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.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Wiltshire is home to our first finalist
0:02:18 > 0:02:21in the New Entrants Against The Odds category.
0:02:21 > 0:02:2624-year-old James Wright is an ambitious first-time farmer.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29HE CALLS
0:02:29 > 0:02:31There hasn't been a farmer in my family for over 100 years.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34I always wanted to be a farmer, but was never allowed.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36I don't want to work for somebody else.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37I want to start my own company.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Focused on the dream of owning his own livestock,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45James literally couldn't wait to get started.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48I was in my last year at university and I was doing a business degree.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51I sort of thought, well, you know, pig-keeping,
0:02:51 > 0:02:52I've always wanted to do it.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54And I bought two pigs with my student loan and went from there.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57A seemingly simple plan was put into action.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00But farming can be a steep learning curve -
0:03:00 > 0:03:02especially when it comes to pigs.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04I'd driven seven hours, I was so excited.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06The moment I got my pigs back,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08there was this moment when I put the pigs in the pen,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10and it was an absolute disaster.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13It turns out it was the pigs who taught James
0:03:13 > 0:03:15his first valuable lesson.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17It's 1.00am.
0:03:18 > 0:03:19I've just travelled...
0:03:21 > 0:03:23..seven hours to pick up some pigs.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26And when I got them out, they were in this trailer.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30And then I put them in my paddock,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32and they ran clean through the electric fence.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35So now, they are somewhere out there.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41And I have no idea how to get them back.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Why on earth did I decide to keep pigs?
0:03:43 > 0:03:45There was this moment of thinking,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48"I'm so out of my depth, it's unbelievable."
0:03:48 > 0:03:51But the escaping pigs didn't put James off.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53It seems you can't keep a good farmer down.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56To expand the business, I needed to invest more money.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59I didn't have any more money, but if I sold the pigs,
0:03:59 > 0:04:00I could buy some sheep.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06The reason why I went to sheep was, the way a pig works,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09it costs about a pound a day to keep a pig alive.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13It costs about 30 or 40p a day to keep a sheep alive,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16so I'm able to be more dynamic with my money
0:04:16 > 0:04:19and how I'm using my limited investment.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24Being a shepherd means needing space to graze his flock of 500.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Affording that space was James's next hurdle.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Farming is an incredibly capital-intensive business.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33It takes years to get a return.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35A lamb born May this year will not be at full production
0:04:35 > 0:04:37for a full two years.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40So you're sinking in large amounts of capital,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42so banks are unwilling to lend.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47What James is aiming for is a long-term tenancy.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Previously, I've had three jobs and currently I run two jobs,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54but I need that long-term tenancy so the bank will then lend me the money
0:04:54 > 0:04:56that allows me to grow to a point
0:04:56 > 0:04:59where I can work full-time on the farm.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Still in search of farming's Holy Grail - a tenancy -
0:05:06 > 0:05:09James now rents land where he can.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11And it's for from ideal.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Unlike most farmers who had the family farm,
0:05:13 > 0:05:15or maybe land that they rent,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17and it's all in one block,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21my land is spread out all the way from Cirencester in Wiltshire
0:05:21 > 0:05:23all the way down to Sussex.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Because the farm's so spread out, I have to use contract staff.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32With livestock spread across three counties,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34James's staff costs are high.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Luckily, there is a paw for hire,
0:05:40 > 0:05:42who accepts payment in the form of biscuits.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Sid.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45Yeah, buddy.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Without the experience of his four-legged friends,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51this 24-year-old farmer wouldn't be able to carry out
0:05:51 > 0:05:53his daily shepherding duties.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56So we've got Dottie.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57Dottie is 18 months old.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59A new dog, so she's partly trained.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01She's getting there and we've got Sid as well.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Sid's 8 years old, so he's sort of been there, done that,
0:06:04 > 0:06:06nothing surprises him any more.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Sid! Wait.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12He's taught me more than anyone else, really, that dog.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13So, yeah, I've learnt loads from him.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16Oh!
