To ensure that everyone has the chance to get their entries and nominations in for the National Arable and Grassland Awards 2026, we have extended the deadline to Friday, the 3rd of October.
Once entries close, it will be time for the judging panel to sort through and find those farmers, contractors, agronomists and dealers who are excelling despite the difficult industry conditions. On Wednesday, the 11th of February at the Hilton London Bankside, we will celebrate the 2026 National Arable and Grassland Awards.
There are 14 awards up for grabs this year, as well as Grower of the Year, which will celebrate the farmer who has excelled not only in their Grower category but also stood out amongst their peers within the wider industry.
This year, we have two new awards which extend our celebration of the agricultural sector to include dealers – who keep the industry moving when breakdowns occur – and those who promote best practice and safety within the industry. The Andrew Lawman Safety Award is dedicated to a young man who was passionate about improving the health and safety record of our industry, but who tragically passed away in an incident on a farm.
We’ve also broadened the scope of some of our other awards. Previously Grassland Manager of the Year, Forage Grower of the Year enables us to celebrate maize and wholecrop growers as well as recognise the winner in the overall Grower of the Year award. Similarly, we have combined Potato Grower and Vegetable Grower into Root Crop Grower of the Year, enabling sugar and fodder beet growers to enter this year alongside others, keeping staple foods on our plates.
The night promises to be a spectacular event, with a celebrity host to entertain the crowd and run us through the winners, a three-course meal and a DJ that will keep the party going until the early hours of the morning.
A chance to celebrate our hard work
The National Arable and Grassland Awards are a chance to celebrate the hard work that everyone in this industry puts in, rain or shine, regardless of the external pressures.
Richard and Lyn Anthony, who won Cereal Grower of the Year this year, said: “It’s fantastic. We’re more shocked than we were last year. To win an award like this after such a challenging year shows that the hard work is recognised.”
With entries closed, it’s now time for the judging panel to start the difficult task of picking our winners.
This year, the panel will consist of:
- Matthew Tilt, editor of Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
- Richard Lawrence, editor of Agronomist & Arable Farmer
- Jill Hewitt, chief executive of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors
- Meurig Raymond, farmer and former NFU president
- Harry Henderson, interim head of education & partnerships at Basis
- David Bell, two time NAGA winner, farmer and chair of the Voluntary Initiative
David Bell said: “The Voluntary Initiative is focused on promoting best practice and integrated pest management (IPM) across our industry, something that the award winners and nominees have always shown at NAGA. There’s clear synergy there, and it’s an honour to be involved with a growing event such as this.
“As a previous winner, I know how hard this industry works day in and day out, and I look forward to seeing the innovation and dedication from entries this year.”
The National Arable and Grassland Awards are organised by Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer and Agronomist & Arable Farmer, in association with Basis, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors and The Voluntary Initiative.
Our thanks to our sponsors QLF Agronomy and the AHDB, without whom these events would not be possible.
For more information on ticket availability and pricing, go to www.nationalarableandgrasslandawards.co.uk. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Christian Britten at christian.britten@markallengroup.com