Cornish beef farmer crowned Carbon Farmer of the Year

Cornish beef farmer Ben Thomas has been crowned Farm Carbon Toolkit’s Carbon Farmer of the Year 2026, after impressing judges with his extensive, low-input beef finishing system.

Ben farms at Treveddoe Farm on Bodmin Moor where he finishes native-bred store cattle and markets produce direct to consumers and premium butchers.

As a start-up tenant, Ben and wife Claudia said their initial lack of capital helped them create a simple, low-input system finishing Belted Galloways and Red Devons.

“We’ve only had a tractor for the last couple of years. It’s really helped us track diesel use, keep costs and carbon low and monitor our carbon footprint,” said Ben.

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High hedges 

Managing hedgerows to create high banks for shade and shelter has been a game-changer for the system.

“Instead of smashing hedges right back, we’ve let hedges grow-up acting as a huge carbon store, excellent habitat and shade and shelter for the livestock. It’s been a win-win,” said Ben.

Cattle are kept outside year round, with a focus on mob-grazing during the spring and summer, keeping grasses longer to protect the soil and pump carbon into the soil.

Taking part in a five-year Farm Net Zero project revealed the farm was sequestering more carbon than it emitted. Importantly, soil results revealed a growing bank of securely stored carbon at depth in the soil.

“To be selected as a finalist was one thing, but to win – I’m immensely proud and it just shows what can be achieved,” said Ben.

“There is so much volatility in farming from, fuel to feed to climate. We need to examine the numbers and carrying out a carbon calculation is a great way to assess this.

“If your farm is low in carbon emissions, costs are lower and the business is going to be profitable,” he added.