Winner announced for the RWAS Dr Emrys Evans Award

With a theme focusing on the genetic improvement of livestock and equine skills, the winner of this year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Dr Emrys Evans Award is Mr Charles George from Pembrokeshire.

The judges were extremely impressed by the high standard of entrants for the award, kindly sponsored by Mrs Mair Evans. All ten candidates demonstrated a wide range of skills in enhancing the genetic performance of their livestock by using breeding indexes to provide objective evidence of progress in terms of efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.

“The industry is in safe hands with the talent and enthusiasm of the younger generation.” said judges, Mr DE Meurig James FRAgS and Mr John Griffiths FRAgS.

This year’s outstanding applicant is Charles George of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire who clearly demonstrated how better use of genetics is now bearing fruit in the Brynhyfryd herd. The use of embryo work, sexed semen and careful genetic selection using indices to enhance the decision making process was demonstrated to the highest standards. The management of the entire dairy enterprise could only be admired, evidenced by the balance of type and production.

The judges were also very impressed with Ioan Jones Evans of Trawsfynydd, Meirionnydd due to Ioan’s recent success with ponies and cobs. Keen to further develop the Islyn and Arthen studs, Ioan who currently uses a mix of natural and artificial insemination from the UK and abroad, shared plans to develop his own AI service for visiting mares at their home farm.

A certificate and medal will be presented on Monday 24 July at the Royal Welsh Show in memory of Dr Emrys Evans, a Royal Welsh gold medalist and chairman of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s board of directors, who died on the eve of the centenary show in 2004.

For more information about the 2023 Royal Welsh Show, or to purchase tickets head to our website: https://rwas.wales/royal-welsh/