THE legacy of a young dairy farmer who died in tragic circumstances last year is set to live on as his father seeks a new entrant to farm the holding.

Owen Carlisle had built up a successful dairy business at Llainrhydwen, Newcastle Emlyn, with his father, Egan, before he took his own life after struggling with mental health issues.

Mr Carlisle, who sold the milking herd after Owen’s death, has now turned to Farming Connect’s Venture programme in his search for a first-generation farmer to farm the 160-acre holding.

Venture is an initiative designed to pair up landowners who are looking to step back from the industry with new entrants, offering funding for business planning and legal guidance.

Mr Carlisle is adamant that the farming opportunity must be offered to someone starting out in the industry.

“Owen came home to farm when he was 16 and I want to give that opportunity to another youngster, someone who is trying to get onto the farming ladder,’’ he said.

“It is so hard for a youngster to get into dairy farming, the farm is set up as a dairy farm and I want someone else to benefit from what we have done here.’’

Mr Carlisle’s parents had themselves come to Llainrhydwen as new entrants with no family background in farming.

At one point the family was milking 140 cows and invested £80,000 in a 14/28 Waikato parlour.

In recent years, cow numbers were scaled back to 60 Montbéliardes, a breed that Owen favoured.

As well as the milking parlour, the farm is well equipped with a 3,000-litre bulk tank, cubicle housing for up to 120 cows, silage and slurry storage and a dedicated calf shed with a feed passage for rearing youngstock from birth through to turnout.

There is also accommodation – an annex to the farmhouse that would be suitable for a small family.

Contact Farming Connect to express an interest and they will coordinate enquiries on Mr Carlisle’s behalf.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now