West Wales dairy farmer, Llandovery born Dai Davies, of Llwyndewi Isaf, Whitland has been elected as deputy President of the National Farmers Union in Wales.

The youngest son of a hill farmer, he had attended Ysgol Pantycelyn - where he became head boy - before going on to study for his Higher National Diploma in Agriculture at Harper Adams and later obtaining a National Certificate in Education at Worcester College.

After gaining practical experience as a teacher in France he would probably have entered the profession but, as his father was nearing retirement, he was persuaded to join his brother in the family business when they moved to the Whitland area 27 years ago - his brother subesquently had to give up farming on health grounds.

A member and past chairman of ther Llanboidy branch of the NFU, Dai is a past chairman of the Carmarthen County branch which he has represented on the Union's Welsh Council for the past two years.

He is also a former chairman of council of the Axis Milk Group (now First Milk), a director of Carmarthen and Pumsaint Farmers Co-op, a member of the Minister's IACS Appeal Panel and he has been made an associate of the Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS).

Other demands upon his time are as a member of the Objective 1 Board (Carmarthenshire), a Justice of the Peace (Carmarthen South bench), a past president of Whitland Young Farmers Club and as a member and former chairman of the governors of Ysgol Dyffryn Taf.

Commenting on his new appointment, Dai said: "I fully realise the responsibility that rests on the shoulders of the NFU to help secure a sustainable and fair income for Welsh farmers. There are major issues which have to be addressed in order that returns adequately reflect just rewards for our investment and labour input. I have seen the future from the hills and I am certain that the grass is not any greener elsewhere!

"We begin the New Year with fresh determination and a new agenda that must secure a profitable and sustainable future for agriculture, particularly for the younger farmer, to encourage new developments and to capitalise on whatever opportunities present themselves, including environmental enhancement.

"Co-operation will remain the key word for the coming year between farmers, farm businesses and the food chain, the industry and Government. Further co-operation - in buying or selling - will help reduce costs and strengthen the trading position of individuals in a fierce and increasingly competitive global market.

"Adding value - to improve share of the final retail profits -will also continue to help farms improve their share of the final retail profits and additional business ventures are a valuable source of greater security. All these efforts must be supported and must not be thwarted by ill-judged Government intervention."

In conclusion, he considered one of the first tasks of the industry was to put foot and mouth behind them and ensure that the Government effectively closes the door on all diseases coming in from abroad.

Dai Davies is married to Jean and the couple have two daughters, Lisa, who is studying for her Ph.D at Cardiff, and Lyn, a medical doctor at Taunton.