Farmers’ Union of Wales re-elects Presidential team
The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has re-elected Carmarthenshire farmer Ian Rickman as President and Pembrokeshire dairy farmer Dai Miles as Deputy President during the Union's Grand Council meeting held in Aberystwyth on Thursday 11 June.
Mr Rickman, who was first elected President of the Farmers' Union of Wales in 2023, will continue to lead the Union following his re-election by members of the FUW's Grand Council. A long-standing and committed advocate for Welsh agriculture, Mr Rickman has served the Union in a number of key roles over many years.
A past Carmarthenshire County Chairman, he also previously chaired the FUW's Hill Farming and Marginal Land Committee. He was elected as a Vice President of the Union in 2017 before becoming Deputy President in 2019. Throughout his years in office, he has represented members' interests at Welsh Government and stakeholder meetings, farm visits and industry events, while championing the vital contribution of Welsh family farms to rural communities, food production and the wider economy.
Mr Rickman and his wife, Helen, live on a 220-acre upland farm near Llandeilo, where they have raised three sons. Ian operates a sheep and beef enterprise together with young farmer Sean Jeffreys under a partnership farming agreement, rearing Wagyu calves alongside their sheep flock.
Speaking following his re-election, Mr Rickman said: "It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to continue serving as President of the Farmers' Union of Wales. Welsh agriculture faces significant challenges and opportunities, and I remain committed to ensuring the voices of our members are heard clearly at every level of decision-making. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our dedicated officeholders, staff and members to secure a strong future for family farms across Wales."
The Grand Council also re-elected Dai Miles as Deputy President.
Mr Miles is a well-known dairy farmer from Pembrokeshire and one of the four founding directors of Calon Wen, the pioneering organic milk co-operative. The co-operative not only markets members' milk to processors but has also successfully developed its own range of dairy products, now available through major retailers across Wales and the wider UK.
A first generation farmer, Mr Miles took on the tenancy of Barnsley Farm in West Wales with his wife Sharon in 1997. Originally a stock and arable unit, the farm was transformed into an organic dairy enterprise, beginning with 33 cows and leased milk quota. The business has expanded steadily over the years, with additional land acquired in 2001 and 2005. In 2021, his son Llyr joined the business, managing the herd day-to-day.
Today, the family farms more than 300 acres and manages a herd of 140 dairy cows alongside 100 youngstock. Their farming system incorporates grassland management alongside crops including arable silage and forage rape.
Commenting following his re-election, Dai Miles said: "I am honoured to have been re-elected as Deputy President of the Farmers' Union of Wales and would like to thank members for placing their trust in me once again. Farming has given me countless opportunities over the years, and I am proud to be able to give something back by serving the Union and its members.
"The coming years will be crucial for our industry, and I am eager to continue supporting farmers, celebrating the great work they do and helping ensure Welsh agriculture remains innovative, sustainable and successful."
