ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS AT THE 2024 BRITISH FARMING AWARDS

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS AT THE 2024

BRITISH FARMING AWARDS

For twelve years the British Farming Awards has been shining a light on the best in British Farming. During this annual event Britain’s farming industry comes together to celebrate the achievements of its contemporaries. Pioneering farmers and industry professionals across all sectors were highlighted through fifteen categories such as technology, science, food production and sustainability. With a further three special recognition awards being announced during the evening.

This year saw a record number of award entries, painstakingly shortlisted by our team of judges, with winners of each category being crowned last night (17 October),  VOX Birmingham. We are thrilled to introduce the winners of the 2024 British Farming Awards below:

2024 Winners

Agri-tech Innovator of the Year (sponsored by My Name’5 Doddie Foundation)

PES Technologies, Norfolk 

Soil health innovator, PES Technologies, has developed a market-leading product designed to analyse soil health instantaneously. This new product is the brainchild of Andrej Porovic, CEO of PES, who discovered a gap in the market following a meeting with experts from the National Institute of Agricultural Botany.  Andrej created a handheld device that provides in-field data on over 12 indicators of biological, chemical, and physical soil health in 5 minutes. The judges noted the global potential of this product, alongside the cross sector benefit for all UK based farmers. This product saves time and money, and takes a step in the right direction for the industry. Reflecting upon winning the award, Andrej commented, “I’m absolutely chuffed and surprised, to be recognised for what we’ve been doing is immense, when we started this is was just a pipe dream. Agriculture is going through massive changes and in our way, we can help farmers, this award announces that we are here.”

Agricultural Student of the Year (Sponsored by Richmond Asset Finance)

Holly Bonner, Bridgwater & Taunton College of University Centre Somerset 

Holly Bonner’s journey from a non-traditional educational path to pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Management at Bridgwater & Taunton College of University Centre Somerset reflects her deep commitment to agriculture. Hailing from Devon, Holly initially chose a Level 3 Agricultural Apprenticeship over A-Levels, working on her family farm and gaining diverse experience in livestock sectors and event catering. This hands-on approach fuelled her passion for farming and laid a solid foundation for her studies. The judges found Holly’s commitment to self-growth and pushing herself out of her comfort zone incredibly admirable. Along with her dedication to her studies, Holly’s interests outside of education have enabled her to develop a rounded understanding of the wider agricultural industry. Commenting that, “her passion for learning and farming will see her succeed”. Discussing the award, Holly commented, “I feel very overwhelmed and it’s incredibly humbling, the other finalists are amazing, so I was just expecting to come and have a good night. When I applied for this award, my family and all the people I’ve worked for got behind me and then I wanted to win this for them.” Moving forward, Holly wants to continue encouraging people to join the farming industry.

Arable Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Maschio Gaspardo)

Nicholas Watts, Vine House Farm, Spalding 

Located in the Lincolnshire Fens is Vine House Farm, which until 1992, was a typical 160 Hectare fenland farm intensively farming crops resulting in negative implications for the local wildlife. Nicholas Watts, who owns the farm and runs the business alongside his three daughters and their husbands, noticed a decline in the farmland bird population and sought to rectify this by laying feed for the birds in his farmyards. The resulting influx of birds was such a spectacle that he organised an open day for local residents to view the feeding frenzy, which subsequently led to guests requesting to buy feed for their own gardens. The judges noted that Nicholas has been at the forefront of arable farming for decades, with his longstanding commitment to wildlife, biodiversity, coupled with his adaptability in the face of challenging markets making him the unanimous winner. Nicholas commented on winning the award, “I never thought I would be awarded this, and I’m so pleased that I’ve been recognised for what I’ve done for 50 years. The awards recognise the best in the industry, there was four great finalists out there tonight, and I was the lucky one.”

