2022 case study: Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture
Phil Stocker has been a key leader in British agriculture and his dedication and commitment was recognised as last year’s winner of the Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture at the British Farming Awards. Debbie James learns more about his worthy work and optimism for the future.
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As fun facts go, it is not exactly unexpected news to learn that Phil Stocker’s favourite farm animal is a sheep and always has been – an apt choice for the head of the National Sheep Association (NSA).
More surprising is that his impressive trajectory to becoming the voice of the UK sheep industry has been achieved with no family background in farming.
Phil was in fact born and bred in a city, in central Bristol.
It was childhood holidays in Wales, visiting relatives who were farmers, which set him on his future career path.
With a passion for farming instilled in those formative years, he left home at 16 to work on a large farming estate in North Wiltshire, a role facilitated by the then Agricultural Training Board’s apprentice scheme.
He gained practical experience on-farm while simultaneously augmenting his knowledge of farming at Lackham College, later returning as a full-time student.
It stood him in good stead for the next 24 years, managing and running different farms, and later establishing his own share farming enterprise in Somerset.
In 1996, after BSE intensified interest in farming and with it a need to rebuild consumer trust, Phil set off on a different path.
He gave up hands-on farming to take up a job with the Soil Association, supporting farmers who wanted to convert to an organic system.
Phil says: “I had 15 really interesting years there and by the time I joined the NSA I felt I was in a position from the work I had been involved in to have a big impact, because at that point there was growing interest in farming generally, including the sheep sector, in raising health and welfare standards and tackling environmental issues.”
As he looks back on 12 years at the NSA, Phil also looks forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead for the UK sheep sector.
He says: “I feel quite optimistic about the future. Global demand for red meat and lamb is increasing.”
Yet there are several reasons why Phil believes there will not be big expansion in UK sheep numbers and ‘absolutely no reason’ for a contraction.
He says: “I do not see any reason why we will not see total numbers retained, but what we will see is an ongoing subtle redistribution of flocks from the uplands to the lowlands.
“The uplands will still be important, but the pressure will come from land being taken out of production for planting
trees, for carbon capture and other environmental schemes.”
Some of that redistribution into the lowlands is already being driven by growing interest in using sheep on grass reintroduced into arable rotations, to build soil fertility and break weed life cycles.
Appealing
That system is appealing for other reasons – the relatively low capital cost of establishing a sheep system and interest from young and new entrants in setting up new flocks.
Phil says: “Sheep of the right breeds do well on lowland arable ground as well as on permanent pastures in the uplands and lowlands, so I do not see any reasons why the UK will not retain the numbers we have. I see the market supporting that.”
He believes there will be continued interest in establishing sheep dairying enterprises, but the principal focus will firmly remain on meat production.
“Overall, global demand for sheepmeat offers the chance for the British sheep flock to be maintained.”
But this will come with some changes, he says.
“British agriculture generally, and certainly the sheep industry, is rightly moving away from just producing a global commodity.
“We are setting ourselves up as producers of quality products, with some of the highest welfare and environmental standards in the world.”
Expectations relating to health and welfare will further tighten, he predicts.
Concerns over antibiotic use, resistance to anthelmintics and other vet medicines and welfare labelling proposals are signs of things to come, as are moves to reduce castration and tailing and improve welfare in transport.
Although wool prices, Phil says, are ‘dreadful’, some specialist producers who have established niche markets for quality wools are making a good success of it.
He says: “One of the huge appeals of sheep farming is the strong correlation it has with areas of public interest – animals kept in free-range conditions, a green countryside and working with nature.
“If we get the system and the farming approach right we can deliver so many other public goods along the way while producing good quality meat from grass.”
A turning point for the industry was a 2020 University of Oxford study, which in part restored the reputation of sheep, with its findings demonstrating that the atmospheric life of methane, the greenhouse gas (GHG) produced from enteric emissions, was much shorter-lived than other GHGs.
Phil says: “Grazing ruminants had a bad name in terms of emissions, but this study helped a move towards looking sustainability through a wider lens, not just emissions.”
In the last five years, there has also been a change in thinking on grassland, the wider value of which had not been recognised, he says.
Recognition
There is now much wider recognition of the importance of grazed grassland, for carbon capture, for protecting soils,
for nature and access and as a natural firebreak. This is being reflected in Government policy.
Phil says: “In the stewardship schemes the Sustainable Farming Incentive in England, the value being placed on grassland is quite clear.
“We are a green, pastoral nation and the role of grass in combating climate change was not really understood. It is reassuring that it is now becoming so.”
It is thanks in part to his work at the NSA, but Phil is quick to deflect any personal recognition for that, insisting that it is ‘we’ not ‘I’. Any successes the NSA achieves are collective, he says.
Success for him personally is measured by the successes of others – the people who work for the NSA, the officers who support the work of the association, the industry in general and the farmers.
He sees himself as an enabler, enabling others to achieve on a personal and wider scale.
One of the achievements he is most proud of is establishing the NSA Next Generation Programme nine years ago. He says: “These young people are the future of our industry, so it gives me huge satisfaction to see those who have participated in the programme going on to make a mark on their own businesses and in the wider industry.”
Phil chairs the Animal Health and Welfare Sheep Group as part of Defra’s new Animal Health and Welfare Pathway in England.
He says: “This has really raised the importance of sheep health at a government level; it is a really interesting area of work. We are now looking ahead to the Pathway endemic diseases programme, which should start in 2024, with similar health initiatives in the devolved nations.
“I am proud to also chair two sheep health forums for the Scottish Government.”
Once a farmer always a farmer, Phil likes to keep his ‘boots on the ground’ too, with initiatives such as the Black Mountains Land Use Partnership, a partnership of graziers, landowners and regulatory bodies, which he has chaired since 2015.
He also still runs a small flock of Shropshire sheep at his home in Gloucestershire.
Since Phil joined the NSA, he has reconfigured the organisation from the pyramid staffing structure it once had.
He says: “Many more people now have their own areas of responsibility.”
It is part of his ambition to ensure it remains a resilient organisation, not a ‘one-man show’. Phil says: “Succession is vital in any business or organisation and the NSA is no different.
Importance
“It is important that it can continue with an established strategy and structure when the person with ultimate overall
responsibility leaves.”
Not that he is planning on going anywhere any time soon.
His ambition for the UK sheep industry has not been diminished in any sense by his 12 years at the helm and his determination and spirit to continue advocating positive change is one to admire and inspire.
ENTER OR NOMINATE NOW
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.
You can nominate someone you feel is working tirelessly for UK farming. They will not be notified they have been nominated unless they are chosen as the winner of the award.
This award is chosen by the British Farming Awards team and announced during the awards night.
TO NOMINATE
For more information on the category and the British Farming Awards, visit britishfarmingawards.co.uk
A word from the sponsor
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Social compliance audit, SMETA, is also available to allow you to demonstrate your commitment to safety requirements and your farms ethical recruitment practices.
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Our auditors have relevant, practical experience and knowledge and our teams consist of dedicated scheme professionals. It is this expertise which allows us to provide support to our members through every stage of the audit process.
We are a proud sponsor of The Farming Community Network, a voluntary organisation which helps with a variety of issues surrounding farming, business, healthcare and family. For more information, visit nsf.org/gb/en
2022 winners case study: Digital Innovator of the Year
A partnership playing to the other’s strengths has resulted in an innovative digital business which has transformed a traditional hill farm into a global, virtual centre of learning. Danusia Osiowy finds out more.
