A farmer who has built up a thriving dairy farm from nothing, overcoming many challenges along the way, has been named Devon’s Farmer of the Year at the Devon Farm Business Awards.
The awards, which are in their fourth year, are designed to celebrate and showcase the best farmers and farming businesses in Devon.
Colin Latham of Higher Stowford Farm near Ilfracombe was named Best Commercial Farmer and went on to win the night’s biggest prize, Devon Farmer of the Year.
Colin, along with his wife Glenys, have built up a 4.5 million litre dairy unit from almost nothing and impressed the judges with their tenacity and ability to create opportunities out of adversity.
Colin worked on his father's farm, but when it was sold, he was left unemployed and with no resources in his early 20s.
Colin and Glenys managed to secure and make a success of Devon County Council farm tenancies in the 70s and 80s, and today, along with their sons Geoff and Ian, own around 3000 acres and rent a further 600 acres – including one of their original tenant farms.
At their first farm tenancy they built up a dairy herd of 45 - they now milk 540 cows.
Overcoming challenges
Colin’s road to success has not been easy and he has overcome many challenges, turning them in to opportunities.
He lost 3,000 animals to foot and mouth disease in 2001, but used the capital to help purchase more land.
When he received a notice to quit his tenant farm he used it to help secure planning permission to build a family home and cattle shed at Higher Stowford.
When one of his sons suffered a serious quad bike accident on a steep part of the farm, Colin decided to plant the area with trees. The woodland was eventually sold, releasing more capital to buy more productive land.
In Colin's words: "I love the job and I love the challenge. If I was 24 again, I wouldn't change a day."
Ian Bell OBE, Chief Executive of the Addington Fund said of the awards: “The Devon Farm Business Awards are one of the highlights of my year. From reviewing the nominations to meeting the winners on the night - at every stage, I am struck by the quality of farming businesses we have here in Devon.
“As well as celebrating success, the awards help us to raise vital funds for the Addington Fund, which will be used to help provide housing for farming families who have to leave the industry through no fault of their own.”
