Suffolk Farming Oscars Presented
Suffolk Farming Oscars Presented
Farmers throughout Suffolk were recognised for their farm business skills last week at the annual “Oscars” of the county’s farming scene.
More than 70 guests, including members of the SAA, staff, the President Mike Hollingsworth and sponsors applauded as 15 certificates and three large trophies and tankardswere presented at a special lunch held at the Suffolk Agricultural Association Chairman Stephen Fletcher’s farm at Charlesford which also happened to be the winner of this year’s small farms category.
Winners of the medium farm was Ash Farm Enterprises and the large farm was won by W Kerr, run by Bruce Kerr whose delight at receiving the spectacular King George VI Memorial Challenge Cup and Tankard was only matched by his pride in the presence of the youngest ever guest at the event, his first child two week old daughter Cate with his wife Lisa. The awards also included the Certificate for the Best Arable Crop, Certificate for Best Livestock Enterprise and Certificate for Conservation in each category.
Awards were presented by the sponsors Susan Allington, East Anglia Regional agricultural manager of The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation PLC and Chris Leney, Partner of Robinson & Hall, Land and Property Consultants, as overhead the sky blackened and the thunder claps competed as Christopher Bushby, executive officer of the SAA announced the winners.
Chris Leney said:” The AMC and Robinson and Hall are delighted to sponsor these awards. We have thoroughly enjoyed going around the farms and it has been fascinating seeing how forward thinking Suffolk farmers are and how they are leading the industry.”
Praise for the high standard of the best farms in the county also came from the other judges, five of whom were from Norfolk and one from Reading. Bob Richardson, himself a farmer, and a judge of the large farms category - commented on the impressive nature of the Suffolk farm businesses and lamented that Norfolk did not have similar awards.
Commenting on Kerr Farms, Letheringham, he said:” This is a hugely complex range of agri-businesses which Bruce and the family take in their stride in managing. The diversity of this business is mind blowing.” He mentioned specifically Bruce’s sister Fiona who has driven public awareness and community involvement at Easton Farm Park that was unrivalled in this category which gives children the opportunity to handle the animals.
Also in the category Robert Wrinch of Roydon Hall, Creeting St Mary was presented with the best arable crop for his Winter Barley and John Benton of Lower Farm Troston, Bury St Edmunds for the Best Livestock Enterprise – his pig finishing business and EJ Barker and sons, Lodge Farm, Westhorpe, an example of brothers and nephews working together, received a certificate for conservation for its environmental schemes.
Winner of the medium farm award and the Cranworth Perpetual Challenge Cup and Tankard was Ash Farm Partners, Ash Farm, All Saints, Halesworth; Judges declared it a well integrated business demonstrating good use of subsidies and admired the great teamwork between father and son. Second prize went to Porters Farms (Walpole) Ltd, Hill House Farm, Walpole, Halesworth, and the third to John Grimsey, Raydon Hall, Orford.
Special Awards were presented as follows: Best Arable Crop - John Grimsey, Raydon Hall, Orford (wheat crops); best Livestock Enterprise,Ash Farm Partners, Ash Farm, All Saints, Halesworth; Conservation award - Porters Farms (Walpole) Ltd, Hill House Farm, Walpole.
Stephen Fletcher, a previous small farms winner and his wife Marion collected the first prize The F W Barker Perpetual Challenge Cup and Tankard in the small farms category. Judges commented on the three stage approach to improving the farm – rabbit control, drainage and fertility which had been implemented over time with the help of contractor John Taylor, resulting in a farm that demonstrates equal care of its non cropped areas that are used for equine and a small beef herd. Second was A Hayward & Son, Ashmoor Hall, Campsea Ash and third Valley Farm Ltd, Wickham Market and Knock & Howson, Mill Green Farm, Stonham Aspall
Special awards were presented as follows: Best Arable Crop - J C Pirkis & Son, Keens Farm, Debach (Wheat); Best Livestock Enterprise - P D & G S Mortimer, Metfield, Harleston and Conservation - A Hayward & Son, Ashmoor Hall, Campsea Ash.
The competition has three entry categories: Small farms (up to 200 hectares), Medium Farms (200-399 hectares) and Large farms (over 400 hectares) It is also open to farm contractors so an owner can enter his farm which is run by a contractor for day to day operations. Contractors can enter their total business, comprising owned or hired land and any subsequent contract farming operations.
Farms are judged from first to third place in each category and winners receive a trophy. Judging is based on the whole business and its overall management which leaves a substantial part of the marking under an overall business management heading. Sub-headings include management of the farms, including enterprise management, marketing, employment and investment strategy. They also considered business sustainability of land occupation including product development, diversification and long-term development as well as the farm’s social and community involvement, acknowledging its need to acknowledge its role in the community through activities including local education, public land use or employment and facilities for clubs.
Lunch was prepared by Margaret Holland of Farmhouse Cooking who the Association challenged to produce a three course lunch using only locally sourced ingredients. A challenge she rose to and even husband, retired farmer Nigel Holland, had smoked the Gressingham duck for the starter.