0:06:16 > 0:06:18That was great.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20I'm going to try my best not to mess up Dottie, so, yeah,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23sheepdog training is a skill in itself,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26so you could spend your life doing it and never be perfect at it.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32James's drive to teach himself how to farm and build up a business
0:06:32 > 0:06:35is what has landed him on the shortlist
0:06:35 > 0:06:37for this year's Against The Odds award.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I think as somebody who's come from a non-farming background,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44you need as much help as you can get,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46so things like the British Farming Awards
0:06:46 > 0:06:49are a fantastic opportunity to get your name
0:06:49 > 0:06:52in front of the right people and really build that credibility,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54because at the end of the day, at the moment,
0:06:54 > 0:06:55I just don't have that.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Nestled in the fertile hills of West Sussex,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Paul and Madeleine Crawley and their two girls,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Myrtle and Delilah are the second short-listed family.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20They've managed to secure a ten-year tenancy.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23On 660 acres of National Trust land,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26they raise sheep and cattle and grow organic barley.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32It's a lifelong dream that first-time farmer Paul
0:07:32 > 0:07:35has harboured and worked towards.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39As soon as I left school, I left school at 16,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43and I just wanted to get to Agriculture College, so I did that,
0:07:43 > 0:07:47got out there, and I've just plugged away with this kind of goal
0:07:47 > 0:07:49that I want to be a farmer one day.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54His determination to become a farmer was unwavering.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Before I went to college,
0:07:56 > 0:07:57I picked tomatoes for the first summer
0:07:57 > 0:08:00so I could earn enough money to buy a moped
0:08:00 > 0:08:03so I could get to college, you know, it was 20 miles away.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05And I remember all the frosty mornings on the moped,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08you know, "Going to be a farmer one day," I think.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Yeah, you know, there hasn't been any easy breaks.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14And it's not been the quickest route,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17but we've stayed determined and we've stayed focused,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20and obviously, Madeleine is very much a big part of it, definitely.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Madeleine and Paul met on a dairy farm, and romance blossomed.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I'm a trained vet.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40I qualified 15 years ago from the Veterinary College in London,
0:08:40 > 0:08:44and then I met Paul on a farm...
0:08:46 > 0:08:47..and nine months later, I moved in.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56With love conquered, the couple's next goal was a farm of their own.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Their only option was to rent one,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00but this is much harder than it sounds.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04We applied for about seven farms, I suppose,
0:09:04 > 0:09:05over a five-year period.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Once we got ourselves into that position, you get quite close,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09and then you get the call saying,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12"Sorry, I'm afraid you haven't been successful."
0:09:12 > 0:09:14But you sort of pick yourself up
0:09:14 > 0:09:16and we want to do this, so we're going to have another go,
0:09:16 > 0:09:19and so we do and then, yeah, we got there in the end.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21We got there in the end, thankfully.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Well, the applications themselves are quite gruelling
0:09:24 > 0:09:27but also, financially, you've got to be in a position,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29and I just think the opportunities,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32there's just not that many opportunities for young people,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35particularly those that aren't from a farming background.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42As two heads are always better than one,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45their combined determination saw them secure land
0:09:45 > 0:09:48which they have built up into a thriving farm.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50The sheep enterprise is Madeleine.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53She sort of really takes the management decisions on that,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55really, bosses me about on that one.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Then, because I've got experience with cattle,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00I suppose that's probably more my baby, I suppose.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Fat Lasse's definitely lost a bit of weight.
0:10:04 > 0:10:05She was a bit too round.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08She used to be called Lovely Lasse, as you can see, by her ear tag.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12But then, she got a bit obese and so then, she was Fat Lasse.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13She does love her food.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19We've achieved this goal together,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23so every decision is made together, to be fair, yes, definitely.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26We're pretty good at talking...
0:10:27 > 0:10:29..and coming to a mutual decision.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Most of them, we agree on and we think similarly anyway.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36But, yeah, clearly I wear the trousers!
0:10:38 > 0:10:41Whilst the jury is out on who's in charge,
0:10:41 > 0:10:43it's quite clear this dynamic duo
0:10:43 > 0:10:46are equally in love with what they do.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48There are days where you sort of think, "Goodness me, you know,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51"it's a tough day" and you've got to kind of push yourself on.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I quite like those days, because you've got to sort of...
0:10:54 > 0:10:57And, yeah, grit your teeth and get on with it.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Their ambition is fuelled by a big dream
0:11:00 > 0:11:03to make their farm 100% organic.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06This is the results of this year's harvest.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09There's about 300 tons of organic barley
0:11:09 > 0:11:11which is hopefully destined to make organic beer.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16So it's income at times when we're not selling lambs or beef.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It just helps us to utilise the farm better, to be honest.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Our eggs are not all in one basket.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Spreads the risk.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29With the farm full of healthy livestock...
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Hello, you.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34..Paul and Madeleine are always looking to the future.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35The aim of the game is...
0:11:36 > 0:11:38..to get the farm up to a point
0:11:38 > 0:11:41where it's producing a sensible income
0:11:41 > 0:11:43and living, obviously.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45We're trying to bring up two children, as well,
0:11:45 > 0:11:46so that's important to us,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48and obviously, we're trying to create
0:11:48 > 0:11:51this sustainable organic farming system on this farm.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53It's definitely challenging, isn't it?
