Farmers Weekly Awards sponsor profiles

The Farmers Weekly Awards appreciate the hard work sponsors have done with supporting this year’s Awards and the farming industry, as well as farmers across the UK.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the Farmers Weekly Awards, get in touch today and see what opportunities we can offer.

Headline sponsor

Agrovista

Agrovista is well known as a leading supplier of agronomy advice, seeds, crop protection products and precision farming services.

Although our roots were established 60 years ago, we recognise that agriculture is changing rapidly. Our aim is to equip growers with the tools they need, using innovative and evidenced-backed solutions for British agriculture.

Our #ForOurGrowers initiative, celebrates the hard work of all involved in British farming and highlights the integral role we all play in helping to put food on the nations’ tables.

In the field and beyond, we are behind our farmers every step of the way, tackling challenges together to achieve the best possible outcomes.

We are therefore delighted to be part of the Farmers Weekly Awards and proud to be sponsor of the Farmer of the Year.

Category sponsors

AB Agri Dairy

Sponsor of Dairy Farmer of the Year

At AB Agri Dairy we’re passionate about responsibly making animal feed, creating nutrition and technology based products, and offering data services for the agri-food industry.

We operate across the entire food industry supply chain, producing and supplying compound animal feed, feed enzymes, specialised feed ingredients and a range of value-added services to farmers, feed and food manufacturers, processors and retailers.

We are united by our family values that represent who we are, how we work together and how we help our customers.

ABP Food Group

Sponsor of Beef Farmer of the Year

ABP Food Group contributes an estimated €1.3bn each year into the rural economies in which it operates.

We recognise that the farmers who supply meat to us are vital partners in ensuring that the quality of our product is maintained and traceability is ensured.

Our core business – ABP Beef – is supported by its renewable, pet food and protein divisions, which combine to ensure the value of by-products is maximised and the environmental impact of our business and customers is minimised.

Agrii

Sponsor of Arable Farmer of the Year

As a leading provider of agronomy services, technology and strategic advice, Agrii combines excellence and innovation with the latest research and development to ensure our customers can meet today’s farming challenges with knowledge and confidence.

Aviagen

Sponsor of Poultry Farmer of the Year

Aviagen is a world leading poultry breeding company, supplying day-old grandparent and parent stock chicks to customers in more than 100 countries worldwide. We offer speciality-breeding stock, giving customers flexibility in their bird choice.

Welfare is at the heart of everything we do, our balanced genetic selection programme ensures continuous improvements in bird health and sustainability.

As an employer of choice we have over 800 colleagues in a variety of roles across the country, all delivering excellence in their field.

We are an integral part of the UK poultry industry and work closely with our customers to optimise biological performance, recognising and rewarding performance.

Environment Bank

Sponsor of Environmental Champion of the Year

We’re partnering with landowners across England to help safeguard rural businesses and landscapes for future generations through Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).

We lease parcels of low-yielding farmland and work with landowners to create biodiverse spaces for nature and provide them with thirty years of secure and reliable income.

Our ecologists carefully plan each site in collaboration with the landowner, designing habitats to deliver the best possible outcomes for their business and the ecosystems on their land.

Each site is fully funded for thirty years of capital works, lease payments, and legal costs – giving landowners confidence that their income is secured from day one.

If you’re interested in a BNG Habitat Bank for your land, register at environmentbank.com/registry/landowners

Germinal

Sponsor of Grassland Manager of the Year

Germinal is a leading grass and forage seed specialist. We develop sustainable grassland varieties and supply a range of premium agricultural seed to the UK, Irish and New Zealand markets.

Through our focused plant breeding at Germinal Horizon, based at internationally recognised grassland research centre, Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science (IBERS), our commitment is to find vital new technologies that will directly address climate challenges and minimise environmental impact.

Working within the agricultural industry and alongside partners we bring forage innovation from lab to field and advocate positive change by sharing grassland knowledge. This will help facilitate a productive, responsible and sustainable food future for all.

Heck!

Sponsor of Young Farmer of the Year

The Keeble family have been farmers for over 30 years, originally pig farmers, and now producers of premium British sausage brand Heck! based on the family farm in Bedale, North Yorkshire, co-founded by Andrew and Debbie Keeble, with children Jamie, Ellie and Roddy.

The state-of-the-art food facility is based on the 800 acres of arable farm, still farmed by the Heck! family. The business has also pioneered a trial vertical farm which was developed to look at different flavours of basil for it’s popular Italia ranges. The business is committed to British farming, and only use premium British pork shoulder.

Sustainability is also at the heart of their business, as well as a sense of community and care to its family-and-friends team.

Heck! is the largest independent producer of sausages in the UK. They are proud to sponsor this category to celebrate a new breed of British famers with vision and innovation for the future.

