Dairy farmer Malcolm Davies from the Llyn Peninsula took S4C Fferm Ffactor title back to North Wales for the first time – driving home a 4x4 Isuzu Rodeo Denver in the bargain!
Malcolm, 38, of Dinas near Pwllheli won S4C’s Farmer of the Year competition, Fferm Ffactor 2011, in a memorable final broadcast tonight (Wednesday, 30 November) on S4C.
He beat off the challenges of Aled Roberts of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, mid Wales and Sam Carey of Rhoshill, Pembrokeshire in what has been dubbed “the closest final so far in the series’ history”.
The winner was unveiled by presenter Daloni Metcalfe at Plas Glynllifon near Caernarfon after seven weeks of top-quality competing.
The judges, agricultural guru Professor Wynne Jones and former winner Aled Rees – chose the farmer who runs a
growing 200 plus cattle dairy farm at Dinas near Pwllheli with his two brothers and father.
Wynne Jones said: "Fferm Ffactor 2o11 has been the closest race since the series started in 2009. There was very little between them until the very end. Malcolm was very strong in the final tasks – the ‘Gadair’-knowledge task, and the business tasks and that was enough to clinch the title.
“He is a truly worthy champion, showing the hunger, confidence and attention to detail needed in tackling the tasks. He has been very consistent throughout the whole series and has performed with a level-headedness that made him stand out. He is obviously an outstanding team player who never panics if things go wrong. He sticks to his task and sees it through.”
Father of one Malcolm, his wife Carys and four-year-old son Iori were in celebratory mood, having won the prize.
“It’s truly a privilege to win Fferm Ffactor 2011 and bring the award back to North Wales for the first time. Pen Llyn is a strong agricultural area and I wanted to show that we are as good up here as they are down south,” says Malcolm.
“I work solely with dairy cattle, so I had a great deal to learn about dealing with sheep in particular. Thankfully, I did enough with other tasks to swing the vote my way.
“I’ve just had my 38th birthday, so the prize is a dream come true. For us on the farm, the 4.x4 Isuzu Rodeo Denver couldn’t have arrived at a better time, as our old pick-up has recently packed up.”