0:11:53 > 0:11:55And it's a constant learning curve, isn't it?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57New things come out, you meet new people.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00You go to different places and you learn different things.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06All this endless determination and toil
0:12:06 > 0:12:09has pushed them onto this year's final shortlist
0:12:09 > 0:12:11for overcoming the odds.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13It's fantastic to be short-listed,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16and we were over the moon when we got that news.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19It's nice to be recognised
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and have our story appreciated for what it was.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24And it means we can have a cracking night at the awards.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Yeah, it does mean we get to go out. That's right.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38200 miles north, rural Staffordshire
0:12:38 > 0:12:41is home to dairy farmers Michael and Laura Trayte,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44and their two-year-old twins, Henry and Oscar.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Are you putting straw in the bucket?
0:12:46 > 0:12:47No.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Oh? OK.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51For Michael, it's been a lifelong dream
0:12:51 > 0:12:53to get to where they are today.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54All right, girls.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56My dad used to milk cows a long time ago.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00Never owned a farm, but we had a five-acre paddock
0:13:00 > 0:13:01at the back of our house.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Well, I got gifted some sheep,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06and started from there, and then I got into dairy,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09got my first job as a graduate and that's where I met Laura.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15A year ago, Michael and Laura were lucky to get a ten-year tenancy
0:13:15 > 0:13:17with their local council.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20More than ten other young farmers had competed for it.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24Our landlord is the Staffordshire County Council.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27They own the farm. They own 8,500 acres
0:13:27 > 0:13:34in Staffordshire, which are let to new or young entrants in agriculture
0:13:34 > 0:13:36to give them a foot on the ladder.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38It's just a stepping stone onto a system
0:13:38 > 0:13:41that's quite expensive to get into,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44which we just wouldn't be able to afford to buy a farm.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Having secured the tenancy of 132 acres,
0:13:52 > 0:13:56it's been a struggle to get it up and running.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58When we arrived, there was no buildings,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00so we've worked with the landlord.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01The landlord's put a new shed up,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04and then we've done all the internal fixtures and fittings.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07It's just been putting all the fencing up this year,
0:14:07 > 0:14:08cos there was no fencing
0:14:08 > 0:14:10and obviously, there was no paddocks,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13so we've had to put in all the tracks.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15The first year's been the busiest, and then next year,
0:14:15 > 0:14:19it should slow down a little bit, but, yeah.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21As well as building the infrastructure,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24there's also the small matter of actually running the farm.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Hello. Hello.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29Dairy farming in general is quite challenging at times.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Yes, it's early mornings, late nights.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Late nights, yeah.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35You've really got to love it to do it, I think,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37cos a lot of people think you're crazy,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40especially from when you don't come from a farming background.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43It's sort of...
0:14:43 > 0:14:45People wonder why you do it.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47I mean, it is a business.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50We do want to make profit, but it is a lifestyle as well.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52A business it might be,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55but Laura still can't help but feel attached to her herd.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59This is my pet cow, Monty.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02She doesn't calve very often,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04but I'm allowed one that I can keep,
0:15:04 > 0:15:08and it doesn't matter whether she calves or doesn't.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10The majority of them have names,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12but it's quite hard when you haven't...
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I suppose when you haven't been brought up
0:15:15 > 0:15:17in that sort of environment,
0:15:17 > 0:15:21most of them seem like pets, but you've got to remember,
0:15:21 > 0:15:25they're a business, not just pets.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Mix it up, then, Oscar.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33All this hard work needs to pay off
0:15:33 > 0:15:36if the family is going to stay afloat.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Luckily, Michael and Laura have a plan.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Dairy industry has been tough the last 12 months.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45There's been a world oversupply and that's hit farm gate prices
0:15:45 > 0:15:47quite hard.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51I mean, some people have been getting as little as 13p a litre.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54The lowest we got down to was 17.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56But it's back up to 22p at the minute,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58and it looks to be quite bright,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01so hopefully, things will look up in the future.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09This resourceful farming couple have devised a way
0:16:09 > 0:16:11to try to keep costs down -
0:16:11 > 0:16:15a crucial strategy to the farm's survival.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- HE WHISTLES - Come on, girls!
0:16:17 > 0:16:21The farm is split into 20 paddocks and the idea is,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24the cows will go into fresh grass every day.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26The advantage of the system is
0:16:26 > 0:16:29we're limiting the amount of feed that we're buying in.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31We know what our grass is going to cost us.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Staffordshire is generally a good grass-growing area,
0:16:34 > 0:16:35get good rainfall,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38you know, we can grow good-quality grass.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43What about our new tractor?
0:16:43 > 0:16:45We don't need that if we're spreading straw, do we?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Tractor!
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Michael and Laura are hoping that the farm will be able to provide
0:16:50 > 0:16:54an income now and in the future for the twins.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55- Bale.- A bale.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- OK.- You go and spread that bale.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Farming with two boys is good.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03There's always something to do, and they always like mucking in.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04Give it to the cows.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06It's hard to keep them in the house most of the time
0:17:06 > 0:17:08cos they want to come out and help,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10or think that they're helping sometimes,
0:17:10 > 0:17:11and sometimes they're not!
