WINNER

Winner of The John Beckett Memorial Cup – sponsored by Lely, this win for Arla is their second as they also carried off the cup in 2015.   

“This is a richly deserved award that recognises the significant leadership that Arla has taken in not only supporting their membership in addressing the major changes that lie ahead, but also in working with others in the industry to help co-ordinate an industry wide response to the particular challenges of this extremely difficult year.” Nicholas Saphir Chairman AHDB. 

“As a farmer cooperative Arla have been responsible for not only supporting their own members through the last 12-24 months, they have been integral to helping maintain the British milk market – paying a consistent price throughout both recent and more prolonged hardships on the industry.  

“As a dairy farm vet I have been able to witness first-hand the impact the strong leadership and cooperation Arla have brought to their British dairy farming members. A strong and stable price has helped many through a very tough couple of years, let alone the impact of lockdown more recently.” Rob Drysdale MRCVS MBIAC, Consultant Vet and Beef Integrator 

“As a farmer member of Arla’s point of view, their consumer focused brand development and drive for raising of standards on members farms continues deliver members strong returns. Arla’s strong presence in the UK and their progress on all fronts I believe is positive for the whole UK dairy sector.” Neil Baker, Bakers of Haselbury Plucknett. 

Read more about this year’s Cup Winner in the Award Winners Special Edition Magazine.

LEAD SPONSOR 

LELY ATLANTIC

Joint Winner – Supply industry 

• Harpers Feeds  

• Mole Valley Farmers 

• Highly Commended Promar International
•  

Winner – Farm 

• Evolution Farming 

Harpers Feeds – WINNER 

The company produces around 175,000 tonnes a year of predominantly ruminant feeds, with a turnover of £44 million.  “Attracting, developing and retaining high calibre staff has been a foundation of our growth and we have an excellent reputation as an employer in the southwest and maintain an emphasis on recruiting locally, helping retain strong links with our customers and community.” Commented HR Manager Tina Collins.  

“We try to develop talent within the team by mentoring and promoting from within wherever possible. ” 

Mole Valley Farmers – WINNER 

The business has navigated the Covid crisis in a way many organisations have envied. Even the NHS has looked to Mole Valley to learn about colleague care and support delivery mechanisms. From a voluntary furlough scheme to look after the most vulnerable, to robust safety protocols, to befriending services to support the lonely, through to working from home training, e learning in resilience and a complete change in the company’s communications platform creating a keeping in touch HUB for everyone to stay connected, has set this company apart. 

‘Succession from within’ means, the company has developed more internal leaders. Colleagues in the business are engaged through staff engagement opportunities, through magazines, webinars, performance management feedback and the establishment of focus groups to engage staff. 

Winner – Farm  

Evolution Farming – WINNER 

Established in 2010, Evolution Farming has become one of the largest and most progressive dairy farming businesses in the UK. Today the business manages 2,500 cows across six dairy units, both organic and conventional, together with arable, livestock and horticultural enterprises. 45 staff are employed, including administration and part-time relief.  

“A few years ago, the business reached a seminal moment with a realization that success was not going to be driven by cows, farming systems, or milk production, but rather by the people who are employed to make the business actually happen,“ commented Director Tom Rawson.  “Core to this has been the creation of a social dynamic, a feeling of family. We are most proud of the way the staff talk openly about the ‘Evo Family’.”  

“The future for Evolution is exciting, with many opportunities ahead of us,” comments Director  Charlie Crotty, “The driver for growth however, has changed. Our motivation isn’t growth for growths sake, but to create opportunities for our staff.” 

Comments in support 

Harpers Feeds – “An impressive company that positively encourages development with succession plans in place for internal progression. The company recruits locally and nationally, and I liked the way they encourage interests from staff outside of business.” Stuart Goodinson, De Lacy Executive. 

Mole Valley Farmers – “Impressed with this company on many levels, recently establishing wellbeing and mental health ‘buddies’.  This is not just box-ticking in what is a challenging area to cover – whilst offering career progression, training and support.  An example to leading practices in not just Agriculture but in the whole of the UK.”  Mike King, PE King. 