Beef Farmer of the Year (sponsored by ABP Foods)

James Herrick, Herrick Partnership, Leicestershire 

At Folly Farm, James Herrick is leading a transformative shift from mixed livestock and arable farming to a focus on grassland and suckler cows. This change reflects a strategic review of the farm’s operations, with a goal to increase the herd size to 250–300 suckler cows while implementing rotational grazing practices. Inspired by experimentation and a family tradition of farming, James emphasises the importance of soil health and efficient grass management in achieving optimal livestock performance. James’ ability to increase cattle numbers using modern grazing techniques and his willingness to change the breed for the benefit of the system, highlighted his clear business vision, with the judges commenting that, “his enthusiasm could be bottled”. When asked about winning the award, James commented, “this is just the start of the journey.” Upon the ceremony itself, James said, “It’s an amazing celebration of everyone and the hard work they do, it’s an excuse to get off the farm, we spend so much time alone on the farm… to come here is a fantastic thing to do.”

Content Creator of the Year (Sponsored by Hillsgreen)

William Murray, W&M Brown, Edinburgh 

Known as @williammurray93 on TikTok, William has amassed an impressive following of 194,500 across all his platforms. His engaging content showcases the reality of British agriculture, offering followers an authentic glimpse into daily life on his family farm. By sharing behind-the-scenes footage of cattle, sheep, machinery, and contract work, he highlights both the challenges and humorous moments of farming. William aims to educate his audience about the hard work involved in food production, countering misconceptions often perpetuated by mainstream media. With farming at the core of everything William, creates content that engages, educates, and raises awareness for the industry whilst remaining authentically himself. The judges found that his honesty and passion for the industry really shone though, and he provides context that resonates with both farming and consumer audiences.  Commenting on his work, William said, “There’s so much more to agriculture than is known by the public. Coming to the event and being able to speak to everyone and ask them what’s going on, it’s such a tight knit community, there’s no way you can’t fit in. You’ll never stop learning things in agriculture.”

Contractor of the Year (Sponsored by Farming Community Network)

Nigel Harper, ND Harper Limited, Cheshire

Nigel founded ND Harper Limited 14 years ago, transforming a small contracting business into one of Cheshire’s leading agricultural contractors. With roots in potato farming, he began with three silage trailers, a maize drill, and a buck rake. Today, his operation boasts a fleet of 16 Case tractors, two JCB shovels, two foragers, and two combine harvesters, employing 34 dedicated staff members and serving 75 customers within a 10-mile radius. The judges were impressed by Nigel’s understanding of the business’s operational costs and his focus on building and maintaining his customer base, especially through the option of individual payment plans to suit the cash flow of his customers. Similarly his recognition of the value of staff in the longer-term progression of the business with the introduction of the ability for key members of the team to become shareholders, which integrates them further into the success and direction of the business. Commenting on his win, Nigel said, “This is for my team, my customers and my family. The team of people behind me are the real stars. It’s a time to champion British farming, and show people the great work that we do, we’re all champions in farming, we need to shout about it.”

Dairy Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Feather Down)

Tom & Karen Halton, Halton Farms Ltd, Cheshire 

Tom and Karen Halton, along with their experienced team, farm at Chance Hall Farm, Congleton, Cheshire. The farm is home to 500 ProCROSS dairy cows, producing average annual yields of 11,800 litres, with milk sold via their platform, The Milk Shack. Since its creation, The Milk Shack has developed its offering to include pasteurised milk, milkshakes, cheese, eggs, cakes, butter and much more. Tom and Karen use this as an opportunity to engage with the public, similarly, the couples ‘Moobile’ Milk Shack which attends local events and food festivals, furthers their integration with the community. The judges found that Tom and Karen are well rounded in every aspect of their business, from disease management, sustainability and staff management, commenting, “they have a firm eye on the future and are also determined to forge great connections with the public”. Upon winning the award, the couple commented, “we try so hard to do everything right at home, and just to be acknowledged and be in the top four is amazing, but to win and take it back to everyone at home is everything, we do this as a team, and the cows come first.” Commenting on the awards themselves, Karen said, “it’s great to put British Farming in the spotlight, we feed people, we’re feeding the country.”