0:17:11 > 0:17:14You might get a bit more done if they're in nursery,
0:17:14 > 0:17:16or went off for the day,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19but we like to spend time with them as well as being on the farm,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23and it's very much a family farm.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Good boy. Feed her some more, then.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26Give her some more.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30The next stage, we'll get the boys to school,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32and then that'll free us up a bit more time,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34so then we're going to try and expand, grow the herd.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37And then the aim is to have a business big enough
0:17:37 > 0:17:39so when they finish school or college,
0:17:39 > 0:17:41that if they want to come into it,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43then there is a job available.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45So when we retire, we don't have to sell the cows.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48We can keep them and let someone else have a chance, or the boys.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Yeah.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57A win in this year's New Entrants Against The Odds category
0:17:57 > 0:18:00will reward them for an innovative grazing experiment,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04and a year's incredible slog to get their fledgling farm this far.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09You'll like it when you're round here, Henry.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- Come on!- Kids and animals, eh?!
0:18:11 > 0:18:12Yeah, we're looking forward to it.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15We don't get out much, but... Now we've got the boys,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17and with the farm, we've been busy.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Be nice to actually put a dress on for once, out of wellies!
0:18:21 > 0:18:23You know, we've milked every day since we came here,
0:18:23 > 0:18:28because there's not the money to pay labour, so it's nice to be...
0:18:28 > 0:18:30we're going to milk on the night.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33We're going to drive down, drive back the same night,
0:18:33 > 0:18:35and milk in the morning.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Just a few fields away are fellow
0:18:47 > 0:18:50dairy farmers James and Vicky Tattersall
0:18:50 > 0:18:51and their three children
0:18:51 > 0:18:54who are also short-listed in this year's awards.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01James and Vicky both come from farming backgrounds,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04but in James's family, it's skipped a generation.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06He's been working hard ever since
0:19:06 > 0:19:09to bring farming back into the Tattersall family.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11My grandparents were farming.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15I basically spent weekends and the odd afternoon and holidays
0:19:15 > 0:19:17helping them out, growing up.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19He retired when I was about 14...
0:19:20 > 0:19:23..so obviously, we all missed it as a family.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32James and Vicky were also granted a farming tenancy from the council
0:19:32 > 0:19:34and started out with just 20 cows.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40But with no money coming in, they had to find a way to make ends meet.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44When we first got the place,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47James was working away from here,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50and I was having to milk as well as go to college,
0:19:50 > 0:19:54as well as having a part-time job on a weekend.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57It was hard, but I've always been used to farming.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59I've always had it in my family.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03My grandparents farmed and then my dad's farming and now we're farming.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05These young farmers have worked day and night
0:20:05 > 0:20:07to build a future for themselves.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09It can be difficult at times,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12especially having the three of them now.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Vicky's pretty tied in the house morning and afternoon.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16When I'm milking,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18particularly if I have a problem in the parlour,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20I've got to sort it out on my own.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Keeping on top of a busy dairy farm
0:20:25 > 0:20:28is a challenge with a growing family.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Before we had them, I used to always milk for James
0:20:31 > 0:20:33whilst he did other jobs.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36But now I can't really be out there
0:20:36 > 0:20:38and be in the house at the same time.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41I'd love to be out there, just to have a swap with him,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43but he never seems keen.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Perhaps because he knows it's a madhouse!
0:20:47 > 0:20:49SHE LAUGHS
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Running the farm single-handedly can be tough,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00but it's been external market forces that have really tested them.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02The workload has been tough at times.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06We had to throw some hours in, it's been 70 to 80-hour weeks,
0:21:06 > 0:21:07if not more, at times.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10But the biggest challenge, I'd say, over the last 18 months,
0:21:10 > 0:21:12was milk price drops.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15You know, I don't like to keep moaning about it because we don't,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19we try and be positive, but it has put pressure on the finances.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22It probably has held us back growing.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26You know, we've lost about a third of the income.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29So, you know, you've got to find the difference from somewhere.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32So we went through our costings.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Obviously, you can't skimp on your cows.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37You know, they've still got to be looked after.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Whilst James has managed to keep the farm afloat,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50it's been a challenge dealing with bovine tuberculosis.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53The TB situation, it is a high-risk area.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Thankfully, we had one case four years ago
0:21:59 > 0:22:00which came back to be false.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Once TB is suspected,
0:22:02 > 0:22:06herd movement is restricted to prevent the risk of spreading.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09We still had to test 60 days after that
0:22:09 > 0:22:12and they stopped us moving cattle off for 60 days, you know,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16but it just makes trading tough cos you can't sell your calves.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Despite the blows and setbacks,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22Vicky and James remain resilient and optimistic.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24I guess it's probably in my blood.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27You know, bit of a family history in farming.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29And it's hard to turn your back on it when you want to do it.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32You know, I can see where what we're doing is working,
0:22:32 > 0:22:35at a slow pace, as it might be, but it is working.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44With three children under four,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47a new farm to build, and the pressure of the milk industry,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49the British Farming Awards judges
0:22:49 > 0:22:53had no problem selecting James and Vicky as finalists.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55We're looking forward to it. Didn't expect to get anywhere.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Then we found out we got shortlisted
0:22:57 > 0:22:59in the New Entry category.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03So we've got to go down tomorrow night to Droitwich.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05See how we get on.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I think it will mean a lot for James, winning.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Because he's put, like, his heart and soul into it.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13It's like his baby, having the farm.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16It will just be a big achievement, really.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Over the past five years, it's been a lot of hard work.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23So it'd just be good for somebody to acknowledge it.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Finally, 190 miles away in Devon,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34is a young farmer who has resurrected her family's
0:23:34 > 0:23:37farming background.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Good morning, girls.
