Two growers from Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire have been named the winners of the 2023 Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability.

Matthew and Lloyd Smith farm a 12-crop rotation across 182ha including wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beet, beans, sunflowers, linseed and millet. They say their aim is to reduce blackgrass pressure while improving soil organic matter and biodiversity.

Practical approach

It’s this practical approach to sustainability, combined with a strong desire to ensure their land is left better than when they found it, which attracted the judges’ attention.

Matthew says from his perspective, sustainability is about people, the environment and everything linked to it. “It’s about collaborations and partnerships, building long-term connections and loyalty with our customers, local residents and industry. Most of all, sustainability is about developing the farm for the future.”

To deliver this, the farm hosted a sunflower walk last year which welcomed around 600 visitors and raised £1000 for the Air Ambulance Trust. They also recently launched a business-to-consumer venture, Spadger Bird Seed.

Farmland bird numbers

Lloyd says the idea was sparked following an increase in farmland birds. “Seed is the only crop we grow that we can use to interact with the public all-year-round and offers another opportunity for future generations to be involved in the business, should they wish.

“Bird seed also requires lower inputs, making the investment one that’s supported by strong business viability.”

Pillars of sustainability

The award, hosted by BASF, is in its second year and aims to celebrate individuals and businesses that deliver on the three pillars of sustainability – people, profit and planet.

Coming in a close second was Will Oliver from Swepstone Fields Farm in Leicestershire. The mixed enterprise takes a zero tolerance to grassweeds, uses renewables to reduce operating costs and integrates sheep within the rotation.

The award presentation was supported by last year’s winner, Colin Chappell, along with partners Farm491 and the Institute of Agricultural Management.