A COUNTY Durham farmer has been named joint UK Soil Farmer of the Year.

Richard Suddes, who farms 1,200 acres at Cornsay, shares first prize with Tim Parton, an arable farmer from Staffordshire and will host a farm visit on Wednesday.

The competition is organised by the Farm Carbon Cutting Toolkit (FCCT) and Innovation for Agriculture (IfA). It aims to find farmers and growers who manage their soils in a way that supports productive agriculture, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and builds soil health, organic matter and carbon.

Mr Suddes, his brother and father run W I Suddes & Sons at South Farm. They have a mixed farming system with cattle and arable cropping and also now have A Cut Above Meat Co, their recently established beef sale venture.

Mr Suddes changed his farming system nine years ago to combat weather and ground conditions, and to give more focus to soil management.

The judges recognised his dedication to soil management and his pioneering attitude to trying new methods, and integrating cropping and livestock to build soil health.

Mr Suddes is experimenting with undersowing crops with clover, as well as focusing on nutrient usage and maximising the benefits of livestock manures on the arable rotation.

He said: “This is a fantastic award and we’re delighted that the hard work of all who work on the farm has been recognised, against high quality entrants from across the UK.”

Jonathan Smith, competition organiser and FCCT director said: “Yet again there was a lot of strong applicants, and it was a hard decision on who to shortlist as well as to decide the final result.

“We appreciate the effort all entrants put in to the competition.

“These farmers and growers are demonstrating the benefits of building soil organic matter – healthier, more productive soils, increased carbon sequestration and better yields. It’s a win-win approach, and a message we would like to spread far and wide.”

Mr Suddes will host a farm walk on Wednesday, from 6pm to 8.30pm, when he will also be presented with his prize by competition sponsor, Cotswold Seeds.

The walk will give farmers the chance to see, understand and dig a bit deeper into the methods he is using.

Places are free, but booking is requested to help with catering. Call Becky on 07875 356611 or 01579 372376 or email becky.willson@farmcarbontoolkit.org.uk.