Seven young farmers from across Wales have financially benefited from the Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Travel Scholarship.

A total of £3,600 has been awarded by the management committee to scholars wishing to broaden their knowledge of agriculture, following a donation from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.

This year’s awards were presented by Dai Davies OBE, chairman of NFU Mutual’s advisory board for Wales, at the Royal Welsh Show.

The main winner is Ioan Williams, who received £1,000 to help fund his travels to New Zealand.

Twenty-year-old Ioan, from Llanymawddwy, near Machynlleth, has recently graduated from Aberystwyth University with a Foundation degree in agriculture.

The award will help fund a seven-month study trip to New Zealand to learn more about livestock farming.

Ioan said: “I’ve secured a work placement at the Mount Linton station and I am really looking forward to spending time in New Zealand to widen my knowledge of beef and sheep farming.

“With Brexit on the horizon, and huge concerns about the future of agricultural policy in Wales, I’m eager to learn more about how the farming industry operates in New Zealand and bring back ideas that I can put into practice on our family farm in the future.”

There are six further recipients who each received a financial contribution to help with their travels.

Twenty-two year old Nia Davies, from Tregaron, who is currently studying for a Master’s degree in livestock science at Aberystwyth University, received £450 to help fund a two-month trip to New Zealand.

Commenting on her upcoming trip, Nia said: “I am really looking forward to spending time in New Zealand to widen my knowledge of agriculture, and in particular I’m eager to learn from the Kiwis about their grassland management and also how they utilise forage crops such as chicory, plantain, kale and brassicas.”

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