Aberystwyth’s Cennydd is runner up Dairy Student of the Year

Cennydd Jones receives his award from left: Kite Consulting’s Abby Cook with University of Aberystwyth’s Manod Williams; RABDF chairman, Mike King; Kite Consulting’s Edward Lott

Cennydd Jones receives his award from left: Kite Consulting’s Abby Cook with University of Aberystwyth’s Manod Williams; RABDF chairman, Mike King; Kite Consulting’s Edward Lott

30 March 2016

Cennydd Jones from Pontsian, Llandysul is the runner up for the prestigious RABDF (Royal British Dairy Farmers Association) MSD Animal Health Dairy Student of the Year award. A final year student studying Agriculture with Animal Science at Aberystwyth University’s IBERS (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences), he beat off stiff competition from 26 other entrants. 

“I was really happy to get to the finals, I can’t quite believe I secured the runner up slot and it’s thanks to my lecturer Manod Williams for nominating me in the first place,” he said.

Cennydd’s enthusiasm for dairying is reflected in helping to revert the family farming business to dairy. “Over 30 years ago, my grandparents, Idwal and Pegi converted from dairy to suckler beef, however to secure a long term future, we agreed the only way forward for this grass based unit was to convert back to dairy and gradually expand to 120 cows,” he said.

Cennydd recently appeared on BBC One’s popular Countryfile programme with a group of Aberystwyth University students and reflecting on his time studying at IBERS Cennydd said “Four years in Aberystwyth has been fantastic in all fairness.”

After graduating, Cennydd plans to travel before returning to the family unit and also securing a part time consultancy position. “Having already gained experience working on low input systems in New Zealand, I’d next like to travel to countries supporting more efficient systems, and learn more for  example about fertility management.”

He adds: “You have to be an optimist whatever industry you work in as there are always going to be peaks and troughs. Demand for dairy products is scheduled to increase in the long term, and once we start to step up exports and start to achieve a balance of supply and demand, then I think we can look forward to milk price stability.”