You now have an extra 3 days to enter the 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards. The deadline for entries is now open until Friday 3rd May.

Don’t miss out on your chance to get recognition for your hard work and put your farm on the map.

There are 15 categories covering all aspects of farming and winning is not just a well deserved reward but is also a great business opportunity.

Guy Poskitt, Arable Farmer and Farmer of the Year 2012 said of his award, “Winning has given us great recognition, pleases customers and motivates people. It’s fantastic free marketing and PR and has certainly opened the doors to new customers for us.”

The Awards night at London’s Grosvenor House on 3 October promises to be the best night out in the farming calendar.

You can apply online on the awards website or telephone Alma Watson on 020 8652 8026.

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Read about the 2012 Farmer Weekly Awards winners

Time is running out to enter the 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards, with entry closing on 30 April.

Remember, it’s not just Poultry Farmer of the Year that’s up for grabs. Egg producer Craig Grant (pictured), from Strichen, Aberdeenshire, took home Young Farmer of the Year in 2012, and the accolade has transformed his business. Tesco has asked him to feature on its egg boxes in the North East with a picture and a profile of his farm.

“I’m not sure about my photo appearing on supermarket shelves, but it’s quite exciting to get our eggs promoted and sold as a branded product,” Mr Grant said. “Winning the award has been a great experience and has opened doors, which would not have otherwise been possible.”

Jake Davies, reporter at Poultry World, said: “As a relative newcomer to the poultry industry, it’s striking how previous winners stand out in their field, and Craig and others’ boosted profiles are plain to see.

“I would encourage people to get an entry in, or nominate somebody, before the fast-approaching deadline, both for the chance to raise their profiles in the industry and to attend a great night at the awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in October.”

We are sorry to announce that we are experiencing some technical issues with the nomination forms for the 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards which is slowing down the process.

If you are experiencing any issues uploading your submission via the nominations page please email your nomination to alma.watson@rbi.co.uk

Now’s the time to recognise the unsung heroes of the farming industry in the Farmers Weekly Awards 2013.

It has been a tough year so far, testing the mettle of everyone involved in agriculture. There are many farmers, contractors and advisers who are worthy of praise for excelling under the harshest conditions the UK has seen in 50 years. So we want to hear your business success stories.

Don’t let your story go untold – there are only 19 days left until the deadline. Put your farm business forward under one of the 15 categories by 30 April.

Alternatively, you can nominate someone else. The Farmers Weekly Awards are a great way to give others a pat on the back. Just making that nomination is a way of saying you recognise their efforts and saying thank you to a fellow farmer, worker or adviser.

For those who go on to win at the awards ceremony in October, the benefits can be far-reaching for their businesses and their careers.

Enter or nominate now

Visit the Farmers Weekly Awards site or call Linda Kimberley on 020 8652 3304.

Do you run an efficient farm business? Have you adapted to the changing needs of the countryside, as well as those of your customers? Are you the best in your field?

If so, put yourself in the spotlight by entering the 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards.

You can enter yourself into one of 15 categories that cover the whole range of farming sectors, from arable to beef, countryside to contractor, pigs to poultry.

You can also nominate someone who you think deserves to have their achievements and innovation recognised.

There are many reasons why entering these awards can benefit your business.

As well as giving you, your family and staff recognition for hard work and commitment, being shortlisted for an award opens doors to new industry contacts, clients and supplier deals.

Poultry farmer Craig Grant, who won 2012 Young Farmer of the Year, said winning the award had given him the chance to develop his own brand of eggs which was keeping the journey of his business fresh and exciting.

“On a personal note winning the Young Farmer of the Year Award has meant the world to me,” he added.

“People stop me in the street to offer congratulations and they genuinely take an  interest in what I am up to. This gives me a real sense that what I am aiming to achieve is all worthwhile.”

You can nominate a farmer that you admire for the awards or put in an entry for yourself. The closing date for entries is 30 April.

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Find out how to enter or nominate for the 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards

Entries to the Farmers Weekly Awards can be submitted via video for the first time this year.

Writing isn’t everyone’s strong point, so if you’re more comfortable talking about your job, farm and achievements rather than writing it all down, why not enter with a video?

If you’re entering one of our Farmer categories you might give a brief tour of your farm – explaining its main features, income streams, recent investments and any diversifications.

Or if you’re entering the Contractor, Farmworker or Farm Adviser category, perhaps you could talk about the service you provide, what keeps your customers coming back time and time again and what sets you apart from the competition.Last year, East Yorkshire carrot grower Guy Poskitt created an entry video and went on to win the 2012 Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year Award.

“Guy Poskitt showed how effective a video could be in supporting these awards entries,” said awards director Debbie Beaton. “It gave him the opportunity to show the diversity of his farming business and parts of the farm that he knew couldn’t shoehorn into a an entry form.”It’s powerful, and often a lot easier, to simply show – and talk about – what makes your farming business stand out than write it down. It worked for him. Perhaps it could work for you?

WATCH GUY POSKITT’S VIDEO ENTRY

WHAT TO COVER IN A VIDEO ENTRY

• Who you are
• Where you’re from
• A summary of your business
• Technical details (such as rearing policies, health management, breeding and feeding programmes , grassland and forage management)
• How your business demonstrates social and environmental responsibility
• Your workforce and your leadership

HOW TO ENTER BY VIDEO

1. Upload your video to Youtube

2. Enter the relevant category on the Farmers Weekly Awards website.

3. Complete all personal information (name, farm address, phone number and so on)4. Write a short summary in each of the question boxes (keep it short – most of the info should be in your video)

4. Include the YouTube link of the video in one of the question boxes

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For more information about entering the awards – either by video or in writing, visit the Farmers Weekly Awards website.