Delivering working dog tutorials online is a niche business idea which has outperformed expectations for sheepdog trainers Ewan Irvine and Emma Gray.
Having budgeted for 100 subscribers, such was the appetite for their service that they doubled their target in the first month alone, 80 per cent of which they have retained.
The unique idea, coupled with their dynamism, was unanimously praised by judges at last year’s British Farming Awards, who awarded them the accolade of Digital Innovator of the Year.
The couple had previously been tenant farming in a remote part of Northumberland when they successfully bred premium sheepdogs and established a school for training working dogs and for running courses for owners.
They nurtured the idea of extending that service to people who were distant from the farm, but with no internet or phone line on-site, logistics were not on their side.
Gaining a 20-year tenancy on a 283-hectare (700-acre) unit on the Isle of Bute reversed the opportunity, enabling them access to the 4G network and the chance to connect to an audience across the world as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.
“We decided to launch the Sheepdog School to coincide with the launch of series five of This Farming Life, which we featured in,” says Emma, who has written two books detailing her life as a shepherdess.
“The original target was 100 subscribers which would cover the start-up costs of £5,000 for this business and provide a year-round regular income for the farm.”
Online training
The online tutorials, which Ewan and Emma produce themselves on Ardros Farms, are a team effort.
With a wealth of sheepdog training and handling, Emma has been refining her expertise over the years after she was given her first dog Jess at the age of 13.
In 2016, she won the All-England Nursery Final with her dog Jamie and the following year was part of the winning England team at the World Sheepdog Trials in Holland.
Then her success was propelled further after selling one of her dogs for 14,000gns and then later going on to smash her own record with another dog she had bred and trained for a world record sum of 18,000gns.
Ewan, who worked as a firefighter for a number of years before deciding to farm full-time, alongside filming and producing the videos, grew up with collies on a smallholding and has been familiar with the breed and
managing cows for years.
Their offering has proved so popular, it now generates half the farm income.
Emma says: “Many farmers do not have the time to train their dogs themselves. It is a niche market finding people to start off with the dog, then the sheep, then the farm, so our dogs are helping draw in a new sector.
“The content is for everyone with a herding breed who wants to realise their herding potential. We commit to providing regular videos each month as we build a library of sheepdog training content.
“We have a number of dogs with different abilities training with us, so we can show how we handle each dog. We show how to train the farm dog to do everyday tasks, as well as the finer points of trialling.”
Loyalty
The school now boasts more than 650 subscribers, almost all of who are farmers and shepherds, with 85 per cent based in the UK and others signing up from countries as remote as Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
They are confident their target audience is on point following a survey they issued to their subscribers, who confirmed they were farming, shepherding, managing or contracting their own sheep.
Ewan says: “We are proud to be providing a service for others in the agricultural industry.”
Alongside 400 ewes and 30 hill cows, they also breed Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers, diversifying into this breed after being inundated by people wanting to buy border collies as pets.
Emma says: “We feel the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is a better fit for active pet homes.”
The strong understanding of their audience has propelled a loyal subscriber base and the couple are now using Google Analytics to follow traffic on their website and have identified about 63 per cent of their audience are female and 65 per cent are UK-based.
Using their social media platforms to raise awareness, Ewan and Emma launched their website for the business and their unique concept, alongside their engaging content, has seen them amass a following on Instagram of more than 75,000 followers.
Profitable
Such is their success, the digital school is the most profitable enterprise on-farm and the couple now collaborate with other YouTubers and social media influences to create content.
Emma says: “We are growing our own YouTube channel and using our platforms to reach a worldwide audience. We are looking to launch a social media advertising campaign to further increase our subscribers to thousands of followers.
“Social media is crucial to our business. It is a way to access worldwide markets and give everyone access to what we do.”
Ewan says: “Farming is changing, so we are selling our story of hope. We are so psyched for the future of farming and social media helps us to sell that story to the public.”
SUCCESSES
- 650-plus subscribers to online dog training
- Library of sheepdog training and handling videos
- Subscribers as far afield as New Zealand and Australia
- 75,000 Instagram followers
ENTER OR NOMINATE NOW
Digital innovation in farming is booming and more and more farmers are recognising the benefits of multimedia platforms to grow their business, communicate with new and existing customers and improve overall public perception.
If you are using digital mediums to grow your business or promote the wider industry to the public, tell us your story and enter this award.
ENTER OR NOMINATE
For more information on the category and the British Farming Awards, visit britishfarmingawards.co.uk
2022 winners case study: Grassland Farmer of the Year
With a definitive approach to grassland management, Andrew Brewer is achieving consistently impressive results to boost efficiency on-farm and his bottom line. Sarah Todd finds out why learning from others and trial work have been integral to his success.
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Accolades from the farming industry are worth winning, says Andrew Brewer, current holder of the Grassland Farmer of the Year Award.
The Cornwall-based farmer, who was commended by the judges on his strong business plan and forward-thinking approach, has gone on to welcome new opportunities following his win.
He says: “It meant a lot to win and have the work I have put into grassland management over the years recognised.
“Sometimes farming can be an isolated job and to get the feedback others are interested in what you are trying to achieve, really does mean a lot.
“Yes, it was lovely to win, but the award is about much more than that. It was a coming together with a likeminded group of people and it went on to open other doors and opportunities.”
Andrew and his wife Claire have run a grass-based dairy system for more than 20 years.
Employing four full-time staff members, the business runs a 500-cow autumn block calving herd with 600 followers and beef reared on from the dairy herd.
With a huge amount of research and knowledge through travel, peer-to-peer learning and immersing himself in understanding best practices, Andrew has taken multiple approaches to continually improve grassland management at Ennis Barton, near Fraddon in mid-Cornwall, and, as a result, has achieved consistently impressive results.
Soil and animal health is central to maintaining the productivity of this farming system, with a focus on environmental sustainability and net zero latterly having enabled the business to make targeted improvements.
Involvement in a soil carbon project is providing direction for targeted dung, compost or digestate field treatments, while a farm net zero project is facilitating learning around how mixed swards and the use of cover crops can affect the business’ bottom line.
Variety
All stock on-farm are rotationally grazed on the 400-hectare (988-acre) farm across a mix of grassland varieties. This includes bull beef on ryegrass and clover swards, with youngstock predominently grazing mixed species with clovers red and white plantain and chicory.
Deep-rooting cocksfoot is also integrated to help increase soil carbon levels and assist drainage and drought resistance.
Digestate from a local digester is used to fully cover the land’s nutrient demands and slurry and dirty water is maximised using 100 per cent dribble bar application to the grazing platform.
Andrew aims to have the cattle outside on grass every day of the year.
“One thing I have learned over the years is that there is no wrong or right system,” says Andrew, who – as a senior GrassMasters discussion group member – has been able to take part in international study travel and study tours to further his learning over the years.
“Farmers looking for a one-size-fits-all solution to managing grassland will be disappointed.
“My advice would be to keep an open mind and learn everything you can from other farmers, as well as those who come to the subject from a more technical and scientific viewpoint.
“Then, take all you have learned back home and try and match your grass to your own cows’ needs. For example, we have our cows drying off at a time when the grass is naturally dying back. Then we have them calving
when the clover is coming through.”
