For thirteen years, the British Farming Awards have shone a light on the best in British Farming. During this annual event, Britain's farming industry comes together to celebrate the achievements of its contemporaries.
Each finalist is pushing the boundaries with grassland management, their knowledge and application of such results in leading yields and quality nutritional values, alongside sustainable practices.
While this award is open to all sectors, the finalists selected have developed innovative grazing systems, maximising grass growth and nutritional potential, whether that be through reseeding, mowing, achieving good soil health and regular monitoring.
READ NOW: Introducing the finalists for the British Farming Awards Family Farming Business of the Year 2025
Finalists
Frazer Bloor - Shropshire
Shropshire dairy farmer Frazer Bloor represents the fourth generation of his family at Bloor Farmers, where he works alongside his father on their 82-hectare farm. Together, they milk 180 cows through three Lely robotic systems, installed in 2015, which have transformed efficiency and cow welfare. Operating a closed herd, they rear around 40 replacement heifers annually and place a strong emphasis on maximising milk from grass through an ABC rotational grazing system.
Frazer has led several innovations to drive efficiency and sustainability. Switching to slurry disc injection cut nitrogen losses by up to 50% while reducing fertiliser bills. His adoption of drone technology, supported by a CAA qualification, allows precise fertiliser applications, even on difficult-to-reach fields, protecting soil health while boosting early grass growth. The ABC grazing system has further improved regrowth, quality, and milk-from-grass output.
With 32KW of solar panels powering their robotic milkers, the farm is lowering energy costs and cutting emissions. Combined with seaweed-based fertiliser trials, a closed herd, and a clear focus on data and genetics, Frazer is building a system designed for efficiency, resilience, and low carbon output. His approach shows how technology, proactive grassland management, and family teamwork can shape a sustainable future for British dairy.
Rob Havard - Worcestershire
At the helm of Phepson Angus / Havard & Co, Rob Havard manages 717 hectares of owned and tenanted land across Worcestershire and Shropshire with his fiancée, Lizzie Hulton-Harrop, and father, David. A sixth-generation farmer and professional ecologist, Rob has become a leading voice in regenerative farming and grass-fed beef production.
His 122-cow pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd, established in 2013, is outwintered and spring-calving, bred to thrive on pasture alone. Fertility sits at the core of the system, with over 90% of females calving in the first cycle last year. Buyers across the UK and Europe seek out Phepson Angus genetics for their hardiness, low-input requirements, and proven performance on grass.
Rob's success stems from his adoption of Holistic Planned Grazing, introduced in 2012. By mimicking natural migratory grazing patterns, he builds resilience into his pastures, encouraging diverse swards that support both livestock and wildlife. Three standout achievements include growing grass to graze through winter, refining strategies to manage drought, and tailoring species mixes to sustain year-round grazing. The results are clear: healthier soils, higher stocking rates, reduced parasite burdens, and dramatically lower costs.
Looking ahead, Rob is expanding his genetics programme, exporting straws internationally while importing new lines to strengthen grass-fed systems in the UK. Alongside this, he champions carbon sequestration and biodiversity through deep-rooting pastures, wood pasture planting, and wildlife-friendly grazing. For Rob, profitable beef production and ecological restoration are inseparable, making him a true pioneer in grassland farming.
Robert (Roy) Mayers - Co Fermanagh
Fermanagh farmer Robert (Roy) Mayers runs R & M Mayers, a 70-hectare family-owned beef and sheep enterprise where every family member plays a role. With a strong emphasis on grassland, the business has developed a system that maximises productivity while reducing reliance on costly inputs.
A committed advocate of rotational paddock grazing, Roy has focused on getting the best from every acre through careful pasture measurement and effective management. This approach ensures optimum utilisation, stronger regrowth, and improved animal performance, underpinning a resilient and efficient farming system.
Sustainability is at the heart of the enterprise. The introduction of clovers has cut the need for artificial nitrogen, while improved silage quality reduces bought-in feed costs. Investment in renewable energy and careful water management has further strengthened the farm's long-term viability, while contributing to wider Net Zero goals.
Roy recognises the challenges ahead, from fluctuating input and market prices to animal health and evolving regulations. But he also sees opportunity: growing demand for grass-fed, traceable beef and lamb, closer farm-to-consumer links, and a greater role in protecting the countryside. By combining family teamwork with proactive grassland management, Roy is building a profitable, sustainable system fit for the future.
Taking place on 16 October at The VOX in Birmingham, the event will welcome industry professionals from across the country to celebrate British agriculture and the successes it has had this year.
Get your tickets here to celebrate with the finalists at The British Farming Awards: https://www.britishfarmingawards.co.uk/britishfarmingawards/en/page/table-packages
