INNOVATIVE farmers reaped the rewards of their hard work during the third annual Northern Farmer Awards.

The glamorous ceremony was enjoyed by more than 400 leading agricultural industry professionals from across the North of England, including 27 exceptional nominees.

And the prizegiving, which was hosted by the Pavilions of Harrogate, saw beef farmers, Mike and Tom Powley, crowned the 2016 Northern Farmers of the Year.

The father and son duo began working Elm House Farm, in Green Hammerton, near York, with 12 Hereford cross dairy cows in 1987, but their dedication to succeed has seen their operation expand to earn recognition as leading beef farmers.

The pair accepted the biggest award of the night after already securing the Beef Farmer of the Year accolade – which they dedicated to everyone working at their farm.

ITV Border News’ Kate Walby hosted the event and she told guests that choosing this year’s top beef farmer had been the toughest decision the Northern Farmer judging panel had ever made.

She said: “The judges were impressed with Mike and Tom’s focus and determination on getting the best performance from their stock.

“They are exceptional at what they do and put a lot back into their land to ensure it is the highest possible quality – which ultimately leads to a high quality herd.”

Eight other categories saw Northern Farmer Award winners pick up accolades for their diverse and unique strategies to secure a successful future.

Jonathan Shepherd’s Yorkshire Wagyu Company celebrated receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award by taking control of the marketplace since the business was established in 2013.

Mr Shepherd explained that the Wagyu breed of cattle was originally only eaten by Japanese Emperors, but his vision is to supply Yorkshire with the premium product.

John Reed and family received the biggest round of applause of the night when they earned the Sheep Farmer of the Year Award for their work at Lands Farm, in Bishop Auckland.

And the Baynes family, of Marley Cote Walls, in Slaley, collected the Family-Run Farm of the Year Award after also being nominated to become Dairy Farmer of the Year.

But Gordon and Linda Tweddle of Acorn Dairy Farm, in Darlington, claimed the dairy farmer trophy for their “grass to glass” approach.

The prestigious Young Farmer of the Year Award for 2016 went to James Walmsley, of Hebdon Wood House, in Bishop Thornton, Harrogate.
Thursday night’s (March 17) event also honoured the memory of 25-year-old hill livestock farmer and Tyneside RFU player, Stu Ridley.

Mr Ridley’s parents, Celia and Melvin, received £1,630 worth of donations from guests towards the #StayStrongStu campaign.

Stephen Tuer, of Hutton Grange Farm, in Hutton Bonville, near Northallerton, earned the Arable Farmer of the Year Award while Tamara Hall, of Molescroft Grange Farm, in Beverley, earned the Farm Manager of the Year Award.

Andrew Hollinshead, of Spring Bank Farm, near Sandbach, scooped the Green Farmer of the Year Award for his pioneering work to make environmentally-friendly steps forward in agriculture.

Mole Country Store’s commercial director Keith Ockenden recognised every finalist for their dedication to the industry on behalf of the evening’s principle sponsors.

He said: “I don’t want to depress you all, but these are challenging times. Who would have thought at this point last year that prices of oil and milk would be where they are today?

“We can’t control those prices, but tonight we’ve seen that we have hard workers supporting our industry and we honour that with these awards.”

The winners are listed below:

Arable Farmer of the Year - Sponsored by The Northern Farmer

Stephen Tuer Of Hutton Grange Farm, Hutton Bonville near Northallerton

Green Farmer of the Year - Sponsored by Clean Power

Andrew Hollinshead Of Spring Bank Farm, near Sandbach

Young Farmer of the Year - Sponsored by NFU Mutual

James Walmsley Of Hebdon Wood House, Bishop Thornton, Harrogate

Family-run Farm of the Year - Sponsored by Yorkshire Agricultural Society

The Baynes Family Of Marley Cote Walls, Slaley

Sheep Farmer of the Year - Sponsored by Santander

The Reed Family Of Lands Farm, Bishop Auckland

Beef Farmer of the Year - Sponsored by Simpson & Allinson Ltd logo

Mike and Tom Powley Of Elm House Farm, Green Hammerton York

Outstanding Achievement - Sponsored by Askham Bryan College

The Yorkshire Wagyu Company Based at Field House Farm, Driffield

The Northern Farmer of the Year 2016, sponsored by Mole Country Stores

Mike and Tom Powley Of Elm House Farm, Green Hammerton York