The Brewers, who let some land for the production of potatoes and cabbages, retain all calves for replacements or beef finishing.
They are reared outdoors on grass and milk from seven days old, with males kept entire for rapid finishing at 13-14 months of age and beef heifers grazed with replacements until dairy heifers are mated.
Understanding growth links with soil temperature and moisture levels and the plants needed for available nutrients – as well as the importance of moisture in targeting the desired growth – are key areas of interest for Andrew.
Both drought and wet conditions highlight the need, he says, for using mixed species.
“When it is a dry time, the deeper rooting grasses come into their own, but it is not just drought we have to focus on. When it is wet, the right varieties can really help with drainage. The family have done a lot of work
with AHDB to help in the analysing of grazing herbal leys.
“It was very satisfying to be able to maintain cow milking performance while eliminating the need for artificial fertiliser,” says Andrew, who has carried out recording as part of the Farm Net Zero Programme in Cornwall.
The focus on grassland management has helped to reduce costs due to the lower inputs. Interestingly, there has been no reduction in cow performance or overall production.
The family has found that fat and protein percentages were lower in cows grazing herbal leys, but overall the yield on milk solids was higher due to increased volume yield.
“It is also good to see seeds for multispecies swards increasing in popularity,” says Andrew, who believes passionately that there is so much more to herbal leys than trying to qualify for subsidy payments, with benefits including their mineral exchange properties, carbon storage potential and resilience.
The Brewers have found herbal leys slower to respond in spring, with clovers and chicory coming into their own in hotter summer months; delivering a good steady growth curve.
Looking ahead, Andrew is optimistic there is more to come for Ennis Farm and, with continuous involvement with existing and new initiatives, he is determined to evolve and innovate within the sector.
“Enjoyment and profitability in balance is key for us and I love to challenge the perceived normal.
“My motto is there is always a better way and this is what we strive to look for.
“Winning the award has just given us the confidence to keep doing what we are doing and try to get a little better at doing it every day.
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Stepping away from grassland management, Andrew and Claire Brewer have an interesting off-farm diversification – a fish and chip restaurant and takeaway called the Port and Starboard at Indian Queens, near Newquay.
Farming and fish restaurants have plenty in common, Andrew says, both involving early starts, lots of hard work and proving the importance of local produce. The enterprise is headed up by the couple’s daughter Rebecca, who was only 19 when she took it on, having previously worked as an apprentice at one of celebrity chef Rick Stein’s restaurants.
It was recently named as one of the country’s top 10 fish restaurants.
Andrew says: “The takeaway and restaurant is now also selling burgers made from our own beef. These are proving really popular and it is great to see everything coming full circle and customers enjoying burgers which have been produced on-farm. If the quality of the potatoes grown on-farm is good enough for chipping we use these as well.
“We invested in our daughter’s passion – the food sector – and it is very rewarding to see the farm contributing to her success.
SUSTAINABLE STEPS
- Learning and trialling how mixed species swards and use of cover crops can affect the business bottom line
- Incorporating trials comparing rumination levels between ryegrass and multi-species swards and comparing grazed grass with grazing waste crop residue (cabbage)
- Grazing food waste for two months of year, which allows more grass to be harvested early in the year
- Introduced probiotics to cow bedding to make a better availability of soil microbes and better feed for plants and improved animal health
A word from the sponsor
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Prime Minister honours We are Farming Minds founders with Points of Light award
British Farming Awards winner Sam Stables and his wife Emily set up a charity to help break down the stigma around mental health within the farming community. They have now received a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister.
A couple from Hereford, who set up a charity to help break down the stigma attached to mental health within the farming community have received a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
Sam Stables had always wanted to become a farmer, but struggled with the isolation that comes with the job. Agriculture has one of the highest rates of suicide, with poor mental health being 46% higher in farming than in any other occupation.
Mr Stables found talking helped with his recovery. He said if there had been somebody to speak to about his worries earlier, he may have been able to seek help before reaching a crisis point.
In September 2020, Mr Stables and his wife, Emily set up ‘We are Farming Minds’ to support others going through similar struggles.
The charity runs a befriending service and a 24-hour dedicated helpline, staffed by trained volunteers. It offers funding for farmers to get help from professional counselling services. Mr and Mrs Stables have received this award during ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’, part of a campaign to increase people’s awareness and understanding of mental health issues.
Mark Spencer MP, Farming Minister, said:
“Farming is all about providing for others, but it is crucial to remember that there is no shame in seeking help for yourself.
“I want to commend the invaluable work being done by Sam and Emily with ‘We Are Farming Minds’ to break the stigma of mental health and loneliness in our agricultural communities.”
The Rt Hon Jesse Norman, Mr and Mrs Stables’ local MP, said:
"This is a fantastic initiative. ‘We are Farming Minds’ is one of the nation’s first farmer specific 24-hour helplines, and is already helping farmers all across the UK who are struggling with the mental health challenges that come with the demanding nature of their work and lives."
2022 case study: Sustainable Farmer of the Year
Mark Means is a big believer in the power of what implementing small changes can bring to a farm business. Emily Scaife finds out more about his approach.
Mark Means confesses he’s the opposite of what most people imagine when they think of a sustainable farmer. But, regardless of his own perception, the judging panel for the British Farming Awards thought otherwise as he was named Sustainable Farmer of the Year at the 2022 British Farming Awards.
“To win the award was a huge surprise,” Mark says of the moment he found out he had won.
“I am the opposite of what most people would say is a ‘sustainable farmer’ - I’m not a tree hugger.
“A lot of local people have told me they’re doing similar things to me on their farm. The award is for my farm, but it also showcases what many farmers are doing as standard.
“It’s great the award went to someone who is still ploughing once in a while and hasn’t planted catch crops or cover crops on a lot of their land. Because it’s not all about those things – the resources we’re looking after include electricity, water, the soil and people.
“We employ local people and give them the right training so that we can all keep moving forwards.”
Mark’s farm operates under the name J.S. Means and produces crops and vegetables at Terrington near King’s Lynn. Mark works alongside his wife, Sharon, and four other employees to grow produce for most of the main supermarkets.
In addition to his own land, Mark has two longstanding shared farming arrangements with nearby farmers, bringing his total farmed land area to 1,000 hectares.
“Some of our land grows continuous wheat, some is in a wide rotation of eight years producing potatoes, sugar beet and peas,” he explains.
Prior to returning to the farm, Mark spent time as a potato buyer for Morrisons and a potato merchant in North Yorkshire, giving him a unique insight into what the supermarkets want and how to work with them.
The crown jewels
Mark’s approach to farm management and sustainability has always come down to what is best for his soil.
“We farm on some of the best land in the country and the soil is our crown jewels – our aim is always to look after it as best we can,” he says.
“Every decision or purchase always comes down to whether or not it will it help the farm; will it improve safety, will it boost efficiency and will it be kind to the soil? Anything that meets that criteria, we will do – like Sir David Brailsford’s Sky cycling team, we believe in small, incremental changes as they all add up.”
Mark has always been interested in sustainability.
“It’s the right thing to be doing – I wholeheartedly embrace it,” he says.
An early adopter of the Leaf Marque, Mark’s farm has been certified since 2002 and he has been carbon auditing the business using the Cool Farm model for the past 10 years. He believes his efforts have boosted biodiversity, and he hopes populations of tree sparrows, bumblebees and marsh harriers will continue to rise on the farm.
