0:00:02 > 0:00:03Across the country,
0:00:03 > 0:00:07thousands of farming families work tirelessly around the clock.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Stop arguing, girls.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Give over.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14HE WHISTLES
0:00:14 > 0:00:16But there's one day each year...
0:00:17 > 0:00:20..when they get to leave the daily routine behind.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Right, here we come, Dorset.
0:00:23 > 0:00:24These are show days...
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- ANNOUNCER:- 'A very, very warm welcome to Malpas Show.'
0:00:27 > 0:00:29..when they come together as a community...
0:00:29 > 0:00:31APPLAUSE
0:00:31 > 0:00:33..to showcase the fruits of their labour...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35I just love showing my girls off.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40..and try to win prizes for their breed champions...
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Smashed it.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44..and award-winning produce.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46That's a really nice cheese, that.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50It was very good, darling.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51There will be highs...
0:00:51 > 0:00:52That's what we want to see, red.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Red is the best.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55..and lows...
0:00:55 > 0:00:57She's not happy enough to go.
0:00:57 > 0:01:03..for the dedicated farmers who give everything to walk away a champion.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Fingers crossed!
0:01:13 > 0:01:16There is one event in the agricultural calendar
0:01:16 > 0:01:19that celebrates the dedication and innovation
0:01:19 > 0:01:20of Britain's farmers...
0:01:23 > 0:01:25..the British Farming Awards.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30This year's category for New Entrants Against The Odds
0:01:30 > 0:01:33has five exceptional farms short-listed as finalists.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38They have impressed the judges for determination
0:01:38 > 0:01:40in these tough economic times.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42This is my favourite pet.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47All five farms are passionate first-generation farmers
0:01:47 > 0:01:50who have built their business up from scratch.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54To win this award will acknowledge their adaptability,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57and, above all, their resilience.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02In a few days, one of them will receive this accolade
0:02:02 > 0:02:04at a glittering black-tie reception.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Wiltshire is home to our first finalist
0:02:15 > 0:02:18in the New Entrants Against The Odds category.
0:02:18 > 0:02:2324-year-old James Wright is an ambitious first-time farmer.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25HE CALLS
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I was in my last year at university and I was doing a business degree.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30I sort of thought, well, you know, pig-keeping,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32I've always wanted to do it.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35And I bought two pigs with my student loan and went from there.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37A seemingly simple plan was put into action.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39But farming can be a steep learning curve -
0:02:39 > 0:02:42especially when it comes to pigs.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44I'd driven seven hours, I was so excited.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46The moment I got my pigs back,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48there was this moment when I put the pigs in the pen,
0:02:48 > 0:02:49and it was an absolute disaster.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52It turns out it was the pigs who taught James
0:02:52 > 0:02:55his first valuable lesson.
0:02:55 > 0:02:56It's 1.00am.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59I've just travelled...
0:03:00 > 0:03:02..seven hours to pick up some pigs.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06And when I got them out, they were in this trailer.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09And then I put them in my paddock,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11and they ran clean through the electric fence.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14So now, they are somewhere out there.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20And I have no idea how to get them back.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Why on earth did I decide to keep pigs?
0:03:23 > 0:03:25There was this moment of thinking,
0:03:25 > 0:03:27"I'm so out of my depth, it's unbelievable."
