This year, we proudly became sponsors of the Farmer’s Weekly Awards, and it was a treat to head down to London and witness the well-deserving winner, Ellie Lovell, take home the Young Farmer of the Year award!
Here at HECK!, we believe the future of farming rests in the hands of the younger generation. Their fresh ideas, innovative approaches and passion are vital to shaping a more sustainable future for both the food and farming industries. It’s for this reason that we’re committed to shining a spotlight on young farmers when and where we can, celebrating their achievements and inspiring their peers.
This weekend, we headed down to London to see who took home the Young Farmer of the Year award at The Farmer’s Weekly Awards, a category we were also proud sponsors of. We were excited to hear Ellie Lovell’s name called out, as her journey is testament to the value of gaining experience beyond the farm.
Having been encouraged by her family to gain business and life experience before working on their dairy farm, Ellie trained and worked as a chartered accountant for six years before returning to Tack Farm last year as Finance Director.
Since her return, Ellie has made a huge impact. In her role, not only has Ellie restructured the farm’s finances, but she’s also taken on responsibilities that go well beyond the numbers. She now oversees a team of 154 full-time staff, and manages human resources, health and safety compliance, and keeps the herd and parlour running smoothly.
Just a few of Ellie’s achievements include:
- Gaining her Register of Mobility Scorers accreditation, enabling her to personally asses the mobility of their 800-strong herd every two weeks.
- Introducing training opportunities for staff, including AI training for fertility and mastitis detection and treatment.
- Introducing a more sustainable approach by going soya-free and using rape meal as a replacement feed, raising the herd’s Sustainability Incentive Model (SIM) score and securing a premium price for their milk.
Ellie is a true inspiration, showing just how impactful young farmers can be when they bring new ideas and a forward-thinking mindset to the table – and without breaking the bank!
Find out more about Ellie’s story on the Farmer’s Weekly website.
And, if you know an inspiring young farmer, this is your sign to put them forward for next year's awards!
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