A young farmer from Brecon has been awarded £1,200 to travel to the United States and learn more about some of the world’s most advanced livestock systems.

Olivia Thomas, 22, has been named the main winner of this year’s Gareth Raw Rees Memorial Travel Scholarship, which supports young farmers from across Wales to broaden their agricultural knowledge overseas.

The award was presented at the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday (July 21) by Owen Suckley of NFU Mutual.

Olivia works on her family’s beef and sheep farm in Mid Wales and is currently studying Agriculture with Business Management at Aberystwyth University.

She has a particular interest in livestock production, cattle breeding, calf rearing and farm business management, and hopes her trip will provide insight into how genetics, nutrition, management and data recording can improve efficiency and profitability.

During her visit to the US, Olivia plans to visit beef enterprises, feedlots, research facilities and performance-recorded herds across several states.

She said: “Having worked across a range of livestock systems in Wales, New Zealand and Ireland, I have become increasingly interested in how efficient management and breeding decisions can improve not only profitability, but also labour efficiency and overall work-life balance for farmers.

“I believe the trip will broaden my understanding of how these principles can be applied within Welsh commercial systems.”

Six other young farmers from across Wales also received support through the scholarship.

Cerys Jenkins, from St Clears, was awarded £750 towards a trip to Canada, including representing the UK at Farmfair International, while Fflur Roberts, from Welshpool, received £500 towards a visit to Cape Town, South Africa, for the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth Conference.

Pollyanna Turner, from Caerphilly, received £350 towards a trip to Australia and New Zealand, Osian Hughes, from Conwy, was awarded £300 towards a trip to Ireland, and Aberystwyth students Michela Ruiz and Ioan Mabbutt each received £200 towards trips to Spain and Peru respectively.

The scholarship is facilitated by NFU Cymru, with support from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.