29 November 2012

"I'm still pinching myself! Things like this don't happen to me," says Dilwyn Owen, the 2012 Fferm Ffactor champion.

"I've never seen the family look so proud of me. It was a relief in a way to get it over with because we've been competing for so long. I don't think anyone can appreciate how much we've pushed ourselves in each task."

After eight weeks of challenges, Dilwyn was named the winner in the finale on Wednesday, 28 November. He returns to the farm in Llanedwen pleased to be driving the prize - the Isuzu D-Max 4x4 Yukon – over the Menai Bridge to Anglesey for the first time.

"It's the first time the award has come to Anglesey but it won't be the last time I'm sure, because there are plenty of good farmers here," says Dilwyn who is also full of praise for the two other finalists in the competition - Geraint Jenkins from Talybont, Aberystwyth, and Gethin Owen from Betws-yn-Rhos, Conwy.

"There were two very strong competitors up against me, I wouldn't have liked to choose between us and I'm sure it was a difficult job for the judges."

One of the judges, Professor Wynne Jones, admits it was not an easy task.

"The final three were strong contenders and to be honest there wasn't much between them in the end," says Professor Wynne Jones. "But Dilwyn has performed to a higher standard in the last three or four weeks and he'd been consistent throughout the series. Everyone has bad days of course, but when he did, it was never a very bad day."

Dilwyn also came out on top in a special Facebook vote for viewers. Following the business plan task in the penultimate programme, viewers were asked to choose their favourite viral video advert produced by each of the finalists.

"Everyone helped me and I phoned, texted and emailed people asking for support. I know the other two did the same thing too! I thought I was quite a laid back person, but Fferm Ffactor has brought out the competitive side in me!" says Dilwyn, who has learned a lot about himself during the series!

In addition to being an entertainment series, Fferm Ffactor also displays the diversity of the agricultural industry and the task in the final programme was more serious in nature. Each of the finalists addressed the National Assembly's Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Alun Davies.

The topic Dilwyn chose to discuss with the Minister was the impact of bureaucracy on farmers.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to speak to the Deputy Minister, and I'm pretty sure I expressed the opinions of many other farmers," says Dilwyn. "I hope during the entire series I've been able to show that farmers have to turn their hand to everything and be flexible in order to adapt to every situation."

Professor Wynne Jones agrees, and believes that Dilwyn is a great ambassador for the industry. "He has a good understanding of the agricultural industry and a lot of experience. He has good practical skills and plenty of knowledge of the business world and markets to carry him through the tasks.

"It's not easy to put yourself in front of the cameras and I praise Dilwyn and the other competitors for doing so well. The series is an excellent opportunity to show people what is expected from farmers in Wales and I sincerely hope that many more people will put their names forward for the next series."

If you want to apply to compete in Fferm Ffactor 2013, or nominate a friend or relative, go to the S4C website to complete the application form - s4c.co.uk/ffermffactor – or phone Cwmni Da on 01286 685 300.

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