2015-10-02 |
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Dairy Farmers Awarded Top Trophy at Farmers Weekly Awards
The eleventh annual Farmers Weekly Awards took place at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London with eighteen awards, for different categories, presented to the best farmers in the country.
The event was hosted by Hugh Dennis, comedian, actor, writer and impressionist from BBC’s Outnumbered and the Now Show.
Presentation to Di and Peter Wastenage - Farmers of the Year 2015
Devon farmers Peter and Di Wastenage from Budleigh Salterton have received the top trophy for overall Farmer of the Year as well as winners of the Dairy farmer of the year.
The entrepreneurial husband-and-wife team have created a dairy model that is being rolled out across four – soon to be five – farms. They have adapted a New Zealand-style grazing system to suit their local conditions and matched it to good genetics.
When it comes to showcasing their farms they have an open-door policy, hosting in excess of 500 visitors every year, from schoolchildren and local discussion groups to professionals.
Peter and Di have ambitious plans for the future, with a fifth farm already under way. The aim is to continue to keep costs of production low so they can remain “fit for the future” in any milk price climate. But balance remains fundamental.
Debbie Beaton, Farmers Weekly Editorial Projects Director said: “Peter and Di are a shining beacon for the future of UK family farms. Despite the phenomenal growth of their own dairy business, they find time to mentor and motivate others to share in their success”
| Full list of Farmers Weekly Award winners | |
| Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by Santander | David Richardson, Farmer, Broadcaster and Journalist, Norfolk |
| Arable Farmer of the Year Sponsored by Frontier Agriculture | David Miller, Wheatsheaf Farming Company, Basingstoke, Hampshire |
| Beef Farmer of the Year Sponsored By McDonalds | Meilir Jones, Gop Farm, Trelawnyd, Flintshire |
| Contractor of the Year Sponsored by JCB | Rob and Tina Bartlett, Bartlett Contractors, Dorset |
| Dairy Farmer of the Year Sponsored by Keenan | Peter and Di Wastenage, Wastenage Farms, Budleigh Salterton, Devon |
| Diversification Farmer of the Year Sponsored by AgriBank | Richard and Fraser Manners, John Manners, Alnwick, Northumberland |
| Farm Adviser of the Year Sponsored by Koch Advanced Nitro | Alastair Hayton, Synergy Farm Health, Dorchester, Dorset |
| Farm Employer of the Year Sponsored by Safety Revolution | David, Brian and Philip Metcalfe, Metcalfe Farms, Leyburn, North Yorkshire |
| Farm Manager of the Year Sponsored by Claas UK | Tim Hassell, Goodwood Estate, Chichester, West Sussex |
| Farmworker of the Year Sponsored by Isuzu UK | Roger Knibbs, Adstockfields Farm, Buckinghamshire |
| Local Food Farmer of the Year Sponsored by FARMA | Sally Bendall, Hollow Trees Farm, Ipswich, Suffolk |
| Pig Farmer of the Year Sponsored by Pig Progress | Rachael Bright, Oak View, Honiton, Devon |
| Poultry Farmer of the Year Sponsored by Moy Park | James Baxter, Glenhead Farm, Stranraer, Dumfriesshire |
| Sheep Farmer of the Year Sponsored by Dunbia | Richard Roderick, Newton Farm, Brecon, Powys |
| Sustainable Farmer of the Year Sponsored by Bridgestone | John Pitts, Woodhorn Group, Oving, West Sussex |
| Young Farmer of the Year Sponsored by Tesco | William Willis, Glasgoforest, Aberdeen |
| Farming Champion of the Year Sponsored by NFU | Tom and Kay Hutchinson, Bail Hill, Barnard Castle, County Durham & Filmmaker Magali Pettier |
| Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year | Peter and Di Wastenage, Wastenage Farms, Budleigh Salterton, Devon |