0:03:27 > 0:03:30But the escaping pigs didn't put James off.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It seems you can't keep a good farmer down.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38The reason why I went to sheep was, the way a pig works,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41it costs about a pound a day to keep a pig alive.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45It costs about 30 or 40p a day to keep a sheep alive,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48so I'm able to be more dynamic with my money
0:03:48 > 0:03:52and how I'm using my limited investment.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Being a shepherd means needing space to graze his flock of 500.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00Affording that space was James's next hurdle.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Farming is an incredibly capital-intensive business.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05It takes years to get a return.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08A lamb born May this year will not be at full production
0:04:08 > 0:04:09for a full two years.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12So you're sinking in large amounts of capital,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14so banks are unwilling to lend.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19What James is aiming for is a long-term tenancy.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Previously, I've had three jobs and currently I run two jobs,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27but I need that long-term tenancy so the bank will then lend me the money
0:04:27 > 0:04:28that allows me to grow to a point
0:04:28 > 0:04:31where I can work full-time on the farm.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Still in search of farming's Holy Grail - a tenancy -
0:04:39 > 0:04:41James now rents land where he can.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43And it's for from ideal.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Unlike most farmers who had the family farm,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47or maybe land that they rent,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49and it's all in one block,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53my land is spread out all the way from Cirencester in Wiltshire
0:04:53 > 0:04:55all the way down to Sussex.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05James's drive to teach himself how to farm and build up a business
0:05:05 > 0:05:08is what has landed him on the shortlist
0:05:08 > 0:05:10for this year's Against The Odds award.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I think as somebody who's come from a non-farming background,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17you need as much help as you can get,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19so things like the British Farming Awards
0:05:19 > 0:05:22are a fantastic opportunity to get your name
0:05:22 > 0:05:25in front of the right people and really build that credibility,
0:05:25 > 0:05:27because at the end of the day, at the moment,
0:05:27 > 0:05:28I just don't have that.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35That was great.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Nestled in the fertile hills of West Sussex,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Paul and Madeleine Crawley and their two girls,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Myrtle and Delilah are the second short-listed family.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53They've managed to secure a ten-year tenancy.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56On 660 acres of National Trust land,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59they raise sheep and cattle and grow organic barley.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05It's a lifelong dream that first-time farmer Paul
0:06:05 > 0:06:07has harboured and worked towards.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12As soon as I left school, I left school at 16,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16and I just wanted to get to Agriculture College, so I did that,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20got out there, and I've just plugged away with this kind of goal
0:06:20 > 0:06:22that I want to be a farmer one day.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27His determination to become a farmer was unwavering.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28Before I went to college,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30I picked tomatoes for the first summer
0:06:30 > 0:06:32so I could earn enough money to buy a moped
0:06:32 > 0:06:36so I could get to college, you know, it was 20 miles away.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38And I remember all the frosty mornings on the moped,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41you know, "Going to be a farmer one day," I think.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Yeah, you know, there hasn't been any easy breaks.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46And it's not been the quickest route,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49but we've stayed determined and we've stayed focused,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52and obviously, Madeleine is very much a big part of it, definitely.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54I'm a trained vet.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57I qualified 15 years ago from the Veterinary College in London,
0:06:57 > 0:07:02and then I met Paul on a farm...
0:07:03 > 0:07:05..and nine months later, I moved in.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13With love conquered, the couple's next goal was a farm of their own.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Their only option was to rent one,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17but this is much harder than it sounds.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21We applied for about seven farms, I suppose,
0:07:21 > 0:07:22over a five-year period.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Once we got ourselves into that position, you get quite close,
0:07:25 > 0:07:27and then you get the call saying,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29"Sorry, I'm afraid you haven't been successful."
0:07:29 > 0:07:31But you sort of pick yourself up
0:07:31 > 0:07:33and we want to do this, so we're going to have another go,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36and so we do and then, yeah, we got there in the end.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38We got there in the end, thankfully.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Well, the applications themselves are quite gruelling
0:07:41 > 0:07:44but also, financially, you've got to be in a position,
0:07:44 > 0:07:46and I just think the opportunities,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49there's just not that many opportunities for young people,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52particularly those that aren't from a farming background.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59As two heads are always better than one,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02their combined determination saw them secure land
0:08:02 > 0:08:05which they have built up into a thriving farm.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09Fat Lasse's definitely lost a bit of weight.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11She was a bit too round.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14She used to be called Lovely Lasse, as you can see, by her ear tag.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18But then, she got a bit obese and so then, she was Fat Lasse.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20She does love her food.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24We've achieved this goal together,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28so every decision is made together, to be fair, yes, definitely.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31We're pretty good at talking...
0:08:33 > 0:08:35..and coming to a mutual decision.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Most of them, we agree on and we think similarly anyway.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42But, yeah, clearly I wear the trousers!
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Whilst the jury is out on who's in charge,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49it's quite clear this dynamic duo
0:08:49 > 0:08:51are equally in love with what they do.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Their ambition is fuelled by a big dream
0:08:58 > 0:09:01to make their farm 100% organic.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05There's about 300 tonnes of organic barley,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09So it's income at times when we're not selling lambs or beef.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12It just helps us to utilise the farm better, to be honest.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Our eggs are not all in one basket.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15Spreads the risk.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Hello, you.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26All this endless determination and toil
0:09:26 > 0:09:28has pushed them onto this year's final shortlist
0:09:28 > 0:09:30for overcoming the odds.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's fantastic to be short-listed,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35and we were over the moon when we got that news.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37It's nice to be recognised
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and have our story appreciated for what it was.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42And it means we can have a cracking night at the awards.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Yeah, it does mean we get to go out. That's right.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57200 miles north, rural Staffordshire
0:09:57 > 0:10:00is home to dairy farmers Michael and Laura Trayte,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03and their two-year-old twins, Henry and Oscar.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Are you putting straw in the bucket?
