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11 October 2023
BQP Farmers Awards showcases the best of the region
BQP farmers from across the South and East of England gathered yesterday (10 October) for the annual BQP Farmers Awards at the Norfolk Showground for another success event.
The annual awards celebrate the best in the industry from across the South and East of England and include trade stands and guest speakers. This year’s winners included 18 champions across 18 categories which were presented by Mark Vining and Howard Revell – and sponsored by several leading names across the industry. The prestigious, Farmer of the Year 2023 was awarded to Luke Callaghan – NFL.
| Breeding Farms Stockperson of the Year | Scott Morrison – Leeder |
| Breeding Manager of the Year | Graham Addley – Bunkers |
| Most Improved Breeding Farm | GSK Hyde |
| Highest Performing Breeding Farm- Single Parity | NFL Stody |
| Highest Performing Breeding Farm- 5 Week Weaning | Hume |
| Breeding Next Generation Award | Molly Gimson – Hurdledrove |
| Trainee of the Year (apprentice or undergoing training) | Luke Callaghan – NFL |
| Special Achievement Award | Dyer Hall team |
| Growing Farms Stockperson of the Year | Richard Keeble |
| Growing Next Generation Award | Will Defeyter |
| Most Improved Growing Farm | Beard Airfield |
| Best Growing Farm Performance (below 1500) | Brooke |
| Best Growing Farm Performance (above 1500) | Murrell Railway |
| Best Two Stage Growing Performance | Ramm |
| Above and Beyond Award | John Dunning |
| The Feed Management Award | Howland |
| Partnership Award | Stent |
| Farmer of the Year Award 2023 | Luke Callaghan – NFL |
Howard Revell, Pig Production Director, helped judge the winners and explained: “To be once again all gathered in one venue is amazing. Our farmers have been looking forward to these awards for some time and the wait was well worth it. All the winners were pleased and grateful for being recognised. I also want to use this opportunity to thank all our farmers for what they have done over the past year and look forward to meeting them again next year.”
Guests also had a chance to hear from YANA and their great work within mental health. Jack Pickering at Waitrose also provided an update around the business and future direction.
Fabio Brancher, Operations Director – Agriculture, added: “I was thrilled to be speaking today and having so many of our farmers and business partners all under one roof. I would like to congratulate all the worthy winners for their tireless efforts in supplying the highest quality product to Pilgrim’s UK, but also everyone else who has been working hard throughout the year. This has been another challenging year. However, our farmers and our team have once again adapted and stepped up to the mark – a huge thank you also goes to our dedicated teams.”
BQP help farmers breed and rear over 1 million pigs a year using industry-leading production systems, including outdoor born, straw-finished, RSPCA Freedom Food Assured, free range and organic. With around 30% of the UK market share, this makes us the UK’s largest pig business. BQP has supplied high welfare British pork to the major retailers in the UK for over 40 years, since 1979.
Howard added: “I also want to thank all our sponsors for supporting and highlighting the event. With so much going in our sector I also want to join Fabio in thanking the BQP team for continuing to work hard and supporting our farmers – you are the backbone of our business.”