One of the most prestigious prizes in Welsh agriculture, the John Gittins Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the Welsh sheep industry, has been won this year by Mr R Alwyn Rees from Machynlleth, Powys.
Alwyn Rees’ interest in genetic improvement has resulted in significant developments and improvements to his hefted flock of Welsh Mountain Hill Sheep. Having earned numerous accolades, including selling a ram for a record price of £23,000 in 2011 and the highest recorded average price for a pen of rams at £6,200/head in 2014, Mr Rees’ flock is one of the leading flocks of Welsh Mountain Hill sheep in Wales.
Mr Rees is a firm advocate that shepherds of hefted flocks of hill sheep require a greater skill and understanding of the industry to improve flock genetics. He believes that these breeds are based on traditional breeding programmes which enable the sheep to evolve and prosper in their natural surroundings.
With his enthusiasm for the industry, Mr Rees has taken on various roles, including being a member of the Welsh Mountain Hill Sheep society, the chairman of the Meirionnydd Welsh Mountain Hill Sheep Society, a judge of the Welsh Mountain Hill Sheep section at the Royal Welsh Show and Butchers Lamb Hill Breeds section of the Winter Fair.
Mr Rees was made a fellow of the Council of Awards for Royal Agricultural Societies (CARAS) earlier this year and is also the Chairman of the 2016 Royal Welsh Grassland Event being hosted by the Meirionnydd feature county on 9 June 2016.
Gwynne Davies, representing the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, Kevin Parry, from the Welsh Mule Sheepbreeders Association and Paul Wozencraft, from the National Sheep Association Wales made up the panel of judges for this year’s award.
They remarked that the quality of all the candidates was very impressive and the task of drawing a shortlist very difficult. “Having interviewed exceptional candidates we came to the unanimous conclusion that the winner, being a top stockman and shepherd, with an enthusiasm for the agricultural and sheep industries, this year would be Mr Alwyn Rees.”
Mr Rees will be presented with the award on Monday 30 November at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair.
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