Evolution Farming “Houghton Lodge Farm [Evolution Farming] was our very first strategic dairy farm. They have delivered an ambitious vision for their business. We know how much they value their team and have been working hard over recent months focusing specifically in their area.” Nic Parsons – Head of Dairy Development AHDB. 

The Judges also awarded a Highly Commended in this category to Promar International, for “Working to empower all employees, and for being active in all area of employee engagement”, commented judges. 

Winner

Nick Eccles, WA & M Eccles & Son, Sudells Farm

Highly Commended

Joel & Emma Redfern, Upper Farm 

Winner

Dan Burdett of Burdett Farming 

Highly Commended

Matthew and Coral Senior of Holy Cow Organic

Winner – DAN BURDETT, BURDETT FARMING LTD 

“A keen advocate of organic farming, supplying milk for McDonalds, via Arla, Dan contract farms both the family dairy business and a second organic dairy business at Bore Place Farm with a total of 500 cows. The Holstein-Friesian, autumn calving herd averages 6,000 litres at 4.4% fat and 3.3% protein and graze 8-9 months of the year. 58% of milk is coming from forage,” comments one of the judging team Jon Wilson, Yeo Valley Farms Group. 

 “We were impressed with Dan’s drive for improvement, self-reliance and sustainability throughout.” 

Highly Commended – MATTHEW AND CORAL SENIOR OF HOLY COW ORGANIC 

Matthew and Coral Senior don’t have a farming background, but they have worked tirelessly to build up their own business. In 2009, they took on a share farming agreement with Geoff Sayers at North Perrott, with the Seniors supplying all the machinery and labour and Geoff supplying the farm and the livestock. The farm was in organic conversion and fully converted in 2010, so having previously supplied Barbers they sought an Arla organic contract in 2011.  Having started the agreement owning 20% of the cows they have now successfully built up to owning 50% of the cows and grown the team to include another full-time member of staff.  

Commended – Frank Morphet, South Lakes Organic

Judges and supporters  

Dan Burdett 

“Dan Burdett is not only a keen advocate of organic farming (as can be seen by his excellent cow performance, fertility and health and welfare results) but is involved in the development of Arla as a co-operative. By combining excellent people management skills with technical knowledge Dan is well on the way to achieving his goal.” Rosie Cowie, Arla Foods. 

 Matthew & Coral Senior 

“The seniors are passionate and forward-thinking farmers who are determined to future proof their business in a sustainable way. They are making impressive results – average milk yield is 4,900 litres – with 75% of their milk from forage, with a target of 80%, 820kg of concentrate per cow per year through the robots installed this year.” Andy King, Barrington Farm Partnership.

SPONSORED BY

HI PEAK ORGANIC FEEDS

Winner

Liz Hoggarth, Calf Buyer for the Buitelaar Group

What the judges said

“Liz is known to many farmers, especially in her patch in North West England working for Buitelaar. She works tirelessly with farmers to improve and enhance calf breeding, and rearing, in dairy beef. She is always promoting courses, good practice and support to farming businesses.

“Then there is what she does outside the day job. Notably over the last 12 months Liz has stood out as a huge supporter for the Milk Your Moments campaign with daily social media posts offering cups of tea and cheery messages to farmers and other key workers within the agricultural industry throughout the campaign. This was quickly followed by her efforts during Ag Mental Health Week where she talked so bravely about her sisters’ suicide in the hopes that it might help another family to avoid this terrible experience. And now she is helping the industry again as Vice Captain for #teamEngland in #run1000, which is also linked to mental health in agriculture. This is someone working in the industry and working tirelessly for it.

“Overall Liz is a huge asset to ‘Team Dairy’. Her determination to support dairy, and beef farmers, her cheery attitude and her efforts to go above and beyond the day job and make a difference in this industry make her my final choice for this award.” Abi Reader, Goldsland Farm.

Winner comment

“Wow! What an honour to be nominated, but to win has bowled me over.

