The British Farming Awards have revealed this year’s 18 winners at the annual event, held last Thursday at the Vox, Birmingham.

Britain’s farming industry came together in their hundreds last Thursday to celebrate the achievements of individuals at the British Farming Awards.


Sponsored by Morrisons and organised by Farmers Guardian, the event was attended by more than 800 farmers and industry professionals from across the UK.  

Back for its eleventh year, the event celebrated pioneering farmers across all sectors who were leading in areas of technology, science, food
production and sustainability.

Alongside farming’s core sectors including – dairy, beef, sheep and arable – there was also recognition for students, family farms, new
entrants, nature-friendly businesses and the huge number of diversifications, which are now so crucial to many businesses.  

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO BRITISH AGRICULTURE (SPONSORED BY NSF)

Kicking off the evening was the Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture, which was awarded to the Tenant Farming Association Chief
Executive George Dunn.   

Mr Dunn has worked his way up the ranks to become a much admired and respected leader who represents farmers and growers who do not own the land they operate in England and Wales since it was founded in 1981.

In his role he has lobbied and tirelessly campaigned on the major issues affecting farmers and has been instrumental in advising the government on how schemes can better support the tenanted sector as farming moves forward in the future.

Mr Dunn is a member of numerous organisations including the Royal Countryside Fund Farm Advisory Group, Farming Community Network, serving as chairman of the charity and the National Trust’s Rural Enterprise Panel.

FARMERS GUARDIAN FARMING HERO: FLYING THE FLAG FOR BRITISH AGRICULTURE

The winner of this year’s Farmers Guardian’s Farming Hero: Flying the Flag for British Agriculture is the Nicholson family from Cannon Hall Farm.
The formidable team welcome more than 1million visitors across its multifunctional site comprising a working farm, adventure playgrounds, farm shop and three restaurants.

Their commitment to educating consumers about where their food comes from and the role of British farmers is exemplary with their daily, live broadcasts about looking after animals and connecting people with nature earning them a Point of Light award.

Sophie Throup, Technical and Sustainability Director, Manufacturing, Morrisons, said: 

“As long term supporters of British farming, we want to thank farmers across the country for the work they continue to do in these challenging times. We recognise the effort, care, innovation and skills which British farmers put into making and providing food we are all proud of.”

For more information about the winners, finalists and awards evening, visit www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk  

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For more information or contact details for finalists contact Sarah Murray, Marketing Manager, on 01772 799 7423 or email
marketing@britishfarmingawards.co.uk; Danusia Osiowy, Events Producer, on 07595 428177 or email danusia.osiowy@agribriefing.com

For winners pictures, shortlist photos and information visit our media hub at www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk

British Farming Awards: 2023 winners and runners up

Agricultural Student of the Year (Sponsored by AGCO)
     * Gold: Naomi Ramsay, Scotland’s Rural College; Silver: Isla Soutter, Harper Adams University

Agri-Tech Innovator of the Year (Sponsored by Low Carbon Agriculture)
     * Gold: James Duke, A.D.F. Milking, Sussex; Silver: Dr Vincent Martinez, Dyneval, Midlothian  

Arable Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Kramp)
     * Gold: Ed Horton, S.S Horton and Sons, Gloucestershire; Silver: Colin Chappell, Chappell Farms, Northamptonshire  

Beef Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by ABP Food Group)
     * Gold: Greg and Rowan Pickstock, G. and D. Pickstock, Powys; Silver: Helen Parr and Daniel Fabb, D.R.A. Contractors, Cambridgeshire  

Contractor of the Year (Sponsored by Kuhn)
     * Gold: Kevin Heywood, A.J. Heywood and Sons, Cornwall Silver: James Dodson, VineWorks, Sussex  

Dairy Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by KW Feeds)
     * Gold: Patrick Morris-Eyton, Morris-Eyton and Son, Cumbria; Silver: Richard Beck, J.S. and S.M. Beck and Son, Cheshire

Digital Innovator of the Year (Sponsored by Volac; EcosylAlternative )
     * Gold: Matt Slack, E.V. Slack and Sons Master Butchers, Yorkshire; Silver: Ally Hunter-Blair, Wye Farm, Herefordshire

Diversification of the Year (Small to Medium) Sponsored by NFU Mutual
     * Gold: Amy Bateman, Amy Bateman Photography, Cumbria; Silver: Holly Brooks, Popell Barns Mobile Farm, Hampshire  

Diversification of the Year (Large) Sponsored by Daisy Vending 
     * Gold: David Rawlings, D.A. and S. Rawlings, Yorkshire; Silver: Chris, Sue and Thomas Heseltine, J.G.E. Heseltine and Son, Yorkshire   

Family Farming Business of the Year (Sponsored by Goodyear Farm Tires)
     * Gold: The Brown Family, Bluebell Dairy, Derbyshire; Silver: The Pemberton family, Pemberton’s Farm Shop and Dairies, Lancashire  

Farming Hero: Flying the Flag for British Agriculture (Sponsored by Eternit)
     * The Nicholson family, Cannon Hall Farm, Yorkshire

Farm Worker of the Year (Sponsored by Isuzu UK)
     * Gold: Holly Atkinson, Carswell Farms, Devon; Silver: Jack Marlow, Moulton College, Northamptonshire  

Grassland Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Germinal)
     * Gold: Chris and Bella Mossman, Mossman Farming, Ceredigion; Silver: John Fare, Fare Farms, Lancashire

New Entrant Award: Against the Odds (Sponsored by Massey Ferguson)
     * Gold: Alex and Emily Crawley, Grazing Management, Gloucestershire; Silver: Adam and Lucy Johnstone, J.B. Countryside Services, Hampshire

Outstanding Contribution to British Agriculture (Sponsored by NSF)
     * George Dunn, Chief Executive, Tenant Farmers Association

Sheep Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by SAI Global)
     * Gold: Robert and Becca Rennie, Rennie Livestock, Roxburghshire; Matthewand David Roberts, D.W. and A.Roberts and Son, Flintshire

Special Recognition Award: Lifetime Achievement (Sponsored by Farmers Guardian)
     * Olive Clarke, OBE

Sustainable Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Lloyds)
     *Gold: David Shelton, Shoby Priory Agricultural, Leicestershire; Silver: Martin, Juliette and Matt Lines, M.T. Lines and Partners, Cambridgeshire