You only have a few weeks left to get your entries and nominations in for the 2026 National Arable and Grassland Awards, the premier celebration of the agricultural industry
These awards are organised to highlight the incredible work done by farmers, contractors, agronomists and all those who come together to produce food in the UK.
A new category we have added this year is the Dealer of the Year Award, which recognises the importance of sales and service teams across the UK in keeping agriculture moving at peak times. Companies which enter should be able to show examples of times when they have gone above and beyond to help customers, while nominations should be focused on customer experiences where detailed advice and support have solved issues on farm.
Establishing excellence
We’ve also revamped our Grower categories, the winners of which are entered into the overall Grower of the Year Award.
This year, the Grassland Manager of the Year Award has been replaced with the Forage Crop Grower of the Year Award, expanding the scope of the award to include those using maize and wholecrop within their rotations, specifically within a livestock ration to reduce expenditure and limit the import of feed.
The change also enables winners to be included in the Grower of the Year Award, recognising the comparable skill and knowledge required to produce forage.
We have also combined the Vegetable Grower and Potato Grower awards into an overarching Root Crop and Vegetable Grower Award – the winners of which are again eligible for Grower of the Year. This also enables sugar and fodder beet growers to be recognised within NAGA for the first time; a hugely important step to celebrate those involved in the British sugar industry.
David Bell, a two-time winner at NAGA and chair of the Voluntary Initiative, an associate of the awards, 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.”
A chance to reflect and celebrate
The National Arable and Grassland Awards will be held on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, at the Hilton London Bankside.
It’s a chance to not only celebrate the hard work of everyone in this industry but also to reflect on the ingenuity present at every stage of farming. How we continue to produce healthy, sustainable food in spite of the various challenges.
AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Sector director, Sarah Woolford, adds: “AHDB is delighted to be sponsoring the Cereal Grower of the Year award in 2026. This award recognises the incredible resilience of arable farmers and is an opportunity to celebrate their immense commitment to the sector.
“For the 2026 awards, I and AHDB look forward to meeting the finalist entrants who are looking ahead to the future of farming, utilising innovation, research, and information to support their businesses while optimising production.”
The National Arable and Grassland Awards are organised by Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer and Agronomist & Arable Farmer, in association with BASIS and the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC).
Entries are open until the 19th of September. For more information, go to www.nationalarableandgrasslandawards.co.uk. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Christian Britten at christian.britten@markallengroup.com
THE CATEGORIES
Agronomist of the Year
This award recognises an outstanding agronomist, who is committed to empowering growers to reach their full potential. The nominee must demonstrate expertise and enthusiasm in the field of agronomy, as well as provide concrete examples of how their guidance has led to tangible improvement in customers’ farm’s performances. Additionally, the nominee should exhibit a strong dedication to ongoing education and professional development within the agricultural sector
Cereal Grower of the Year
The recipient of the Cereal Grower of the Year award will exhibit a successful rotation strategy and disease management policy. They will consistently achieve high yields and demonstrate a dedication to regenerative agriculture practices. The winning grower will possess a deep understanding of the markets they serve and will have a team of specialised advisors whose expertise is effectively utilised.
Contractor of the Year
The Contractor of the Year will be a distinguished individual renowned for their expertise and professionalism in providing advice and support to their clients; acknowledged as a vital asset to their clients’ operations and committed users of precision farming technology. The award-winning contractor will demonstrate a versatile skill set, adaptability, and responsiveness to client needs, resulting in consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.
Farm Manager of the Year
This award recognises a farm manager who plays a crucial role in the decision-making process of a substantial arable or grassland business. The judges will assess the manager’s ability to drive the business forward, motivate staff effectively, and consistently meet targets.
Fruit Grower of the Year
The recipient of the Fruit Grower of the Year award will be expected to showcase a deep understanding of the target market, extensive expertise in agronomy, and a track record of consistently achieving high yields. The panel of judges will seek out a grower who is dedicated to enhancing soil health and is open to embracing new methods and advancements in the industry.
Forage Crop Grower of the Year
For growers of grass, maize or wholecrop, the panel of judges will evaluate candidates based on their exemplary performance in meeting key performance indicators, such as yield per hectare and its impact on the final product (e.g. litres of milk per hectare). The successful recipient will exhibit a dedication to maintaining soil health, including minimising erosion, and will highlight the efficient and minimal use of fertilisers will be a contributing factor in the selection process.
Oilseed Grower of the Year
The judges will be looking for a grower delivering consistently strong yields which can only be achieved with an effective beetle control policy and a commitment to investing in soil health. The winning Oilseed Grower will be able to demonstrate a track record of innovating to manage challenges faced, seeking expert assistance where appropriate.
Root Crop and Veg Grower of the Year
Working in either the vegetable, potato or beet sectors, this grower will be recognised for their exceptional knowledge of the market, demonstrated expertise in agronomy, and consistent delivery of high yields. The winning grower will showcase a strong commitment to improving soil health and a willingness to embrace new practices and innovations in farming.
Protein Crop Grower of the Year
The Protein Crop Grower of the Year award recognises excellence in the cultivation of protein-rich crops. Entrants will be evaluated based on their achievement of key performance indicators, successful pest and disease management, and promotion of soil health. Additionally, a strong emphasis will be placed on innovation and efforts to reduce carbon footprint. The winning grower will showcase a proactive approach to adapting to evolving conditions.
Sustainable Farming Award
To be considered for this award, candidates must exhibit a strong dedication to reducing carbon footprint and optimising resource utilisation. The Sustainable Farming Award winner will be recognised for their unwavering commitment to implementing sustainable practices and innovative solutions that foster long-term soil health and biodiversity, ensuring the continued productivity of the land for future generations.
Young Agronomist of the Year
This award is for a young agronomist, aged 30 or under. The recipient will be able to showcase how their expertise and guidance have resulted in measurable enhancements in the performance of the farms they serve. They will be recognised as a passionate and knowledgeable professional with a proven ability to effectively address challenges.
Young Farmer of the Year
This award is for individuals aged 30 and under who have shown excellent performance, either working within or managing an arable or grassland business. The panel of judges will assess candidates based on their demonstrated commitment to the industry, as well as their enthusiasm and innovative strategies toward farming.
Andrew Lawman Safety Award
This award will celebrate an individual or business who has championed health and safety within agriculture. This champion should routinely promote best practice, be it working closely with employees to raise the profile of safety and protect individuals within a business; speaking out on safety to find and develop ways to reduce incidents within agriculture; or have developed a product which can be used directly to protect operators on farm.
Dealer of the Year
The Dealer of the Year will show excellence in sales and service, working with customers to find the best solution for their businesses and providing consistent, high quality support throughout the season. Examples should be given of dealers going above and beyond to ensure that day-to-day operations continue, and ensuring that the right products are chosen at the point of sale.
