Now in its 11th year, the award recognises individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment, skill and dedication within Welsh livestock farming.
About the farm
Owen and his mother, Lynwen, have run the farming enterprise in partnership since his father, Ken Morgan, sadly passed away in 2015. Up until then, Owen was mainly full-time shearing at home in the UK and abroad, spending many seasons in New Zealand.
The sheep and beef enterprise is thriving with superb quality stock. The family’s attention to detail, good grassland management and eye for stock is second to none.
The Morgans’ sheep flocks consist of a commercial flock for fat lamb production and a Brecknock Hill Cheviot flock for the hill and for selling breeding stock. They sell in the Welsh Mule Society sales and the renowned Brecknock Hill Cheviot Society ram sale in Sennybridge, often making one of the top flock averages. Owen has a fourth-generation hefted hill flock, they are very keen on bloodlines and breeding which has made this possible. They also make the most of their common land rights on the Brecon Beacons, allowing many of the ewes to stay on the hill for much of the year, giving the lowland fields time to rest ready for lambing.
Owen's family
As well as the sheep, they keep a herd of suckler cows and are also in their second year of a dairy-beef contract. Having two young sons, Jake aged 8 and Ryan aged 5, with his partner Emma, Owen wanted to look at growing the business in a sustainable way so he is able to offer them a future in farming should they want it.
This venture offers them security and flexibility whilst providing another income stream for the farm. Particularly interested in grassland management, Owen has spent a lot of time and resource looking at leys, soil testing and trying different ideas in order to get the best out of what he’s got. This has also meant he can minimise fertiliser use, the need for extra winter keep and buy in less feed.
Ambition
Owen is full of drive determination and ambition for the future – qualities that really made him stand out in the judging process.
Presenting Owen with the prize of £500, sponsored by NFU Mutual, and a Royal Welsh engraved crystal trophy, Chairman of NFU Cymru’s Livestock Board, Rob Lewis, said: “Owen’s attention to detail and care for the stock was clear to see and I am delighted to be able to present Owen with this award today. The quality of their stock and his enthusiasm to continue to develop the business was second to none. I have no doubt that Owen and family are a well-deserved winner of this award.”
Mike Thomas, NFU Mutual Senior Agent and NFU Cymru Group Secretary, who was part of the judging panel, said: “It was clear to see the enthusiasm Owen has for the quality of his stock as soon as we met with him. He was passionate about farming as a whole but also ensuring the business remains profitable.”
