Farmers Weekly Awards 2024: Ag Student of the Year finalists

This year’s finalists have all completed three jam-packed years at university, balancing their studies with other commitments on and off the farm.

Finalists

• Caryl Davies, Glanyfer, Pembrokeshire
• Logan Williams, Tirmynydd, Carmarthenshire
• Tom York, Eastham, Cheshire

The judges

• Ally Hunter-Blair – Duchy of Cornwall tenant Ally farms 200ha in Herefordshire, with equestrian and tourism diversifications. He shares the highs and lows with nearly 30,000 Instagram followers.
• Harry Davies – FW‘s 2023 Ag Student of the Year, Harry oversees the arable, poultry, renewables and dairy enterprises at the 200ha family farm, alongside his father, focusing on sustainability and public outreach.
• Hayley Chapman – Former FW deputy livestock editor Hayley now works as a freelance agricultural journalist alongside helping run a diversified arable and beef farm in Buckinghamshire.

See more: FW Awards – meet the Young Farmer of the Year finalists

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Caryl Davies, Glanyfer, Pembrokeshire

Caryl says that university has been hard work and it has taken her three years to “fully understand what lecturers want”.

But her graft has paid off because she graduated this year with a first-class degree in agriculture with animal science.

The first word on Caryl’s CV is “proactive” – a key trait that saw her shortlisted for Ag Student of the Year.

Growing up on a beef and sheep farm, she has been proactive in seeking out a variety of other work experience, training and networking opportunities.

Her year-long apprenticeship on a dairy farm after GCSEs was the “hardest, but best” experience, she says, having to step up when Covid lockdowns were enforced and European workers were not allowed to return to the farm.

Academic journey

Proving herself during that year, Caryl was offered a permanent position as assistant herd manager. But she knew she wanted to head to uni and is proud of her mix of formal qualifications and practical experience.

Aberystwyth allowed her to be close to home and study in Welsh, her first language.

“Through the course I have been able to study modules such as genetics, nutrition, veterinary health and agronomy management, where I have learned numerous new things that can be applied to practical work on the farm, such as understanding more about the rations different livestock need,” Caryl says.

Her first year saw one of her proudest moments – receiving an award for the best work in grassland-related studies.

Her dissertation, looking at the effect of body condition score and parity on the colostrum quality of a suckler herd, gave useful insights for adapting the beef system at home in Pembrokeshire.

Extracurricular commitments

The family farm, across three holdings, is home to a flock of 800 improved Welsh sheep grazing the Preseli mountains, outdoor lambing Aberfield ewes and 100 pedigree Limousin cows.

The sucklers are Caryl’s passion, with a chunk of her spare time spent as a member of the Young Limousin Breeders Club.

“I don’t know where she finds the time,” Caryl’s tutor told the Farmers Weekly judges.

Caryl has continued to show cattle throughout university, stayed active as a member of Eglwyswrw Young Farmers’ Club, been a member of the Aber-Agrics society and taken part in National Sheep Association competitions, also representing the UK at international level in sheep handling competitions.

“I have put a lot of effort into saying yes to everything,” says Caryl. 

“By stepping out of my comfort zone to further my knowledge of a part of the industry I wasn’t familiar with during my apprentice year, and by continuing with my academic studies during my degree, my knowledge has been widened and has given me a great advantage.”

Exciting future

Even with so much to juggle, Caryl is the first person that her tutor would encourage younger or prospective students to go to for a chat or some guidance.

Caryl leaves education and enters the working world with a hugely open mind, pursuing work experience in agricultural journalism, chartered surveying, auctioneering and considering travel to New Zealand.

Her aim is to secure a role within the sector that still allows her to be involved in the family farm, and in the future return home full-time.

Student notes

• Studying at: Aberystwyth University
• Course: BSc Agriculture with Animal Science
• Study year: Third
• Fun fact: Caryl has not broken a single bone

The judges liked

• “Never say no” attitude, making the most of lots of opportunities in and out of university
• Great combination of academic ability and broad practical experience
• Enthusiasm and passion for agriculture
• Great dissertation subject choice and valuable results for suckler industry

What the judges say

“Caryl will try her hand at anything, and does everything with enthusiasm to an extremely high level. Her passion for the sector is unmistakable.”

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Logan Williams, Tirmynydd, Carmarthenshire

In his early years, Logan would find any excuse possible to visit his grandfather’s farm.

He also jumped at the opportunity to have some pedigree ewes in a neighbour’s disused paddock.

Some years later, his family purchased an “old, out of production” farm, which Logan has been running alongside his parents while studying for his first-class degree in agriculture with animal science.

Logan picked this course to broaden his knowledge of changes that can be implemented to ensure the high health and welfare of livestock, as well as high performance despite pressures on profit margins.

“I strongly believe agriculture is one of those industries – and, therefore, subjects – that just keeps on giving, with regular developments in science and technology ensuring the provision of food for the ever-growing population,” he says.

Academic journey

Logan’s knowledge of the sector is impressive. He has detailed understanding of the policies and factors affecting British farmers, and is full of possible solutions for a more sustainable industry.

His final-year project, which went on to win multiple awards as well as receiving the highest dissertation score in the year, focused on factors affecting lamb performance in the finishing period.