Located just a mile from the sea, installing irrigation on the farm in 2004 meant Mark could recycle water, which proved particularly useful when producing high-quality potatoes for supermarkets.
“Excess winter rain is recycled from farm drains and wellpoints, and we get water from there rather than putting additional pressure on the drinking-quality water,” he explains.
The farm also has three small wind turbines and 130kW of solar to sustain and reduce energy for 5,000 tonnes of cold storage and irrigation.
Knowing when to say no
Although Mark is passionate about sustainability and trying new things on the farm, he says winning the award has given him the confidence to question whether certain practices would suit his soil type and demand more information before embracing new methods.
“It’s given me the confidence to challenge the direction we’re heading in and question if it’s the right thing for our soil type and our commercial cereal rotation,” he explains.
“I still naively believe that the UK should be growing a lot of its own food, to the high standards we’re currently growing it. So, when it has felt as though the Government is trying to force us to do certain things that go against that, I now have the confidence to highlight the potential issues.
“We’ve got to know the answers to our questions before we all race towards catch crops and cover crops on certain soil types and embrace methods such as direct drilling.”
Mark describes himself as an ‘inquisitive person’ which has enabled him to make changes that have boosted yield and quality while using the minimum amount of inputs.
“I’ve always enjoyed looking at different techniques and I like what I’m seeing with regen agriculture, companion cropping and cover cropping. But it doesn’t suit everyone,” he says.
“You need to be careful what you’re doing because you might not be able to do it. Or you might find that it could be detrimental in five to 10 years’ time. You could introduce a species you’ve never grown before that could host or increase certain fungi or bacteria.
“It’s serious and there is a lot we don’t know yet.”
Many will be able to sympathise with Mark’s uncertainty as it’s a feeling most farmers are used to. And, with the past 12 months proving particularly challenging and unpredictable, making long term business decisions is more difficult than ever.
“We’re in a period of limbo at the moment and it’s frightening,” Mark admits.
“Farming sustainably must mean farming profitably too and this year, after taking into account electricity and labour costs, we’ve made a loss on our potatoes.
“I don’t know what we will be doing next year right now. I don’t know which fertilisers I should be ordering. The wheat price looks as though its dropping considerably, so do I want to keep growing that? Or should I go into more environmental or stewardship schemes, because at least they provide a steady payment? I just don’t know.”
The profitability of the farming business has a direct impact on which sustainability projects Mark can pursue.
“Making a loss isn’t sustainable,” he says. “If we don’t make any money from the farming side of the business, we can’t do any of the other things we love doing. I love planting hedgerows and sowing pollen and nectar areas – I do it because I want to, not because there’s any money in it. We like doing it for the people who live near us, the environment and the wildlife.”
As well as farming sustainably, Mark is a passionate food producer – something he fears isn’t valued by the present Government.
“It’s tough when food production is your raison d’etre,” he says.
“We are going to run out of food and we’ll then have to import more expensive, lower quality food,” he says. “I question why we can’t just produce enough in this country.”
The future
Despite the current obstacles, Mark hopes to continue blending sustainability and food production within his business moving forwards.
“One of the farmers I’m in a shared farming arrangement with is really interested in beef production,” he says.
“As well as producing a very good, sustainable beef we would put the organic matter back on our land and I would like to have more grass in the rotation. It’s an exciting prospect for both of us.”
He is also exploring the role battery storage could play on the farm, which is particularly pertinent given the past year’s rise in energy prices.
“We’re always looking to make incremental improvements so we’re learning about battery storage at the moment,” he says. “We’ve still got a lot to learn – but it’s exciting.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- Installed irrigation in 2004 in order to supply recycled water for potato crops
- Leaf Marque certified since 2002
- Carbon auditing the business using the Cool Farm model for the past 10 years
- Has three small wind turbines and 130kW of solar to sustain and reduce energy for 5000t of cold storage and irrigation
- Currently exploring options for battery storage
JS MEANS
- Mark Means farms 1,000ha near King’s Lynn, just a mile from the sea
- Grows wheat and sugar beet alongside potatoes and peas, for most of the main supermarkets
- In addition to his own land, Mark has two longstanding shared farming arrangements with nearby farmers
- Mark works alongside his wife, Sharon, and four other employees
A word from the sponsor
Lloyds Bank is delighted to be able to support the Sustainable Farmer of the Year category in the 2023 British Farming Awards.
We are committed to helping farmers, landowners and agricultural businesses transition to a more sustainable future and are excited to learn about the innovations being made by this year’s entrants.
ENTER OR NOMINATE NOW
This award recognises farmers who are safeguarding the land for future generations and are embracing sustainable farming practises which work in harmony with the environment.
You will be proactively reducing your carbon footprint whether that be through exploring regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, soil health, water management stockmanship and renewable energy to name but a few.
Find out more about the category here.
2022 case study: Sustainable Farmer of the Year
Mark Means is a big believer in the power of what implementing small changes can bring to a farm business. Emily Scaife finds out more about his approach.
Mark Means confesses he’s the opposite of what most people imagine when they think of a sustainable farmer. But, regardless of his own perception, the judging panel for the British Farming Awards thought otherwise as he was named Sustainable Farmer of the Year at the 2022 British Farming Awards.
“To win the award was a huge surprise,” Mark says of the moment he found out he had won.
“I am the opposite of what most people would say is a ‘sustainable farmer’ - I’m not a tree hugger.
“A lot of local people have told me they’re doing similar things to me on their farm. The award is for my farm, but it also showcases what many farmers are doing as standard.
“It’s great the award went to someone who is still ploughing once in a while and hasn’t planted catch crops or cover crops on a lot of their land. Because it’s not all about those things – the resources we’re looking after include electricity, water, the soil and people.
“We employ local people and give them the right training so that we can all keep moving forwards.”
Mark’s farm operates under the name J.S. Means and produces crops and vegetables at Terrington near King’s Lynn. Mark works alongside his wife, Sharon, and four other employees to grow produce for most of the main supermarkets.
In addition to his own land, Mark has two longstanding shared farming arrangements with nearby farmers, bringing his total farmed land area to 1,000 hectares.
“Some of our land grows continuous wheat, some is in a wide rotation of eight years producing potatoes, sugar beet and peas,” he explains.
Prior to returning to the farm, Mark spent time as a potato buyer for Morrisons and a potato merchant in North Yorkshire, giving him a unique insight into what the supermarkets want and how to work with them.
The crown jewels
Mark’s approach to farm management and sustainability has always come down to what is best for his soil.
“We farm on some of the best land in the country and the soil is our crown jewels – our aim is always to look after it as best we can,” he says.
“Every decision or purchase always comes down to whether or not it will it help the farm; will it improve safety, will it boost efficiency and will it be kind to the soil? Anything that meets that criteria, we will do – like Sir David Brailsford’s Sky cycling team, we believe in small, incremental changes as they all add up.”
Mark has always been interested in sustainability.
“It’s the right thing to be doing – I wholeheartedly embrace it,” he says.
An early adopter of the Leaf Marque, Mark’s farm has been certified since 2002 and he has been carbon auditing the business using the Cool Farm model for the past 10 years. He believes his efforts have boosted biodiversity, and he hopes populations of tree sparrows, bumblebees and marsh harriers will continue to rise on the farm.
