Foodies in Belgium are reading all about what it takes to be a female Welsh livestock producer as leading young farmer Caryl Hughes from the Ceiriog valley features in a prestigious Belgian cooking magazine telling readers the story of Welsh Lamb and Welsh farming.

Caryl Hughes farms in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog with her family, who have farmed for generations. Earlier in the Spring she represented not only the Welsh sheep industry but also female farmers across the country when she helped Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) put PGI Welsh Lamb on the Belgian culinary scene in Culinaire Ambiance magazine.

HCC has worked for many years to successfully establish Welsh Lamb as a premium product in Belgium. In doing so, HCC has supported the Chaudfontaine Lady Chef of the Year competition for several years where budding female chefs create innovative and delicious menus featuring Welsh Lamb. The buzz of the Lady Chef of the Year competition has led to a buzz around Welsh Lamb and journalists were interested in the link between female Welsh sheep farmers who produce world-renowned lamb and the female Belgian chefs who create and craft beautiful dishes using it as an ingredient.

Caryl is a familiar face within Welsh agriculture; having previously held the role of National Sheep Association Young Ambassador and currently serving as Montgomeryshire YFC’s Chair, she is a very credible candidate to represent women in the Welsh sheep industry. Furthermore, with a degree in Agriculture from Aberystwyth University under her belt, a stint as the first Llyndy Isaf National Trust Scholar and a season on Fferm Factor, her knowledge, experience and passion for the industry is abundantly evident and undeniable.