Peter Loxdale, a dairy and livestock farmer from Llanilar near Aberystwyth in Ceredigion, has been named the winner of the NFU Cymru/Wynnstay Sustainable Agriculture Award. The honour was presented at the NFU Cymru/Wynnstay Sustainable Farming Conference on Tuesday, June 30, recognising his work in harmony with the local environment while maintaining a strong focus on production and community support.
Award Recognition and Farm Transformation
During a visit to Castle Hill Farm, award judges were impressed by Peter's passion for soils and efforts to foster nature and wildlife on the farm. Receiving the Welsh slate barometer and the £500 competition prize, Peter said he was 'humbled and honoured' to see his efforts recognised. Peter and his wife, Megan, took over the running of Castle Hill Farm in 2021, which at that point was a sheep-based organic enterprise with a small suckler herd. They soon decided to convert the business to a dairy farm, purchasing dairy heifers the following year. Planning and construction commenced, and the dairy unit produced its first milk in 2024.
Dairy Operation and Environmental Practices
The dairy cattle are Kiwi Cross-type cows, a mixture of Jersey and Friesian, milked in a 24/48 cross over parlour. The conversion to dairy marked a full circle moment for the site, as milk had historically been produced at the farm until 1981. The Stabiliser suckler herd has been retained, and ewe lambs are purchased to be sold on for breeding. Castle Hill Farm is home to around 150 acres of woodland, and several fields now operate as wildflower meadows, encouraging a wide spectrum of flora and fauna. Peter takes great pride in the skylarks that nest in his fields, along with more than 60 other species of birdlife that live side-by-side with the livestock during different times of the year. Since taking over, Peter has prioritised soil health with herbal leys and deep-rooting grasses, which have positively impacted soil compaction.
Renewable Energy and Diversification
Peter has recently installed a small reservoir to harvest rainwater, reducing the farm's use of mains water. A 100kW solar installation with photovoltaic panels helps mitigate electrical costs. The Loxdales are also exploring diversification by adding value to surplus milk through producing butter and soap on the farm.
Community Integration
Castle Hill Farm is an intrinsic part of the local community's social fabric. Each year, three fields are given over to the long-running Llanilar Show, and Clwb Peldroed Llanilar also plays its home games there. Two large fields adjacent to the River Ystwyth were made available for public access through the former Glastir agri-environment scheme and have remained open despite the scheme's closure. The farm employs two local people full-time, with ambitions to appoint a full-time herdsperson in the future.
Judges' Comments
Gary Yeomans, rural affairs board chair, who co-judged this year's award, said: “During our visit, it was abundantly clear that for Peter, his family and staff, the term 'sustainability' means that in another 250 years’ time someone is still farming his land, producing food that the customer wants to eat, at a price they can afford, using methods that are seen as being good for the land and local wildlife. Peter and his family are proof that profitable and productive farming can go hand-in-hand with enhancing the environment. We should also not underestimate the courage of Peter and Megan to raise the finances to re-enter the dairy industry back in 2021 at a time when the milk market was still struggling in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with a clear vision and meticulous planning, they have developed a modern facility with an emphasis on high animal welfare that has seen the business move forward at impressive pace.”
Sponsor's Perspective
Bryn Hughes, national sheep and beef specialist at award sponsors Wynnstay, added: “Wynnstay is proud to again support the NFU Cymru Sustainable Agriculture Award, recognising the outstanding efforts of Welsh farmers who are leading the way in sustainable and forward-thinking practices. This year’s winner exemplifies the innovation, resilience, and environmental stewardship that are vital to the future of farming in Wales. We congratulate Peter and his family on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to seeing their continued impact on Welsh agriculture.”
Winner's Reaction
Speaking after winning the award, Peter Loxdale commented: “I am humbled and honoured to have received this award. We are very fortunate to farm in such an idyllic part of the world and seeing the wildlife doing so well is a highlight of each day. For us, working in tandem with our natural surroundings makes sense both ecologically and economically. The farm performs at its best when the soils are healthy and the local environment is able to prosper.”