Located just a mile from the sea, installing irrigation on the farm in 2004 meant Mark could recycle water, which proved particularly useful when producing high-quality potatoes for supermarkets.
“Excess winter rain is recycled from farm drains and wellpoints, and we get water from there rather than putting additional pressure on the drinking-quality water,” he explains.
The farm also has three small wind turbines and 130kW of solar to sustain and reduce energy for 5,000 tonnes of cold storage and irrigation.
Knowing when to say no
Although Mark is passionate about sustainability and trying new things on the farm, he says winning the award has given him the confidence to question whether certain practices would suit his soil type and demand more information before embracing new methods.
“It’s given me the confidence to challenge the direction we’re heading in and question if it’s the right thing for our soil type and our commercial cereal rotation,” he explains.
“I still naively believe that the UK should be growing a lot of its own food, to the high standards we’re currently growing it. So, when it has felt as though the Government is trying to force us to do certain things that go against that, I now have the confidence to highlight the potential issues.
“We’ve got to know the answers to our questions before we all race towards catch crops and cover crops on certain soil types and embrace methods such as direct drilling.”
Mark describes himself as an ‘inquisitive person’ which has enabled him to make changes that have boosted yield and quality while using the minimum amount of inputs.
“I’ve always enjoyed looking at different techniques and I like what I’m seeing with regen agriculture, companion cropping and cover cropping. But it doesn’t suit everyone,” he says.
“You need to be careful what you’re doing because you might not be able to do it. Or you might find that it could be detrimental in five to 10 years’ time. You could introduce a species you’ve never grown before that could host or increase certain fungi or bacteria.
“It’s serious and there is a lot we don’t know yet.”
Many will be able to sympathise with Mark’s uncertainty as it’s a feeling most farmers are used to. And, with the past 12 months proving particularly challenging and unpredictable, making long term business decisions is more difficult than ever.
“We’re in a period of limbo at the moment and it’s frightening,” Mark admits.
“Farming sustainably must mean farming profitably too and this year, after taking into account electricity and labour costs, we’ve made a loss on our potatoes.
“I don’t know what we will be doing next year right now. I don’t know which fertilisers I should be ordering. The wheat price looks as though its dropping considerably, so do I want to keep growing that? Or should I go into more environmental or stewardship schemes, because at least they provide a steady payment? I just don’t know.”
The profitability of the farming business has a direct impact on which sustainability projects Mark can pursue.
“Making a loss isn’t sustainable,” he says. “If we don’t make any money from the farming side of the business, we can’t do any of the other things we love doing. I love planting hedgerows and sowing pollen and nectar areas – I do it because I want to, not because there’s any money in it. We like doing it for the people who live near us, the environment and the wildlife.”
As well as farming sustainably, Mark is a passionate food producer – something he fears isn’t valued by the present Government.
“It’s tough when food production is your raison d’etre,” he says.
“We are going to run out of food and we’ll then have to import more expensive, lower quality food,” he says. “I question why we can’t just produce enough in this country.”
The future
Despite the current obstacles, Mark hopes to continue blending sustainability and food production within his business moving forwards.
“One of the farmers I’m in a shared farming arrangement with is really interested in beef production,” he says.
“As well as producing a very good, sustainable beef we would put the organic matter back on our land and I would like to have more grass in the rotation. It’s an exciting prospect for both of us.”
He is also exploring the role battery storage could play on the farm, which is particularly pertinent given the past year’s rise in energy prices.
“We’re always looking to make incremental improvements so we’re learning about battery storage at the moment,” he says. “We’ve still got a lot to learn – but it’s exciting.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- Installed irrigation in 2004 in order to supply recycled water for potato crops
- Leaf Marque certified since 2002
- Carbon auditing the business using the Cool Farm model for the past 10 years
- Has three small wind turbines and 130kW of solar to sustain and reduce energy for 5000t of cold storage and irrigation
- Currently exploring options for battery storage
JS MEANS
- Mark Means farms 1,000ha near King’s Lynn, just a mile from the sea
- Grows wheat and sugar beet alongside potatoes and peas, for most of the main supermarkets
- In addition to his own land, Mark has two longstanding shared farming arrangements with nearby farmers
- Mark works alongside his wife, Sharon, and four other employees
A word from the sponsor
Lloyds Bank is delighted to be able to support the Sustainable Farmer of the Year category in the 2023 British Farming Awards.
We are committed to helping farmers, landowners and agricultural businesses transition to a more sustainable future and are excited to learn about the innovations being made by this year’s entrants.
ENTER OR NOMINATE NOW
This award recognises farmers who are safeguarding the land for future generations and are embracing sustainable farming practises which work in harmony with the environment.
You will be proactively reducing your carbon footprint whether that be through exploring regenerative agriculture, biodiversity, soil health, water management stockmanship and renewable energy to name but a few.
Find out more about the category here.
2022 case study: Sheep Farmer of the Year
First generation farmer David Elgin has spent a lifetime building his successful farm business and on-farm diversifications, but his pedigree sheep flock has always remained at the heart of the farm. Katie Fallon finds out more.
Sponsored by 
Having built a successful farm business over the last 60 years, it is hard to believe 81-year-old David Eglin is not from a farming background.
Growing up in Lincolnshire, it was only when his father sought employment on a local farm following his return from the second world war, that David’s passion for agriculture was realised. Fast forward a few years and after studying agriculture at the West of Scotland Agricultural college, David returned home in 1962, the same year he and his father purchased some land at Bramcote near Nuneaton in Leicestershire.
After securing 89 hectares (220 acres) on what was a former aerodrome used as an RAF base during the war, David renamed the site Bramcote Mains, marking the beginning of his farming journey.
Initially 200 sows were introduced to the old aerodrome and were kept outdoors on the grass runways and housed in the old ammunition stores.
With poor grassland and deficient soils, David began improving the soils and putting his college learnings into practice.
“I have since changed it into some very good land, but it has taken a lot of doing,” he explains.
“The land was short of lime and was likely to have been in set aside during the war period.”
After leaving the pig industry in 1970, the family purchased a handful of sheep starting with Welsh cross breeds, alongside Texel and Suffolk tups which they went onto run for the next 10 years. However, lambing difficulties prompted a change in breed and in the late seventies David went onto start his own flock of pedigree Bleu du Maine sheep.
“As my aerodrome grass had significantly improved, I decided to look into pedigree sheep.”
Poll Dorsets
Poll Dorsets were also introduced to Bramcote Mains alongside his flock of Bleu du Maine’s and David spent many years as a committee member in the Dorset breed society. It was while involved in both breeds that
David began Signet performance recording his flock as he found great enjoyment in improving index figures, something which he remains passionate about today.
David’s true passion for sheep was discovered while on a trip to France with breeders from the Midlands Bleu du Maine club, when the Charmoise breed caught his eye. Upon returning home, David purchased two Charmoise ewes from Welshpool in 1997. This was followed by a tup and a further three ewes purchased from the Paris Show in 1998, marking the beginning of David’s Bramain flock.
Up until recent years, David has continued to purchase Charmoise tups from France, as well as enjoying many years judging the breed at the Paris Show.
