Hertfordshire farm manager scoops BBC farmer award

Hertfordshire farm manager Jonathan Birchall has scooped the BBC Farming Today Farmer of the Year Award.

Mr Birchall, whose win was announced at the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham yesterday, is farm manager for Pilkington Farms, Hitchin, where he manages 910ha of the 2800ha Kings Walden Estate.

Since 2006 the enterprise has been restructured, making best use of agri-environment schemes, and now boasts one of the largest privately-run stewardship schemes in the country. Mr Birchall keeps meticulous records of all yields and inputs, according to the BBC.

The grassland uses no fertiliser, grazes native breeds and supports the largest flock of Wiltshire Horns in the country, as well as rare breed pigs and cattle.

Mr Birchall was Countryside Farmer of the Year finalist in this year’s Farmers Weekly awards.

Sainsbury’s Carbon Footprint Initiative was named best retail initiative at the awards. Sainsbury’s have partnered with an environmental consultancy, AB Sustain, to develop carbon footprint models for their producers.

The models cover all systems and practices of producing meat, dairy and poultry products – assessing energy efficiency and use, inputs, outputs and animal health, says the BBC.

The Sainsbury’s agricultural team meet regularly with farmers to provide support. One farmer reportedly saved £65,000 in 18 months.