Farmers Weekly Awards: Arable Farmer of the Year 2020 >More in
Robert Price, Rooksnest Estate, Berkshire
Like many successful racehorse trainers, Robert Price looks to produce a winning performance and he has succeeded in this at the Rooksnest Estate by overhauling the arable business.
Nestled in the Lambourne valley known for its racehorses, the farm’s challenging soils mean he is never going to see the very high yields achieved on much kinder soils.
Instead, he is focused on adding value where he can by earning valuable premiums.
Cutting costs is also a key aim, and a change in establishment system and the adoption of controlled traffic farming has brought a big cut in fuel use.
Farmers Weekly Awards 2020: Agricultural Student of the Year >More in
Grace Welling, East Stratton, Winchester, Hampshire
Spend five minutes with Grace Welling, and you quickly glean she’s not someone who likes to sit still.
It’s a trait that stands her in good stead for a career in agriculture, especially because she did not grow up on a farm.
“If you’re not from a farming background you have to give 110% to prove you can do it,” says Grace.
Her determination to succeed, infectious enthusiasm and innate inquisitiveness mark out the 23-year-old Harper Adams graduate as our Ag Student of the Year.
Farmers Weekly Awards 2020: Arable Adviser of the Year >More in
Mark Dewes is the 2020
Farmers Weekly Arable Adviser of the Year.
Mark Dewes is a passionate and dedicated agronomist who has he best interests of his customers – and their farming enterprises – at the forefront of his mind. His willingness to uncover the best forward-thinking solutions on their behalf makes him the deserving recipient of this award.
Optimising farm returns while reducing risk for growers is all part of the bespoke service offered by forward-thinking agronomist Mark Dewes.
Covering four counties across central England, Mark has developed a risk share model that ensures he is financially accountable for his crop management decisions, while sharing risk and reward between agronomist and grower.