Enterprising young farmer triumphs (From Western Telegraph)

Enterprising young farmer triumphs

A Pembrokeshire farmer who combines running a 120-acre farm single-handedly with a demanding full-time job has been named Welsh Young Farmer of the Year at the Royal Welsh Show.

Mathew Van Dijk, of Square Farm, Arnolds Hill, Haverfordwest, grew up in a town but harboured an ambition to become a farmer.

He let nothing, particularly hard work, get in his way and last Tuesday he was rewarded at the Llanelwedd Show-ground when he beat off good competition to win the Young Farmer of the Year title.

Since the age of 16, Mathew has spent all his pocket money and any spare cash on building up his Slebech herd of Limousins.

He left school at 16 and moved to Square Farm where he rented 12 acres of land from his grandparents, working as a farm labourer to fund his enterprise.

He now farms 120 acres and runs a large herd of pedigree Limousins while working up to 70 hours a week off the farm to nurture and support his business.

Mathew is committed to achieving his life-long ambition. Farming is something I have always wanted to do, he said. I dont want to be one of those people who looks back when they are 40 and wishes they had done this or that.

At the moment it is long hours for little return but my aim is to generate enough income so that I no longer have to work off the farm.