Farm Manager of the Year

Sponsored by Claas

Nick Padwick, Leicestershire

• Nick manages the 1755ha Stoughton Estate for the Co-operative Farms near Leicester with 1565ha (3860 acres) of cropping and the rest in environmental schemes and grassland. From his base at Oadby Lodge Farm he manages a series of contract farming agreements for a range of clients plus some rented land

Matthew Bowe, Cambridgeshire

• Matthew oversees operations on a mixed estate including rare breed sheep and cattle, the UK's biggest fallow deer enterprise and an integrated on-farm butchery and processing plant. There is also over 1000 acres of arable cropping

Simon Beddows, Berkshire

• Simon is farm manager at Phillimore Farms, a privately-owned 1000ha (2500 acres) estate near Reading, Berkshire. The arable area includes 800ha with a further 70ha contract farmed for a neighbour