Combining Young Farmer and Young Agronomist of the Year, the Young Agriculturalist will showcase a commitment to the industry, keeping abreast of new strategies and technologies to drive their respective businesses forward
James Bell – JRB Farming Ltd
The eldest of the third generation at JRB Farming Ltd, James Bell has added contract farming to the family business, working stubble to stubble across nearly 325ha. He has invested heavily in technology to manage the workload and achieve the best results, with guidance, variable rate seeding and fertiliser application, and section control. Using the Omnia system, he is able to manage the various farms flexibly. When one showed soil deficiencies, he took appropriate steps, including an application of lime, and adjusted the rotation to bring the ground back in line.
Beyond his contract work, he is deeply involved with the local agricultural community, organising and competing in ploughing matches, and acting as chairman for the Ednam Young Farmers for two years.
In the future, he aims to further increase the area worked, demonstrating a commitment to good, sustainable yields, soil health and customer relations.
Iwan Jones – Agrii
As a young agronomist for Agrii, Iwan Jones specialises in forage crops, providing tailored advice for customers to optimise crop performance and farm efficiency. He states that he has seen real improvements in both profitability and soil health by helping integrate foliar nutrition and cover crops into businesses.
Keeping abreast of new techniques and technologies, he has completed both in-house and industry standard training programmes and is experimenting drone technology for late-season foliar applications. He has also utilised the Rhiza Contour platform for precision agronomy using satellite imagery, soil mapping and data layers, fine-tuning decisions field by field and supporting compliance work.
With a background in trial work, he says that this has helped to interpret data for his customers, combined with a practical knowledge of applications which can be used in real-world conditions. This information used not just crop-by-crop but across the whole business to move customers forward.
Bethany Sharpe – S. Sharpe & Daughter
Having worked on the family fruit and vegetable farm sporadically when she was younger, Bethany Sharpe joined the business eight years ago. Difficult family circumstances have meant that she takes a huge amount of responsibility within the farm and is searching for ways to innovate despite the small scale.
Rainwater is harvested into reservoirs and tanks to use throughout the year, while parasitic wasps and other beneficials are introduced to the greenhouse and polytunnels to handle pest control. Compost and organic waste are worked back into the soil to provide nutrients, or boost soil health. To encourage wildlife and beneficials, a crop of sunflowers is grown each year.
Produce is sold direct to the consumer through markets and a farm shop, which Bethany hopes to develop further in the future. She notes the importance not just of fresh, healthy produce, but a thriving rural community that can develop around these enterprises.
The 2026 National Arable and Grassland Awards will be handed out in a ceremony at the end of the first Agronomy Exchange event. For more information, head to www.agronomyexchange.com