Farmers on the Isle of Man have been celebrated at the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group’s Bronze Chough Award Presentations.
The Bronze Chough Award celebrates the Manx Farming Industry, rewarding commercial farming that works in partnership with nature to provide mutual benefits.
The annual competition is open to farms across the Island to compete in one of two categories for large and small farms.
Every year more farms are encouraged to take part and showcase what often remains ‘ordinary practice’ for the farmer, but is so beneficial for our environment and Biosphere.
Farmers Celebrated
This year’s small farm category and overall competition winners, Jenny Shepperd and Rawdon Hayne from Ballacosnahan Farm, Patrick have been sustainably farming for some time with a commercial flock of loaghtan sheep farmed for meat and wool.
Their hard work and commitment to both local produce and the environment is second to none and the award is another feather in their cap after incredible success at the Great Taste Awards this year.
Large Farms winners Dave and Sarah Quayle farm in the South of the Island and have a strong focus on sustainable regenerative farming, utilising native cattle breeds and exlana sheep.
They are keen to extend their enterprises towards provide more education on farming and information to schools and public.
Working With Nature
The smaller farms runner up was John Teare from Colooneys Farm, whilst Julian Teare at Lheaney Ballakerka was awarded highly commended.
The larger farms saw John and Fiona Anderson from Knockaloe Beg Farm collect runner up.
Philip and Rose Christian of Faradale Ltd were awarded highly commended in the section.
Faradale Ltd were also awarded the ‘Special Award’ for habitat management through upland grazing systems.
Julian Teare was also awarded the DEFA award of merit for his commitment to conservation.
The prestigious winner of the Bronze Chough Trophy was won by Jenny Shepherd and Rawdon Haynes of Ballacosnahan Farm.
Bronze Chough Trophy
Winners of the Bronze Chough Award are eligible to compete for the UK Silver Lapwing Award.
Farms are selected for demonstrating outstanding commitment to good environmental practices, alongside running successful farm businesses.
For the first time a Manx Farm took top honours in 2024 with Dave and Rob Cooil.
Dave and Rob, IOM winners in 2022, held out against very strong competition from across the UK, to emerge as triumphant at an awards ceremony held in the hills of North Wales, at the farm of the 2023 winner.
Next year it will be the first time the Isle of Man has hosted the National Silver Lapwing Presentations which will attract many leading industry experts in farming and wildlife.
Last year’s IOM winner, Anna Kerruish, farming at Ballafayle, Maughold, will now be eligible to compete in the National Awards.
Anna hosts a huge amount of farm walks and talks and showcases farming in a remarkably biodiverse and historic location, encompassing all that is to be celebrated about our fabulous Manx farming heritage.
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