8th October 2009 | Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London
Who are the Farming Award Sponsors?
The sponsors of the Farmers Weekly Awards have one common objective — to recognise and celebrate the innovation and achievements of British farmers. In supporting these Awards, the sponsors are helping to raise the profile of some outstanding individuals and their businesses. These are farmers who can inspire others to innovate, adopt best farming practices, compete effectively in a global market and meet the ever changing demands of today's society.
Arable advisers play a major role in creating sustainable and profitable arable businesses, which is why Firestone is championing this important award. This is an opportunity for unsung heroes to be recognised – and applauded - for their commitment, innovation and achievements in delivering professional advice that results in profitable and efficient arable businesses.
Sponsored by 
The Farmers Weekly Awards are a prestigious event and GrowHow are delighted to be associated with them and to sponsor the Arable Farmer of the Year. Today's successful arable farmers are implementing both good agricultural and environmental practice and also optimising nutrient application to maximise crop performance. In addition, utilising sound science, advice and services help fulfil the ever increasing requirement of cross compliance, NVZ's, environmental stewardship and water quality. GrowHow believe this vibrant sector will attract much enthusiasm and interest
Sponsored by 
McDonald's prides itself on using the highest quality beef from thousands of the UK's farmers and is proud to be sponsoring this award. Producing top quality beef using best practice methods including rigourous standards on animal welfare, feeding and veterinary care requires time, investment, dedication and sheer hard work and this award recognises and pays tribute to the very best of UK beef farming, which gives this country its well-deserved reputation for excellence.
Sponsored by 
Farmers put lots of time and energy into looking after our countryside. It's not just the picturesque things like the hedges and the patchwork fields that they support, but also the extra effort they put into everyday farming operations that can help protect the quality of our soil and water for future generations.
Sponsored by 
JCB is delighted to be associated with the Farmers Weekly Awards. A sustainable future for British agriculture hinges on nurturing people with a passion for our industry and these Awards are a fantastic way of rewarding and recognising the outstanding efforts of such individuals.
We are particularly pleased to be associated with the category of Contractor Of The Year, as agricultural contractors are often the unsung heroes of the industry and are an integral part of most farming operations. They operate in harsh conditions, for long hours, all year round and constantly strive for maximum productivity from their entire fleet of equipment and staff.
We hope our association with this category recognises the efforts of agricultural contractors up and down the country, and that we can assist them to increase the productivity of their businesses.
Sponsored by 
DairyCo, for a second year, is delighted to be able to sponsor this
award. This is a unique opportunity to promote world class knowledge to
British dairy farmers so they can profit from a sustainable future.
Sponsored by 
This category is a farmer or farm manager who has, or is developing a
diversified business to complement the existing farm business. This can
be anything from converting rural buildings to creating an equestrian
business, or renewable energy to leisure attractions.
Sponsored by 
Claas is extremely pleased to be joining the list of sponsors for the Farmers Weekly Awards, as it is important that the skill of those involved in all aspects of agriculture is recognised, so as to serve as an inspiration for others.
Managing and running a farming business gets more challenging every year. The skills of a good manager are wide ranging and go far beyond just the practical and financial running of a farm, and extend to aspects such as efficiently handling the large amount of official paperwork involved, conservation management and recognising and developing other sources of income from alternative non-farming activities.
The role of a farm manager goes well beyond what the title suggests, and Claas is therefore especially pleased to be sponsoring the ‘Farm Manager of the Year’ award and giving good managers the recognition they deserve.
Sponsored by 
For any progressive business, innovation is an important part of building a sustainable future. This is why British Sugar is proud to sponsor the Green Energy Farmer of the Year Award at the prestigious Farmers Weekly Awards and demonstrate our commitment to UK agriculture.
Eighteen months ago we opened the UK’s first bioethanol plant at Wissington in west Norfolk. Investment in bioethanol has increased demand for beet by 650,000t above and beyond annual EU quota limits.
