A young farmer from Brecon has been awarded £1,200 to travel to the United States and learn more about some of the world’s most advanced livestock systems.
Olivia K Thomas (SNH/DEW, 17-22) will use the Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Travel Scholarship to visit beef enterprises, research facilities and farms across the US
Olivia has been named the main winner of this year’s Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Travel Scholarship, which supports young farmers from across Wales to broaden their agricultural knowledge overseas.
The Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Scholarship was launched 40 years ago in memory of the late Gareth Raw Rees MBE from Ceredigion, whose considerable energies had always been directed towards promoting the interests of young people in farming and in the countryside. He was a firm believer in the benefits of travelling towards the fulfilment of a broader and more rewarding education.
The award was presented at the Royal Welsh Show by Owen Suckley of NFU Mutual.
Olivia works on her family’s beef and sheep farm in Mid Wales - run by OB dad, Roger P Thomas (ORC, 76-81) - and is currently studying Agriculture with Business Management at Aberystwyth University.
She has a particular interest in livestock production, cattle breeding, calf rearing and farm business management, and hopes her trip will provide insight into how genetics, nutrition, management and data recording can improve efficiency and profitability.
During her visit to the US, Olivia plans to visit beef enterprises, feedlots, research facilities and performance-recorded herds across several states.
She said: “Having worked across a range of livestock systems in Wales, New Zealand and Ireland, I have become increasingly interested in how efficient management and breeding decisions can improve not only profitability, but also labour efficiency and overall work-life balance for farmers.
“I believe the trip will broaden my understanding of how these principles can be applied within Welsh commercial systems.”
The scholarship is facilitated by NFU Cymru, with support from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.
