Pembrokeshire farmers under the age of 45 who utilise progressive, sustainable agriculture methods are encouraged to apply for the Baron de Rutzen Award. The competition is open to all livestock and arable farmers in the county.

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society president Tim Johns said: “We are looking for local Pembrokeshire farmers, under the age of 45 [on January 1, 2025], who can demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture. They also need to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm as well as present an aesthetically pleasing example of farming in the county.”

Last year’s winners were Andrew and Jane Phillips of Windsor Farm, Lamphey, who farm 1,100 acres, with 3,000 breeding sheep and lambs. A herd of British Blue cross Limousin suckler cows sired by a Limousin bull and all calves are sold as weaned. The arable side of the business includes 80 acres of winter and spring barley which is mostly used for stock consumption; the surplus is sold. They grow 150 acres of maize which is used in a Totally Mixed Ration (TMR) for their sheep; again, the surplus is sold to dairy farms. Some land is rented out for growing potatoes and leeks. The autumn season sees the general public invited in to buy some of the six acres of pumpkins they grow for the Halloween market. They also rent out two shepherd’s huts for visitors.

Baron John Fredrick De Rutzen was President of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society in 1936 and the Baron de Rutzen Trophy was produced in his memory. The third Baron served in the Welsh Guards and tragically died, aged 36, in 1944.

Entries can either be by nomination or direct application, by noon on June 30 on the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society website.