Today, the flock comprises 300 pedigree Charmoise breeding ewes with the majority of stock, including over 100 tups, sold annually for breeding. Stock is sold both direct from farm and at breed society sales, and all animals are Signet performance recorded.
The flock is managed by stockman Ben Stew, and lambing usually begins February, with any surplus lambs not kept or sold for breeding butchered locally and sold direct to the consumer. This year’s lambing was later than usual due to tups David purchased from France, not arriving in the UK due to Brexit.
As the current president of the Charmoise sheep society, David believes the breed is suitable for all farm types across the UK, due to their low maintenance, easy lambing, and ability to cross well with many other breeds and improve carcase confirmation.
“I have built up the Charmoise into a good flock here at Bramcote Mains, but also a good sheep for anybody in the country to have.”
Complementing the sheep enterprise at Bramcote Main, David has also developed a successful farm diversification comprising a caravan storage business currently storing 900 caravans and motorhomes, a caravan site and fishing lakes. Keen for both the farm and the diversifications to work with nature, David has planted more than 4,000 trees during his 60 years at Bramcote mains.
Wildflower strips
Wildflower strips have also been incorporated into the caravan storage unit to improve biodiversity, which can also be grazed by the sheep at certain times of the year. David also has a number of beehives on site and
sells the honey to customers and caravaners. Additionally, the site was made self-sufficient in water in 2012, with a wind turbine and solar panels used to generate electricity for the site, with excess electricity sold to the grid.
From humble beginnings as a new entrant, David has successfully developed a diverse and profitable farm business, evident from his impressive Charmoise flock and farm diversifications. However, due to a change in family circumstances Bramcote Mains is in the process of being sold, and sadly the Bramain flock dispersal is to be held this summer.
While the farm sale concludes David’s farming journey, his achievements over the years have not gone unrecognised and David reflects on his success at last year’s British Farming Awards with great appreciation.
“We achieved what I have always been trying to achieve. After 60 years of farming to be recognised at the top is fantastic, it really was a great honour.”
Looking to the future, David is in discussions with a Scottish agricultural college in the hope he can invest some of the money from the farm sale and flock dispersal, to provide funding for future improvements of livestock for faming generations going forward.
“I would like to leave behind something in the Eglin name."
SUSTAINABLE MEASURES
- 4,000 trees planted
- Wildflower strips planted to improve biodiversity
- Beehives located on the farm and storage unit
- Self-sufficient in water after drilling an 80m borehole in 2012
- Wind turbine and solar panels generate electricity for the site and surplus electricity is sold back to the grid
FARM FACTS
- 89 hectares (220 acres) of land on what was a former aerodrome and RAF base
- Flock of 300 pedigree Charmoise ewes
- Most lambs sold for breeding stock, with more than 100 tups sold annually
- Flock is Signet performance recorded and has been for 25 years
- Currently storing 900 caravans and motorhomes in the caravan storage unit
- Other diversifications include a caravan site, two fishing lakes, and gas sales
A word from the sponsor
As the most established and trusted leading Agri-Food Assurance Provider, Intertek SAI Global is especially delighted to sponsor the British Farming Awards’ Sheep Farmer of the Year. We fully support the sheep industry as more now than ever, farm assurance is an essential element of resilient marketing and innovation strategy
ENTER OR NOMINATE NOW
This award welcomes entries from farmers who are not afraid to embrace change to boost efficiencies within their business.
You will be making the most of the opportunities presented to you and recognise the importance of delivering quality production and management, you may be utilising technology, developing bloodlines, identifying new markets or finding ways to improve stockmanship.
Find out more about the category here.
2022 case study: Contractor of the Year
Contractor Tim Russon sets the bar high and prides himself on offering solutions to his customers whose farming needs are more niche. Emily Scaife finds out more.
Sponsored by 
Exploring niche markets and thinking outside the box has provided award-winning contractor Tim Russon with alternative income streams and enabled him to use his kit year-round.
Tim impressed the judges at last year’s British Farming Awards with his innovative, problem-solving approach, which led to him being named Contractor of the Year.
Tim began his contracting enterprise drilling maize when he left college in 1988 and was keen to dodge milking duties on his dad’s 121-hectare (300-acre) dairy farm in Lincolnshire.
He says: “I did not like the idea of milking cows – I looked up to the men driving the big tractors and knew that was what I wanted to do.
I borrowed my dad’s tractor and maize drill, just as maize was starting to become an attractive crop for livestock farmers to grow.
“At the start I drilled the maize and another contractor harvested it, but people started asking me to do the harvesting too.
“So, in 1991 I took the plunge and borrowed £35,000 to buy a small self-propelled forage harvester. A year later I had to sell it and another one.”
Today, P. Russon and Sons employs 10 full-time members of staff, which increases to nearer 30 during peak periods.
Niche markets
Tim decided to explore more niche markets to avoid being forced to compete on price for more mainstream crops.
He says: “Initially I was offering forage harvesting and maize growing services in a predominately arable area.
“I was the only forage harvester in Lincolnshire at that point. Then the anaerobic digestion [AD] market came along and I suddenly was not as niche, but because it was in its early stages I was able to capitalise on the opportunities at a very early point.
“As a result, I have been able to invest in the equipment needed for very large jobs. Our single biggest forage customer for maize harvesting is 2,500 acres.
“There are a lot of contractors who would not be able to take that on.”
By focusing on more niche markets, Tim avoids competing with other contractors in a race to the lowest cost.
He says: “I provide good value for money, but at the end of the day I need to see a margin. And in a competitive market, the margins are never there.
“I am keen on telematics, so I know my costs. I record fuel usage, take note of the time it takes to complete a job and we keep updated spreadsheets for all our machines so we can keep a close eye on running costs.
“If you are competing with other contractors over price, sometimes you cannot charge enough money to cover your costs.”
Keeping a close eye on new technology is a key part of Tim’s job in order to increase productivity for his customers.
For example, using variable application of fertilisers is efficient and reduces the impact on the environment.
The business is experimenting with different cover crops to help protect the environment at harvest time and during the following winter.
Tim is also looking into rewilding projects to increase biodiversity, potentially opening up new services the business could provide its customers, such as habitat creation and management.
Opportunities
He says: “I am always looking for new opportunities and exploring what is out there. One of the sides we have developed more is using GPS on the tractors when spreading manure as people are valuing manure more, with the prices of inputs increasing.
As well as keeping a close eye on data to make sure he is running his business as efficiently as possible, Tim has actively targeted markets which allow him to run his machinery all year round. The advantage of this approach is that it also provides him with a steady income stream, while levelling out work peaks and troughs.
Last year, the business harvested around 3,237ha (8,000 acres) of maize using two new Class Jaguar 970 forage harvesters fitted with telematics to help with machine management.
To ensure these machines are used for more than four months every year, Tim has branched out into miscanthus grass cutting and harvesting, which uses the forage equipment at a point of the year which is usually quiet.
He says: “This year we will be using our forage harvester from January to, I suspect, May for miscanthus and then those machines will also be used for grass silage.
“Then we will be forage harvesting on and off throughout summer until we start harvesting maize in September.
“That will go on until November or, if we are unlucky, December.
“So, we will have got the best part of a year’s worth of use out of a machine which traditionally is only used for three to four months every year.”
Cutting and harvesting miscanthus involved a lot of trial and error at the beginning to make sure the equipment was up to the task.
