Q: Can you tell us about your farming setup?
A: I'm a fifth-generation farmer in mid-Wales running around 600 breeding ewes, 20 cattle and one pedigree Limousin bull, alongside 32,000 free range chickens. I've been running the farm since I was 20, so I'm well and truly embedded in it now.
Q: What does a typical working day involve?
A: My day-to-day routine is never the same, really. I could be working up in the poultry shed, sorting sheep or sorting cattle. Over the winter, the priority is making sure the sheep and cattle get fed every single day — that has to happen without fail. There are staff in the poultry shed so I don't need to be there constantly, but the sheep and cattle need me every day. Keeping them happy is what the day revolves around.
Q: What are your current priorities on farm?
A: Lambing season starts soon for me, with calving following shortly after. So right now it's all about getting the sheep and cattle fed up, in good condition and ready to go. The weather has been atrocious and the ground is absolutely sodden, so I'm thinking about bringing the sheep in — if I'm not enjoying myself out in the mud, the animals can't be either. Time to get them on some cosy straw.
Q: How long have you been using Kaiwaka clothing?
A: Kaiwaka has been a staple for me ever since I took over the farm. My first two years I was running around in shorts and jeans, absolutely filthy and freezing cold the entire time. Then I bought my first pair of Kaiwaka leggings and they lasted me eight years. I've only just changed them. If a product can survive Welsh farming weather and eight years of me, that tells you everything you need to know.
Q: You've been trying the new bib and brace — what did you make of it?
A: I'll be honest, I was a bit hesitant at first. I've always been a leggings man — I'm six foot three and quite slim, so bib and braces have never really worked for me. They're always too short in the leg or uncomfortably tight. But this has genuinely changed my opinion. It's keeping my back warm and my front dry and I've got full movement in it. I'm really loving wearing it.
"If a product can survive Welsh farming weather and eight years of me, that tells you everything you need to know."
Q: How important is reliable workwear in your role?
A: It's essential. I need clothing that can cope with a full day outside — whatever the job — without falling apart or letting the weather in. We've had 250mm of rainfall since January 1st alone. If you're not staying dry in that, you're going to struggle very quickly.
Q: What stands out to you about Kaiwaka waterproofs?
A: Their durability and versatility, without a doubt. They keep you dry, keep you warm and you can move freely in them. I'm not really one for saying you should use something just for the sake of it, but this is a product I trust and believe in. I don't think there's a better over-trouser or bib and brace on the market.
Q: Why is staying dry so important to you as a farmer?
A: If you can't stay healthy, you can't keep your animals healthy — it's as simple as that. The Welsh weather doesn't give you much choice, so the kit you wear really does matter. When I was young I could run off adrenaline, but the cold hits a bit harder now. You've got to be sensible about it.
Q: Where can people follow your farming journey?
A: I'm on Instagram and Facebook as That Welsh Farmer. Facebook is where I post the more serious stuff — silage scores, that sort of thing. Instagram is more me running around getting stuck in the mud. I post what I want, when I want. Just me being me.
Ioan has been wearing Kaiwaka for years and has been consistently impressed with its durability, so when Farmers Guardian got in touch with him about the exciting rebrand hitting the UK, he was keen to get involved. FG asked for his opinions on the Kaiwaka gear and why it helps him on the farm.
To find out more about Kaiwaka and how you can get hold of their new range, visit their website.
Follow Ioan to find out what he gets up to day-to-day @ThatWelshFarmer
