The Farmers’ Union of Wales and FUW Insurance Services are looking forward to what promises to be a busy Royal Welsh Show (Monday 24 - Thursday 27 July 2023) which is taking place in Llanelwedd. 

The week will be an opportunity for the FUW group to highlight to members, the public visiting the show and politicians why farming matters more than ever and what must be achieved if there are to be thriving, sustainable, family farms in Wales. 

Speaking ahead of the show, FUW President Ian Rickman said: “The team has done an excellent job in putting together a full programme of seminars and entertainment for everyone visiting our pavilion - members and non-members are welcome to join these seminars. 

“There will be a variety of topical discussions in our seminars. Those issues, if not addressed, are going to affect the viability and sustainability of our family farms here in Wales and we will be lobbying and shining a light on those issues throughout the week.”

The FUW looks forward to welcoming Members of the Senedd and Members of Parliament, as well as industry stakeholders to the pavilion to discuss the many farming matters that have a profound impact on the agricultural industry.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales is calling on all budding photographers to enter its charity calendar photography competition with photographs featuring the Welsh countryside and agriculture.

The calendar will be sold in aid of the next FUW President’s charity at the Royal Welsh Winter Show in Builth Wells.

Union President Ian Rickman said: “After the success of the 2022 competition  we’ve decided to run it again for next year’s calendar and are looking for photos for every season, every sector and every landscape to create a memorable calendar for 2024. 

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has a new presidential team at its helm to lead the organisation forward in its mission to ensure there are thriving, sustainable family farms in Wales.

Joining newly elected President Ian Rickman at the top are Pembrokeshire dairy farmer Dai Miles as deputy President; North Wales beef and sheep farmer Alun Owen as North Wales Vice President; Glamorgan beef and sheep farmer Brian Bowen as South Wales Vice President and Ceredigion sheep farmer Anwen Hughes as Mid Wales Vice President.

Carmarthenshire sheep and beef farmer Ian Rickman has been elected as President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales at the Union’s Council meeting in Aberystwyth on Friday 30 June 2023. He takes over from Glyn Roberts, who served the Union for 8 years in the role.

Ian Rickman’s parents, Robert and Margaret Rickman, moved to Gurnos, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire in 1975; that was Ian's first experience of farming and started a lifelong passion.