Fferm Ffactor – the competition most farmers dream of winning
The TV competition most farmers dream of winning returns to S4C on Wednesday 12 October for a third series full of tension, emotion and tough challenges.
From milking goats to penning sheep, and from building a hen coop and driving vehicles on challenging routes, ten keen, ambitious and talented farmers will try 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. The hurdle is tackling a series of challenges and
impressing two judges who know a thing or two about farming and countryside management.
A new judge joins agricultural and countryside expert Professor Wynne Jones this year. Enter farmer Aled Rees, winner of the first Fferm Ffactor title in 2009.
Aled, 41 of Cardigan 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."
The farmer, who is part of a family business with beef, dairy cows, sheep and crops on 700 acres of land, is glad to have Wynne as a fellow judge.
"It’s such a privilege adjudicating with Wynne – he not only understands farming, he understands people too and knows how to lead and inspire them. He’s helped me to develop a sense of fairness and balance while judging."
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.
Series presenter Daloni Metcalfe also welcomes a petrol-head biker, a dog-clipping expert, a strong marathon runner and a talented amateur actor among others in a series produced by Cwmni Da for S4C.
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.
Strongman Brian Bown will feel more than most that he has earned his place in the line-up, having to beat two other Fferm Ffactor wannabes in a quad bike challenge at the Royal Welsh show in July to secure his place.
He was one of three who received the fewest votes in a Fferm Ffactor poll which attracted more than 18,000 votes on Facebook, by post and the Showground ballot boxes.
Aled Rees says, "Everyone in my area is talking about the show. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the most popular Fferm Ffactor yet. The vote at the Royal Welsh attracted a great deal of attention and for many this contest is the 'X Factor' competition for the farming community."
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