THIS YEAR'S CATEGORIES

This award will celebrate an individual or business who has championed health and safety within agriculture. This champion should routinely promote best practice, be it working closely with employees to raise the profile of safety and protect individuals within a business; speaking out on safety to find and develop ways to reduce incidents within agriculture; or have developed a product which can be used directly to protect operators on farm.

This award recognises an outstanding agronomist, who is committed to empowering growers to reach their full potential. The nominee must demonstrate expertise and enthusiasm in the field of agronomy, as well as provide concrete examples of how their guidance has led to tangible improvement in customers' farm's performances. Additionally, the nominee should exhibit a strong dedication to ongoing education and professional development within the agricultural sector.

The recipient of the Cereal Grower of the Year award will exhibit a successful rotation strategy and disease management policy. They will consistently achieve high yields and demonstrate a dedication to regenerative agriculture practices. The winning grower will possess a deep understanding of the markets they serve and will have a team of specialised advisors whose expertise is effectively utilised. The winner of this award will go forward as a candidate for the overall Grower of the Year title.

The Contractor of the Year will be a distinguished individual renowned for their expertise and professionalism in providing advice and support to their clients; acknowledged as a vital asset to their clients' operations and committed users of precision farming technology. The award-winning contractor will demonstrate a versatile skill set, adaptability, and responsiveness to client needs, resulting in consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.

Celebrating the work of an engineering firm or dealership that has consistently shown best practice and worked with customers to keep them moving.

This award recognizes a farm manager who plays a crucial role in the decision-making process of a substantial arable or grassland business. The judges will assess the manager's ability to drive the business forward, motivate staff effectively, and consistently meet targets.

For growers of grass, maize or wholecrop, the panel of judges will evaluate candidates based on their exemplary performance in meeting key performance indicators, such as yield per hectare and its impact on the final product (e.g. litres of milk per hectare). The successful recipient will exhibit a dedication to maintaining soil health, including minimising erosion, and will highlight the efficient and minimal use of fertilisers will be a contributing factor in the selection process. The winner of this award will go forward as a candidate for the overall Grower of the Year title.

The judges will be looking for a grower delivering consistently strong yields which can only be achieved with an effective beetle control policy and a commitment to investing in soil health. The winning Oilseed Grower will be able to demonstrate a track record of innovating to manage challenges faced, seeking expert assistance where appropriate. The winner of this award will go forward as a candidate for the overall Grower of the Year title.

Working in either the vegetable, potato or beet sectors, this grower will be recognised for their exceptional knowledge of the market, demonstrated expertise in agronomy, and consistent delivery of high yields. The winning grower will showcase a strong commitment to improving soil health and a willingness to embrace new practices and innovations in farming. The winner of this award will go forward as a candidate for the overall Grower of the Year title.

The Protein Crop Grower of the Year award recognises excellence in the cultivation of protein-rich crops. Entrants will be evaluated based on their achievement of key performance indicators, successful pest and disease management, and promotion of soil health. Additionally, a strong emphasis will be placed on innovation and efforts to reduce carbon footprint. The winning grower will showcase a proactive approach to adapting to evolving conditions. The winner of this award will go forward as a candidate for the overall Grower of the Year title.

To be considered for this award, candidates must exhibit a strong dedication to reducing carbon footprint and optimising resource utilisation. The Sustainable Farming Award winner will be recognised for their unwavering commitment to implementing sustainable practices and innovative solutions that foster long-term soil health and biodiversity, ensuring the continued productivity of the land for future generations.

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This award is for a young agronomist, aged 30 or under. The recipient will be able to showcase how their expertise and guidance have resulted in measurable enhancements in the performance of the farms they serve. They will be recognised as a passionate and knowledgeable professional with a proven ability to effectively address challenges.

This award is for individuals aged 30 and under who have shown excellent performance, either working within or managing an arable or grassland business. The panel of judges will assess candidates based on their demonstrated commitment to the industry, as well as their enthusiasm and innovative strategies toward farming.