A CEREDIGION farmer's efforts to help flood-ravaged farms during the winter of 2013-14 has earned him a top award.

The scenes of utter despair as farmers battled the significant cost of having 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) inundated by about 65 million cubic metres of water, struck a chord with Ceredigion farmer Aled Rees.

Mr Rees, who runs a 150-acre organic dairy farm at Trefere Fawr, Penparc, Cardigan, and also farms a further 700 acres of organic beef, sheep and arable along with the dairy unit, remembered the kindness shown to Welsh hill farmers by Lincolnshire farmer Andrew Ward.

He was the founder of Fodder Aid, and launched a system of emergency hay supplies when the snow in spring 2013 brought sheep farmers to their knees as they faced one of the worst crises in 60 years.

As a result Aled took the leading role to pucker-up support for the flooded Somerset farmers in gathering fodder, knowing how vital this sort of help was for the snow-struck Welsh hill farmers barely a year earlier.

In recognition of his efforts, Mr Rees was awarded with the coveted Carmarthen Journal Community awards and named as this year’s Farming Champion.

Speaking about his achievements, former FUW Ceredigion county executive officer Caryl Roberts, said: “Aled has been relentless in his efforts to support flood stricken farmers in Somerset and has been at the forefront leading the call for Welsh farmers to donate forage for Somerset farmers.

“He succeeded in uniting farmers, agri business and the general public to help the plight of desperate farmers and thanks to him not only 20 lorry loads of forage were sent in aid but he also raised £1,755 for the cause. I congratulate him whole-heartedly on his award, which could not have gone to a more deserving person.”