Welsh rugby star Dan Lydiate has received support from Powys County Council to help grow his egg production business on his family’s farm in Abbeycwmhir.

Lydiate, who plays for the Newport-based Dragons and has earned 75 caps for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, was among the recipients of the council’s business growth grants last year, which totalled nearly £1 million. His company, No6 Egg Company - named after the number he wears as a blindside flanker - was awarded just over £4,000 towards new farm management software in 2024.

The funding was used to purchase and install BigFarmNet software and a database to enhance the production of organic free-range eggs. Lydiate, a director of the company, said the software would help streamline operations and increase productivity.

“I want to sell more eggs directly to local customers and retail with the extra help from the software package,” he said.

“I will be able to increase production by having real-time access via a computer and apps to the production settings. The software enables more control which offers increased productivity, which will also allow me to employ more staff as demand grows with the packaging of eggs.”

No6 Egg Company was already supplying eggs to major retailers including Waitrose and Marks & Spencer before applying for the grant.

Lydiate is among the many business people who have accessed training and advice through Business Wales.

Powys Business Growth Grants were available to help fund capital schemes and one-off revenue projects. They were administered by the council’s Economy and Climate Service and funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cllr David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys said: “It’s great that we have been able to support 84 businesses over the last 18 months with the growth grants scheme, including farm diversification projects like Dan’s.

“We wish him every success in the future and hope he will be as successful as an entrepreneur as he has been on the rugby field.”

If you have a question about economic development in Powys, please email email: [email protected] or visit the council’s website to see what support is available for businesses: https://en.powys.gov.uk/businesses

Help can also be accessed through Business Wales: https://businesswales.gov.wales/