Last year started out with an invitation to the Cream Awards as part of the Buitelaar Group team. Never could I have imagined that one day I would be a winner, but to be named Dairy Ambassador of the Year is unbelievable…”

SPONSORED BY

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION

Winner

Rob Hall 

Highly Commended

Rupert Sheppard 

Winner  – Rob Hall, LLM

“I’ve been with LLM since graduating from vet school four years ago  and have thrown myself into all aspects of the practice – from the agricultural show season (pulling pints for thirsty farmers) to driving LLM’s BVD eradication efforts and revamping our herd health planning scheme. My roles in practice management are growing: including overseeing work for the Johnes CHeCS programme and helping to steer our industry-leading team of VetTechs.  

“I find the interaction between dairy cattle and their environment fascinating – and after specialist training with the Dairyland Initiative in Wisconsin I’ve been helping our farmers make major changes to their cow and calf housing, particularly by improving ventilation.”  

Highly Commended  – Rupert Sheppard, ProStock Vets

“I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2017. I have been working at ProStock Vets, a 20 vet dedicated large animal practice in south west Wales for the last three years. After cutting my teeth and settling in I have been able to grow my dairy caseload so that now my day-to-day work has developed into working intensively with 8 all-year-round calving dairies encompassing approximately 1,500 cows. I also get to work alongside the senior partners in the role as 2nd vet on some of largest and best run farms in the UK. Being the primary vet for three of our block calving herds provides some seasonal variety and working with farmers with a different perspective and challenges I find particularly refreshing.”

Judge/sponsor comment 

Rob Hall 

“Rob Hall really stands out looking at the additional services he’s trying to offer. Getting involved in the Stamping Out BVD campaign, technical groups and specialist skills in calf housing ventilation to increase welfare standards.” Sabrina Jordan, Country Brand Manager, Krka 

 “Rob Hall is a real go-getter and doing some great work, he would be a real asset to any farm or vet business.” Rob Drysdale. 

Rupert Sheppard 

“A personal submission that ticks all the boxes for me,” commented judge Sean Rickard.  “I think Rupert deserves this award because he has an approach that really does benefit the industry.  His interest in herd planning and housing reflects a broad approach to the business beyond individual animals.” Sean Rickard 

SPONSORED BY KRKA

Winner

Stuart & Helen Rogers, Colin Rogers, Longmoor Farm 

Highly Commended

Joe & Claire Ives, W&P Ives, Park Farm 

Winner – Stuart & Helen Rogers, Colin Rogers, Longmoor Farm 

Stuart and Helen Roger’s self-proclaimed drive for perfectionism is clearly evident at Longmoor Farm, Gillingham, where the herd averages 11,447 litres on twice a day milking. 

“Longmoor showed us a great deal of progressive ideas with their entry,” comments category judge Alice Swift, at Arla – such as on-farm culture, enhanced lighting –  that are being trialled shows that the farm is prepared to experiment and show a creative approach.  “We liked the fact that the Rogers and their team have achieved this within the confines of a tenanted farm which further added to their achievements.” 

“We’re both perfectionists” says Stuart Rogers, who has six herd management apps on his phone, which he monitors continuously. This includes CCTV in the calving yard, a TMR tracker, herd management software and smart ear tag system. As a practicing vet for Friars Moor Livestock Health, Helen is on top of the herd’s health, working hard to improve health and welfare and reduce antibiotic use. Stuart adds: “For a long time we’ve been getting yields to increase, but not at the expense of the cows. That’s through breeding, facilities and management.” 

Highly Commended  – Joe & Claire Ives, W&P Ives, Park Farm 

“We have recently invested heavily in cow facilities and robots to make them fit for the next 10 years or more, as above we will be investing in heifer housing and be on the lookout for any new opportunities to expand in a profitable way. Creating a good working environment for staff too will allow us to recruit and retain the best and experienced people, “ says Claire “who will help us care for cows and become more profitable, as labour availability is an increasing issue for the dairy industry. 