0:10:05 > 0:10:06No.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Oh? OK.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10For Michael, it's been a lifelong dream
0:10:10 > 0:10:12to get to where they are today.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13All right, girls.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15My dad used to milk cows a long time ago.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Never owned a farm, but we had a five-acre paddock
0:10:19 > 0:10:20at the back of our house.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Well, I got gifted some sheep,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25and started from there, and then I got into dairy,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28got my first job as a graduate and that's where I met Laura.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34A year ago, Michael and Laura were lucky to get a ten-year tenancy
0:10:34 > 0:10:36with their local council.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39More than ten other young farmers had competed for it.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Our landlord is the Staffordshire County Council.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46They own the farm. They own 8,500 acres
0:10:46 > 0:10:53in Staffordshire, which are let to new or young entrants in agriculture
0:10:53 > 0:10:55to give them a foot on the ladder.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57It's just a stepping stone onto a system
0:10:57 > 0:11:00that's quite expensive to get into,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03which we just wouldn't be able to afford to buy a farm.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11Having secured the tenancy of 132 acres,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14it's been a struggle to get it up and running.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17When we arrived, there was no buildings,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19so we've worked with the landlord.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20The landlord's put a new shed up,
0:11:20 > 0:11:23and then we've done all the internal fixtures and fittings.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25It's just been putting all the fencing up this year,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27cos there was no fencing
0:11:27 > 0:11:29and obviously, there was no paddocks,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32so we've had to put in all the tracks.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34The first year's been the busiest, and then next year,
0:11:34 > 0:11:38it should slow down a little bit, but, yeah.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40As well as building the infrastructure,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43there's also the small matter of actually running the farm.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Hello. Hello.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Dairy farming in general is quite challenging at times.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Yes, it's early mornings, late nights.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Late nights, yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54You've really got to love it to do it, I think,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56cos a lot of people think you're crazy,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59especially from when you don't come from a farming background.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01It's sort of...
0:12:01 > 0:12:04People wonder why you do it.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05I mean, it is a business.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09We do want to make profit, but it is a lifestyle as well.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16All this hard work needs to pay off
0:12:16 > 0:12:18if the family is going to stay afloat.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Luckily, Michael and Laura have a plan.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Dairy industry has been tough the last 12 months.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28There's been a world oversupply and that's hit farm gate prices
0:12:28 > 0:12:30quite hard.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33I mean, some people have been getting as little as 13p a litre.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36The lowest we got down to was 17.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39But it's back up to 22p at the minute,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41and it looks to be quite bright,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44so hopefully, things will look up in the future.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52This resourceful farming couple have devised a way
0:12:52 > 0:12:54to try to keep costs down -
0:12:54 > 0:12:57a crucial strategy to the farm's survival.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- HE WHISTLES - Come on, girls!
0:13:00 > 0:13:04The farm is split into 20 paddocks and the idea is,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06the cows will go into fresh grass every day.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09The advantage of the system is
0:13:09 > 0:13:12we're limiting the amount of feed that we're buying in.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14We know what our grass is going to cost us.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Staffordshire is generally a good grass-growing area,
0:13:17 > 0:13:18get good rainfall,
0:13:18 > 0:13:20you know, we can grow good-quality grass.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25What about our new tractor?
0:13:25 > 0:13:28We don't need that if we're spreading straw, do we?
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Tractor!
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Michael and Laura are hoping that the farm will be able to provide
0:13:33 > 0:13:37an income now and in the future for the twins.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38- Bale.- A bale.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40- OK.- You go and spread that bale.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Farming with two boys is good.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45There's always something to do, and they always like mucking in.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Give it to the cows.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49It's hard to keep them in the house most of the time
0:13:49 > 0:13:50cos they want to come out and help,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52or think that they're helping sometimes,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54and sometimes they're not!
