The Farmers’ Union of Wales has awarded its 2025 FUW Lifetime Achievement Award to Terry Bayliss, recognising his long-standing contribution to the UK sheep sector and farmer-led processing initiatives.

Mr Bayliss’ involvement in the agricultural industry took a significant step forward in 1998, when he and four fellow farmers established Farmers Ferry in response to poor returns for UK sheep producers. Their aim was to create a more efficient route for exporting lambs directly from farms to continental markets. By its second year, Farmers Ferry was exporting around 1.2 million lambs. Mr Bayliss’ has served as Company Director and Chairman for 27 years.

Farmers Ferry’s early success led to Farmers First, attracting more than 2,750 farmer investors, and later to Farmers Fresh in 2000, operating from Kenilworth. The expansion gave farmers control over European lamb markets and boosted UK competition.

In 2018, the company acquired Wrexham’s Fairfield Meat Abattoir, forming Farmers Fresh Wales. Since then, it has navigated major challenges - from foot-and-mouth and Brexit to Covid-19 - while trading in the EU and expanding into the UK, Canada, and the Middle East.

Mr Bayliss’ contribution has been previously recognised, including receipt of the John Gittins Memorial Award in 2021 and the Royal Smithfield Club Bicentenary Trophy in 2019, for both of which the FUW provided nominations.

Presenting the award, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “Terry Bayliss has played a significant part in developing farmer-controlled processing and marketing structures over many years. From humble beginnings to becoming a major force in the UK processing sector, the journey he helped shape is remarkable.

“His commitment to supporting producer interests, and his role in strengthening market access for lamb, have made a substantial contribution to the sector and Welsh farmers. The FUW is delighted to recognise his work with this award.”