Diversification of the Year (Small to Medium) (sponsored by NFU Mutual)

Cheryl Reeves, Agri-cation CIC, Wrexham 

Agri-cation CIC is a community-focused initiative aimed at bridging the gap between urban and rural lifestyles. Cheryl Reeves engages with local charities and organisations, with Agri-cation running weekly sessions with dedicated volunteers, building a vibrant community hub. They collaborate with organisations like Woody’s Lodge and North Wales Wildlife Trust to support veterans and promote environmental education. Agri-cation CIC also focuses on reducing unemployment in Wrexham by partnering with the DWP to develop bespoke programs that help individuals transition back into the workforce. Their outreach extends to Berwyn Prison, where they aim to engage inmates with farming backgrounds or interests, providing opportunities for reintegration. The judges noting this as a key reason for the win, commenting, “social impact needs a special mention in terms of helping disadvantaged, rehabilitating offenders, getting people into farming from non-farming backgrounds”. When commenting on what the award means to her, Cheryl said, “it’s the recognition, we work really really hard as farmers and this is recognising the amount of work that we put in.”

Diversification of the Year (Large) (sponsored by Sykes Holiday Cottages)

Ed Foster, The Rhynd, JLW Foster, Fife 

Ed Foster oversees a diverse range of businesses at The Rhynd, which includes a gym, café, event space, clay ground, and livery stable. With a focus on customer satisfaction, Ed and his team aim to create enjoyable experiences for visitors. They continually seek to improve facilities and offerings based on feedback. Since Ed took over, The Rhynd has significantly evolved, with diversification providing a stable income throughout the year. Strategic development of services, including expanding the event space and enhancing the café, has attracted more visitors. Ed emphasises teamwork, ensuring staff are engaged and motivated. The judges saw the diversification of the arable unit at Craigie Farm as a pivotal moment in the businesses’ 100 year history, with a wide range of offerings, the farm is now secured for the future. Commenting on the win, Ed said, “we’ve got an amazing team, it’s a stamp to say we’re on the right path, to come here for the first time is an honour. Preserve… it’s not easy, do something you love.”

Family Farming Business of the Year (sponsored by Goodyear Farm Tires)

The Ladds Family, R & E Ladds, Cumbria     

The Ladds Family, operating as R & E Ladds, runs a mixed farm with 200 Holstein cows, averaging 36-38 litres of milk per day through twice-daily milking. Alongside dairy, they manage 800 Texel cross and North of England Mule ewes, as well as 35 pedigree Texel ewes for breeding shearling tups. Their farm contracting services cover forage harvesting, round baling, slurry work, and GPS-controlled fertiliser spreading. They also operate a 45-site static caravan park established post-foot-and-mouth disease, diversifying their income streams. Additionally, they partner with Kendal College, hosting practical classes and providing valuable hands-on experience for students. With business sustainability that is second to none and a focus on supporting future farming generations, the judges were impressed by their practical approach to cost management, healthy risk taking and honest, passionate and down-to-earth nature. Upon winning the award the family commented, “we are absolutely ecstatic, amazed and dumbfounded to have won. The background to most farms is a family, and my family was raised along with the farm, and now the next generation has families of their own and are doing the same.”

Farm Worker of the Year (sponsored by Isuzu)

Andy Lambert, Hellifield Highland fold, North Yorkshire  

Andy Lambert has been assisting Robert and Wendy Phillip at Hellifield Highland Fold for several years. The farm breeds pedigree Highland cattle and replacement heifers on a grassfed production system which supplies Waitrose at Christmas. The farm breeds pedigree bulls that are successfully hired out to highland folds for breeding, with offspring being brought back into the farm to ensure a constant supply of beef throughout the year. Environmentally, the cattle conservation graze moorland to aid the management of different grasses, ensuring the wildlife remains diverse and healthy. His herd of Swaledale ewes also supply the meat for high-end restaurants around the UK. The judges were impressed with his selfless dedication to maintain and develop, not only his own business, but managed his neighbours business through, stating that he “lives and breathes farming life, a true farming hero”. Andy commented on his win, saying, “when you know what goes on behind the scenes, it means so much and it’s a super evening celebrating the best in British agriculture. I just love my job, I love getting up in the morning. If people realised what went on behind the scenes, they’d appreciate food doesn’t just turn up on supermarket shelves, there’s a lot that goes into it.”