“While our boys are still young, if they choose to farm, we want them to have that opportunity, so will continue to grow our business. The robots do cap current milking herd numbers, but with good genetics, using sexed semen and genomic testing, we aim to keep more heifers and improve their housing, so we can sell some each year to boost our profits. “ 

Judge/sponsor comment 

Stuart & Helen Rogers, Longmoor Farm 

Great yield, high litres from forage , very high preg rate for yield with a low feed rate/L and only 11 cases of mastitis/100 cows. They also show a very low antibiotic usage and grazing!! At the top of their game in every area.” Mike King 

Joe & Claire Ives, W&P Ives, Park Farm 

“A well-presented submission for a farm that ticks all the boxed including investment and willingness to obtain external expert advice.” Sean Rickard 

“Great lifetime production and yields from forage alongside good fertility.” Rob Drysdale 

SPONSORED BY

ARLA FOODS

Winner

Kingspool Holsteins  

Highly Commended

Phil Randall, Goodens Farm 

Winner – Kingspool Holsteins 

A zero lameness policy means 95% of the herd at Kingspool Holsteins has perfect mobility. 

“We don’t talk about lameness, we talk about foot care. We don’t want lameness. A lot of it is down to mindset,” says Gloucestershire dairy farmer Mike King whose team include herd manager, Colin Robertson and assistant, Alan Roberts.

“The score twos were the ones we wanted to get on top of and also prevent cows from becoming threes,” adds Mike. “Improving the parameters for our milk buyer was one reason, but it was also about having a more efficient and productive herd.” 

The fact lameness impacts on all aspects of cow health and fertility was also a driver. “If you control lameness, cows will eat more and that will reduce metabolic issues. Metabolic health and lameness go hand in hand,” says Mike. That in turn helps fertility. 

Highly Commended – Phil Randall, Goodens Farm 

Goodens Farm consists of 75 Friesian dairy cows 20 Hereford crossbred cows 5 pedigree Herefords. The emphasis is on being a closed herd with a high level of bio security. “My brand of farming,” says Phil, “It’s what I call sustainable farming I want to breed animals which best utilize the types of grass which grows on the farm. In the case of the dairy herd this is meadow grasses, all summer the cows graze the meadows adjoining the river Frome, they are unfertilised and form part of the farms HLS agreement.“ 

The cows walk some 250 meters down the village road to access the grazing. To control lameness, cows are scored quarterly and that data is fed into ARLA garden plus and 360. In the last year only one cow was treated systemically with antibiotics for lameness. Prevention is always better than a cure so we have tried to improve the environment the cows live in, commented Phil.

Judges comment 

Mike King, Kingspool Holsteins 

“It sets out in some detail the philosophy underlying the farm’s approach to lameness, the steps that have been taken and importantly evidence of succession this area i.e. in 2020 95% not lame (mobility scores 0-1) and no mobility score 3’s.” Sean Rickard 

“Outstanding entry on all counts.” David Cotton. 

Phil Randall, Goodens Farm 

“The farm would appear to boast a very superior performance when it comes to lameness.” Sean Rickard. 

SPONSORED BY

COW ALERT – ICE ROBOTICS

WINNER

Alltech Navigate is the pioneering feed waste reduction and input utilisation service designed to help UK dairy farmers seeking to advance production profitability and imposing agri-food sustainability goals. The zero-fee service is founded on the principle of Assessing, Analysing and Actioning data. The service comprises a unique computerised system of algorithms that analyse the assessed data into both actual feed wastage percentages, respective financial losses, and opportunities to action in order of priority.  

 Today the team of specialist advisory experts have identified over £5million in potential savings from optimising the entire feeding process: in the field, during storage, at feed out and inside the cow. From those 20,300 dairy cows achieving Alltech Navigate targets, carbon emissions have reduced by 5.78% or 10,488 tonnes. This equates to a staggering 4,748 cars off the road or 1,323 flights around the world each year.  

Commended by the judges

JF Hudson – Silo Crab 

The Silo Crab is an attachment for a materials handler/loader. It has a wing that pivots horizontally on each side of a bucket with a rubber wear edge that runs on the floor. As the Silo Crab travels along the feed passage, the leftover feed is guided into the bucket by the angled wings. The wings are closed to force the leftover feed into the bucket at various points along the feed passage (depending on the amount of leftover feed) and then at the end the doors are closed which removes the need for digging the remaining leftover feed into the bucket manually.  

