12 | Dairy Extra | 2019 www.britishdairying.co.uk

THE CREAM AWARDWinner of the John Beckett Memorial CupSponsored by LelyWensleydale CreameryAdding value, battling for PGI status over the years and demonstrating a continuous innovation of products that made the company stand out from the crowd were some of the reasons why Wensleydale were chosen for this award. With a range of products that have been developed to suit different markets this winner is very deserving to be crowned champion of the Cream Awards this year, concluded the judges.

DAIRY TEAM OF THE YEARSponsored by VolacWinner – Lely Center– YeovilLely Center Yeovil supply advice and support for the whole milking process, from initial thoughts and design right through to feeding and training. The ability to help design, build and assist clients with their dairy operation, with a knowledgeable, specialist team that pulls together to offer the widest possible range of skills, made them stand out. Highly Commended – AHDB Marketing Team YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEARSponsored by New Holland AgricultureWinner – Scott Shearlaw, RC Shearlaw & SonScott’s awards entry impressed the judges with his ability to grasp the technical performance of his dairy enterprise and to recognise where improvements could be made and then focus on the processes and day to day KPI’s to deliver that performance. Highly Commended – Sam & Katie Bullingham, Taw River Dairy

Highly Commended – Chris & Amie Lovatt, CC & CJ Lovatt

DAIRY AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARDSponsored by National Farmers UnionWinner – Adam Buitelaar, BuitelaarAdam’s work in the pursuit of a reduction of the number of blackand white calves that are killed on farm, “whilst providing the dairy farmer andsubsequent rearer with a fair price for the calves and their efforts” was highly praised by judges who felt Adam worked above and beyond his MD role in making this scheme a reality. Winner – Ceri Cryer, Brinkworth DairyA cheesemaker and some say force of nature, countless appearances on TV, radio and in the press help Ceri Cryer to bring positive vibes about the dairy industry to an audience that engage with her unique style and enthusiasm for the product.

GRASS MANAGER OF THE YEARSponsored by NufarmWinner - Sarah Baker, Gnatts FarmSarah is successfully producing profitable, high solids milk from easy care cows managed on a low cost, low input system. Whilst her focus is to maximise the percentage of milk taken from grass with supplement reserved to meet any grass deficit. A worthy winner. Highly Commended – Philip Smith, Smiths Farming Ltd

T he aim of the awards as ever is to showcase some of Britain’s brightest and best working in the dairy industry, and we really think

we have pulled off a fantastic list.We are most grateful to our prestigious group of judges who preside over the entries, and also the category judges who have also battled through to find a winner in their category.

What the judges were looking for:lAmbassadors for the industry that can help to drive a more positive, forward thinking dairy industry

lDynamic individuals and companies

lCompanies that go the extra mile to reach their goals

lAttention to health and wellbeing is paramount

lCommitted to furthering knowledge throughout the company, to staff and customers

lCommitted to training and enhancing skills

lCompanies that reward best practice

lIndividuals that deserve recognition

BRITISH DAIRYING ORGANISES MEMORABLE EVENING FOR UK DAIRY INDUSTRY

CREAM AWARDS 2019 Winners

Award winners take centre stage

CREAM AWARDS 2019 Winners

www.britishdairying.co.uk 2019 | Dairy Extra | 13

HIGH FERTILITY FARM AWARDSponsored by LICWinner– Sarah Baker, Gnatts FarmSarah has pushed hard to deliver impressive results, understanding that every extra day in milk means more money in the bank. She is continually trying to improve her figures, said the judges, with great care to improving fertility levels. Highly Commended – Steffan Richards, Cwrt Malle AWARD FOR INNOVATIONWinner – Energised Calf Milk, Trouw Nutrition GBECM is a product aimed at farmers looking for high levels of performance from their calves, giving them the best of whole milk combined with the best of calf milk replacer. A typical comment was not only did the calves look bigger and healthier but had that shine you normally see with milk-fed calves. Judges thought this milk replacer was a genuinely important development for the dairy industry. Winner – Arla UK 360 ProgrammeJudges saw the programme as progressive, innovative and liked the collaborative approach ‘which is much welcomed in this sector’. Much can be learned from this approach they said, the programme enables all

to learn from the collaborative findings that result to drive improvements and efficiencies. This is just the start and they feel will be more benefits to come.