0:23:39 > 0:23:4125-year-old Molly Westwood
0:23:41 > 0:23:46breeds and sells award-winning pedigree cattle internationally.
0:23:46 > 0:23:51My father used to farm, and unfortunately, he had to sell up.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53It was a very hard day for us all.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57You don't realise how much you miss something
0:23:57 > 0:24:01until it's gone, and I wish I was a bit older at the time
0:24:01 > 0:24:04so I could almost step up and help Dad.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Being too young to take over
0:24:06 > 0:24:09has given Molly the drive and passion to build her own farm.
0:24:11 > 0:24:12At the age of 16,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Molly went to work on a large cattle farm in Canada,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18famous for its pedigree genetics.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Whilst I was there, we sold the most expensive cow
0:24:21 > 0:24:24on the market over there at 1.2 million.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29We won two of the biggest shows in the world several times.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34So it was a big eye-opener, and it made me very hungry to do it myself.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35Hey, cheeky.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38It wasn't just an appetite to set up her own business
0:24:38 > 0:24:42that Molly returned with after her time in Canada.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46I did bring back five embryos from one of my favourite cows.
0:24:46 > 0:24:52We implanted those into a couple of bulling heifers my parents had kept.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56And it seems Molly's early investment paid off.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00We were very lucky, we ended up with a few heifer calves from that,
0:25:00 > 0:25:01two bull calves.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Out of the three heifer calves, we had one Red and White,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07which is the really unique, rare one.
0:25:07 > 0:25:08Smile at the camera.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13The early success paved the way for Molly to expand the business
0:25:13 > 0:25:15and start turning a profit.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20But getting the funds was no easy task for a 23-year-old farmer.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24To apply for an agricultural mortgage
0:25:24 > 0:25:28at the age of 23 is very hard.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32We had a lot of banks basically laugh at me.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34But I know every figure of this business.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38I know exactly how everything works both outside and inside
0:25:38 > 0:25:41and on paper, which I think's important.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45At the end of the day, you know, we are all businesspeople.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49The farming, yes, it's a way of life, but it's a business.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51There aren't any words that can describe how proud I am of her,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53to be honest with you.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56She's got so much drive, she's got so much ambition.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57You know, she's got a full-time job
0:25:57 > 0:26:00as well as a full-time job on the farm.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02And the amount of work she does every morning
0:26:02 > 0:26:04before she goes to work
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and then as soon as she comes home, straight out the car,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11get into her work clothes, and she's out there another four hours.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Who's my favourite pet?
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Aren't you?
0:26:20 > 0:26:25Despite the long hours and physical work, Molly couldn't be happier.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27She is just mad on cows.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29She lives, eats, breathes cows.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31She drives me mad about cows.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34But cows are her life.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38There's days where it's pouring down with rain, freezing cold...
0:26:39 > 0:26:41..yeah, you don't want to do it...
0:26:42 > 0:26:44..but when you come in the barn, it's like therapy.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46SHE LAUGHS
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Yeah, what's not to like, you know?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58We often say, "Oh, come on, you know,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00"you need to go and get a bloke,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03"get out there. Go out and enjoy yourself."
0:27:03 > 0:27:06"I can't, I've got to wash a heifer, I've got to trim a heifer,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09"I've got to clip..." Or something.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11And that is Molly.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Molly is... Moos, we used to call her.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15COW MOOS
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Molly's tenacity and business know-how
0:27:20 > 0:27:22in the international cattle market
0:27:22 > 0:27:26has earned her a rightful place on the judges' shortlist.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30To get that far against all the big guys out there...
0:27:30 > 0:27:33- Is something else.- ..is something very special.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35It's definitely a big night out for us.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37I think I've got to wear a dress,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39which I don't do very often!
0:27:39 > 0:27:41But it will be quite a special evening
0:27:41 > 0:27:43just spending time with me and my dad,
0:27:43 > 0:27:45to be honest with you.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47She's our winner.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51You know, basically, she's done everything she can for us, so...
