The 2025 Hill Farming Event

The RWAS Feature County for 2025, Caernarfon will host the Hill Farming Event at Hafod y Llan Farm, Beddgelert on Thursday 12th June.

Hill Farming Event at Hafod y Llan

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is proud to present this year’s Hill Farming Event on Thursday, June 12th, at Hafod y Lian in Beddgelert. The event is organised as part of the fundraising efforts for the 2025 Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells, where Caernarfonshire County will serve as the featured host. The event promises to be a vibrant and engaging celebration of upland farming and rural life in Wales. Hafod y Llan is 1,800 hectares, and the farm has three hefted sheep flocks of Welsh mountain sheep and a small herd of pedigree Welsh black cattle. There are also hydro schemes, solar panels, a campsite and tourist accommodation. The farm extends from the valley floor to the summit of Yr Wyddfa.

Set in the stunning surroundings of Snowdonia, the event will welcome visitors from across Wales and the North East for a full day of demonstrations, exhibitions, and hands-on experiences. Many confirmed exhibitors and trade stands will fill the fields and farm buildings, offering a valuable opportunity to connect with local producers, national agricultural businesses, and organisations from across the sector. The day will feature a variety of attractions, including machinery demonstrations, trade stalls, sheepdog trials, forestry displays, and insights into sustainable farming practices. Food lovers will enjoy live cooking demonstrations and a Welsh food market showcasing variations of the best local produce. Chairman of the organising committee, Bedwyr Jones, who farms the neighbouring Gwastadanas, said, “as a committee we felt that the hill farming sector was vitally important to this county and several years have passed since there has been an event which has focused on the uplands. There has been interest from all parts of the UK and some people remember a similar event held at Hafod y Llan in 1996. We are pleased that Mr Richard Williams, who was the host then, has agreed to be our President on June 12th

One of the major highlights of the day is the Intercollege Young Farmer Competition, featuring teams of three from seven Further Education colleges across Wales. The competition will include a wide range of tasks designed to test both knowledge and practical skills, such as stockjudging of Welsh Black cattle and sheep, sheep shearing, fencing, quad bike driving, and industry-related assessments. Winners will be announced at the event, celebrating the next generation of skilled young hill farmers.

The sheepdog demonstration will be led by the Welsh Sheepdog Society, alongside Arwyn and Bryn Davies from Bryneglwys. Throughout the day, visitors can watch working dogs and their handlers in action, showcasing the incredible discipline and partnership required in traditional sheepdog work.

A series of guest speakers will offer expert insight into current agricultural issues. Professor Prysor Williams will speak about developments in the world of carbon and the effectiveness of upland systems in meat production. Dan Jones will share perspectives on farming developments in other countries, and Giles Hunt will discuss future leasing plans for National Trust farms.

With a warm welcome, a wealth of knowledge, and a strong community spirit, the Hill Farming Event at Hafod y Llan promises to be a memorable day out for all ages. The event opens to the public at 10 am. Everyone is invited to come along, explore, learn, and celebrate the enduring strength and innovation of Wales’s hill farming communities. Bedwyr Jones added “Hafod y Lian is in a spectacular location and for people who would like to see the livestock grazing the higher slopes there will be the opportunity to join guided walks or to simply wander at their own pace over the farm. We are fortunate to have the support of some of the best food producers in the County and we hope that it will also be a day to relax and catch up with old friends whilst also enjoying some of this local food.” Advance tickets are available on the Royal Welsh website at a concessionary price or can be bought at the gate on the day. Under 16’s free.

Glynwen Davies and Arwyn Owen