Announcing the winners at the 2024 British Farming Awards

Pioneering farmers and industry professionals across all sectors are highlighted through fifteen categories such as technology, science, food production and sustainability. With a further two 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 saved time and money, and takes a step in the right direction for the industry.

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".

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.

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".

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.

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.

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".

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".

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.

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.

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".

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".

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 Samanthas 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 in to their farm in Dorset as tenant farmers has clearly made them stand out among our wonderful set of candidates.

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".

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. The saw that "Courteenhall's approach to sustainability has helped the estate make significant improvements in profitability whilst also improving soils and wildlife".