Hill farmer announced as 25th Wales Woman Farmer of the Year
1st August 2023
In recognition of her advocacy for sustainable farming practices and role in educating young people about food production, Katie Rose-Davies, a third-generation hill farmer from South Wales, has been selected as the 25th winner of the Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award.
NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual group secretary Lona Davies (left) and NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader (right) presenting the award to Welsh hill farmer Katie Rose-Davies.
To mark her achievement, she was presented with a Welsh crystal engraved bowl and £500 prize money. The award, which is sponsored by NFU Cymru and NFU Mutual, champions the contribution that women make to agriculture and seeks to raise the profile of women in farming.
Katie Rose-Davies, who has a degree in agriculture from Aberystwyth University, plays a pivotal role in the running of the family hill farm in the Ogmore Valley, where her family have farmed for over 90 years. Alongside being a partner in the business since 2015, she is a mother to three young children and works as a Lecturer in Agriculture at Bridgend College.
One of Katie’s key responsibilities is to ensure the farm produces high-quality beef and lamb in a sustainable way that protects and enhances its ecosystems. She uses both modern and traditional practices on the farm, including shepherding techniques like hefting and the cutting of molinia to encourage ground nesting birds.
Through participating in the Glastir scheme, Katie has been able to invest in capital works such as rebuilding dry stone walls, sheepfolds and keeping South Wales Mountain ewes, which are indigenous to the area.
Katie is keen to play her part in helping the industry achieve net zero and believes carbon capture, the use of technology to improve efficiencies, utilisation of grassland management and clean energy will be key to achieving this goal.
In Hybu Cig Cymru’s Farm Carbon Auditing Project in 2019, her suckler beef enterprise was found to have the lowest net emissions from the 10 farms participating across Wales.
In addition, Katie has hosted a number of farm visits including the Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths MS and the Vice Premier of China, where she showcased Welsh beef and lamb. Recognised as a leader in environmental farming practices, she also met the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) to discuss sustainable farming.
Demonstrating her passion for education, she also recently hosted a farm visit for Nantymoel Primary School, with nearly 200 pupils attending to learn about food, farming and the environment.
NFU Cymru deputy president and award judge Abi Reader commented: “We are delighted to announce Katie as the winner of the 25th anniversary Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award.
“Katie is a strong advocate for safeguarding the future of Welsh agriculture, Welsh heritage and culture and believes education plays a key role in promoting the fantastic work farmers do in producing safe, healthy and sustainable food.”
Fellow judge Lona Davies, NFU Cymru / NFU Mutual Group Secretary in Llanrwst, added: “Both Abi and I were in agreement that Katie was the pick of the entries for this year’s award.
“Her passion and dedication to the industry, not only in taking care of her stock and the environment, but also her attitude towards educating youngsters about where their food comes from, shone through during our visit to her farm.”
