Powys beef farmers triumph at 2023 British Farming Awards

Greg and Rowan Pickstock of Brogain Farm, near Llanfechain, were named the Gold Winners of the Beef Farmer of the Year category at the ceremony in the Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham on October 19.

On receiving the award, they said: “We were not expecting this at all.

“We were actually nominated which was special in itself and, as a young family, something we really appreciated as a chance to get recognised.

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“We are proud to work in farming as it has always been in the family and we enjoy it.

“We have never been to the British Farming Awards and it has been a great night with fantastic food and company.”

The father and son team were recognised for their efforts to produce carbon neutral beef by 2030 using only commercial and affordable methods.

Since building their farm in 2019, they have been working towards this goal by putting in a new grazing system for their livestock and planting trees on unproductive farmland.

Greg said: “This is all to improve carbon sequestration and biodiversity on the farm, while demonstrating that trees can be planted without impacting productive land.”

The duo have also cut down their fertiliser and feed costs through their reseeding programme and fermentation trials, as well as investment in their cattle housing to improve profitability and production, which includes specialised ventilation systems, a sloped floor to improve drainage and automatic calf feeders.

In picking a winner for the category, judges reportedly looked for a farm that is not afraid to embrace change to boost efficiencies within their business, make the most of the opportunities presented, whether that be in management of quality cattle, demonstrating good stockmanship or implementing best practise.

Judges also look for a business that introduces different ways to positively contribute to climate friendly farming, improving efficiency, productivity and profitability.

A judge for the 2023 Farming Awards said: “We can see a very strong goal as to what the business and farm wants to achieve and a clear path in how to achieve that.

“It’s very impressive what they are doing on Brogain Farm. They are taking an innovative and radical approach to tackling the issues facing the beef industry.”