On the 5th and 6th of July, Ifan Davies, from near Cerrigydrudion completed a shearing marathon over a period of 24 hours and managed an epic 17-hour shearing tally of 1063 ewe sheep. Ifan’s challenge has raised over £4900 for charity!
We had the honour of meeting with Ifan to see how he prepared for this challenge and to learn a bit more about him!
28 year old Ifan Davies, originally from a farm near Cerrigydrudion, now living at Cilbronrhydd farm, Harlech has been a keen member of the Young Farmers Club from a young age and is now the county chair for Meirionydd Young Farmers Federation.
He now teaches many others in Glynllifon College, mainly teaching practical stock work. Ifan also trains sheepdogs in his spare time and also farms sucklers and sheep at home.
We asked Ifan about his past experiences in shearing, and he told us:
“I shear often over the summer period and have been since my teenage years.
When I was 17, I attended a shearing course with Hyw Llwyngwgan (who I owe a great debt to for all that he has taught me, and still teaches me!) and then I started going out and shearing for other people when I was around 20 years old.
I have been lucky enough to shear in many countries around the world including New Zealand, Germany, Spain and all around the United Kingdom!”
Months of preparation went into this challenge. Ifan switched to a no-white-carb diet, incorporated daily swims, and utilised the gym’s rowing machine to build endurance.
He even travelled to Germany for pre-challenge practice, battling 30-degree heat – a testament to his determination!
“I had to change my diet to a no-white-carb diet for the months leading up to the challenge so I was living off mainly meat, eggs and broccoli (and a few other veggies!). I went swimming every morning for around two months leading up to the shear, and this was to help me mainly with my breathing. The rowing machine in the gym also helped me a lot with my fitness.
I also went to Germany for two weeks to shear before the challenge and this was great practice, but I have to say that shearing outside in 30 degree heat was extremely difficult for me, especially because of my ginger hair!”
When completing a challenge like this, so many mental and physical barriers need to be pushed through, and Ifan managed this incredibly well. He said:
“I am very lucky to have had my sisters and mum giving me food throughout the challenge and forcing me to eat between runs. As for mentally, I knew I was going to do it straight after the first run. I’ve got a tough mind, and once I want to do something I do it. I did twist my ankle on the 800 mark but just sheared through the pain, mind over matter!! Body and mind felt really good at the end, could have done more sheep if there was more, but I also was glad to finish… and get on the beers!!!”
Ifan wanted to complete this ‘Chairmans Challenge’ in order to give back to Meirionydd Young Farmers, as well as raising money for the Air Ambulance.
The Young Farmers is an organisation that is very close to Ifan’s heart and is a beating heart for rural communities around the United Kingdom.
For Ifan, having been a keen member of the Young Farmers in Meirionydd for over 18 years, it was an easy task for him to choose to raise money for this organisation.
Ifan’s mother had a serious accident 18 years ago and was airlifted to hospital, so his family’s gratitude goes towards the air ambulance for their assistance with the accident, and Ifan said to himself: “You never know when you might need it either, it’s a crucial service for people living in rural communities in Wales”.
Ifan’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of his sponsors, family, and the amazing team behind the scenes.
“I’d like to give a big shout out to everyone who helped on the day, from the lads in the pens, the wool handlers, the caterers and the bar! Also, a big thank you to Rhodri Tyddun Du and family for allowing me to hold the event on their farm, and to all the farmers who provided the sheep for me to shear on the day.
I’d like to say huge thank you to my girlfriend Lea (who left for Australia before the event!). She really helped to keep me motivated with going to the gym and keeping on track.
One last special thank you to Hyw Llwyngwgan and Elfed Jackson who were a massive support to me leading up to the event, and for all of their work during the event.”
We at Agritrader applaud Ifan’s incredible achievement and are honoured to have been a sponsor.
