Scunthorpe farm scoops award

Normanby Farms Estate, near Scunthorpe, has won Farmcare's annual award to find its best-run farm.

The Estate beat competition from the other 24 units that Farmcare, the Co-operative Group's farming business, operates across the UK.

Normanby, a 2,700 acre arable farm, was among five farms shortlisted for the Farmcare Shield, and won the prize following a visit by a judging team.

Normanby had been shortlisted for its "consistent high level financial performance". Judges Will Gemmill, a senior partner and management consultant with Strutt and Parker, and Helen Woolley, a regional director at the Country Land and Business Association, where impressed by what they saw.

They praised conservation work on the Estate, including the planting of hedges, the range of income-raising sources, and a turf enterprise which makes good use of soil with poor potential for growing mainstream crops.

"The standard of all the farms was very high," said Helen Woolley. "At Normanby it's clear the manager, John Hurst, has an in-depth knowledge of his business, including all the financial and technical aspects, and a clear direction for its future."

Fellow judge Will Gemmill agreed, praising the farm's approach. "The manager is clearly on top of his job and with his staff is taking the farm forward," he said. "Crops were very good, the farm is tidy and well-organised, and they make very good use of the resources they have."

Farm manager John Hurst was delighted to win the Shield. "The award reflects well on the hard work of everyone here," he said. "The standard of Farmcare farms is very high, so to be judged against them and come out on top is a significant honour. We are all very pleased."

Runner-up was Farmcare Aberdeenshire, at Monymusk. The awards, sponsored by Yara UK Limited, will be presented at a ceremony later this year.