Tim says: “We had to modify our machines completely. They needed a home-made drum and a lot of research and development went into making sure it would work.”
Tim uses his older Claas Jaguar 870 harvester to harvest miscanthus, as machines catching fire while harvesting the niche crop is not unheard of.
Another niche market Tim has tapped into is smaller square bales of straw for high-end customers.
He says: “The little bales are made of the very highest quality straw. I call it Waitrose straw.
“It must be clean and the best quality, but they sell for twice the price of a large bale of straw.
“We supply local showgrounds and events with conventional bales of straw and the small bales go to a straw merchant in Lancashire.
“They are for the horse market, which is another all-year-round form of income.
“The combining and crimping of maize is something else I have been doing for about 15 years.
“It had died off a bit, but it returned once the AD market came into force. Plus I still have some livestock farmers who like maize in their rations.
“It is all about finding more uses for the same machines.”
The future
This year Tim predicts the business will harvest 3,642ha (9,000 acres) of maize, 809ha (2,000 acres) of grass silage, 405ha (1,000 acres) of wholecrop and about 1,619ha (4,000 acres) of miscanthus.
These estimations are slightly up from last year, but Tim admits he has some big worries about the immediate future.
He says: “It is challenging at the moment to find enough high-quality labour and I am concerned about the price of equipment and how much it has inflated. I am struggling to see how sustainable that will be going forwards.
“I am also a bit worried about my customer base losing the Single Farm Payment shortly – a lot of farm accounts aren’t profitable without it.
“But, at the end of day, we have all got to eat, so I am optimistic.”
Tim describes himself as a problemsolver and hopes this attitude will help him pull through the tougher times.
“If someone says something is not possible, I always think ‘there must be a way, let’s find it, let’s see if we can do it and then see if we can do it better than the last bloke’.”
Tim relies on word of mouth to secure new business and credits his win at the British Farming Awards with boosting his confidence.
He says: “Word of mouth is a big thing, particularly in the farming community. I like attending farm meetings and walks, so I try to go to those and make sure everyone knows who I am.”
In terms of the future, one thing Tim would like to do is achieve a more consistent product for the lucrative small bales of straw market.
He says: “There is technology out there that we can try on our balers to see if that will help deliver a more consistent quality.”
Overall though, his barometer of success has not changed since he first set up his business.
“I like to feel as though I have helped somebody and done a good job. The financials must be right too though – there is no point in going to work and not seeing a good return on your investment.
“New Farm is still my base – 250 acres is arable, growing wheat, barley, oilseed rape and forage maize and the rest is grassland. We do not milk anymore, but we do have a beef suckler herd in the field by the side of the house and that is close enough for me.”
BUSINESS FACTS
- P. Russon and Sons was established in 1973 by Peter Russon, a dairy farmer, at the newly built New Farm in Burton, Lincolnshire
- During the late 1970s, Peter diversified into agricultural contracting
- During the 1980s, he was one of the pioneers of maize growing
- His son Tim took on and expanded the contracting side of the business when he left college in 1988; he started with drilling maize and then branched out into harvesting
- Currently two Claas Jaguar 970 forage harvesters are driven which are fitted with telematics
- Employs 10 full-time members of staff and takes on an additional 20 during busy periods
- The business branched into niche markets such as miscanthus and small bales of high-quality straw
A word from the sponsor
KUHN is focused on providing farmers and contractors with quality, innovative machinery to give end users the best return on investment and a great customer experience.
Our award-winning parts department based in the UK is able to provide peace of mind to farmers and contractors alike, while our technical support team provides valuable back-up and knowledge to our dealer network.
KUHN also offers a number of mobile applications and online services to support customers with their machines.
In addition, owners of new and second-hand machinery can gain quick access to operator manuals and parts catalogues through the MyKUHN service at mykuhn.kuhn.com/uk
ENTER OR NOMINATE NOW
In a competitive market where margins are tight and efficiency is key, the partnership between contractor and farmer is pivotal.
Whether you are operating in mainstream services or have developed a niche for a given sector, you will be implementing practical solutions, developing strong customer relationships and offering a cost effective service to farms, regardless of size.
Entry criteria:
- Must own or manage an agricultural contracting enterprise in the UK
- Size or scale of enterprise is not important
- Can include general contracting and/ or bespoke services
Find out more here
2022 Case study: Farm Worker of the Year
Melanie Jackson is a great example of a farm worker who goes above and beyond in her role. This is not just applicable towards the job itself, but also very much surrounding the welfare of the poultry birds she manages along with the people around her. From working on the factory floor to poultry and farms supervisor, she has had two successful careers within the business, working for T. Soanes and Son for 30 years in bird planning, animal welfare and health and safety, before leaving the role in 2020.
But the following year, the East Yorkshire company restructured and Melanie returned to the family business in the newly created role of poultry and farms supervisor. “I was given an opportunity to do a dream job so I came back,” says Melanie, who successfully passed her NEBOSH qualification in the interim period.
“My passion has always been on the ‘live’ side of animal welfare, rather than the processing side, and this was very much a hands-on role. “I am involved in the Red Tractor preparation and farm welfare audits, which I have enjoyed doing previously, as well as delivering high biosecurity standards.”
Challenges
Challenges One of Melanie’s main challenges has been the undertaking of a modern 120,000-bird site, which was built six years ago. Melanie, with the help and support of the poultry health specialist and farm manager, revamped the offering and began improving efficiencies.
Not only did she manage significant challenges, she also had everything to learn about the computer and lighting system and ventilation settings. Melanie says: “Over the years I have developed a stockman’s eye and can see any small differences between the birds on a daily basis. “Their welfare is paramount to me and I have spent a great deal learning to understand them and making sure their environment is to the highest standards.”
Having forged good relationships with the team, including the vets and other experts in the field, their hard work and commitment paid off and they achieved an EPEF of 394, along with 366 on another site – a result Melanie’s employer Claire Wright delighted with.
Claire says: “Even before the results were published, Melanie knew she had a good result because of her knowledge and experience. “This enabled her to manage the site and apply the attention to detail that is so important from both a welfare view and overall results.
Melanie Jackson
''Winning the award was my biggest achievement to date and talking about it today I still cannot believe it. Nothing is gained without hard work and determination and I have that in spades"
"This enabled her to manage the site and apply the attention to detail that is so important from both a welfare view and overall results."
“Melanie will ensure she finds out the answer to any questions she has. She is extremely conscientious and strives to achieve excellence in all that she does.”
Loyalty
With the support of Claire, they have now built up a team of six farm managers and support managers to help lead the business into the future, and developing positive working relationships has been key. Claire says: “Melanie came to CSB already with respect from the farm managers as many of them had dealt with her at the factory when she worked as a live bird planner.
“Following time on-farm, each and every farm manager now has Melanie’s complete admiration and respect. “Not only has she demonstrated her expertise, but she has retained the ability to manage the farm managers. She now can demonstrate to the farm managers what difference care and attention to a job can make to both the welfare of the birds and the overall results of a crop.
“She is not frightened to challenge the farm managers and her plain speaking and no-nonsense attitude is well received."
“This is because there is no-one who will support the farm managers more than Melanie."
“She will attend any of the sites and undertake any job in order to help any farm manager.” Melanie is also keen to upskill and find training courses to keep her knowledge and current practices up to date and recruits herself and the farm managers on to online training courses so they all benefit. Melanie says: “Every day is a learning day and rolling out that learning to the farm managers motivates me to succeed."
