A HUSBAND and wife team from Fraddon have received a prestigious award for their farming methods.

Andrew and Claire Brewer, of FG Brewer, were named the grassland manager of the year at the National Arable and Grassland Awards.

The couple were among the very best and brightest in the agricultural industry, which were celebrated in front of their peers and industry representatives at the Hilton London Bankside on Thursday, February 13.

Andrew and Claire are focused on dairy production from a herd of 450 Jersey crosses on their 400 hectare farm at Ennis Barton.

Grassland is a major part of the farm’s plan to build a circular economy.

Compost is produced on the farm from treated bedding, which not only reduces ammonia losses, but also unlocks insoluble phosphorus, making it available to grasses when applied.

They also recognise grassland’s role in sequestering carbon, with soil sampling indicating that between 25t and 100t of carbon dioxide equivalent is sequestered per hectare.

The judges were impressed with the use of the latest techniques and research within the business, enabling the couple to maximise dry matter and milk yields, while minimising imported nutrients.

It is not the first farming award Andrew and Claire have received after previously winning Carbon Farmers of the Year 2024 as well as being a Farm Net Zero Demo Farm.

Andrew Brewer’s family have owned the farm since 1952 and, for the last seven generations, have farmed beef, sheep and arable, and more recently, also run a dairy farm.

Renewable energy has been part of their business since 2011.

The National Arable and Grassland Awards (NAGA) was hosted by farmer and comedian Jim Smith, who oversaw the 13 awards, with five crop growing categories, the winners being eligible for the overall grower of the year.

There were awards for those who have shown excellence in agronomy, farm management, sustainability and contracting.

The winners were –

Agronomist of the year - Kathryn Ann Styan, Agrii

Cereal grower of the year - Richard and Lyn Anthony, R and L Anthony

Contractor of the year – AJ Heywood & Sons

Farm manager of the year - Simon Andrews, Porchester Farms

Fruit grower of the year – Hall Hunter Partnership (also Grower of the Year)

Grassland manager of the year – Andrew and Claire Brewer, FG Brewer

Outstanding achievement award – Lord Donald Curry

Oilseed grower of the year - Richard Budd, Stevens Farm (Hawkhurst)

Protein crop grower of the year - Guy Prudom, P Prudom and Son

Sustainable farming award – Ellen Firth, Firth Flock Flowers

Young Agronomist of the year – Ben Allard, Pearce Seeds

Young farmer of the year - Kyle Catlin, Kyle Catlin Contracting

The National Arable and Grassland Awards is organised by Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer and Agronomist & Arable Farmer, in association with the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) and BASIS.

The awards are in their fourth year and are sponsored by key companies within the industry.

The principal sponsors are Barclays and Propel Finance.

The grassland manager of the year award is sponsored by OMEX.