0:13:54 > 0:13:57You might get a bit more done if they're in nursery,
0:13:57 > 0:13:58or went off for the day,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02but we like to spend time with them as well as being on the farm,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06and it's very much a family farm.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08Good boy. Feed her some more, then.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09Give her some more.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17A win in this year's New Entrants Against The Odds category
0:14:17 > 0:14:21will reward them for an innovative grazing experiment,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25and a year's incredible slog to get their fledgling farm this far.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29Be nice to actually put a dress on for once, out of wellies!
0:14:31 > 0:14:33You'll like it when you're round here, Henry.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Kids and animals, eh?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Just a few fields away are fellow
0:14:46 > 0:14:48dairy farmers James and Vicky Tattersall
0:14:48 > 0:14:50and their three children
0:14:50 > 0:14:53who are also short-listed in this year's awards.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01James and Vicky were also granted a farming tenancy from the council
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and started out with just 20 cows.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08But with no money coming in, these young farmers have worked
0:15:08 > 0:15:11day and night to build a future for themselves.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13It can be difficult at times,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16especially having the three of them now.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Vicky's pretty tied in the house morning and afternoon.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21When I'm milking, particularly if I have a problem in the parlour,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23I've got to sort it out on my own.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28Keeping on top of a busy dairy farm
0:15:28 > 0:15:32is a challenge with a growing family.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Before we had them, I used to always milk for James
0:15:34 > 0:15:37whilst he did other jobs.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39But now I can't really be out there
0:15:39 > 0:15:42and be in the house at the same time.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I'd love to be out there, just to have a swap with him,
0:15:45 > 0:15:46but he never seems keen.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Perhaps because he knows it's a madhouse!
0:15:50 > 0:15:52SHE LAUGHS
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Running the farm single-handedly can be tough,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03but it's been external market forces that have really tested them.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06The workload has been tough at times.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09We had to throw some hours in, it's been 70 to 80-hour weeks,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11if not more, at times.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14But the biggest challenge, I'd say, over the last 18 months,
0:16:14 > 0:16:15was milk price drops.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19You know, I don't like to keep moaning about it because we don't,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23we try and be positive, but it has put pressure on the finances.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26It probably has held us back growing.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29You know, we've lost about a third of the income.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33So, you know, you've got to find the difference from somewhere.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35So we went through our costings.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Obviously, you can't skimp on your cows.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40You know, they've still got to be looked after.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Whilst James has managed to keep the farm afloat,
0:16:50 > 0:16:54it's been a challenge dealing with bovine tuberculosis.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57The TB situation, it is a high-risk area.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Thankfully, we had one case four years ago
0:17:02 > 0:17:04which came back to be false.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Once TB is suspected,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10herd movement is restricted to prevent the risk of spreading.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12We still had to test 60 days after that
0:17:12 > 0:17:16and they stopped us moving cattle off for 60 days, you know,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20but it just makes trading tough cos you can't sell your calves.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Despite the blows and setbacks,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Vicky and James remain resilient and optimistic.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28I guess it's probably in my blood.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31You know, bit of a family history in farming.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33And it's hard to turn your back on it when you want to do it.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35You know, I can see where what we're doing is working,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38at a slow pace, as it might be, but it is working.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47With three children under four,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50a new farm to build, and the pressure of the milk industry,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52the British Farming Awards judges
0:17:52 > 0:17:56had no problem selecting James and Vicky as finalists.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59We're looking forward to it. Didn't expect to get anywhere.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Then we found out we got shortlisted
0:18:01 > 0:18:03in the New Entry category.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06So we've got to go down tomorrow night to Droitwich.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08See how we get on.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12I think it will mean a lot for James, winning.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Because he's put, like, his heart and soul into it.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17It's like his baby, having the farm.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19It will just be a big achievement, really.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23Over the past five years, it's been a lot of hard work.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26So it'd just be good for somebody to acknowledge it.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Finally, 190 miles away in Devon
0:18:35 > 0:18:38is a young farmer who has resurrected her family's
0:18:38 > 0:18:41farming background.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Good morning, girls.
0:18:43 > 0:18:4525-year-old Molly Westwood
0:18:45 > 0:18:50breeds and sells award-winning pedigree cattle internationally.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54My father used to farm, and unfortunately, he had to sell up.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57It was a very hard day for us all.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00You don't realise how much you miss something
0:19:00 > 0:19:04until it's gone, and I wish I was a bit older at the time
0:19:04 > 0:19:07so I could almost step up and help Dad.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Being too young to take over
0:19:09 > 0:19:13has given Molly the drive and passion to build her own farm.
