BGS GRASSLAND FARMER OF THE YEAR 2021
We are delighted to announce that Marc Jones from Trefnant Hall is the BGS Grassland Farmer of the Year 2021. The announcement was made at an online awards evening on Tuesday 19 October. Marc, a member of Powys Grassland Society, beat off strong competition from Harold Johnston (Ulster Grassland Society) and Chris Blake (Devon Grassland Society).
Marc runs a 350-head beef finishing system, buying in Aberdeen Angus dairy bred heifers. At the end of their first grazing season, the yearlings are outwintered on fodder beet and silage then finished off grass at 22 – 24 months of age and around 600 kg liveweight. He also runs a flock of 500 NZ Romney ewes, also outwintered on fodder beet and silage and turned on to grass around a month pre-lambing. No concentrates are fed. Environmental work has been carried out including the planting of hedgerows and creation of hay meadows. The farm has been carbon footprinted and produces less CO2 per kg lamb and beef than average values. The farm is part of the GrassCheckGB project.
To find out more, and hear from head judge Hugh McClymont, you can watch a recording of the awards evening (click here)