Outside of academia, Logan has been representing Wales at both international- and world-level sheepdog trials.

Last autumn, during his final year, he reached the semi-final of the world trials, held in Ireland, coming 23rd out of 240.

His commitment to university saw him travelling back to Wales through the Sunday night, and jumping on a bus on Monday morning to leave Aberystwyth for a week-long study tour.

Extracurricular commitments

Being in the field with the dogs would give Logan the opportunity to switch off completely from deadlines and all other tasks, focusing totally on the moment.

He says that sometimes, when struggling with a piece of coursework, he would go training and an idea would just pop into his head.

Because this “hobby” is one that requires consistency and commitment, Logan has had to manage time very precisely, always planning ahead and prioritising.

“To fulfil my desire to be on the farm as much as possible, this has required some creative studying techniques, such as listening back to lectures via Bluetooth in the pickup while hauling sheep from farm to farm,” says Logan.

Exciting future

At home, Logan is focused on developing a low-input, high-welfare, grassland-based system.

Another project on the farm is the conversion of a barn to a holiday let, and Logan hopes to use this as an opportunity to showcase British farming to the public.

As well as using the results of his dissertation to tweak the system at home, Logan is excited to share his findings with other farmers when he starts a his role in the agriculture team at Dunbia in September.

During the graduate programme, based in his home county, Logan is hopeful that he can support Carmarthenshire farmers as he will be liaising with producers and supermarkets. 

“I’ve always been interested in the agri-food sector and championing British produce,” Logan says.

“With this role I am going to be quite fortunate to see the whole supply chain from field to fork, and I am pleased to be able to work locally and be able to give my skills back to the local area.”

Student notes

• Studying at: Aberystwyth University
• Course: BSc Agriculture with Animal Science
• Study year: Third
• Fun fact: Logan has faced the New Zealand rugby team on the field doing the haka

The judges liked

• Passion for Welsh agriculture and local community
• Commitment to excellence in sheepdog trialling and establishing a business sideline through hobby
• Time management skills to enable the juggling of university, the farm and sheepdogs
• Incredible academic results, achieving first class in 17 of 19 modules

What the judges say

“Logan is a dedicated, high-achieving student with an obvious passion for agriculture in his local community. What he has achieved already is nothing short of remarkable.”

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Tom York, Eastham, Cheshire

Tom has displayed huge levels of resilience and commitment to reach the point he is at now – just finishing a dream placement before heading back to complete the final year of his BSc in Agri-business at Harper Adams.

Professor Ken Sloan, vice-chancellor of the university, says Tom will not only be a practical thought leader for the sector during his career, but he will also be a really good ambassador. 

“I have very high hopes for the degree classification he will get at the end,” says Ken. “I think he will be a very influential person in the fullness of time.” 

Academic journey

Academia hasn’t always come easy to Tom. When he was at school, he knew he wanted to be “in the field, not the classroom” so headed to Reaseheath after his GCSEs to complete a Level 3 extended diploma in agriculture.

He achieved a distinction after finishing the course, and a placement year saw him living in a caravan three hours from home at the age of 16.

“This was mentally the toughest challenge I have ever experienced,” Tom says.

“I went to some really low points I would not wish on anyone. I got through it though and that is where I decided I wanted to further my agricultural knowledge and apply to study at Harper Adams University.”

Some of the modules in the first year of university presented a challenge for Tom, which led to him getting diagnosed with ADHD.

Armed with a better understanding of learning styles that suited him, he adapted the way he worked by studying in quieter environments, and using noise-cancelling headphones and interval timers.

Extracurricular commitments

Through Tom’s 22 years, he has faced some big personal challenges, not least losing his mum to cancer when he was just five and, two years ago, his best friend taking his own life. As a result he has thrown himself into volunteer work for mental health charities.

On the day of meeting the awards judges, he had not long completed an Ironman endurance event and raised more than £7,500 for the Farming Community Network.

“If I can better myself and hopefully have a positive impact on people as well, that is the best outcome,” says Tom.

Tom says one of his proudest achievements was being awarded the Wilson Wraight scholarship for his placement year. 

During his time working as a consultant, advising on the ever-evolving Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, he stepped up to help cover the workload of a senior consultant who left the team.

Exciting future

When he completed the placement, he was given an employability score of 95% and unsurprisingly walked out of university with a job offer that will allow him to begin his career in farm consultancy.

After a harvest role in Northamptonshire, Tom will head back to Harper in September with ambitions to carry out a dissertation focused on mental health in agriculture.

Tom has clearly gained a lot from university already, and he has also given a lot back.

As well as his campaigning and fundraising for mental health, he is a trustee for the student union. This involves acting as a student voice, a role on the committee responsible for finance, and setting up a mental health committee.

Student notes

• Studying at: Harper Adams University
• Course: BSc Agri-business
• Study year: Third
• Fun fact: Tom has a weird obsession with eating beetroot and can go through three jars of the pickled veg a week

The judges liked

• Mature nature, approaching everything with careful thought
• Approachable and engaging person with positive outlook
• Efforts to raise awareness of mental health in ag
• Dedication to studies and extracurricular activities

What the judges say

“Tom is completely selfless in his outlook, always looking to help others before himself. His ability to adapt his learning style and overcome hardship shows incredible resilience and determination.”