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- She's definitely our winner. - We'll always celebrate success.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02All five of these nominees
0:28:02 > 0:28:05have shown absolute commitment and dedication to farming,
0:28:05 > 0:28:10and have pursued their dream through extremely challenging circumstances.
0:28:10 > 0:28:15It's a fantastic honour to be even considered as a worthy nominee.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Good girl. You came back to me.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22It's been a bit of a battle, but it's been a good battle.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24The important thing for us was to encourage other new entrants
0:28:24 > 0:28:27that through grit and determination, you can get there in the end.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31We're looking forward to it, yeah.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Luckily, we've managed to find a relief milker for tomorrow night
0:28:33 > 0:28:37so we can get down there and not worry about the cows.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39It's nice to be recognised, you know,
0:28:39 > 0:28:41that the council have seen what we've been doing here and, you know,
0:28:41 > 0:28:43they've thought to put us forward.
0:28:43 > 0:28:44Come on, Henry!
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Tonight, the British Farming Awards
0:29:10 > 0:29:13will honour the very best of the agricultural industry.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18In its fourth year, this prestigious event
0:29:18 > 0:29:20will bring together over 600 farmers
0:29:20 > 0:29:23in recognition of outstanding achievements.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29It's time to leave the woes and wellies of rural life behind
0:29:29 > 0:29:32and enjoy a night of glitz and glamour.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Tonight's awards are being held in Worcestershire.
0:29:42 > 0:29:4724-year-old shepherd James has decided to make a night of it.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48I've brought my girlfriend, Isabel.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51She's come all the way from Essex for the evening.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Tonight's going to be a real change
0:29:53 > 0:29:55from the sort of the mud of the farm to a posh hotel,
0:29:55 > 0:29:58so, yeah, it's nice to get out of the mud for a day.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Organic farmers Paul and Madeleine
0:30:00 > 0:30:04have also decided to have a rare night off the farm.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06- That way?- No, don't worry.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Good job you don't have to wear these every day, isn't it?
0:30:08 > 0:30:09It certainly is.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11HE LAUGHS
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Getting dressed up doesn't come easy, to be honest.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15I'm much more comfortable in my gumboots
0:30:15 > 0:30:17and my waterproofs, to be honest.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Yeah, I think we...
0:30:19 > 0:30:21I've chosen my one of two dresses
0:30:21 > 0:30:23and hopefully, it will make it through the night.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Do you miss your boiler suit?
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Yeah, I miss it. I miss my jeans and wellies, yeah.
0:30:28 > 0:30:29THEY LAUGH
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Also ditching their overalls,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39international cattle breeder Molly and her proud dad, Andrew.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Very excited tonight.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Yeah, we've got here a bit early, but we're very excited.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Yeah. Glad to be here.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53Yeah, really exciting to be involved in an event like this.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Staffordshire neighbours Michael and Laura Trayte
0:30:57 > 0:30:59and James and Vicky Tattersall
0:30:59 > 0:31:01have left their young families in safe hands
0:31:01 > 0:31:04for a welcome night off.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06It's nice to get dressed up and come out for a night, really.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09It's the first time we've really left the boys, like,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11tonight for a night out, so...
0:31:11 > 0:31:12In two years.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17The British Farming Awards are judged and hosted
0:31:17 > 0:31:20by prominent figures in the industry,
0:31:20 > 0:31:23who are keen to support and reward the exceptional effort
0:31:23 > 0:31:26of all the farmers nominated.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Events like these are really important for the industry
0:31:28 > 0:31:31because I think we sometimes are not very good at celebrating
0:31:31 > 0:31:33when things go really well.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35It's absolutely fantastic to have, you know,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38five such great businesses on the shortlist this evening.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41I'm really looking forward to seeing who actually wins.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46The New Entrants Against The Odds award
0:31:46 > 0:31:48is the most-entered category tonight.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52It was a hard choice for the judges to select the final five.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Each one represented dedication,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57commitment,
0:31:57 > 0:32:01examples of how they, literally, did face the odds.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06They tackled them head-on, they are innovative, they're driven,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08they're dynamic,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11and it comes across very strongly in their personalities.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14And I can't wait to have all the finalists in the room,
0:32:14 > 0:32:16and just make them feel like
0:32:16 > 0:32:17they're part of something really special,
0:32:17 > 0:32:20because they are really, really talented.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25First, what our farmers have been particularly looking forward to -
0:32:25 > 0:32:28being fed and watered by someone else.
0:32:39 > 0:32:40With the dining over,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43it's time to get ready for the main event.
0:32:48 > 0:32:54'Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to celebrate the finalists.'
