A 10th generation farmer from Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant has taken over the role as county chairman in Montgomeryshire for the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

Aled Huw Roberts, 37, has been working as a farm manager for more than 20 years near Wrexham, as well as running his own home farm, Plas Du, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, near Oswestry, since 2012.

During the working week Aled runs a 1,000 acre beef and sheep farm, which is home to 70 Welsh black cattle and 1400 Welsh and Texel cross sheep including replacements, before returning to the 160 acre home farm and 50 acres of rented land, in the evenings and weekends. Here he keeps 10 Aberdeen Angus beef and 600 Texel cross ewes, including replacements.

Aled has been the FUW Montgomeryshire county vice-chairman for over two years before being elected as county chairman at the end of May.

In 2013 he was part of the Agri-Academy future leaders project and he studied agriculture at Llysfasi college. In his spare time Aled is also a club leader at Dyffryn Tanat YFC and tries to make the odd appearance for his local rugby club Cobra.

Aled said: “I would like to thank our members for electing me to be the next county chairman and look forward to representing the Farmers’ Union of Wales. My predecessor Mark Williams did a fantastic job as chairman and I hope I can continue the work he did just as well.

“Agriculture in Wales is facing an uncertain future and much work is to be done to ensure our Welsh farmers get a fair deal – in terms of trade opportunities and support here at home. I feel passionately about agriculture and ensuring that the next generation of farmers face a bright, prosperous future.

“Therefore I will do my utmost to help the Farmers’ Union of Wales in continuing their plight to advance the views of the farmers of Wales without fear or favour, unfettered by sectional or external financial interests and aid them in protecting and advancing the interests of those who derive an income from Welsh agriculture.”