A grassland management lecturer at Aberystwyth University has won the 2025 Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) Bursary, enabling him to attend the prestigious Oxford Farming Conference from January 8-10, 2025.
Dr Cennydd Owen Jones will join delegates at the conference, themed “Facing Change, Finding Opportunity,” which is a significant gathering of thought leaders and innovators across the agricultural, rural and food sectors, known for its influential debates and high-calibre speakers.
His research, particularly his work on environmental sources of Bovine TB in Wales, has significantly contributed to advancements in Welsh agriculture. He also supervises numerous research projects at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, focusing on various aspects of grassland management.
Alongside his academic career, Dr Jones is a hands-on partner in the family farm on the Talgarreg area of Ceredigion, where he oversees the milking of 80 cows on a grassland system with minimal inputs.
The RWAS Bursary is awarded annually to a candidate aged 25 to 35 who is actively working within a land-based industry. Candidates must not be students and must not have received a RWAS Scholarship or Society Student Award within the last three years.
As part of the bursary, Dr Jones will also have the opportunity to contribute an article for the 2025 RWAS Journal, sharing insights from the conference with members.
He was selected after a rigorous interview process by a panel comprising RWAS representatives Esyllt Ellis Griffiths, Jonathan Hugh Davies and 2024 bursary winner Glenn Lloyd.
Each county-nominated applicant brought unique perspectives and demonstrated an inspiring commitment to the future of agriculture and rural communities.
The judges commended the high calibre and passion of all the candidates, including Sara Roberts from Carmarthen, Emily Morgan from Glamorgan, Leah Davies from Clwyd and Lynfa Jones from Montgomery.
