Farmer Profiles

Prydderch and Ann Rees

Neuadd Fawr • Brecon Beacons

Producer Club Committee Member Prydderch Rees and his wife Ann farm 265 acres in the Brecon Beacons.  Their son Alan helps out when he’s not too busy with his own contracting business.  Prydderch and Ann started farming at Neuadd Fawr in 1981, moving to the house in 1985.  The farm is situated at 900 feet in a very picturesque area, 60 acres of land is near Crickhowell, with 125 acres rented.  They run 80 suckler cows, 30 of which are South Devons, with the others being referred to as “liquorice allsorts”.  They also have 1200 Welsh ewes, with the lambing season starting in mid March.  The younger ewes are in lamb by Welsh rams. The female lambs kept for replacements with the rest of the flock running with the Charolais ram.

On the farm 35-40 acres are swedes and turnips, which is followed by spring barley.  Also grown is winter oats or barley, silage and big bale hay. All of which are own use.  When asked what he thinks the future holds, he said that some people were thinking of reducing the number of cows.  As for themselves they are going to wait and see as it has taken a long time to build the business to what it is today.  However the payments will decline and after a year or two the farm has to stand on its own two feet.  Prydderch is Chairman of the FUW Wool and Livestock Board. Unfortunately both sectors are currently at the bottom of the market.  Having paid and fed the shearers Prydderch and Ann feel that they themselves have been fleeced on receipt of the cheque.  Prydderch is on the FAWL board, and his stock is farm assured with them.  With Prydderch busy away with these commitments the farm is run by his hard working wife