A FARMER from Cornwall has come out top in a recent competition. 

Andrew Brewer of Ennis Barton, Fraddon, a dairy farmer supplying Arla UK, has won the Carbon Farmer of the Year competition. Andrew manages 500 Jersey-cross dairy cows on 400a. 

He stood out for his understanding and application of a range of practices to enable his pasture-based dairy farm to remove atmospheric carbon into soil, trees, and hedges, while simultaneously minimising farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by focusing on maximising forage intake for his dairy cows.

The Carbon Farmer of the Year competition, organised by the Farm Carbon Toolkit and sponsored by HSBC Agriculture UK, aims to find farmers and growers who are passionate about reducing GHG. 

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Competition judges, Steve Dunkley (HSBC UK), David Cope (Head of Sustainability at Duchy of Cornwall), and Liz Bowles (CEO Farm Carbon Toolkit) were very impressed with the commitment and innovation shown by all finalists. 

Liz said: “Once again, the Carbon Farmer of the Year competition has identified some truly inspirational farmers. All our finalists have made great strides in reducing business reliance on fossil fuels through changes to their farming practices and careful soil management to reduce GHG emissions and sequester carbon.

“It was particularly positive to see a dairy farm winning this year’s competition, given that dairy farming is often in the media spotlight for  its adverse environmental impact. We are looking forward to showcasing the many effective ways that our finalists are reducing on-farm emissions and increasing carbon storage for others to see at free farm walks over the coming months. Watch this space!”

The runners-up were: 

  • Jason Mitchell, Gary Logue, and Adam Moore of Greenville Dairies Ltd, Newton Stewart, Northern Ireland (Dairy farmer supplying Lakeland Daires)
  • Tom Burge of Oaremead Farm, Lynton, Devon (Upland beef and sheep farmer)

Steve Dunkley, HSBC UK Agriculture, added: “HSBC UK Agriculture is pleased to support the 2024 Carbon Farmer of the Year competition. The quality of entries has been superb and hugely inspiring.

"As a business, we’re very keen to support the agriculture industry in transitioning towards net zero. While that will take many forms, we have the ambition to help farmers fund investment in the new practices and technologies needed to evolve.

“The Carbon Farmer of the Year competition is a great way of showcasing how farmers are already achieving these changes and encouraging others to follow their lead.“