Cambridge Animal Technologies Ltd – Smartbell 

A smart ear-tag that can help to detect early signs of respiratory disease in calves – before there are visible signs. This allows earlier isolation and treatment which will improve recovery rates and also help to reduce the spread of disease between animals. Specially designed for calves, bringing individual animal monitoring to a whole new sector of the dairy and dairy-cross beef industries. By effectively having  ‘eyes’ on the animal 24 hours a day. 

Viking Genetics – CFIT Technology 

A new project launched by VikingGenetics, where the feed a cow consumes be measured with the use of Artificial Intelligence and 3D cameras. With this data, farmers can select for more feed efficient and climate friendly cows.  It works by monitoring how much – and how fast the cows eats, and it sends the data back to the CFIT system to be validated under the specific cow.  

Calibrate – Renewable Energy Ground Source Heat Pumps 

Calibrate is dedicated to offering a ‘hands off’ renewable energy system by using an integrated bespoke control solution to remotely monitor tariff generation and manage the operation of a ground source heat pump. This innovative Calibrate solution, enables clients to focus on running their already busy enterprises with minimal disruption.   

Comments from the judges

Alltech Navigate 

 “Most dairy farms operate on tight margins so dairy farmers are always keen to learn of innovations that will help reduce input costs without compromising cow performance. The Navigate system pioneered by Alltech stands out as an opportunity for dairy farmers to challenge food waste on their farms, making use of truly reliable, customised data to make improvements in their feeding regime. This innovation boosts feed conversion efficiency, driving on farm profitability at the same time as driving down carbon emissions, exactly the type of innovation the dairy sector requires in order to build a sustainable future.” Paul Tompkins, South Acre Farm. 

“With more and more emphasis on reducing Carbon Footprint, farmers need to make the most out of home grown food. Making every bit of food that gets fed out of the clamp as good as it was when in went into the clamp. Feed costs accounting for about 33% of production costs, any savings that can be made are valuable. With an on farm service from Alltech, making it easier for the producer to be aware of the little things that make a big difference when it comes to conserving forage.” Mark Wood, Portway Farms. 

JF Hudson – Silo Crab 

“This application stood out immediately to any dairy farmers who has consumed too much energy on manually sweeping feed passageways. This innovation offers a tool to farmers that is simple, straight forward, low cost but offers a practical time saving solution and can help improve cow performance.“ Paul Tompkins, South Acre Farm. 

Smartbell 

“Smartbell is aimed at finding sick calves quicker, and therefore keeping them on track to calve in at the desired age. With a rough cost of £1500 to get a heifer to calve at 2 years old, any savings that can be made are valuable.” Mark Wood, Portway Farms. 

Viking Genetics – CFIT Technology 

“Having individual feed intake records on commercial dairy farms can be a game-changer in modern dairy cattle management. It is something we have always dreamt about,” says Professor Nic Frigens, MoSAR, French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment. 

“Artificial intelligence makes cows more feed efficient and climate friendly, I definitely applaud this.” John Torrance, R Torrance & Son. 

Calibrate – Renewable Energy Ground Source Heat Pumps 

“I feel the environment needs to be at the forefront of innovation if we are going to move forward as an industry. Heat pumps offer a tremendous opportunity for customers, and it is important to ensure they are designed and installed to the most professional standards.” John Torrance, R Torrance & Son. 

Winner

Andrew Eastabrook, Hartpury University, Home Farm 

Highly Commended

James Yeatman, Gary Jane and the Youngstock Team, Grange Farm 

Winner – Andrew Eastabrook, Hartpury University, Home Farm 

Hartpury is a 400-hectare award-winning farming business across five rural sites that supplies Muller, M&S and Glencore. The main 72-hectare Home Farm is on campus, with four other farms nearby. “We’re pioneers of livestock performance, productivity and profitability. We’re also leading the way in crop biodiversity, as a base for ADAS’s environmental research plots.‏‏‏‎ ‎” Comments Eastabrook.  

Hartpury boasts exceptional facilities including a dairy bull-beef rearing unit, a 296-cubicle dairy unit. ‎They  are achieving exceptional levels of performance, producing 9,418 litres with 4,000 from forage which is 50% higher than the average farm.   

