We want to recognise our beef farms that have delivered outstanding environmental and economic benefits to their herd or local environment. Our nominees are committed to continuous improvement in their farming processes, whether that is through herd efficiency gains, working with the environment or sharing their knowledge with the wider community. Here are our 2024 nominees:
John Vickers - Binleys Bridge Farm, Smeeton Westerby, Leicestershire.
Nominated by Jessica Swiestowska from Cross Counties Farm Vets

“They take a keen interest in where they can try new things, for example co-grazing cattle and sheep to reduce the worm burden and need for anthelmintics.

“Their ethos is that profitably and welfare go hand in hand. They want to ensure all animals are well bred, well fed and well cared for to give them the best chance of performing to their best. This means a more productive and profitable farm system which is ultimately more sustainable,” says vet, Jessica Swiestowska.

Farm facts

  • 110 head of Limousin suckler cows including some Blues and Hereford crosses plus 360 Masham, Dalesbred and Suffolk cross ewes
  • Planted over 3,500m of new hedge with a new stretch being added each year plus hundreds of additional trees planted over past 15 years
  • 30 years of being in Countryside Stewardship schemes, regularly replacing grass leys to help build soil fertility and structure
  • Farm energy provided by a 250KW ground solar system with the majority of the energy created going back into the grid
  • Hosting an annual open day for the public, supported by their vet team to help aid positive discussion around farming
  • All cattle are slaughtered locally and sold through their own butchers shop “Bridge67” in Kibworth, keeping production miles to an absolute minimum and guaranteeing a quality product for their client base

The farm work closely with their vet to improve welfare through the following measures:

  • The herd is accredited free of BVD, they vaccinate for Leptospirosis and IBR and blood test every breeding animal to monitor for Johnes every 6 months
  • Neospora testing occurs annually and positives are culled
  • Before each breeding block, pelvic scoring is performed on the heifers to reduce calving difficulties and in turn reduce the herds calving interval.
  • Calves born per 100 cows/heifers served sits at 96%.
  • Heifers are synchronised and served to AI for first service, ensuring a tight block of less than 12 weeks whilst improving the genetics within the herd

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Matthew Lampey, Lower Stockham Farm, Chilson, Somerset
Nominated by Eoghan McAlonan from FarmVets SouthWest

“Matthew has a keen interest in working to improve the health and performance of the herd to build the long-term sustainability and resilience and has a monthly routine visit from us.

“We’ve used these visits to work really hard to eradicate key endemic diseases while also focusing on how the farm’s stewardship work can benefit the livestock and overall sustainability of the business,” says farm vet Eoghan McAlonan from FarmVets SouthWest.

Farm facts
  • Cattle:100 X suckler cows (alongside 100 Dorset ewes)
  • BVD-free status maintained through rigorous tag and testing of every calf and annual youngstock blood testing, ensuring early detection and prevention of disease incursions
  • Comprehensive vaccination protocols include Leptospirosis, clostridial diseases, and IBR, to safeguard the herd against key infections
  • Purchased bulls are quarantined and rigorously tested for infectious diseases before joining the herd
  • All replacement heifers and some bulls are homebred, focusing on growth rates, temperament and fertility
  • Six monthly testing for Johnes and yearly Neospora tests with plans to achieve full disease accreditation for all five key diseases
  • Careful bull selection and use of native breeds, like Angus and Beef Shorthorn have minimised calving difficulties and reduced dystokia, leading to only two dystokia cases in the past year
  • Stocking density improvements for youngstock and the use of artificial ventilation has led to zero cases of pneumonia being recorded in 2023 and 2024 to date
  • Youngstock are weighed regularly to ensure optim

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