24 March 2011

A new judge is set to join the popular farming contest Fferm Ffactor, when the series returns to S4C in the autumn.

Cardigan’s Aled Rees, who won the first ever Fferm Ffactor series, joins agricultural academic, Professor Wynne Jones on the series’ judging panel to find the best farmer. Daloni Metcalfe also returns to host the new series.

Aled farms around 600 acres of land in Cardiganshire and North Pembrokeshire with his uncle and his wife, Hedydd and also runs a grain proccessing contracting business. An organic farmer with experience across different sectors, Aled has won a number of agricultural prizes including Grassland and OMSCO Milk Suppliers Awards. He’s also a member of the FAWL (Farm Assured Welsh Livestock) Governing Board and is a founding member and director of the Cynnal a Chefnogi Cefn Gwlad Society.

Aled faces a tough task in his new role. Each week on Fferm Ffactor, competitors will be tested on their agricultural knowledge, practical skills and business acumen. Then at the end of each programme, the judges will eliminate one competitor and shatter his or her title dreams.

Aled takes over the judging reins from Dai Jones, who, following a busy year as the Royal Welsh Show President has decided to concentrate on his popular Cefn Gwlad countryside series. Aled made a great impression on Dai when he was a competitor.

“I'm very happy to transfer the reins to Aled Rees, because I know he'll make a great judge. I’ve had a fantastic two years on Fferm Ffactor but I think it’s time for another ordinary farmer to have the honour and experience of judging this great show. Fferm Ffactor gives farmers the chance to showcase the skills and knowledge needed in modern farming, and Aled has been a great ambassador to the industry since winning the series in 2009.”

Aled adds, “It was a great feeling to win the competition and it meant so much to my family and I. When I was offered the chance to judge the next series, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, even though it will be quite a challenge to step into the shoes of Dai Jones Llanilar! My past experiences in the competition, though, will help me relate to the competitors because I’ve been through the same highs and the lows of competing myself.”

Would you like to compete in the next series with a chance of winning the 4x4 Isuzu Rodeo Denver, supplied by Isuzu UK, and the 2011 Fferm Ffactor title? If so, contact the production team on 01286 685300 or visit the website s4c.co.uk/ffermffactor. The closing date for entries is Thursday 31 March.

Fferm Ffactor returns to S4C in the autumn.

Ends