 “Calf mortality has been reduced from 6.7% to 1.2% in 12 months, “ Eastabrook comments, “with enrichment in calf housing. Weigh at birth so that immediate colostrum feed can constitute 10% of birthweight – colostrum register kept. Use of fans, heaters, calf coats and galebreakers to address different ambient conditions. Use of embryo transfer to avoid need to buy in stock bull for sweeping, able to be born on-farm. “ 

Highly Commended 

James Yeatman, Gary Jane and the Youngstock Team, Grange Farm 

The calf team is lead by Gary Jane and consists of a young team including the daughters and sons of James the owner. Night time checks are performed to ensure cows are moved to the straw yard from sand transition cubicles and calves are fed warmed, pasteurised colostrum.  

Attention to detail is critical when calving 450 cows over a 10 week period. Adaptions to existing buildings using positive pressure tube fans and consideration for calf comfort and draft protection have been made in this really well managed system. The team ethos has made the farm a real success with a combination of being open to advice and ideas to improve and adapt the environment and an enthusiasm and willingness to put the effort in and make the system work. The calf health has been excellent with scour and pneumonia virtually non-existent which is no mean feat when housing 180+ heifers, born over a short period.  

Judge/sponsor comment 

Andrew Eastabrook, Hartpury University, Home Farm 

“This may be a college farm but the protocals here really can’t be faulted.” Commented Chairman of the Judges David Cotton. 

James Yeatman, Gary Jane and the Youngstock Team, Grange Farm 

“Measuring immunity from colostrum weekly- challenging their own protocols to ever improve. Mechanical ventilation systems are used to make the best of housing available on farm whilst limiting drafts to ensure calf comfort.” Gabby Emery, Buitelaar 

SPONSORED BY BUITELAAR

Winner

John Cottle, Birchenfields Farm 

Highly Commended

Joe & Claire Ives, W & P Ives, Park Farm 

Winner – John Cottle, Birchenfields Farm 

John Cottle is very keen to record, monitor and benchmark all aspects of herd and crop performance on his farm.  This is helping him achieve impressive results and keeping his herd in the top 10% for business efficiency and margins. That attention to detail produces some eye catching herd costing figures including the key performance indicator of producing over 6,000 litres of milk per cow from homegrown forage.   

John  farms 390 acres at Birchenfields Farm, Sealand, Chester, of which 140 acres are owned and the remainder rented.   “I spend time researching maize varieties and studying the NIAB Recommended List, I look for high energy varieties with high cell wall digestibility. A crop producing 4% more energy will give an extra 310 litres for a cow yielding 8,000 litres,” says Mr Cottle.  “A crop with 5% better cell wall digestibility will produce an extra 310 litres per cow. This year yields averaged 16 tonne per acre at 35% dry matter.” 

Highly Commended – Joe & Claire Ives, W & P Ives, Park Farm 

Kite Consulting’s Mike Bray explains the current ration are based principally around very high quality grass and maize silage forages. Total forage intake is close to 60% of the total dry matter which drives a high feed conversion efficiency (1.68kgs of milk per kg DMI). A farm pre mix is prepared which includes principally rape seed meal, fats, minerals and rumen buffers. This is fed as a PMR and then the robots include a high energy dairy 18% nut as the predominant concentrate feed. Transition success is also a major key to Park Farm success with very low incidence rates of milk fever (0.8%) and retained foetal membranes (2%). 

Judge/sponsor comment 

John Cottle, Birchenfields Farm 

“Great results with some solid endorsements with this entry, and wow some impressive figures on litres from forage.” David Cotton, Bridge Farm 

Joe & Claire Ives, W & P Ives, Park Farm 

“Good yields and feed rates here, great longevity with 15% of cows over 100T and Daily lifetime yield of 19.6l, making the most of genetics and forage quality.” Mike King, PE King 

SPONSORED BY

MOLE VALLEY FARMERS

Winner

Graham’s The Family Dairy 

Highly Commended

Our Cow Molly 

Winner – Graham’s The Family Dairy 

2020 has been a challenging year for the whole country and Graham’s has responded to the global pandemic with the same hard-working family values, great taste, product and innovative thinking which has been at the heart of the business for over 80 years. Sales of butter doubled amid a surge in home baking during Lockdown, the business working around the clock to make sure this and all other dairy products were available on shelves.   