Grassland Farmer of the Year (sponsored by Germinal)

Andy Goodwin, D & P Hollinshead, Cheshire  

Andy Goodwin runs Dayhouse Green Farm in Cheshire, which spans 155 hectares, including some rented land. In 2020, Andy and his wife Katy took over the family farm after her father had an accident. Over the first year, they modernised the farm, introduced a new herd, and invested in infrastructure like water systems and tracks. The farm operates with 300 autumn-calving cows, focusing on high-fat, high-protein milk for their contract with Joseph Heler. Cows graze from March to mid-October on a 95% grass diet, thanks to meticulous grazing management, measuring and recording results through Agrinet. Andy is committed to improving forage production, reducing waste in the herd, and continuously enhancing soil health. The farm also engages with the local community, hosting school visits to educate the public about sustainable farming practices. The judges were impressed with Andys commitment to sustainability and his initiative in transitioning from a traditional system to a specialised grass-based operation. They commented that he, “demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing carbon footprint, improving soil health, enhancing efficiency and including community”. Upon winning, Andy commenting, “we enjoy what we do, or we wouldn’t be doing it, it’s an honour and a privilege, as its been a difficult twelve months, but we’re really pleased to be nominated and win. It’s great to have so many farmers and likeminded people in the room. I’m really passionate about what we do, we’re doing a good job.”

New Entrant Award: Against the Odds (sponsored by Massey Ferguson)

Sam & Samantha Edwards, Edwards Farming Partnership, Dorset 

Edwards Farming Partnership is a livestock-based business in the heart of Dorset, originally set up as a hobby with just a handful of ewes grazing small pony paddocks. It has grown into a flock of more than 700 ewes producing prime lambs solely from a grazing and forage-based system. With an emphasis on producing lamb as cheaply as possible while keeping margins high and output maximised, the partnership has focused on genetics to enhance business performance. Operating entirely on grazing licenses, without buildings or fixed-base tenancies, they have created a flexible business model that allows for adjustment without significantly impacting performance. The judges were impressed with Sam and Samantha’s clear passion for the industry, overcoming setbacks and challenges to achieve what they have on the farm today. They commented that, “their forward-thinking and innovative approach, alongside the effort they have put into their farm in Dorset as tenant farmers has clearly made them stand out among our wonderful set of candidates”. Commenting on the win, Sam and Samantha said, “we are overwhelmed by the award, we’ve tried so hard to take every opportunity and make every opportunity we can, alongside the support of our family and local farming community, that’s how we make it work, we are so determined.” When asked about what this award means for new entrants for farming, they said, “this award will inspire people – if someone picked up a copy of Farmers Guardian, read about the awards and thought they could have a go to, that’s what this award means.”

Sheep Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Shine Ewe-reka)

Oliver Harrison, Aimshaugh, Cumbria 

At Aimshaugh, Oliver Harrison manages an upland sheep unit comprising 600 North Country Hill Cheviots and 600 Cheviot crosses, utilising a mob grazing system to enhance productivity and promote biodiversity across 850 hectares. Oliver and his family have adapted their farming practices to suit the unique conditions of their land, focusing on sustainability. Transitioning to a paddock grazing system has allowed Oliver to improve grass quality while encouraging wildlife to flourish on the farm. This method not only benefits the sheep but also contributes positively to the surrounding ecosystem. As they tackle labour shortages, the Harrison family is actively seeking new team members to help support their growing operation. Commenting on Olivers success at the awards, the judges commented that he, “demonstrated a progressive and forward thinking approach and has made changes which have improved productivity and profitability”.  Commenting on winning and the awards, Oliver said, “it means the world that we’ve been noticed for what we do, I live for it, ever since I was tiny this is what I have wanted to do. It’s a massive family effort. Farming is an industry that needs bringing together and that is what the awards do.”

