Wilkinson award for dairy farm conservationists

Andy and Sue Guy of Thorney Abbey Farm, near Southwell, Notts have won this year's Wilkinson Nottinghamshire Environment Award. The first prize in the competition rewards the Guys for their considered approach to conservation on their tenanted dairy farm.

"The judges enjoyed their tour of Thorney Abbey Farm," said Jack Ward, NFU's regional director who administers the awards. "Seeing a working dairy farm utilising a wide range of conservation techniques was wonderful. Andy and Sue's work since they took over the farm in 2001 has shown what can be done to encourage wildlife on our farms."

Now in its fourth year, the award, sponsored by Tony Wilkinson of the Wilkinson chain of hardware stores, rewards conservation work on commercially run farms within the Nottinghamshire county boundary. Andy and Sue Guy will be presented with a cheque for £5000 by Mr Wilkinson at the Manton Wood Wilkinson headquarters, later in the year.

The runners up in this year's awards were Russell Price of JC Samworth Farms, Cropwell Butler in South Nottinghamshire who won the large farm category and Richard Elliott from Halloughton Wood Farm, Southwell, who won the medium enterprise award. Both will receive cheques for £2000.

"The standard of entries was very high, again this year," commented Jack Ward.

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"Work to improve wildlife habitats on farms has become second nature to many farmers and our awards entrants showed how farming and wildlife are easily accommodated on all sizes and types of farm.

"Andy and Sue Guy's farm demonstrates that integrated farm management can work well on a smaller scale. Encouraging many different species of plants, insects, birds and mammals takes a little thought and application and the Guy's hard work is paying off even after only a few years on the farm."

Both Richard Elliott and Russell Price's applications impressed the judges too and during their farm tours they expressed their support for the work done on the two farms.

"Our day's judging in Nottinghamshire took us around the full range of farming types in the county and each example was different," commented Jack Ward. "So making the final decision to award the first prize to Andy and Sue Guy was quite hard. However, their dedication to making wildlife and nature an integral part of the farm won us over in the end.

"The Wilkinson Award is an important competition in showcasing the hard work and dedication of the county's farmers," added Jack Ward.