Third-generation farmer awarded with opportunity to attend Oxford Farming Conference in January

JUDGES from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society have awarded Glenn Lloyd, a third-generation farmer from Llandyssil, Montgomeryshire, with the opportunity to attend the 2024 Oxford Farming Conference next January.

Glenn Lloyd is currently self-employed between three businesses. The primary business is the farming side which he has been in partnership with his father since 2011, working to increase the size of the dairy herd and converting to organic.

As part of the farm diversification, Glenn and family launched Daisy Bank Dairy in 2020. The successful enterprise pasteurises and distributes organic milk and milkshakes to shops and wholesalers across Wales.

Glenn says, “We’re very keen on regenerative agriculture, improving soil health, using rotational grazing and growing grass crops that have as little impact on the environment as possible. This helps to reverse the effects of air pollution, using herbal and clover pastures, to increase cow health and pull carbon out of the atmosphere and use it as fuel to grow our grass organically.”

Glenn and family have also recently taken over Trefaldwyn Cheese, an award-winning company that produces one of the best cheeses in the world.

The Oxford Farming Conference, held annually in early January, has established a reputation for strong debate and exceptional speakers. The conference is one of the most important events of its kind, bringing together farmers, politicians, scientists and others to discuss the future development of the agricultural industry.

The 2024 conference, The Power of Diversity, will be held from 3rd to 5th January 2023. The event brings together people from all corners of the agricultural, rural and food sectors, encourages a hugely diverse range of thinking, and generates ideas and positive solutions for the future.

Every year the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society offers a bursary to enable young people to attend the Oxford Farming Conference. To qualify for the bursary candidates must be between 25 and 35 years old and working in a land-based industry.

This year’s judging panel was made up of Mr Dafydd Parry Jones, Mr Cyril Davies, and Mr Dewi Parry (2023 winner). The judges noted that the enthusiasm and drive shown by all candidates for their chosen path was indeed compelling and that it was encouraging to hear such positive feedback on the future of our industry and rural way of life.

Glenn will be invited to write an article for the 2024 Royal Welsh Journal and will be presented with the bursary on Monday 27th November at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.

For more information about the Winter Fair or to buy tickets visit the RWAS website.