Powys farmer wins prestigious Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award at Royal Welsh Show
Powys farmer wins prestigious Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award at Royal Welsh Show
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Robbie Alman-Wilson, a beef and sheep farmer from Llanbister, Powys, has been named the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2025, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Welsh agriculture.
The award, now in its 27th year, celebrates the vital role women play in the farming industry and aims to raise their profile across the sector.
Raised on her parents’ beef and sheep farm in Gladestry, Robbie developed a strong passion for agriculture early in life. Since moving to her husband Dale’s family farm in Llanbister in 2006, the couple has expanded and diversified their business significantly. Working in partnership with Dale’s parents, Roy and Mair, they introduced a 12,000-bird egg-laying poultry unit in 2009, which has since grown to house 34,000 birds.
Robbie has also run a successful equine business from the farm, all while raising a young family. Today, she manages the day-to-day running of the farm as Dale operates a sheep and cattle scanning business in the UK and abroad during winter months.
The farm now supports a diverse livestock operation, including a pedigree flock of Dutch Spotted sheep, a hefted hill flock of Welsh ewes, and various commercial ewes. Their cattle operations include three separate herds: suckler cows, Belted Galloways, and Welsh Blacks, the latter two grazed on land owned by Radnorshire Wildlife Trust and grass-fed for premium beef boxes.
The family’s Dutch Spotted sheep enterprise, which began with just two ewes five years ago, has since grown into a 60-ewe flock with considerable success in show and sale rings. Their achievements include wins at the Great Yorkshire Show and a record-breaking £7,000 sale for a ewe lamb, Cnwch Gypsy Vanner, at Carlisle Premier Sale.
This year’s Royal Welsh Show was another highlight, where the family took home wins in four classes, culminating in their shearling ram Cnwch HD II Est Beau being named Overall Champion and Champion of Champions in the Interbreed Championship.
Robbie’s sons Joey, 15, and Jake, 14, are also making their mark, competing successfully in young handler competitions. Joey was crowned YFC Baby Beef Champion Stockman in 2023. Robbie, who trims all the sheep herself, is now mentoring them in preparation for YFC lamb-trimming competitions.
Off the farm, Robbie sits on the Dutch Spotted Sheep Society (DSSS) Committee, where she is a trustee and show judge, including at events such as the Royal Bath and West.
NFU Cymru Deputy President and award judge Abi Reader praised Robbie’s dedication and leadership within the industry: “We are delighted to announce Robbie as the winner of the 27th Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award. Robbie is a strong advocate for safeguarding the future of Welsh agriculture through the production of top-quality livestock on the farm. Her passion for the industry was clear to see and she believes that agriculture plays a central role in the community, as well as being key to producing high quality food.
“Robbie is a true advocate for women in agriculture and after visiting her farm, it was clear she is a very worthy winner.”
Fellow judge Heather Holgate, representing award sponsors NFU Mutual in her role as NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Group Secretary in Tregaron, added: “It has been a pleasure to help judge the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award and see for myself the huge depth of talent we have among women in Welsh agriculture. The standard of the applications was exceptionally high, which made our role as judges enjoyable and challenging in equal measure.
“However, both Abi and I were in agreement that Robbie was the pick of the entries for this year’s award. Her passion and dedication to the industry, not only in taking care of her stock and the environment, but also her attitude towards educating others about where their food comes from and how it is produced, shone through during our visit to her farm. She is a truly fantastic advocate for our industry.”
Robbie was presented with an engraved Welsh crystal bowl and a £500 cash prize to mark her achievement.
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