News

On Saturday the 27^th of April, members from all areas of Wales flocked to Rhayader Market for the Wales YFC Field Day that was hosted by the Radnor Federation. Throughout the day members competed in a variety of competitions all with a strong link to agriculture. The majority of the competitions  were held at the market with the efficiency with safety, fencing and sheep dog trials held on Glan Elan fields. 

We saw over 90 members compete in the stockman competition across both senior and junior categories. During the competition a team of four members from each county were asked to complete an animal health questionnaire before being asked to judge and give reasons on four rings of stock: Butchers Beef, Commercial Breeding Ewes, Butchers Lambs and Butchers Pigs.  

Carmarthenshire took the first place with their Team at The Senior Stockman of the Year competition and representing them were Siôn, Luned, Angharad and Ifan. Angharad from Ceredigion won the Senior Stockman of the Year. Gwent were awarded the first-place position with Chloe, Caleb, Lara and Wil representing them in the Junior Stockman of the Year Team competition. We saw the Junior Stockman of the Year be awarded to Lewis from Radnor. 

The auctioneering competition drew a large crowd as they gathered to watch members sell agricultural items in the auction ring. Prior to auction the members were required to value the items and provide a description of each item to the Judges. Dafydd from Meirionydd was awarded the first prize in this competition on the day. A competition for the Junior members only was also held at the mart being the ‘Fferm Ffactor’. This competition consisted of two members and they were given a task on the day to complete. This year the task was to identify and name various farm tools.  

Our winners this year were Tomas and Dafydd from Carmarthenshire. 

Up on Glan Elan fields we held the Junior and Senior fencing competition. Three members from the county were asked to erect a stock-proof fence to a detailed specification. We saw a strong competition across both sections with Radnor victorious in both. Sion, Alwyn and Rowan were awarded first prize in the Senior Fencing and Theo, Rhys and Tom won the Junior Fencing.  

Another competition held at Glan Elan was the Farm Machinery Skills. The aim of this competition is to highlight the importance of farm safety across different aspects of day to day farm work. The competition consisted of teams of four members who complete tasks such as manoeuvring a tractor and trailer, tractor fault finding, ATV handling and First Aid. At the end of the day, Carmarthenshire Team, Aled, Hywel, Trystan and Alex were awarded this first place position in a tight competition. The award for the Best First Aider going to Sian from Brecknock. The Sheepdog Trials saw 5 competitors compete in a close competition with Elgan from Montgomery being awarded first place at the Award Ceremony.  

At the end of a full day of competing the award ceremony took place at  Rhayader Market. Congratulations to all that competed throughout the day. But it was the Host County Radnor who came out on top at the end of the day. Good luck to all that will be representing Wales at NFYFC Competitions Day at Stafford on the 6^th of July. Thank you to all the Judges and stewards that were present on the day. 

We would also like to say a huge thank you to The DPJ Foundation for attending the Wales YFC Field Day in Rhayader with the Hywel Davies lorry. Our Chair Rhys Richards and a number of members, parents and supporters benefitted from a private and confidential health check without having to leave the Field Day!