KWS

Sponsor of Mixed Farmer of the year

KWS sows the future. Our high-yield seed and extensive knowledge have made us the trusted farmer’s partner for generations. We contribute to nutrition solutions for a steadily growing world population.

We are constantly improving genetic potential through excellent research and breeding programs. We tailor our seed to the needs and requirements of our customers to deliver the very best quality, and we are a strong partner throughout the value chain.

At KWS We develop a wide range of cereals, maize, and sugar beet varieties in conjunction with the KWS group. We use a range of technologies to ensure improved consistency in crop performance to benefit all, merchant, farmer, processor and ultimately end-user customer.

Manitou Group

Sponsor of Livestock Adviser

Manitou group is determined to meet the challenges of the times. This is why it continues to develop a large number of innovations capable of improving machine performance, increasing user comfort and reducing the TCO of equipment and its environmental impact. All of this through our three brands: Manitou, Gehl and MustangbyManitou. 

With 2020 revenues of €1.6 billion, the Manitou Group currently employs 4,400 people in 140 countries. 

MeritAgCheck

Sponsor of Ag Student of the Year

MeritAgCheck is the UK’s farm machinery app. Manage your daily machinery checks, document compliance and manage defects – all at the touch of a button.  

With 2000+ checklists and the ability to link QR codes, you can record each item of machinery’s fuel and parts use, plus hold full maintenance, inspections and servicing records for each asset across your site(s), including buildings.  

Merlo

Sponsor of Lifetime Achievement

Merlo leads the market in telehandler innovations and design. With 60 years of experience in manufacturing agricultural and construction machinery, this family owned manufacturer remains an innovative and well-respected technology leader in the design of telescopic handlers, tracked carriers and forestry tractors.

NFU

Sponsor of Farm Champion of the Year

The National Farmers Union (NFU) is the voice of UK farming. We influence policy at the highest level to secure the best deal for our members, representing the views of over 45,000 farmers and grower members across England and Wales.

Our team provides a scale of knowledge that no other agricultural organisation can match. We’re at the heart of the farming community, supporting members on any farming issue in every sector.
 
With four regional hubs, 250 local offices, NFU Cymru in Builth Wells and offices in Westminster and Brussels, we’re not only giving our members an unrivalled voice on the political stage, but also working to make a difference on the issues that matter locally.

NFU Mutual

Sponsor of Diversification Farmer of the Year

NFU Mutual is the UK’s leading rural insurer, providing general insurance and financial services products through its network of local agent offices in rural locations across the UK.

With over 110 years’ experience supporting the farming industry, NFU Mutual recognises that many farming businesses are seeking innovative ways to future proof their livelihoods and build resilience by creating diverse revenue streams and spreading risk.

Whatever stage of the diversification journey you’re at, NFU Mutual is here to support you every step along the way.

NPZ UK

Sponsor of Arable Adviser of the Year

We have grown brand awareness in the UK over the course of the past number of years with our successful range of varieties across our oilseed rape and pulse portfolios.

NPZ UK has a long heritage in winter oilseed rape breeding, and the range of AHDB Recommended List varieties include the high-yielding hybrid varieties Murray, Vegas and Maverick – all showcasing the ‘RlmS’ Phoma resistance gene with outstanding light leaf spot resistance.

We continue to bring market leading genetics to UK Farmers, including well known varieties Lynx and Carrington and high performing newcomers such as Genius, Concerto and Takayama.

Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht Hans-Georg Lembke KG (NPZ) are well known throughout the European and Global seed business – and creating a stronger connection with our parent company is important for everybody within the UK seed sector, including within our own team and also with the UK farmer.

Selecting in the UK, for the UK remains an essential part of the breeding model – and we look forward to continuing to enhance our offering to UK growers, to meet the challenges of a changing climate, and geo-political environment as NPZ UK – Breeding Quality.

Pilgrim’s Europe

Sponsor of Pig Farmer of the Year

At Pilgrim’s Europe, we pride ourselves on the relationships that we have cultivated with our farming partners and major retailers, for over 40 years since 1979, working across a variety of production systems.

We breed and rear over 1 million pigs a year using industry-leading production systems including Red Tractor, outdoor born, straw finished, RSPCA Freedom Food Assured, free range and organic.

With around 25% of the UK market share, we are the UK’s largest producer of higher-welfare pork. 

Our supply chain is fully integrated, with 11 manufacturing facilities in the UK, processing around 2.4 million pigs every year.  

Rural Asset Finance

Sponsor of Contractor of the Year

Rural Asset Finance is a direct lender to farmers and rural businesses throughout the UK.

One of only a few non-bank, direct lenders offering both loans secured on land and buildings as well as hire purchase and leasing to purchase or refinance new and used equipment. Our funding solutions are delivered by a specialist team with an in-depth agricultural knowledge, from our head office at Cambridge.