Development
Her self-motivation and development of many transferable CPD skills was praised by the judges who unanimously agreed she was the winner of Farm Worker of the Year at last year’s British Farming Awards. She says: “Winning the award was my biggest achievement to date and talking about it today I still cannot believe it. “Nothing is gained without hard work and determination and I have that in spades.” Looking to the future, Melanie will continue making everyday improvements for the birds and farm managers.
A word from the sponsor
George Wallis, head of marketing at Isuzu (UK), says: “Isuzu is proud to sponsor the Farm Worker of the Year Award, celebrating the lifeblood of British farming. With the last few years being particularly challenging for agricultural and farming industries in the wake of Covid-19 and Brexit, it is even more fitting to, once again, recognise those who have helped kept Britain fed through it all.
“Every year we see extraordinary entries from hardworking farmers in the UK. And as always, we are proud to recognise people driven to work hard and take pride in all they do – showing us time and time again what true grit, dedication and commitment looks like.
“The UK farming industry depends on these farm workers and we honour them with great pride as part of the British Farming Awards. Getting behind real grafters driven to do their best for Britain.”
ENTER OR NOMINATE NOW SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
Many farm workers often go that extra mile, whether that be continued loyalty in the form of time and effort, attention to detail or adopting new approaches to ensure the farm business runs efficiently and effectively. Candidates will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of the business and how their efforts have contributed to a dynamic farm enterprise. Open to all farm workers in the UK, we are looking for individuals who can offer examples of their self-motivation and commitment to the farm businesses they work for.
2022 case study: Dairy Farmer of the Year
A crisis around his milk contract prompted Gordon Davies to launch into new business territory, a move which saved the farm and prompted an admirable succession plan. Danusia Osiowy finds out more about the journey of last year’s Dairy Farmer of the Year.
Gordon Davies and his family are rightly proud of their dairy farm business and the results they have collectively achieved after facing challenging times in the sector.
When the milk market was at one of its lowest points in 2015, the Davies family lost their contract after the decision was made from their buyer to retire.
The only option was to find a new market for their Channel Island milk and what followed changed the face of the business.
Gordon, who has farmed the pedigree Rivermead Jersey herd for 11 years with his wife Hazel on a Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) with Devon County Council, researched the trends around the dairy product and found channel Island Milk was used in ethnic foods and for making Indian desserts and puddings.
They then formed a company with a cheese expert and began marketing their own milk in a factory in London and worked with other local farms in the area which were in the same predicament.
Control
Gordon says: “Setting up the second dairy business has allowed the family to be in control of their own destiny. Diversifying has allowed us to purchase new equipment and invest in facilities and staff.”
Gordon, whose cows produce about two million litres of high quality milk and constituent each year, purchases a further 4-5m litres from Jersey milk producers across the south of England.
In total, with a collection pool from 17 farms, 14m litres of milk is purchased to produce a range of products, including paneer cheese, mozzarella, yoghurt, Indian desserts and ice cream to areas of London, Leicester and the South West.
His daily role sees Gordon lead on dairy logistics and transport with their tanker fleet, but with a strong circle of support surrounding him, strength lies in teamwork.
Hazel helps rear calves and eldest son Mark leads the management of the 280-head herd of Rivermead Jerseys, concentrating on the breeding and high health status of the herd and marketing any sale of cattle.
Second eldest son Kevin is a keen stockman and manages the staff and day-to-day running of the farm, along with crops and harvesting.
Daughter Emily is undertaking her final year at university, but heads up the calf rearing, with a particular interest in showing livestock and genetics.
Gordon says: “As a family we are all stockmen and every one of us has a passion for dairy cows and livestock. It is that passion which has progressed through to our grandchildren, along with the desire to have good cows and stock.
“I believe that what gives young people a good work ethic is being able to go to work and have fun. For us as a family and a business, what drives us is enjoying what we do and working with the people we do, be it staff, suppliers or customers.”
Animal health, welfare and performance take equal precedent at Westcott Farm, which comprises 101 hectares (250 acres).
A further 18ha (45 acres) is rented from the same landlord on a short-term tenancy and a further 22ha (55 acres) rented from a private landlord on a five-year FBT.
Noted for its success on the show circuit, the Rivermead herd is fully housed and co-run by stockman Richard Saxby.
Gordon says: “There is an emphasis on cow health and welfare. Examples of this include the herd’s strict Johne’s disease control strategy and our commitment to reducing antibiotic usage, with only 4 per cent of the herd receiving a dry cow tube at drying off.”
Attention to detail is all part of their focus on sustainability.
Gordon says: “The general public may well demand far higher welfare standards and accountability than they do presently. We, as farmers, need to be prepared for this and answerable to it.
Accountability
“We need to ensure our business and our farm suppliers are accountable for their actions and present a good image to the public at all times.”
The subsequent impact of the change in direction of the business is considerable and is positively reflected across the entity.
Gordon says: “As the business grows and becomes more profitable it becomes easier for everyone to do their jobs more efficiently and productively.
“This encourages the whole team to achieve more and grow the business further.
“Our business has grown to a stage where we can focus more on cost control production and management methods, as we can employ good staff and concentrate on managing our business.
“In the early years it was extremely difficult to manage three of the five businesses when we were busy collecting and delivering milk or milking the cows. It is now easier to focus our time on managing the business, investing in it and enjoy working in it.”
Gordon’s passion for the dairy industry is palpable, which was one of numerous reasons he captured the attention of judges and went on to win Dairy Farmer of the Year at last year’s British Farming Awards.
He says: “I am proud to be a part of an incredible industry which has only grown through adversity.
“It is a tremendous pleasure to work with people who have a passion, a smile on their face and want to improve. This may be to make a cow give more milk, run the transport logistics more efficiently or to look at the accounts and adopt a cost-saving measure.
“All of these things ultimately allow a business to become more productive, more efficient and more tenable. A massive part of our own business growth over the past few years has been down to those strong and reliable relationships with our customers.
“Working closely with our farm suppliers means we are able to pay a fair price for the products we need. As farmers ourselves we understand the needs of our milk suppliers and understand fully the pressures which come
with farming and I believe we need to take some responsibility for those suppliers.”
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
- The dairy has upgraded the fleet of lorries to meet Euro 6 requirements
- The business continually reassesses logistics to try and reduce food miles
- Sets aside wilding areas in fields
- Plants wildflowers in areas adjoining natural habitats, such as along the side of the motorway and railway line
- Works to reduce flood water with the Environment Agency
BUSINESS AIMS
- Control costs and management methods
- Present a good public image at all times
- Prepare for rising energy and fuel costs
- Produce high quality milk from healthy cows
A word from the sponsor
XThis award recognises those who are brave enough to challenge conventional thinking and bring fresh ideas to our industry.
As an innovator in feed, KW Feeds is looking forward to celebrating some of the most brilliant thinking, ideas and innovation in dairy farming today.
Richard Slack, head of commercial at KW Feeds, says:
“Our dairy industry never stands still. Great dairy farmers are constantly looking for new and better ways to improve performance, increase standards and lower emissions.
“As a trusted partner to some of Britain’s top performing dairy farms of all sizes, we are proud to recognise businesses which share our commitment to innovation and are brave enough to make change for the better.”