunities it gave him. William was proud to serve as County Chairman, as well as Wales Rural Affairs Chairman, helping represent the voices of young farmers and contribute to important discussions on rural policy.

Farming isn’t William's only job, he runs an agri contracting business with his brother, offering sheep dipping, shearing and baling services to farms in the area. He says it's a hands-on way to support other farmers while keeping their own operation diversified.