THE new judge in the S4C ‘Farmer of the Year’ series Fferm Ffactor has made such an impression that he’s already been dubbed the “Simon Cowell of the farming world”.
Former Fferm Ffactor winner Aled Rees has joined farming and countryside expert Wynne Jones as an adjudicator in the popular series which started last night on S4C.
“Some of the competitors say I’m a hard taskmaster like [X Factor supremo] Mr Cowell! I think I’m firm but fair and I don’t mind being compared to Simon Cowell as he has had a great deal of success nurturing musical talent,” said the 41-year-old Cardigan farmer who won the first competition in 2009.
“I’ve had cause to tell one or two of the competitors they have room for improvement, but I’m always trying to give them some encouragement too.Š
“Having Wynne and presenter Daloni Metcalfe around to advise is a great deal of help. For me, this series is similar to The Apprentice in that it tests every aspect of the farmer’s character and you have to appreciate all aspects of the competitor’s psychological make-up.”
From milking goats to penning sheep, and from building a hen coop and driving vehicles on challenging routes, ten keen, ambitious and talented farmers are trying to become kings of the countryside. The aim is to win the prestigious Fferm Ffactor 2011 title and take home the glittering prize, a 4x4 Isuzu Rodeo Denver.Š
Aled, who is part of a family business with beef, dairy cows, sheep and crops on 700 acres of land, said he was proud of being an adjudicator. Š
He says, “I felt humbled when I was asked to become a judge on Fferm Ffactor, it’s a huge honour. Winning the title has changed my life and opened new opportunities, so I know how important this competition is. There’s a great deal of fun to be had in competing – but believe you me, standards are very high and being chosen as Wales’s best farmer is neither child’s play nor a reality TV gimmick.”
Among those contestants who will want to make an impression on Aled and Wynne are the first married couple to compete on Fferm Ffactor, Iestyn Tegid Davies and Marian Davies of Trawsfynydd.
The other eight are mother-of-two Debs Phillips from Crymych; Heilin Huw Thomas of Llandysul; Malcolm Davies from Dinas, near Pwllheli; Aled Huw Roberts, originally from Plas Du, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant but now living in Rhos, Wrexham; Dafydd Evans of Llanwrin near Machynlleth; Sam Carey from Rhoshill, north Pembrokeshire; Rheinallt Davies of Llanwrin near Machynlleth and Brian Bown from Anglesey.
Fferm Ffactor, produced by Cwmni Da, is on every Wednesday at 8.25pm on S4C, with English and Welsh subtitles and on Fridays with on-screen English subtitles.