2018-08-24 |
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2018 British Farming Awards Finalists Announced
The 2018 British Farming Awards finalists have been announced today as part of a record-breaking year for the agricultural event.
Now in its sixth year, The British Farming Awards recognises the hard work, innovation and determination so prevalent across Britain’s farming industry. Organised by AgriBriefing, parent company of Farmers Guardian, Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer, there are 60 finalists as part of this year’s event, which showcases the diverse achievements and efforts delivered by UK farmers in their day-to-day businesses.
There are 15 categories in total, recognising farming’s core sectors, including arable, beef, sheep, dairy and machinery, as well as acknowledging the vast array of farm diversifications emerging as farmers add value to their businesses.
A new award for 2018, Farm Worker of the Year, will highlight the vital role and input of employees across the UK, whose efforts can now be recognised.
The event also champions the role of agricultural students, new entrants coming into the industry and family farms which are the backbone of so many farm businesses today.
Exclusive
Two of the awards will be announced exclusively during the ceremony, which is taking place at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham, on Thursday, October 18.
The Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture recognises an individual who has worked tirelessly for UK farming, either through delivering innovation, championing the needs of fellow farmers, spearheading change and/or promoting the industry to the wider public.
The farming industry is, among many things, resilient in times of crisis or adversity. The Farmers Guardian Farming Hero Award recognises an individual, or group of people, who pull together in the hardest of times, striving to make a positive difference to the lives of other people and/or campaigns to raise awareness of issues to the wider industry and beyond.
Farmers Guardian Editor Ben Briggs says:
“The British Farming
Awards celebrate and showcase the innovation, enthusiasm and drive
of individuals who make UK agriculture so special.
“Farmers feed the nation, shape our stunning countryside and are the heartbeat of rural communities, which is why it is so important we recognise their contribution through these awards.”
Andrew
Thornber, Morrisons manufacturing managing director, says:
“We are pleased to be sponsoring the British Farming Awards in
2018 following the success of last year’s event.
“We are proud to work with and buy from British farmers. In fact, we work directly with more than 3,000 livestock farmers, over 200 growers and - with the acquisition of Chippendale Foods - we now work directly with 40 egg producers as well. We prefer to deal directly with farmers because we believe this works best for both parties.
“We remain committed to developing strong and enduring relationships with British farmers, helping us to understand better and work together to build long-term sustainability.”
List of 2018 finalists:
Agricultural Student of the Year – Sponsored by Kubota
- Aimee Budge, SRUC
- Alice Clews, Harper Adams University
- Luke Cox, University of Reading
- Emily Davis, University of Nottingham
- Matthew Rollason, Harper Adams University
Arable Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Spaldings
- Jo Bradley, Hungary Lane Farm, Leicestershire
- Max Chenery, Whatton Farm Estate, Leciestershire
- David Fuller-Shapcott, J.N. Fuller-Shapcott and Co, Scottish Borders
- Joe Howard, RE Howard & Sons, Nottinghamshire
- David Miller, Wheatsheaf Farming Company, Hampshire
Beef Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by ABP Food Group
- Jonathan and Laura Chapman, Native Beef, Buckinghamshire
- James Duerden, Kilawick Grange, Cumbria
- Angelika von Heimendahl, Camcattle, Cambridgeshire
- Arnold and Angela Mathers, Tormiston Farms, Orkney
- John and Pat Stanley, Spring Barrow Lodge Farm, Leicestershire