Rachel Jones on G+

Farm minister David Heath has backed the Farmers Weekly Awards for the role they play in showcasing farming’s best talent and attracting future generations to the industry.

The 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards are now open for entry and the search for farming’s best is now underway.

Mr Heath said the Awards not only showcase the industry’s best but also “recognise role models for future generations, which is essential if we are to attract bright young talent so British agriculture can fulfil its global potential.”

There are 15 categories to enter or friends, colleagues or family can nominate someone.

The Awards are a great opportunity to get your work and your farm the recognition they deserve.

2012 Farmer of the Year and Arable Farmer of the Year, Guy Poskitt urged other farmers to enter.

He said: “It has raised my profile beyond belief – it has given us great recognition, pleases customers and motivates my team. I would urge anyone considering entering to do so. It’s fantastic free marketing and PR and has certainly opened doors to new customers for us.”

How to nominate or enter

If you know someone who should win one of the 15 awards categories, you can nominate them at awards.fwi.co.uk/nominate or simply telephone Linda Kimberley on 020 8652 3304.

To enter, complete an entry online or download a form at awards.fwi.co.uk/enter and return to Farmers Weekly at the address given on the form.

For more information about the awards see the 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards website.

The 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards launches today (25 January), marking the start of a 10-month journey to find farming’s best – individuals who stand out for their achievements and success.

The Farmers Weekly Awards aim to recognise those that make this industry so special. They celebrate the achievements of ordinary farmers doing extraordinary things.

Year on year the finalists and winners have never failed to deliver individuals who have overcome huge challenges, capitalised on opportunities and worked with others to deliver rewarding outcomes. But the qualities that bind them all are the enjoyment and passion they have for farming. Nothing is more inspiring to others than seeing that pleasure, satisfaction and reward.

The awards are an important farming calendar fixture. They don’t just showcase the industry’s best, they recognise role models for future generations, which is essential if we are to attract bright young talent so British agriculture can fulfil its global potential.
David Heath, Farm minister

This is why the finalists and winners, past and present, are such vital role models; essential in energising and inspiring others to deliver the very best.

Agriculture, more than ever, needs these role models to help spread best practice and inspire new people to enter the industry. It is, like any other profession and industry, in competition for the brightest young talent in our schools and universities. That is why it is so essential to showcase farming as dynamic, multifaceted and rewarding if we are to attract the best talent from outside, as well as inside, the industry.

The 2012 Farmer of the Year and Arable Farmer of the Year, Guy Poskitt epitomises all those qualities of a role model and more. He is at the helm of one of Britain’s most successful arable and vegetable farms. With typical modesty he puts his success down to his team, his customers and suppliers: “By focusing on what customers want first, working closely with others and adjusting the farm’s needs accordingly. You wouldn’t know if it was even Christmas Day here, because we run a seven-days-a-week business,” he says.

How has winning the top gong affected him? “It has raised my profile beyond belief – I have just been asked to speak at a world farming conference in London in the summer. More important, it has given us great recognition, pleases customers and motivates my team. I would urge anyone considering to enter to do so. It’s fantastic free marketing and PR and has certainly opened doors to new customers for us.”

Six reasons to enter

1. Recognition for you, your team and family
2. Opens doors to new industry contacts, clients and suppliers
3. Greater negotiating influence and power
4. Valuable PR and marketing for your business
5. Makes your business more appealing to employees
6. Experience the best night in farming

How to nominate or enter

If you know someone who should win one of the 15 awards categories, you can nominate them at www.farmersweeklyawards.co.uk or simply telephone Linda Kimberley on 020 8652 3304.

To enter, complete an entry online or download a form and return to Farmers Weekly at the address given on the form.

By completing the questions you are telling us your story – and how the farm business you are involved in has become a success. Importantly, this is about the role you have played in this journey either as a farm owner, manager or worker. The judges will be looking for evidence of your success in the growth of profits, collaboration, customer understanding, efficiency of production and future plans.

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For more information on the 2013 Farmers Weekly Awards including how to enter and details of previous winners see our dedicated website.

Lord Coe received a standing ovation from the 1300-strong audience at the 2012 Farmers Weekly Awards.

See him address the farming audience in this Awards Night highlights video, which captures the excitement, emotions and energy of the biggest night in farming.

Lord Coe presented the Awards and drew parallels between the `sacrifice, courage and talent’ of sporting Olympians and farmers today.

And he recalled that the only people he would see when `pounding the roads and tracks during his running training were farmers: “Their hard work, dedication and devotion is truly inspiring.”

TV chef and farmer’s son, James Martin, appealed to farmers in the room to help him supply local food into NHS hospitals and was bombarded after the ceremony with willing participants.

Guy Poskitt, Arable Farmer of the Year, was crowned the 2012 Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year.

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See the Farmers Weekly Awards site and nominate for 2013

Armed with a camera we managed to capture the Farmers Weekly Awards night as it has never been seen before.

To the tune of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing hundreds of you volunteered your voices and dance moves to create the first ever Farmers Weekly music video.

An all-star cast including ex-farm minister Jim Paice, Farmers Weekly editor Jane King and 2012 Farmers Weekly Awards director Debbie Beaton, last year’s winner Charlie Russell and this year’s winner Guy Poskitt bring you farming’s biggest night out in sensational style.

This film needs no further introduction other than to credit the musical maestro behind it, Daisy Jenks, who ensured you all pulled out your slickest moves. Enjoy and see you all next year.

Farmers Weekly Awards from Daisy Jenks on Vimeo.

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See photos from the 2012 Farmers Weekly Awards

Keep up with the latest from the 2012 Farmers Weekly Awards