The business also understood very early on that some people were unable to leave their homes to buy milk, cream or butter, so very quickly mobilised their teams across the country to be in a position to offer doorstep delivery, a personal service to more people and areas across Scotland. 

With the launch of new Goodness Kefir, Skyr in handy ‘on-the-go’ pouches, plus high protein, smooth and fruity quark, Protein 22 has been given a packaging refresh this year and is also available in pouches. 

Highly Commended – Our Cow Molly 

The company farm 180 acres on the edge of the Peak District National Park, with 90 cows, and deliver ‘Our Cow Molly’ fresh milk direct to customers and local consumers, this includes 20 coffee shops run by the University of Sheffield. They make 101 flavours of ice cream on the farm, and more recently, their own butter.  “Whilst farming is hard, we think we have made milk exciting, by connecting directly with our customers using Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. We don’t supply ‘just milk’, comments Eddie Andrew, “but super-fresh milk from cow to customer in just over 12 hours. Milked in the evening, on the doorstep next day, with the connection to the farm where customers know exactly where it’s coming from.” 

Judge/sponsor comment 

Graham’s The Family Dairy 

“A Great positive story.” David Cotton 

“Grahams are the winner for me, they are tough and hard buyers, they have built their business on innovation and excellent marketing.” Nicholas Saphir 

Our Cow Molly 

“A great all round approach for a family business showing good longer-term plans.” Rob Drysdale 

“Enthusiastic and growing business very good at self promotion across all forms of media.” David Cotton 

Winner

Singletons Dairy – Dairy Parlick Cheese 

Highly Commended

Granny Gothards – Salted Honey Ice Cream Sorbet 

Highly Commended

Riverside Dairy – Ice Cream Sorbet 

Winner – Singletons Dairy – Dairy Parlick Cheese 

This award winning Ewe’s milk cheese takes its name from Lancashire’s Parlick Fell. Singleton’s Parlick has a fresh and clean flavour, mirroring the lush Ribble Valley the sheep graze. The flavour has a little earthiness, but also hints of sweetness, with creamy and fresh tones, say the company. The light aroma accompanying this cheese makes it perfect for a cheeseboard or used as an ingredient – for example to top a rich tomato pasta sauce. 

Judges comment 

“Smooth, great example of a parlick, very creamy, sweet and smooth, very clean to taste, we loved this universally on the day of judging. Absolutely spot on acidity wise, nice gentle warming cheese with a little salted flavour coming through.” Morrisons buying team 

Highly Commended – Granny Gothards – Salted Honey Ice Cream Sorbet 

Quality and creativity are our driving forces as the company goes from strength to strength and looks to expand. Granny Gothards have a full range of ice creams made from milk from the South West, Buffalo milk and Goats’ milk from Somerset, Ewes milk from Dorset, and Camel milk from Dubai. 

Judges comment 

“Wonderful ice creams, the raspberry flavours were nice and rounded, the icecream/sorbet mix was an interesting surprise. Lovely flavour combinations. Never had salted honey ice cream mixed with sorbet. Really delicious and very easy to eat a lot!” Morrisons Buying team 

Highly Commended  – Riverside Dairy – Ice Cream – multiple flavours 

The family team of Ellie, Bobby, Debbie and Richard, worked hard gutting the old milking parlour and dairy, derelict for 20 years, and converted it into an Ice Cream production facility.  “We launched our first Ice Cream flavours in May 2020, selling directly from the farm in a small wooden building which we call the Ice Cube, “says Richard Davies. “We also now sell and deliver to over 20 wholesale customers including farm shops, restaurants, pubs and delis.” 

Judges comment 

Riverside Dairy – Ice Cream  

“Nice smooth top and natural strawberry looking with sprinkling of strawberry seeds. Super sweet.” [Strawberry ice cream]“Works really well, just like a Terrys Chocolate Orange. Smooth, rich, tangy, very luxurious. Good.” [Chocolate orange truffle ice cream] 

Morrisons Buying team. 

SPONSORED BY MORRISONS SUPERMARKETS