Recognising and celebrating the very best in our industry, we are proud to announce that the National Arable and Grassland Awards 2024 are now open for entries.
Each year, Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer and Agronomist & Arable Farmer come together to celebrate excellence in the agricultural industry. The National Arable and Grassland Awards will take place on the 7th of February 2024 at the Hilton London Bankside and entries are now open for growers, contractors, agronomists and figureheads in our sector.
For each category, entrants can be nominated by their peers or put themselves forward. There are six categories for growers, each recognising the innovative methods used to maintain soil health, meet environmental demands, and establish and care for a crop through to harvest. Each of the winners from these will then automatically be entered into the Grower of the Year award, which celebrates the grower’s ability to maintain profitability and sustainable yields irrespective of the challenges our industry faces.
Grassland management will be celebrated on the night, as will overall Farm Managers, who need to show sound decision-making and leadership, take notice of emerging farming practices and be open to diversification opportunities that will benefit the business.
The parameters for success in farming are changing, in line with government policy and farm payments; this is why we have our Sustainable Farming Award. The judges will look at a series of key metrics for proof that this grower is committed to reducing their carbon footprint and use of chemical inputs, improving biodiversity and, at the same time, continuing to produce food for the nation.
NAGA doesn’t just celebrate established figures in farming. We look ahead to the next generation with Young Farmer of the Year. Those who have overcome the barriers to entry and are pushing their businesses forward with new thinking and an eye on the future.
Our Contractor of the Year award will recognise the key role that they play in the industry, making new technology and machinery available, irrespective of the customer’s scale, to drive efficiency and investment across the industry. Judges will be keen to see how these vital operators use their experience and skill to increase profitability in their own businesses and the bottom line of their customers.
Similarly, the role of an agronomist is to guide their customers through new advice and research and use their expert knowledge of crop varieties, inputs, and methodologies to improve yields. With both our Agronomist of the Year and Young Agronomist of the Year awards, entrants will be judged on their ability to translate complex ideas into practical results and guide farmers through our changing industry.
The last award of the night will be our Lifetime Achievement award. With this, we honour a champion of the industry. Someone who has inspired others with their forward-thinking ideas, opened doorways for those unable to get into the sector or played a key role in promoting our industry, be it in a public forum or behind the scenes.
The judging panel will be announced in the coming months, made up of key personalities from the industry who will use their knowledge to highlight the cream of the crop.
Simon Lewis, publisher of Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer and Agronomist and Arable Farmer, said: “At a time when farming is often overlooked by the public, the National Arable and Grassland Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the vitally important work that happens every day, regardless of the challenges and the weather. I am delighted to launch the 2024 edition and look forward to another incredible event next February.”
Entries are now open. To find out more go to www.nationalarableandgrasslandawards.co.uk