Search for Wales’ ultimate farmer about to begin on S4C’s Fferm Ffactor

Another ten farmers have taken up the challenge as Fferm Ffactor returns for a new series.

Fferm Ffactor returns to screens this October

A long and emotional journey lies ahead and will lead to one triumphant winner, and nine disappointed contenders.

The challenge starts on S4C on Wednesday, 3 October. With the programme now in its fourth year, what will the 2012 series have to offer?

“The series is definitely going from strength to strength. We have some very talented competitors and the tasks are extremely challenging,” says Daloni Metcalfe, Fferm Ffactor presenter, who also presents the countryside and agricultural series Ffermio.

“We’re testing the competitors in all sorts of areas, showing the diversity of agriculture in Wales. Each of the competitors has their own strengths and expertise, but on Fferm Ffactor you must have good knowledge of farming across the board. Most importantly competitors must always remember that farms produce food. That is their purpose at the end of the day,” adds Daloni.

“It’s definitely not an easy competition and I always think the winner fully deserves the prize.”

Setting the challenges and judging the competitors are Professor Wynne Jones and Aled Rees, winner of the first series in 2009. They will decide which of the ten farmers will be driving home the prize – an Isuzu D-Max Yukon 4×4 pick-up.

As well as keeping the peace between the judges and competitors, Daloni also feels she has a more emotional role offering moral support to the competitors as one by one, they are forced to leave the series.

“I like the fact I’m able to comfort them, but you do feel terrible when they have to leave. I always emphasise that it’s the judges’ decision, not mine. It’s not easy but everyone knows there can only be one winner.”

In an hour-long programme to start the new series, we will see some of the competitors in a more relaxed atmosphere, at home and at work. We will also see the special challenge held at the Royal Welsh Show in July, where one of the farmers won a brand new ATV quad bike, presented by four Honda dealers in Wales.

But, there’s no time to relax. The first challenge awaits and with it the risk that one of them will have to leave the competition.

Fferm Ffactor
Wednesday 3 October 8.25pm, S4C
Also, Friday 5 October 10.35pm, S4C
English subtitles