Award winners celebrate at the Cream Awards
2015 Dairy Industry Trade Awards
Thank you to all our sponsors and our lead sponsor Merial Eprinex
CLICK HERE for photos from the 2015 Cream Awards
A night of celebration took place on the 17th of September at the National Motorcyle Museum in Birmingham, venue for the annual dairy awards.
With 400 guests assembled from across the dairy industry the evening was a celebration of the brightest and best in UK Dairy.
The President of the National Farmer’s Union Meurig Raymond MBE gave the opening address to the attendees, which included farmer producers, processors, farm trade and leading large animal vets.
A record number of sponsors took part this year, supporting the dairy industry from primary production and marketing through to a category for taste of excellence sponsored by Morrisons supermarkets.
The winner of the Eprinex Cream Awards silver cup this year was Arla Foods Ltd, a business whose investments in UK dairy deserved to be awarded, not to mention their unrivalled talent for brand building and marketing, particularly noted their aims to help consumers know more about the dairy industry, technology and how milk is made was to be applauded.
The awards were organised by Farm Business magazine.
For more, look out for future editions of Farm Business.
All enquiries awards@ghpublishing.co.uk
Look out for photos from the evening at www.farmbusiness.cc
The winner of the Cream Awards silver cup – Arla Foods Ltd
CREAM AWARD
Sponsored by Merial EPRINEX
WINNER – Arla Foods Ltd
Arla Foods through their farmer controlled and integrated business structure was a clear winner. In addition to being a proactive force in driving consumer dairy brands this business has shown its long-term commitment at a time of crisis in the industry judges concluded. It has demonstrated through highly ambitious expansion and huge investment in dairy capability, that there will be a bright future for dairy judges concluded.
FOOD CHAIN MARKETING AWARD
Sponsored by NSF Agriculture
NATIONAL WINNER – Beechdean Ice Cream Group
Developing an extensive range of products for both consumer and foodservice sectors and driving further expansion via product licensing agreements, Beechdean boast unrivalled multi-level marketing and PR capabilities, and still have time to support local community sports as well as national ambitions in motorsport.
REGIONAL WINNER – Trewithen Dairy
Commended for their commitment to developing quality products from locally supplied ingredients and their continued support of the local west country farming community and economy.
HI-TECH FARM AWARD
Sponsored by JCB Agriculture
WINNER – SYCHPANT LTD
Location challenges led the company to capitalise on technologies such as renewables, being the first farm in Wales to install an endurance turbine, harvesting rain water, designing their own flood washing system. Judges said their investment in highly specialised indoor housing facility to optimise ventilation and environmental conditions was to be applauded.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Alvis Brothers Ltd
Alvis has embraced new technology in pursuit of operational, financial and environmental efficiency. Their use of individual animal monitoring was praised as highly impressive, alongside an outstanding regard for environmental issued with the practical use of recycled water and heat exchanger technology.
HEALTH & WELFARE AWARD FOR DAIRY
Sponsored by Norbrook Laboratories
WINNER – MM & JA Jones, Danyrallt
A business judges said who were highly proactive and dynamic in their handling of herd health, with an emphasis on young stock, an extensive vaccination program, protocols for biosecurity and disease monitoring, and detailed use of data to inform decision making.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Alex Colquhoun Ltd
Judges commented on Colquhoun’s use of data monitoring to inform health & welfare strategy, for taking positive action to ensure continued improvements and achieving planned objectives. For their particular attention to detail and for their continued commitment to staff training.
FORAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
sponsored by Volac.
WINNER – Adrian Smith of WL Smith & Son
WL Smith & Son saw excellent margin return and overall results said the judges, and made the most of the business using very simple, efficient, and cost effective systems. Excellent pasture management and without the excessive use of concentrate.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Nick Sercombe of Knaptoft Hall Farm Ltd
and Tim Simons of Coxlake Farm
Commendations for two farm managers here who have demonstrated continued improvements in their results year-on-year, maximising yields from forage. They have remained focused on delivering business objectives, developed systems that suit their individual farms and made use of the resources they have to achieve turnover.
YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by New Holland Agriculture
WINNER – Edward Williams of JC & SK Williams
Edward has taken on a huge challenge at an incredibly difficult time for his business, made significant changes to the business and demonstrated clear improvements. He has taken a very practical approach to the needs of his farm and set about developing workable solutions. He is vigorous in diversifying the business; he actively works with others and encourages their continued training.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Graham Radford of Buttermoor Farms Ltd
Forging his own path said the judges, with great ambition and tenacity. Graham is actively engaging with technology to deliver considerable improvements in farm efficiency with a well-balanced business approach. At the very young age of 22, he is also encouraging other youngsters in to farming.
AWARD FOR INNOVATION
Sponsored by EB Equipment
WINNER – Dairymaster MooMonitor+
Relentless in their communications with customers to get a real understanding of the issues faced by herdsmen. Dairymaster have developed technology that can deliver significant farm efficiencies and improved animal welfare. A product that not only monitors feeding and animal health but also fertility.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Wheyhey! The Protein Ice Cream Company
Growing their business 300% in one year and expanding internationally, taking whey protein and turning it into something that is both delicious and good for you was to be applauded. The fitness world in particular has recognised the benefits and sings it praises said the judges.
HIGH YIELD HERD AWARD
Sponsored by Ceva Animal Health
WINNER – Worthy Farm
Meticulous control of every aspect of a very complex business, said judges, has resulted in some truly outstanding results – producing exceptional amounts of milk without compromising any aspect of animal health or welfare.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Gee Jay Farming Ltd
Gee Jay Farming Ltd, achieved above average all-round performance and showed good physical performance data said the judges, with excellent financial results.
Production efficiencies were achieved through effective management of all aspects of herd management
DAIRY VET OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by Zoetis
WINNER – Jonathan Statham of Bishopton Veterinary Group
With the farmer’s interest at the very heart of everything he does. Jonathan’s protocols have a really positive effect on farm visits. He’s bursting with enthusiasm say the judges, which makes for better management practice. In addition to being a highly effective vet, he is also the driving force behind the development of RAFT, a vet led farmer training group inspiring farmers to raise their game and gain further qualifications and training.
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Sean Hughes