0:19:15 > 0:19:16At the age of 16,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Molly went to work on a large cattle farm in Canada,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21famous for its pedigree genetics.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Whilst I was there, we sold the most expensive cow
0:19:24 > 0:19:27on the market over there at 1.2 million.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33We won two of the biggest shows in the world several times.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37So it was a big eye-opener, and it made me very hungry to do it myself.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Hey, cheeky.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42I did bring back five embryos from one of my favourite cows.
0:19:42 > 0:19:48We implanted those into a couple of bulling heifers my parents had kept.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53And it seems Molly's early investment paid off.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57We were very lucky, we ended up with a few heifer calves from that,
0:19:57 > 0:19:58two bull calves.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Out of the three heifer calves, we had one Red and White,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04which is the really unique, rare one.
0:20:04 > 0:20:05Smile at the camera.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10The early success paved the way for Molly to expand the business
0:20:10 > 0:20:12and start turning a profit.
0:20:12 > 0:20:17But getting the funds was no easy task for a 23-year-old farmer.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21To apply for an agricultural mortgage
0:20:21 > 0:20:25at the age of 23 is very hard.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29We had a lot of banks basically laugh at me.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31But I know every figure of this business.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35I know exactly how everything works both outside and inside
0:20:35 > 0:20:38and on paper, which I think's important.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42At the end of the day, you know, we are all businesspeople.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46The farming, yes, it's a way of life, but it's a business.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49There aren't any words that can describe how proud I am of her,
0:20:49 > 0:20:50to be honest with you.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53She's got so much drive, she's got so much ambition.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55You know, she's got a full-time job
0:20:55 > 0:20:57as well as a full-time job on the farm.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59And the amount of work she does every morning
0:20:59 > 0:21:02before she goes to work
0:21:02 > 0:21:05and then as soon as she comes home, straight out the car,
0:21:05 > 0:21:09get into her work clothes, and she's out there another four hours.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Who's my favourite pet?
0:21:11 > 0:21:12Aren't you?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14We often say, "Oh, come on, you know,
0:21:14 > 0:21:16"you need to go and get a bloke,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19"get out there. Go out and enjoy yourself."
0:21:19 > 0:21:23"I can't, I've got to wash a heifer, I've got to trim a heifer,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26"I've got to clip..." Or something.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27And that is Molly.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Molly is... Moos, we used to call her.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32COW MOOS
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Molly's tenacity and business know-how
0:21:36 > 0:21:38in the international cattle market
0:21:38 > 0:21:42has earned her a rightful place on the judges' shortlist.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46To get that far against all the big guys out there...
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- Is something else. - ..is something very special.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51It's definitely a big night out for us.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53I think I've got to wear a dress,
0:21:53 > 0:21:55which I don't do very often!
0:21:55 > 0:21:57But it will be quite a special evening
0:21:57 > 0:21:59just spending time with me and my dad,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01to be honest with you.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03She's our winner.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07You know, basically, she's done everything she can for us, so...
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- She's definitely our winner. - We'll always celebrate success.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18All five of these nominees
0:22:18 > 0:22:21have shown absolute commitment and dedication to farming,
0:22:21 > 0:22:26and have pursued their dream through extremely challenging circumstances.
0:22:26 > 0:22:32It's a fantastic honour to be even considered as a worthy nominee.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Good girl. You came back to me.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38It's been a bit of a battle, but it's been a good battle.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41The important thing for us was to encourage other new entrants
0:22:41 > 0:22:45that through grit and determination, you can get there in the end.
0:22:45 > 0:22:46We're looking forward to it, yeah.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Luckily, we've managed to find a relief milker for tomorrow night
0:22:49 > 0:22:53so we can get down there and not worry about the cows.
0:22:53 > 0:22:54It's nice to be recognised, you know,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58that the council have seen what we've been doing here and, you know,
0:22:58 > 0:22:59they've thought to put us forward.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00Come on, Henry!
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Tonight, the British Farming Awards
0:23:23 > 0:23:26will honour the very best of the agricultural industry.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31In its fourth year, this prestigious event
0:23:31 > 0:23:34will bring together over 600 farmers
0:23:34 > 0:23:36in recognition of outstanding achievements.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43It's time to leave the woes and wellies of rural life behind
0:23:43 > 0:23:45and enjoy a night of glitz and glamour.
