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Six members of Wales YFC were announced as the winners of the Menter Moch competition earlier this year. Over the last few months they have been rearing pigs as part of an initiative by Menter Moch Cymru and Wales YFC.

In a bid to encourage the next generation of pig keepers and to get farmers thinking about pigs as a viable diversification option, six Wales YFC members were awarded five weaners each as a steppingstone into the pig industry. These members were: Rebecca from Fishguard YFC, Pembrokeshire, Carys from Llangadog YFC, Carmarthenshire, Rhys and Jack from Gower YFC, Glamorgan, Frances from Sennybridge YFC, Brecknock, and Leah & Alis from Nantglyn YFC, Clwyd.

The winners faced the challenges of rearing their own pigs as they prepared for the Royal Welsh Winter Fair. Here are a few words from Carys as she was selected to receive the weaners;

“I saw the opportunity of rearing a small number of pigs, from weaner to finishing, as a learning opportunity in another sector which will broaden my knowledge base before venturing into the sector on a larger scale.”

Another successful member, Frances of Brecknock told Wales YFC;

“From a young age, I have been heavily involved with our family beef and sheep farm set in the heart of the Brecon Beacons. I am delighted to have been selected for the Menter Moch Cymru and Wales YFC Pig Finishing Competition and it has been a fantastic opportunity to seek support and mentoring to build on my current basic knowledge of pig rearing and to develop my skills in marketing. The competition has given me the confidence and opportunity to test the suitability of a pig enterprise on our family farm whilst showing the benefits of an alternative source of income.”

After a busy few days at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, it was Rebecca that Judges Ela and Daniel hailed as the Overall Menter Moch Champion. Here is what Rebecca told Wales YFC in the weeks leading up to the competition;

“Being keen to diversify on the family farm, but unsure which type of diversifying to undertake, I felt that the Menter Moch and YFC pig finishing competition sounded like a fantastic way to establish a new enterprise on the farm whilst having plenty of support and training throughout. I decided to adapt a shed usually used to rear calves to rear the pigs on an indoor system. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the competition and it has really made me consider pursuing the pig enterprise on the farm permanently. All the training sessions with various people within the industry has been invaluable. “

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Menter Moch Cymru for their partnership in running this competition and for providing our members with this unique opportunity.

To learn more about how the members got involved and prepared for the Menter Moch competition at the Winter Fair, head to our website.