Northern Farmer Awards

The Northern Farmer Awards
Sponsored by Mole Country Stores

The awards categories are as follows:

Managing a farm or estate for a business or an individual has become more challenging over the years, with volatility now a part of everyday life and a rapidly changing agricultural landscape, just two of the issues to be managed. The successful winner of the Farm Manager of the Year category will need to demonstrate how they manage, develop and motivate staff on farm to see the opportunities that exist in this changing landscape. The successful Farm Manager will have excellent financial, operational and people management skills. Our winner will also need to demonstrate the ability to identify opportunities, appraise and measure performance and to develop, innovate and improve operating systems. Someone who can plan, evaluate and adjust strategies to deliver profitable and sustainable farm businesses and who is able to manage risk and develop new ways to deal with traditional farming issues. Perhaps you have developed or supported a new discussion group, identified new training requirements for your team or identified a new market opportunity for your business. The ability to deliver day in/day out and to bring together all elements and to get the best out of their team will be key to securing the title of Farm Manager of the year. This award recognises the skills of a Sheep Farmer who has demonstrated a comprehensive approach to the management of their flock which includes consideration of the breeding programme, selection of rams, parasitic control, grassland management, rationing protocols and measures of performance. In addition, they will have a clear understanding of their costs, a marketing approach to selling their animals and a strategy for the future development of the business. The business will also be able to demonstrate/refer to external advice and services used to support the business.

Being creative, innovative and forward thinking are strong qualities in Young Farmers and this category aims to recognise and reward those who have achieved positive results from new ideas and changes. This can be anything from new ways to increase productivity, diversification or making a positive impact on their local area.

This category is open to nominations for those demonstrating an outstanding achievement in the agricultural industry. We want to recognise individuals who have made a significant
contribution to farming and can evidence this with proven success. For example, you may know someone who has a highly successful business and deserves to be recognised for their innovations and achievements. Alternatively, it may be somebody who is forward thinking and has seen positive results by demonstrating the very best in farming practices?

This award recognises the skills of a Beef Farmer who has a clear and progressive business plan and has in place programmes and policies for the management of health livestock for breeding, rearing and finishing, coupled with a strong grassland and forage management strategy. The business will also demonstrate a well-defined marketing approach, with added value a key component clearly evident. The use of professional advice and services should also be obvious.

We are looking for a dairy farmer that can fulfil the following criteria; a forward looking farmer who - knows where he/she wants to be in 5-10 years and how they are going to get there and who looks to innovation to help bring these objectives to life. We want to see evidence of thinking outside the box in terms of dairying and farming in general. Our winner will understand the importance they play as Dairy farmers in their community and the wider reach.

This award will identify an Arable Farmer who can demonstrate a clear vision for the future with a management strategy for the business, which incorporates a detailed understanding of costs and an investment plan. The category winner will need to define how they have managed resources and delivered efficiencies to the business and improved quality and profit. The business will also demonstrate a marketing approach which considers different elements of the supply chain and can demonstrate how they are helping to protect the environment, through participation in recognised environmental schemes.

We want to recognise the families who are the heart of Northern farming. As a family unit through generations, you will have developed a sustainable business, securing your family’s place in Northern farming for years to come. You will have kept with family traditions, but also created new ways of farming which allow you to compete in a changing environment. You will credit your team work as a unit as pivotal to your success.

This category is open to people who are working to create a more diverse environment and to improve and enhance the countryside, with consequent benefits to wildlife, while farming their land in an effective and progressive way and maintaining a viable business. Judges are likely to be interested in such aspects of farm/land management as running environmentally based schemes (for example, sustainable tree planting, traditional hay meadows) and also educational initiatives. Entrants may also highlight examples of collaborative projects involving outside organisations, including bodies which provide funding for environmental improvements.

Your host: Wendy Gibson

Wendy Gibson is a familiar face in the North of England having co-presented nightly evening television news programme, Look North, for many years, along with the popular arts and leisure strand, Out and About. She was also the regular host for Children in Need.

A farmer's daughter from County Durham, now living in Northumberland, Wendy very much appreciates being able to come back to the peace and calm of the country.

She is delighted to be involved in the farming awards for another year - and her father, coming from generations of farmers, is especially pleased.

He ran a mixed operation of about 200 accredited dairy friesian cows, plus an arable operation at Westerton, near Bishop Auckland, in County Durham.