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Good evening, and a very warm welcome
0:32:56 > 0:32:58to the British Farming Awards.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06Everyone on the shortlist can be very proud to have made it here
0:33:06 > 0:33:09and you truly are the best of the best.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Over the course of the evening, 15 awards will be given out,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16including Family Business Of The Year
0:33:16 > 0:33:18and Farming Hero 2016.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23So, next it's Dairy Innovator of the Year.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Now, it's all about the next generation,
0:33:33 > 0:33:35with Agricultural Student of the Year.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41It's been a long and anxious wait, but finally,
0:33:41 > 0:33:44it's almost time for this year's Against The Odds award.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48If we won it, it would mean a lot
0:33:48 > 0:33:53and it would show that if it's your dream to farm,
0:33:53 > 0:33:57and you don't come from a farming background, you CAN do it.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59We're all in it to win it.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02It would do the family proud, too, so...
0:34:02 > 0:34:03Yeah, mean a lot.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06I think it's even-stevens, isn't it?
0:34:06 > 0:34:09I don't know. Yeah, we stand as much chance as anyone else.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12Nerve-racking now, isn't it?
0:34:12 > 0:34:14Yeah.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Probably feeling a bit more apprehensive,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19a bit more nervous about it, but I'm looking forward to it,
0:34:19 > 0:34:20see what happens.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22You can feel the adrenaline in the room, definitely.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24All the atmosphere is building.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28Next up, it is one of our toughest awards.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33I think everybody knows how difficult it is
0:34:33 > 0:34:35to make it when you're a new entrant
0:34:35 > 0:34:38trying to strive to get into farming.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42So, our New Entrants award,
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Against The Odds,
0:34:44 > 0:34:46sponsored by the NFU,
0:34:46 > 0:34:48will be presented by NFU president Meurig Raymond.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01'And here is the shortlist, beginning with...
0:35:02 > 0:35:04'Paul and Madeleine Crawley from Courthill Farm.'
0:35:04 > 0:35:07CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:35:07 > 0:35:11These first-time farmers have secured a National Trust tenancy
0:35:11 > 0:35:14and run a mixed organic farm of cattle, sheep and barley.
0:35:16 > 0:35:17Everyone says it's a way of life,
0:35:17 > 0:35:19that probably is very true.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23But it's a cracking office to work in,
0:35:23 > 0:35:24isn't it, to be fair.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27More than winning, it's more about being...
0:35:27 > 0:35:29I think, for both Paul and I,
0:35:29 > 0:35:30it's been about taking part.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32I think Paul is really keen
0:35:32 > 0:35:33to have the story out there
0:35:33 > 0:35:35just to encourage people, that,
0:35:35 > 0:35:36actually, if farming is your dream,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38you CAN achieve it,
0:35:38 > 0:35:39you just need the sheer grit
0:35:39 > 0:35:40and determination.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48'James and Vicky Tattersall, JR Tattersall.'
0:35:50 > 0:35:53This young couple have fought to overcome
0:35:53 > 0:35:54the challenges of herd health,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57milk price drops and a growing family.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01I guess it's probably in the blood.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04You know, bit of a family history in farming.
0:36:04 > 0:36:05You know, I can see what
0:36:05 > 0:36:07we're doing is working,
0:36:07 > 0:36:08at a slow pace, as it might be,
0:36:08 > 0:36:09but it is working.
0:36:09 > 0:36:10I think it will mean
0:36:10 > 0:36:13a lot for James, winning.
0:36:13 > 0:36:14Over the past five years,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17it's been a lot of hard work,
0:36:17 > 0:36:19so it'd just be good
0:36:19 > 0:36:20for somebody to acknowledge it.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27'Michael and Laura Trayte from M&L Dairying.'
0:36:27 > 0:36:29CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Our third nominees secured a ten-year council tenancy farm
0:36:35 > 0:36:38and their innovative grass-feeding controls costs.
0:36:40 > 0:36:41Dairy farming in general
0:36:41 > 0:36:43is quite challenging at times.
0:36:43 > 0:36:44Yeah, it's early mornings,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- late nights.- Late nights, yeah.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48And you've really got to love it
0:36:48 > 0:36:49to do it, I think.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Cos a lot of people think you're crazy,
0:36:51 > 0:36:52especially from when you don't come
0:36:52 > 0:36:54from a farming background,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56it's sort of...
0:36:56 > 0:36:58People wonder why you do it, but it's...
0:36:58 > 0:36:59I mean, it IS a business,
0:36:59 > 0:37:01we do want to make profit,
0:37:01 > 0:37:03but it is a lifestyle as well.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09'Molly Westwood, Panda Holsteins.'
0:37:09 > 0:37:10This young farmer has grown
0:37:10 > 0:37:14an international pedigree cattle-breeding enterprise,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17managing to secure finance on the back of a strong business plan
0:37:17 > 0:37:19when she was only 23.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23We had a lot of banks basically
0:37:23 > 0:37:24laugh at me,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27but I know every figure of this business.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29I know exactly how everything works.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31It's been a bit of a battle,
0:37:31 > 0:37:34but it's been a good battle.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41'And James Wright from Wright Agricultural Management.'