Highly Commended – CowAlert - Ice RoboticsHighly Commended – Mission Control – Dairymaster HIGH TECH FARM AWARDWinner – University of Nottingham Centre for Dairy Science Innovation The results have been impressive and the farm staff have been amazed by the improvements they have achieved in the health and productivity of the herd. Average milk yields have increased from 31 litres a day to 42 litres a day. Results are highly worthy of this win, said the judges.

BRITISH DAIRYING ORGANISES MEMORABLE EVENING FOR UK DAIRY INDUSTRY

Award winners take centre stage

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CREAM AWARDS 2019 Winners FOOD CHAIN MARKETING AWARDSponsored by NSF InternationalWinner– Wensleydale CreameryWensleydale is a huge success in terms of branding backed up by their PGI status protecting the locality of the product from farms within the locality. They are recognised widely and the high quality products are always consistently delicious, judges agreed. Highly Commended – Mackie’s ‘Celebrate Summer’ campaignCommended – Arla UK 360 Programme DAIRY VET OF THE YEARSponsored by KrkaWinner– Colin Buchan, Avondale Vet GroupJudges noted Colin’s endeavour to get farms to look at prevention and not just fire-fighting as a strategy, even though there was resistance. It was felt there really was a care for his customerson a very personal level, and that this style also benefited the way he transferred knowledge to those around him through staff training sessions too. Highly Commended – Michael Head, Shepton Veterinary Group YOUNGSTOCK – HEALTH & WELFARE AWARDSponsored by BuitelaarWinner – Tom & Karen Halton, Halton Farms A superb database of on-farm activity and data across all aspects of their business. Clever recruitment and education of like-minded staff create a full team approach where everyone has an input, and this culminates in a high welfare successful enterprise. Highly Commended – Alec Bowden, Boswidjack Farm HIGH FEED EFFICIENCYSponsored by Mole Valley FarmersWinner – University of Reading – Cedar – Hall FarmJudges praised the efficiency of this research farm, undertaking many research projects. Since August 2017 milk yields have risen by 900 litres a cow, while the feed rate per litre has reduced to 0.33kg per litre from 0.35kg per litre. The overall feed cost per litre has increased, and figures show a returning margin over purchased feed of £2,166 which is £118 more than for the previous 12 months.

Highly Commended – Prospect Farming - Open Air Dairy

HIGH YIELD HERD AWARDSponsored by British DairyingWinner – John Torrance, R Torrance & SonIncredible milk yields over 13,000 litres, high fertility rates and a confident animal health programme aimed at high welfare, said the judges. Highly Commended – A Colquhoun Ltd

AWARD FOR INNOVATION IN EXPORTSponsored by OMSCoWinner – Mackie’s of ScotlandAwarded for taking their ice cream into difficult markets in the Far East against powerful global competition. While the scale of these exports may not be large yet, they are clearly demonstrating what can be done in developing markets based on Scottish provenance. Highly Commended – Delamere Dairy ORGANIC DAIRY FARMER OF THE YEARSponsored by Hi Peak Organic FeedsWinner – John Pitts, Woodhorn GroupHighly Commended – David Dilks, Lawn Farm Partnership and Aled Rees, Trefere-Fawr TASTE OF EXCELLENCE AWARDSponsored by MorrisonsTaste of Excellence Winner – Belton Farm – White Fox CheeseCategory winner for cheeseMulti award winning Belton Farm always impress with their consistency of quality in terms of look,texture and flavour and this year just as in many years Belton Farm stands out among the competition. Taste of Excellence Highly Commended – Caroline’s Dairy Belgian Chocolate Ice Cream, Ice Cream Category Winner Category winner milk – Derby Hill Dairy – Chocolate MilkCategory winner butter – Brinkworth Dairy – Salted ButterCategory winner yogurt – St Helen’s Farm – Raspberry & Gogi Berry, Peach & Passion Fruit YogurtCommended – Caroline’s Dairy Salted Caramel, and Coffee Expresso Ice CreamCommended – Dalton’s Dairy – Wild Strawberry & Cream Ice Cream, Amaretto & Black Cherry Ice CreamCommended – Mackie’s – Vanilla, and Salted Caramel Ice Cream

14 | Dairy Extra | 2019 www.britishdairying.co.uk