Those who watched Jimmy’s Farming Heroes will have seen the integrated nature of our Wissington sugar factory and just how important energy efficiency is to British Sugar. Linking fermentation with distillation, the refinery now produces 70m litres of bioethanol each year from home-grown sugar.
This green fuel delivers 71% savings in CO2 emissions compared with petrol and is destined for forecourts around the country.
In 2008 we formed a partnership with the Carbon Trust to develop a groundbreaking standard for Carbon Footprinting (PAS 2050). It confirmed that, in terms of carbon used, our sugar supply chain, from farm to spoon, is one of the most efficient in Europe.
We’re also a major partner in Vivergo Fuels in Hull. Every year the company will buy 1m tonnes of British grain to produce bioethanol and animal feed at a new world-scale refinery.
Sponsored by 
Asda opened its doors to local food producers back in 2002 and now stocks a range of over 6000 local products in 298 of our 334 food stores.
The success of Asda’s local sourcing programme is owed to its award-winning local hub initiative – a network of 13 third-party run distribution centres across the country that works directly with small, local suppliers to manage the relationship with Asda on their behalf. These hubs ensure that many Asda shoppers are able to buy the best food grown, reared and produced in their region.
The scheme won Best Business Initiative at the Grocer Gold Awards 2008.
More than ever before, our customers are telling us they want to support local producers and Asda's long-term commitment is clear to be seen. We have commissioned arguably the largest single piece of research into the local customer, speaking to over 30,000 local shoppers. This has allowed us to source the most appropriate range of products in the most relevant stores.
Sponsored by 
We are delighted to sponsor the Livestock Adviser of the Year Award which showcases the innovative flair and best practice techniques of Livestock Advisers nationwide. Their advice and guidance has helped to enhance the outputs of livestock producers and has contributed to the knowledge bank of British agriculture. bpi.agri, manufacturers of Silotite.
Sponsored by 
Being associated with the industry for more than 50 years, EB Equipment is delighted to be working with Farmers Weekly in recognising the efforts and achievements of the countries poultry farmers.
As a British manufacturer, any form of recognition that helps stimulate interest in British produce is to be welcomed.
Sponsored by 
Waitrose - committed to building sustainable, long term relationships with
British farmers.
Sponsored by 
Create a sustainable, profitable business in this challenging industry. This award recognises all of the hard work, long hours, dedication and attention to detail that are required to maximise animal welfare, and celebrates everything that is positive about British sheep farming.
Massey Ferguson’s sponsorship of the Young Farmer of the Year Award, allows everyone involved in the agricultural industry to see how creative and resourceful young farmers can be when business is tough. Young farmers are our future and we are proud to be associated with their enthusiasm and achievements.
Sponsored by 
The Farmers Weekly Awards are a great way to highlight the inspirational farmers and growers who represent the best in our fantastic industry. The Awards encourage the qualities that the industry needs most in the 21st century – innovation, enterprise and a relentless customer focus; they are playing a key role in re-building the industry’s self-confidence; and, above all, they are a celebration of British farming’s greatest asset: our people. We in the NFU are delighted to be associated with the Awards
Sponsored by 
Farm Fresh Duck brought to you by Cherry Valley is delighted to be associated with the Farmers Weekly Awards. This is our opportunity to show our support for our community of growers who allow us to produce the highest quality ducks in the world using the most innovative welfare systems.
Sponsored by Farm Fresh Duck 
Sponsorship Package includes:
- branding on all printed and on-line Awards promotions
- branding on the dedicated Awards website
- twenty places for Sponsors' guests at the Awards Night
- branding on the Winners Brochure
If you would like to discuss sponsorship of one of the Award categories or secondary sponsorship opportunities at the Awards Night please contact:
| Vic Bunby | 020 8652 4030 |
| David Dennison | 0161 246 1002 |
| John Connor | 024 76696502 |