He’s one of those ‘good all rounders’ that we’d be pleased to introduce you to. He’s amusing, quick witted, polite, he’s dedicated to improving his family farm, its efficiency and profitability, and also hugely committed to helping the industry.

If you want a job done, whether it’s helping round up stray sheep or directing traffic, then ask Richard and you’ll be guaranteed the job done. On the other hand if you want an opinion on the last week’s market trends or the latest CAP Reform budget and its impact on livestock farmers’ margins, Richard will down tools, think on his feet and respond.

Richard studied BSc Hons Agriculture at HAUC. After graduating he worked on farms in NZ. He returned to join the family farm and in the first instance was inspired to adopt a grassland improvement programme.

Since then he has focused on producing high quality finished cattle from the family‘s 200 cow suckler herd put to high EBV bulls. He is also improving the unit’s 800 ewe flock by introducing the Aberdale, a higher performing damline, which he says ‘keeps him out of mischief’.

After a lifelong involvement with Hereford YFC, winning stock judging and public speaking he has ‘retired’ to train youngsters stock judging.

Richard sits on Hereford NFU county branch livestock committee; he is a member of NSA Welsh Sheep organising committee and helps to manage NSA Sheep Event’s Young Shepherd of the Year competition at Malvern.

He’s a member of Hereford II rugby squad and every December makes time to direct the village panto, while in summer you’ll find him managing teams of shearers he set up several years ago to take in more than 30,000 ewes in the region.

Richard is also one of those great guys who thinks outside the box whether it’s introducing brand new genetics to the flock or finding a solution to the impossible at one of our sheep events. We also think he’s rather good looking!