A YOUNG farmer from Haverfordwest has taken on the challenge of building a pigsty fit for a princess porker - helped by Europe's leading trailer manufacturer.

S4C’s Fferm Ffactor: Brwydr y Ffermwyr programme saw two teams battling to create perfect free-range homes for the pedigree Welsh weaners, using old pallets, scrap wood, corrugated iron and other items found on most farms.

Aled Thomas from Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, and two fellow students from Harper Adams University took on Gelli Aur, part of Coleg Sir Gar in Llandeilo. They were among six teams all bidding for the knock-out show’s top prize.

The final part of their 90-minute task was to herd the young gilts 30 metres across a field at Coleg Cambria’s Llysfasi site near Ruthin, and into the new sties.

During the sty-building contest the three-month-old pigs relaxed in style in their Q range trailer, supplied by Ifor Williams Trailers from Corwen for the show.

The pigs were bred by Dafydd Davies, from Prion, near Denbigh, and after the show were destined to be turned into pork, sausages and bacon for sale at the family’s butcher’s shop on Denbigh’s Vale Street.

The winning team will enjoy a 15-day holiday of a lifetime, exploring farming life in South America, courtesy of travel company Teithiau Tango.

Every step of the DIY sty challenge was captured on camera for the show, and carried out under the close scrutiny of judges Caryl Gruffydd Roberts from Llanwrst, Aberystwyth farmer Richard Tudor, and show presenter Ifan Evans.

It’s the first time a team from Harper Adams University, at Edgmond near Newport, Shropshire, has taken part in S4C’s Fferm Ffactor contest.

Also representing the renowned agricultural establishment are Lowri Jones from Felinheli and Gwynfor Evans from Trawsgoed, Aberystwyth.

Proud to be wearing the burgundy Harper Cymru shirt was 20-year-old Aled, a former pupil of Ysgol Y Preseli, Crymych, Pembrokeshire who lives with his parents Ken and Carole, both former detectives, on their 300 acre farm, rearing suckler beef.

Aled, who is also studying for a BSC degree in agriculture, said: “I know absolutely nothing about pigs, so this challenge was interesting - especially herding one of them across the field. But I am good at making stuff.”

The members of the Gelli Aur team, sporting orange shirts, are used to working together - 18-year-old contestants Jack Davies and Aled Davies are cousins, and grew up near each other in Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons.

The third team member, Carys Jones, also 18, has known Aled and Jack for many years through Llangadog Young Farmers, as well as at school and college.

Unbeknown to the three, they were nominated by their college tutors - and so were surprised to get a call from the show’s production company, Cwmni Da, inviting them to take part in tests to prove their agricultural and countryside skills.

Aled, whose parents Chris and Sian breed sheep and cattle on their 360-acre farm, said: “We are some of the youngest contestants taking part, but we are giving it a good go.

“I am really enjoying the tasks so far, as they are a real challenge. We’ve also tried sheep shearing, though we were all novices, however I think we did very well. Jack has done a tractor driving and reversing skills test just now, and coped OK.”

All three, who are now starting their degree studies after completing foundation courses, come from farming backgrounds and so have first hand experience of Ifor Williams Trailers on their family farms.

Carys, who lives with mum Nerys and dad Meirion on their 400-acre sheep and beef farm, admitted that none of the team had much experience with pigs. But she was pleased with their sty, which came with a cut-out entrance and a roof.

“It’s not been easy, but we worked together well as a team. The challenge now is making sure the pig goes straight into it from the trailer,” added Carys.