Contractor Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Fendt
- Ben Davies, Ben Davies Agricultural Contracting, Montgomeryshire
- Neil Fell, N.R. Fell Mobile Sheep Dipping, Durham
- Roger Glennie, Hillhead of Ardo Farm, Aberdeenshire
- Andrew Howseman, Howseman Agriculture, Lincolnshire
- James Whitewell, J.T.W. Agg Co, Lancashire
Dairy Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Dairymaster
- Will Barber - Halcyon Genetics, Lancashire
- Richard Bostock, James Doherty and
- Tom Lomas - Perfection Collection, Shropshire
- Jonny and Dulcie Crickmore, Fen Farm Dairy, Suffolk
- Karen and Tom Halton, Halton Farms, Cheshire
- Jonjo Roberts and Matt Venables, Mynachdy Farm, Anglesey
Digital Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Watson Fuels
- Emily Hickman, People in Ag UK, Denbighshire
- Laura Hodgkins, Girl About the Farm, West Sussex
- Tom and Lisa Martin, Facetime a Farmer, Cambridgeshire
- Hannah Morgan, The Wife Behind the Farmer, Worcestershire
- Thomas Pemberton, Pemberton Dairies, Lancashire
Diversification Innovator of the Year (Small to Medium)
- Steven Holmes, Farmyard Ales, Lancashire
- Leona Kane, Broighter Gold, Northern Ireland
- Gerry and Rachel Mee, Burlton Cottages/The Spa at Burlton, Shropshire
- Izzi Rainey, Izzy Rainey, Norfolk
- Steve Suggitt, PlantGrow, Norfolk
Diversification Innovator of the Year (Large) – Sponsored by Firma Foreign Exchange
- Howard Blackwell, Blackwells Farm Produce, Essex
- Tim and Marnie Dobson, Chestnut Meats, Cheshire
- Duncan McConchie, GG’s Yard, Dumfries and Galloway
- Kathryn Mitchell, The Lambing Shed Farm Shop, Cheshire
- Paul and Emma Ratcliffe, PBESCO/PBE Fuels, Pembrokeshire
Family Farming Business of the Year – Sponsored by Morrisons
- The Alderson family, Burley Farm, Shropshire
- The Kerr family, South Corton Farm, South Ayrshire
- The Webster family, Taylors Farm, Lancashire
- The Wilson family, Market Place Farm, East Yorkshire
- The Wortley family, Holmebrink Farm, Norfolk
Farm Worker of the Year – Sponsored by Isuzu UK
- Jack Bedlow, M.E.S. Dart and Partners and A.G. Hedges (Farms), Oxfordshire
- Daniel Coleman, M.A. Rawlings, Gloucestershire
- Glen Shaw, Stenigot Estate Company, Lincolnshire
- Lesley Tait, Stockley Farm Park, Cheshire
- Luke Winton, E. Reader and Sons, Glamorgan
Farmers Guardian Farming Hero – sponsored by Volac
This award recognises an individual or group of people who strive to make a positive difference to the lives of other people during times of uncertainty or adversity. They may also be campaigning to raise awareness to the wider industry and beyond.
The winner will be announced on the evening of the awards.
Machinery and Farm Technology of the Year – Sponsored by ArmaTrac
- Richard Baxter, Blockstem, Derwent Lock Security, West Midlands
- Steven and Ian Birnie, Birnie Bale Trailer, SIB Services, Aberdeenshire
- Andrew Diprose, Rootwave, Warwickshire
- Gordon Stephen, Calfcatcher, Aberdeenshire
- Andrew Webster, Potato Planter, Lancashire
New Entrants Awards: Against The Odds – Sponsored by Massey Ferguson
- Tom Chapman, Holding Number 3, Staffordshire
- Rhydian Glyn, Rhiwgriafol, Powys
- Alex Moore, Fosse Farm, Leicestershire
- Oliver Robertshaw, Robertshaw Livestock, Nottinghamshire
- Dean and Katie Whybrow, Lower Wilbury Farm, Bedfordshire
Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture – Sponsored by NSF International
This prestigious award is designed to recognise one individual’s dedication to the farming industry.
The award is given to a member of the agricultural industry who has worked tirelessly for UK farming, either through delivering innovation, championing the needs for fellow farmers, spearheading change and/or promoting the industry to the wider public.
The winner will be announced on the evening of the awards.
Sheep Innovator of the Year – Sponsored by Shearwell Data
- Rhys Edwards, Hendre Ifan Goch Farm, Bridgend
- Arwyn Jones, Plas Farm, Anglesey
- Sam Jones, Brookhouse Farm, Worcestershire
- Tim May, Kingsclere Estates, Hampshire
- Matt and Becky van der Borgh, Top Paddock Sheep Dairy, West Sussex.
