Former Wales rugby international Dan Lydiate is branching out into a new venture after calling time on his playing career.
The 38-year-old, who earned 72 caps for his country, has teamed up with trailer maker Ifor Williams Trailers to assist with his expanding Welsh Black cattle operation.
Since hanging up his boots last year, Lydiate has divided his time between coaching duties with the Dragons and managing the family agricultural business at Ty’n y Berth, a 500-acre holding close to Llandrindod Wells.
The property currently houses 50 Welsh Black cows alongside a flock of 100 sheep.
Lydiate, who resides in Ammanford, explained that his grandfather owned a small eight-foot Ifor Williams box trailer years ago. He purchased his own Ifor Williams trailer half a decade ago and has been satisfied with its performance.
Following positive experiences with the product, Lydiate travelled to the manufacturer’s Sandycroft facility in Flintshire alongside his sibling Jack to collect a substantially larger 16-foot unit, described as the flagship model in their lineup.
He noted that with farmland situated approximately six miles from the main holding, the new trailer would prove essential for moving livestock to elevated grazing areas and relocating ovines across the property. The Ifor Williams brand represents a globally recognised trailer manufacturer, placing Wales prominently in the industry. The craftsmanship evident in construction demonstrates exceptional standards.
The latest TA510 model comes equipped with a slurry tank, sheep decking facilities, an Easyload ramp mechanism, and features a bespoke emblem representing Lydiate’s Llaithddu herd.
Site manager Jak Tyrer commented that the company maintains strong ties within the agricultural sector and considers collaboration with farmers essential to their operations. Several rugby fans employed at the facility were delighted to learn of Lydiate’s visit and his decision to choose their products for agricultural purposes.
Beyond the larger trailer, the firm is also providing a compact Q7 unit designed for quad bike towing, ideal for shifting sheep and young lambs during the intensive lambing period.