Stephen Craggs who farms at East Close Farm, Sedgefield, has won the 2013 nabim/HGCA Milling Wheat Challenge.  Stephen was praised by the award's judges for his commitment, attention to detail and his vision.

The competition result was announced at The Milling Wheat Challenge awards dinner for finalists and their partners which was held at the Ritz Hotel, London on the 24th October 2013. This was a very special event attended by representatives from all areas of the grain chain for a celebration of the country's best milling wheat growers.

The other two finalists were James Loder-Symonds of Denne Hill Farm, Womenswold, Kent and Nick & David Philip of Church Farm, Waltham St Laurence near Reading.

The judges for the 2013 award - Martin Savage from nabim, Pat Thornton from HGCA and Mark Ireland a Lincolnshire farmer - said that selecting the winner was very difficult because all of the finalists demonstrated exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to the milling trade's needs and processes.

Martin Savage said that this year was the most difficult for the judges in the history of the competition. The standard was very high and each finalist had very different strengths. "What was very noticeable about our winner, Stephen Craggs, was that he questions every single detail of what he does on the farm and what it means to the ongoing supply chain."

Pat Thornton added that what impressed him about Stephen Craggs - who grows 100% of his 750 ha continuous wheat for milling - was his clear commitment to the milling sector, produced in far from ideal conditions last season.  With an understanding of varietal suitability and a very simple approach - establish it, feed it and keep it healthy - the business has consistently delivered quality milling wheat to merchants and millers over a number of years.

Pat added: “Stephen is very hands on, as is the rest of his family, and all share an incredible ‘can do’ attitude which has allowed business strands to integrate and grow into a dedicated team who understand the market and are willing to invest in the opportunities that this understanding brings.  As a result the business now operates a 15,000 tonne store, drying and blending facility with a sampling and testing laboratory that many would envy."

This year he grew varieties that all attracted a premium – Solstice and the spring variety, Tybalt. He sells his wheat to ADM Milling Ltd, Frontier and EB Bradshaw & Sons in Driffield.

Mark Ireland added that all three finalists demonstrated that they are committed, forward thinking and can consistently grow quality crops of bread-making wheats. They all combine an excellent technical understanding of the crop with a personal drive to be really good at what they do.

He said: “As a fellow farmer I always feel extremely privileged to be able to visit and judge some of our country's most progressive and professional milling wheat growers.  This year was no exception. All three finalist farms deliver a mix of exceptional agronomic skill, care for the environment, investment in their businesses and interaction with the general public."

"The decision on the winner of the Milling Wheat Challenge was the closest to date, but Stephen Craggs showed superb attention to detail in every aspect of growing his crops - in what can only be described as a challenging climate and unusual rotation.  His drive and enthusiasm to market crops of top quality was most impressive, as was his vision for his business and continued involvement with milling wheat into the future”. 

Martin Savage commented that despite the difficult season, the milling trade is working closely with the farming industry to maximise the inclusion of UK grain into manufactured food. "Last year, harvest 2012, was a very challenging year for both farmers and millers. Only 3% of wheat supplied was fully within high quality bread making specification. At the time of our visits in June crops looked good despite the poor soil conditions at the time of drilling. The fact that this year’s harvest has 37% of milling wheat meeting the full specification is a great testament to all UK growers. "

“UK flour millers are committed to UK wheat and farmers. We anticipate more than 80% of the wheat we mill to come from UK farmers again this year.”

The Milling Wheat Challenge has become established as a formal recognition by Britain's flour millers of how the country's best growers combine attention to detail with end-customer awareness and business acumen to create a win: win for the whole wheat chain.

The competition will be run again in 2014 and will be launched on Monday, 13th January.