A FARMER’S wife from the Rhondda Valleys in South Wales has been made an associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies for her pioneering work in business and management training for those involved in farming and related industry.

Julie Thomas, of Caerlan Farm, Tonypandy, a former lecturer at Usk Agricultural College, who runs a 300 acre hill sheep farm with her husband, has developed onfarm training facilities for award courses for Lantra, the Senior Skills Council for environmental and land based industries.

Her company – Simply the Best Training – is the only Lantra provider in Wales to have gained Investors in People status.

Robert Rattray, of New Cross, Aberystwyth, who operates a successful butchery business in the town supported by a commercial and pedigree farming enterprise, has also been awarded an associateship.

Dylan Tudur Jones, of Edern, Pwllheli, has been made an associate for his work in grassland management.

Maximum use is made of the grassland on his 123 hectare farm carrying 150 Holstein Friesians, 150 followers and a sheep flock.

The grassland is regularly reseeded to ensure that none of the grass produced is over six years old.

Wyn Owen, of Welshpool, Powys, is well known throughout Wales as a leading exponent and deliverer of knowledge transfer in the farming industry.

A Nuffield scholar, he was appointed in 2009 to manage Agriscôp, a management and development programme that enables farming businesses to develop ideas to help resolve issues and identify action plans to make businesses more viable and sustainable.