MID Wales farmer Mr Tom Tudor MBE FRAgS, from Llanerfyl, Welshpool, has been officially elected as the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s president for 2018.

During the society’s annual council meeting at the showground that the society’s feature counties begin and end their term of office. Following in the footsteps of the 2017 feature county of Carmarthenshire, it is now the turn of Montgomeryshire to take up the mantle for forthcoming year of 2018.

Introduced by the chair of the Montgomeryshire advisory committee, Mrs Anwen Orrells, said that Tom had already earned a huge amount of respect during his time as president elect.

Having lived and farmed in Montgomeryshire all his life, Tom is a pillar of the local community. Llysun, a beef and sheep farm, relies totally on grassland farming, and together with wife, Ann and son, Richard, Tom has worked hard to earn the reputation of having an excellent grassland management system in the upland areas.

Winning many accolades over the years, including the Wales Grassland Competition, the Wales Silage Competitions, the UK BGS National Silage Competitions, the John Gittins Memorial Award and the Sir Bryner Memorial Award, to name just a few, Tom is widely recognised as an exceptional farmer.

Fellow farmers, researchers and students from all over the world have visited the farm over the years to learn of his grassland and animal husbandry skills and he has shared his knowledge extensively through serving on many local and national committees and groups.

Addressing council members via a video link, Tom said: “Our year has arrived and we look forward to working with everyone involved with the Royal Welsh over the next 12 months. Montgomeryshire is a great county and we aim to make the most of the opportunity to get together, have fun as a community and raise funds for the society.

“To me personally, the Royal Welsh creates an overwhelming feeling of proudness; proud to be a farmer, proud to be Welsh and proud to be part of this wonderful Royal Welsh community.”

Also taking over the reins was Mrs Cathrin Roberts. Cathrin as the society’s lady ambassador for 2018.

Montgomeryshire’s preparations began in earnest 12 months ago and as a result of such a successful start to their appeal, Montgomeryshire committee members were able to report that their fundraising total had already exceeded £50,000 to date. Their appeal will go to benefit showground facilities for younger visitors.