Sustainable Farmer of the Year (sponsored by NSF)

Johnny Wake, Courteenhall Farms, Northamptonshire 

Courteenhall Farms, under the management of Johnny Wake, spans 570 acres and is a model of sustainable and diversified farming practices. The farm combines arable crops with innovative practices to strengthen environmental stewardship, community engagement, and financial stability. Johnny utilises key sustainable practices such as regenerative farming, circular agriculture, renewable energy, biodiversity and conservation, and community education. The judges were impressed with the breadth of the 350-year-old estate’s sustainable enterprises which span across renewable energy and rainwater harvesting, regenerative farming practices which have boosted soil organic matter and various stewardship schemes which deliver for nature. They saw that “Courteenhall’s approach to sustainability has helped the estate make significant improvements in profitability whilst also improving soils and wildlife”. Upon winning the award, Johnny commented, “I’m blown away, this means recognition for the whole team, they have put in so much work over the past few years and this award is for them. We are planning for the future, working with our community through schools, and bringing wildlife back to the farm. Engaging with the community is our license to practice, our license to farm.”

Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture (sponsored by The Ethical Butcher)

Andy & Lynda Eadon – Len’s Light

Andy and Lynda Eadon tragically lost their son Len to suicide in early 2022, at the age of 22. Despite their profound grief, they have been dedicated to raising awareness about mental health in the farming community, aiming to prevent similar tragedies. Through their initiative “Len’s Light,” they have raised over £170,000 for mental health charities, including the Farming Community Network, Yellow Wellies, and Papyrus. They also organised a tractor rally from John O’Groats to Land’s End, visiting agricultural sites and even Westminster, to highlight the importance of mental health support in rural areas and honour Len’s memory. Commenting on winning this award, the Eadon’s said, “this really means a tribute to our son, obviously he was the main part of our life, and since the loss of him we’ve tried to stop other families and communities going through that heart ache we have. Thank you so much to Farmers Guardian for this dedication to our son. It means so much to the pair of us, if the rural community gets together for social events more often, rather than a death of a loss. We do what we feel we need to do, and that’s what has motivated us all along, right from the very beginning, we wanted to keep up awareness, and keep the whole problem very much alive in people’s minds.”

Farming Hero: Flying the Flag for British Agriculture (sponsored by Eternit)

Abi Reader – NFU Cymru Deputy President.

Abi’s unwavering dedication to Welsh agriculture and her role as a champion for Welsh farming has made her the 2024 Farming Hero. As NFU Cymru’s deputy president, she balances responsibilities on her family dairy farm with representing and advocating for farmers across Wales. Abi has been at the forefront of addressing challenges such as the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which has caused concern within the industry. Her leadership was pivotal in organising the wellies protest outside the Senedd, symbolising the potential job losses in the sector. Her tireless efforts make her a powerful voice for Welsh farming. Commenting on what the award means, Abi said, “It’s amazing to think I’ve made a difference, the cows always have to be fed, and that goes for everything, it’s the ethos of farming, everyone in the country has to be fed… and this is a great opportunity to share in everybody’s success.”

New for 2024 – Service to the Industry (Sponsored by Farmers Guardian)

Raymond Lund

Raymond Lund is an incredible asset to the farming community and a legend in the auctioneering world. Following 38 years of selling at Hawes Auction Mart, he is hanging up his gavel to retire. Commenting on his recognition at the awards, Raymond said,  “I’ve always worked for the farming community, to get something like this is a great honour.” He discussed the incredible importance of the auction Mart, saying, “this is where the price is fixed and the price is made.” Planning on celebrating at the awards, he said, “carriages leave at 1:30, I might leave at 3.”