We are backed with over £175 million of committed capital from one of Europe’s leading asset managers to support farmers and rural businesses right across the UK to support growth, de-risk and diversify their farm-based businesses.

Safety Revolution

Sponsor of Farm Manager of the Year

Our overriding objective is to reduce the risk of injury or death where we are actively involved in supporting a client. We seek to do this in a positive, constructive manner with the highest standards of professionalism. Our clients guard their privacy closely and value discretion highly – we guard those principles as our own.

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values: loyalty, honesty and integrity. We live by those values and have them in mind as we make decisions and as we offer our advice.

Shearwell Data

Sponsor of Sheep Farmer of the Year

Shearwell Data Ltd offers the complete solution for livestock farmers – ear tags, RFID readers, apps, software and handling Systems. All designed to work together to help your business.

Being a family-run company, we are committed to supporting British livestock farmers and we are proud to sponsor the Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year 2022.

Based on a working Exmoor farm, all Shearwell Data products and systems are field tested. Combining superb customer service with our reputation for high tag retention rates and leading product development and innovation, Shearwell Data is dedicated to “Working to help the livestock farmer.”

Social media sponsor

Propel

At Propel Finance, we’re proud to offer our market leading proposition to agricultural businesses for access to fast and flexible asset finance for essential equipment and vehicles.

Propel prides itself in supporting British farming; and can tailor the right payment structures to match both cash flow needs and the seasonal considerations of agricultural businesses to meet each farm’s individual requirements.

Propel has also been recognised by the Asset Finance 50 (AF50) 2023 rankings as the fastest-growing UK asset finance lender for the second year running, along with additionally being named a highest climber moving up the AF50 2023 rankings. 

Photo booth sponsor

Adam Hewitt

We are delighted to be part of the Farmers Weekly Awards and supporting the rewarding of Great British agriculture

Adam Hewitt Ltd works closely with NFU Mutual and other insurers for the disposal of all farm, plant and machinery salvage collected throughout the UK. This allows farmers the opportunity to find great deals on all kinds of farm machinery and equipment, from tractors to telehandlers, sprayers to mowers, ATV’s to pickups – we get everything through our yard.

Want to sell your vehicle, tractor or machinery? Get in touch and we can run you through the options for using our weekly auction.

VIP drinks sponsor

Virgin Money

Virgin Money has a long history supporting farmers across the UK and is delighted to support the Farmers Weekly Awards. Virgin Money goes back over a hundred years with our heritage brands, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank, with significant lending to the agriculture sector. 

We have a focus on building long term relationships through our team of highly-experienced agricultural business managers across the country, we work closely with all agricultural businesses encompassing all their short- and long-term banking requirements.  

The Farmers Weekly Awards provides a fantastic opportunity for the industry to celebrate and recognise the great work going on across the sector.  

Balloon sponsor

Eternit

Eternit have been working with farmers for generations. We are the UK’s longest manufacturer of semi-compressed fibre cement profiled sheeting and pride ourselves on producing high quality made products. The properties of fibre cement make it ideal for agricultural buildings thanks to its durability, excellent moisture absorbency and thermal properties.

Digital caricaturist sponsor

JP Trett

We are delighted to be part of the Farmers Weekly Awards.

JP Trett has one clear objective: SUCCESS. All JP Trett business partners are agricultural experts and have specialist knowledge within their industry. Success is possible to create and develop and at JP Trett we work tirelessly to ensue that all possible avenues of search and selection and consultancy are utilised, from extensive database building, professional networking and search engine optimisation to candidate screening and targeted candidate marketing

Our extensive and growing team of professionals work across multiple offices in the UK to enable us to have a powerful and geographical advantage to our service with meeting and conference facilities in the Midlands and regional hub in the heart of rural East Anglia.

Charity sponsor

RABI & RSABI

Both RSABI and RABI provide practical, emotional and financial support to all people involved in the agricultural industry.  
 
This includes growing demands for our mental health services, particularly counselling sessions with a qualified counsellor who understands the challenges facing the agricultural sector.
 
We recognise the positive impact this service can make to overall wellbeing by encouraging everyone to talk openly and share their experiences.  Our services also include supporting households with their personal finances to help cover the cost of essential items like food and clothing as well as grants to pay for winter fuel and heating.
 
We can also provide guidance on benefit entitlement, debt solutions and employment queries as well as directing towards appropriate services.  
 
All support is offered confidentially and people seeking help can get in touch by calling the free 24-hour phone line provided by both charities or through the online chat function.
 
We are delighted to be chosen as charity partners for the 2024 Farmers Weekly Awards.

Farmers Weekly Awards

The Farmers Weekly Awards is the most prestigious awards in the agriculture industry, recognising farmers' achievements across the country. Join us in celebrating farming and put farmers centre stage.

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