Carmarthenshire hill-sheep farmer Ian Rickman has been re-elected as the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ (FUW) deputy president.
He was first elected to the position of FUW deputy president in 2019 and in the past was county chair of the FUW in Carmarthenshire.
He has also previously held the position of chair of the hill and farming marginal land committee.
Speaking on his re-election, Rickman said: “These are turbulent times for the agriculture industry and never has it been more important for the voice of our farming families to be heard at all levels.
“I look forward to continuing my work on behalf of the union and its members and thank our members for re-electing me to the role.”
Rickman and his wife, Helen, have three sons together. The family resides at Gurnos, an upland sheep farm near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.
The farm is on a 220ac site with common grazing rights on the Black Mountain. Rickman is also a member of the management committee of the Black Mountain West Graziers Association.
FUW South Wales’ vice-president
Ceredigion sheep farmer and former FUW Ceredigion county chair Anwen Hughes has been elected as the FUW’s South Wales’ vice-president.
The chair of younger voice for farming and for the FUW’s education and training committee, Hughes farms 80ac at Bryngido farm just outside of Aberaeron in Ceredigion with her husband Rhodri.
The family keeps around 200 Lleyn and Lleyn-cross ewes on a low input-high input, grass-based system.
Hughes has been farming since 1995 owns a further 48ac in partnership with her mother Betty Davies, which is rented to her oldest son Glyn.
Speaking on her appointment, Hughes said: “I am delighted to take on the role as FUW vice-president for the south of Wales.
“In my new role I look forward to working with members, union officials as well as our elected representatives in Cardiff and Westminster to ensure we have thriving, sustainable family farms here in Wales for generations to come.”
