Local British Blue breeder wins national award
Philip Halhead from Norbreck Farm, Cockerham near Lancaster scooped a national honour last Friday at the Farmers Weekly Awards. He won Young Farmer of the Year and was presented with his trophy by sponsors Massey Ferguson and Farmers Weekly Editor Jane King.
In the run-up to the Awards, the Farmers Weekly profiled each of the three short listed candidates in the magazine and the result was a closely guarded secret until last Friday. As one of the three nominees for Young Farmer of the Year, Philip travelled to London for the glittering ceremony held at The Grovesnor House Hotel, Park Lane which was attended by almost 1000 guests.
Jane King, Farmers Weekly Editor, introduced the evening by saying "there were over 100 farmers entered for this year's Awards with more than 30 businesses in the line-up to reflect the very best that British producers can offer. " She reminded guests that the idea behind the awards was to "recognise innovation and achievement among individual farmers as well as celebrate excellence within the industry."
In the Young Farmer of the Year category, Philip Halhead impressed the judges with his discipline, focus and determination to manage more than one enterprise successfully. Despite his global business interests Philip remains committed to hands-on farming. Judges for this category included last year's winner as well as Paul Davies, Vice Principal Royal Agricultural College (RAC) and Mike Stones, Deputy Farmers Weekly Editor. Sponsor for this category was Massey Ferguson and their National Sales Manager Robert Dunk summed up the judges view "We are looking for leaders of the future and in Philip we could not have asked for more. He is an inspiration for the industry."
Paul Davis Vice Principle RAC added: "Halhead surprised us with his detailed understanding of cattle genetics and breeding improvement and his belief, in particular that Norbreck Genetics can be a world leader in semen and embryo export sales."
Commenting on his win, Philip said "As with any award, it is usually a team effort that gets you where you are going and this is certainly true at Norbreck. I spend a lot of time travelling and can only do so because of the support from the farm. Likewise, Norbreck Exports would not have got off the ground and kept growing so quickly if it wasn't for the hard work by Gordon Wilson and his daughter Helen.
Norbreck Genetics is run on lean lines from Norbreck Farm. The 210ha (85 acre) farm supports 200 Holstein dairy cows and followers plus 25 pedigree Belgian Blue cattle. All the Norbreck Genetics breeding bulls are maintained off site by a company that also distributes the semen to Norbreck customers worldwide. The development of his website www.norbreckgenetics.com allows the most up to date information to be passed quickly to customers and it has seen the number of visitors almost double in the last 18 months, attracting business from all over the world. Philip is now selling British Blue semen back to Blue breeders in Belgium!
Until last summer, semen and embryo sales fuelled the company's steady growth, but with the lifting of the export ban came the newest Norbreck opportunity. Norbreck Exports was set up with joint Director Gordon Wilson to facilitate the export of pedigree cattle to Europe. Norbreck Exports is now the largest exporter of pedigree breeding cattle in the UK. More than 700 head of cattle have been exported so far this year including over 300 pedigree Limousin to Poland along with Holsteins and Blondes and Aberdeen Angus pedigree heifers shipped to Belgium.
Anyone who has ever met Philip knows he brims with missionary zeal for British farming and he is sure to continue flying the flag for UK agriculture, the only question is, what will his next British farming venture be?
For more information regarding this press release or for higher resolution pictures, contact Tracey Errington on 07799 640 290 or email tracey@marketsense.net
Pictures: Philip with Herdsman James and Helen Wilson from Norbreck Exports
Philip Halhead receives his trophy at the Farmers Weekly Awards Ceremony
