TV plea helps young farmer land dream dairy tenancy

A young Welsh dairy farmer says a TV interview about the struggle to buy a farm helped him secure the tenancy that transformed his career.

After appearing on S4C’s Ffermio in 2023, Gethin Hughes spoke candidly about being priced out of the land market after losing out to a property developer.

His comments caught the attention of the owners of a dairy farm at Ffostrasol, near Llandysul, Ceredigion, which was due to become available as a farm business tenancy.

See also: How difficult succession talks led to dairy expansion

After applying through the formal selection process, he was awarded the tenancy in 2024.

Originally from a mixed dairy, beef and sheep farm near Aberystwyth, Mr Hughes had hoped to buy his own farm after leaving the family business.

When finance proved out of reach, he turned his attention to shared farming agreements and tenancy opportunities instead.

Financial commitment

Taking on the tenancy required a major financial commitment.

Mr Hughes sold a field near Llangeitho to help raise half the money needed to buy his dairy herd, with bank finance covering the remainder.

A separate loan funded machinery and equipment.

He now farms 105ha, rents a further 77ha of summer grazing and milks 220 cows, with plans to expand the herd to 250-280 cows over the next decade.

“I started milking when I was 14. I’ve tried other jobs, but there was always something pulling me back towards the dairy industry,” he says.

Mr Hughes believes more young farmers could get started if older generations were prepared to offer tenancy opportunities instead of simply scaling back their businesses.

“The older generation need to have a look at doing a farm business tenancy with a youngster who hasn’t got a chance. There’s no point having 200 acres and only 50 livestock on it.”

Keep asking

His advice to young entrants is to be persistent, even when faced with repeated rejection.

“I had nine no’s and one yes, so don’t give up because one person says no.

“Keep your options wide and try to build up as many assets as you can because you’ll need them when you go to the bank.”

He also wants government to protect council farms and encourage more tenancy opportunities for young farmers.

Looking ahead, his ambition is to buy his own farm before the 10-year tenancy ends.

“Hopefully, another youngster can then come in and carry things on. That’s what I’d like to see happen.”