0:23:49 > 0:23:55'Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to celebrate the finalists.'
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Good evening, and a very warm welcome
0:23:57 > 0:23:59to the British Farming Awards.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07Everyone on the shortlist can be very proud to have made it here
0:24:07 > 0:24:10and you truly are the best of the best.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Over the course of the evening, 15 awards will be given out,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17including Family Business Of The Year
0:24:17 > 0:24:19and Farming Hero 2016.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23It's been a long and anxious wait, but finally,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27it's almost time for this year's Against The Odds award.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Nerve-racking now, isn't it?
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33You can feel the adrenaline in the room, definitely.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35All the atmosphere is building.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39Next up, it is one of our toughest awards.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44I think everybody knows how difficult it is
0:24:44 > 0:24:46to make it when you're a new entrant
0:24:46 > 0:24:48trying to strive to get into farming.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53So, our New Entrants award,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Against The Odds,
0:24:55 > 0:24:57sponsored by the NFU,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00will be presented by NFU president Meurig Raymond.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13'And here is the shortlist, beginning with...
0:25:13 > 0:25:15'Paul and Madeleine Crawley from Courthill Farm.'
0:25:15 > 0:25:18CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:18 > 0:25:22'James and Vicky Tattersall, JR Tattersall.'
0:25:22 > 0:25:23CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:23 > 0:25:26'Michael and Laura Trayte from M&L Dairying.'
0:25:26 > 0:25:28CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:28 > 0:25:31'Molly Westwood, Panda Holsteins.'
0:25:31 > 0:25:32CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:32 > 0:25:37'And James Wright from Wright Agricultural Management.'
0:25:37 > 0:25:38CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:38 > 0:25:41So, in this hard-fought-for category,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45silver has gone to Paul and Madeleine Crawley,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Courthill Farm.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:53 > 0:25:54The judges said
0:25:54 > 0:25:56that they demonstrated a willingness to move enterprises
0:25:56 > 0:25:59to achieve their dream of farming in their own right.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01That's all right, no, thank you very much.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06That's very good. All right, thank you very much.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09But Meurig, tell us who has the Gold award.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14'And the winner of the Gold...
0:26:24 > 0:26:27..Michael and Laura Trayte, M&L Dairying.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:26:45 > 0:26:47We chose Michael and Laura because we feel
0:26:47 > 0:26:52that they have demonstrated so much enthusiasm,
0:26:52 > 0:26:56dedication and they farm with such integrity.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00We know what that they are going to grow into a brilliant
0:27:00 > 0:27:03and sustainable farming business.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05'Ladies and gentlemen, our winners!'
0:27:07 > 0:27:10Sustainable businesses run by new farmers in the industry
0:27:10 > 0:27:12is at the core of Against The Odds.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15And it's why the National Farmers' Union
0:27:15 > 0:27:17is keen to sponsor the award.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21There is a huge amount of enthusiasm and young people out there
0:27:21 > 0:27:23who want to get involved in farming,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26so this is a recognition for their determination
0:27:26 > 0:27:28to get involved in the industry.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34It's some recognition for the journey we've travelled
0:27:34 > 0:27:36to achieve our farming objectives,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39so really overjoyed, to be honest.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41- Well done.- Oh, cheers, yeah!- Thanks!
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Didn't win, but I don't mind.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Was still the final five.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50It's nice to get some recognition that we've actually...
0:27:50 > 0:27:53What we're doing is right.
0:27:53 > 0:27:54And we are getting somewhere.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Very pleased for the other competitors,
0:27:57 > 0:27:59and just proud to be a part of it.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02To go from two pigs 36 months ago
0:28:02 > 0:28:05to 500 sheep now and a nomination in the British Farming Awards,
0:28:05 > 0:28:07it really doesn't get better than that.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11It has been a fairy tale journey and, yeah, we loved it.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14Yeah, it's nice to get dressed up, get out of the farm for an evening!
0:28:14 > 0:28:16It's been great tonight so far
0:28:16 > 0:28:18and hopefully we'll carry on celebrating
0:28:18 > 0:28:21and now we've got something to celebrate about, so...
0:28:21 > 0:28:22- Yeah.- It's good.