The 2021 Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) award for a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the Welsh dairy industry was presented to Pembrokeshire farmer Dai Miles yesterday (Monday, November 29).
Miles is known for his significant involvement with Calon Wen Organic Milk Co-operative, for which he was one of four founder directors, the first chairman and is managing director of today.
The co-operative, which is owned by 25 farming families, helps to secure a long-term market for organic milk from Wales by supporting organic processing needs in Wales.
Presenting the award to Miles at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair was FUW president Glyn Roberts, who said:
Dai Miles can only be described as a stalwart of our dairy industry. His passion, dedication and enthusiasm for all things dairy is inspiring.
“Not only does he do an outstanding job as a dairy farmer, looking after the livestock, land and producing sustainable nutritious food, he was also instrumental in securing a long-term market for organic milk from Wales by supporting organic processing needs in Wales. The award could not go to a worthier winner.”
History
Miles currently farms just outside of Haverfordwest, but grew up in Felin Fack near Lampeter. He attended Aberaeron Comprehensive school and – despite not being from a farming family – went on to attend the Welsh Agricultural College in Aberystwyth where he received a National Diploma in Agriculture and completed a sandwich year at Godor Nantgaredig.
After college he spent five years as a herdsman of 160 cows and then a further five as a relief herdsman, before taking the step to take a tenancy of his own.
Throughout the years he has had strong involvement with FUW; as a past chairman of the Milk and Dairy Produce Committee, past county chairman of the FUW in Pembrokeshire, past vice chairman of the FUW Tenants Committee and current vice president for South Wales.
Furthermore, Miles has participated in Farming Connect’s Agri-Academy Rural Leadership Programme.