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Over last nominee on the judges' shortlist
0:37:47 > 0:37:49is a first-time farmer
0:37:49 > 0:37:52managing a sizeable flock across three counties.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54He's fought to find a suitable tenancy,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57but continues his search in spite of the struggle.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59I always wanted to be a farmer.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01As a child, I used to spend
0:38:01 > 0:38:02lots of time on farms
0:38:02 > 0:38:04during holidays and sort of,
0:38:04 > 0:38:05you know, getting in the way
0:38:05 > 0:38:07of the farmer and, yeah, so,
0:38:07 > 0:38:08it's lots of different reasons
0:38:08 > 0:38:10why I've sort of fallen in love with farming.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Another huge round of applause.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:38:14 > 0:38:18The blood, sweat and tears to get to this point have all been worth it.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23The five nominees brace themselves to find out who gets gold.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25But first up, is silver.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28So, in this hard-fought-for category,
0:38:28 > 0:38:32silver has gone to Paul and Madeleine Crawley,
0:38:32 > 0:38:33Courthill Farm.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:38:40 > 0:38:41The judges said
0:38:41 > 0:38:43that they demonstrated a willingness to move enterprises
0:38:43 > 0:38:46to achieve their dream of farming in their own right.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48That's all right, no, thank you very much.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53That's very good. All right, thank you very much.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56But Meurig, tell us who has the Gold award.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01'And the winner of the Gold...
0:39:10 > 0:39:14..Michael and Laura Trayte, M&L Dairying.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:39:38 > 0:39:40So if we can all just give them a clap,
0:39:40 > 0:39:42because I think they really deserve it.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44APPLAUSE
0:39:48 > 0:39:52To win it as a team, we've always farmed together, that's how we met,
0:39:52 > 0:39:54so it's nice to win an award together.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58- Yeah, it's...- It's really family sort of orientated,
0:39:58 > 0:40:02with the boys on the farm with us and growing them up around this.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Hopefully, we'll get them enthusiastic about this
0:40:05 > 0:40:06in the future.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Yeah.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12We chose Michael and Laura because we feel
0:40:12 > 0:40:17that they have demonstrated so much enthusiasm,
0:40:17 > 0:40:21dedication and they farm with such integrity.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23And their business plan going forward
0:40:23 > 0:40:25just shows so much promise,
0:40:25 > 0:40:30and we know what that they are going to grow into a brilliant
0:40:30 > 0:40:32and sustainable farming business.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38'Ladies and gentlemen, our winners!'
0:40:39 > 0:40:43Sustainable businesses run by new farmers in the industry
0:40:43 > 0:40:45is at the core of Against The Odds.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48And it's why the National Farmers' Union
0:40:48 > 0:40:50is keen to sponsor the award.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52You look back over the last 50 years
0:40:52 > 0:40:54and the young people that have come
0:40:54 > 0:40:57in to farming, against the odds,
0:40:57 > 0:41:02have actually really driven the industry forward, new technology,
0:41:02 > 0:41:03new ideas.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07There is a huge amount of enthusiasm and young people out there
0:41:07 > 0:41:09who want to get involved in farming,
0:41:09 > 0:41:12so this is a recognition for their determination
0:41:12 > 0:41:14to get involved in the industry.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21To be honest, it's been a fantastic evening, to come along,
0:41:21 > 0:41:24we've won an award and that's absolutely fantastic,
0:41:24 > 0:41:28so it's some recognition for the journey we've travelled
0:41:28 > 0:41:30to achieve our farming objectives,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32so really overjoyed, to be honest, it's...
0:41:32 > 0:41:33- yeah.- Well done.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37- Oh, cheers, yeah!- Thanks!
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Didn't win, but I don't mind.
0:41:40 > 0:41:41Was still the final five.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44It's nice to get some recognition that we've actually...
0:41:44 > 0:41:46What we're doing is right.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48And we are getting somewhere.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Very pleased for the other competitors,
0:41:51 > 0:41:54and just proud to be a part of it.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56It was a real honour to be nominated.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58To go from two pigs 36 months ago
0:41:58 > 0:42:01to 500 sheep now and a nomination in the British Farming Awards,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03it really doesn't get better than that.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06It has been a fairy tale journey and, yeah, we loved it.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10Yeah, it's nice to get dressed up, get out of the farm for an evening!
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Hopefully, we can show that it is a good career
0:42:13 > 0:42:16for young people to try and get into.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18It's been great tonight so far
0:42:18 > 0:42:20and hopefully we'll carry on celebrating
0:42:20 > 0:42:23and now we've got something to celebrate about, so...
0:42:23 > 0:42:24- Yeah.- It's good.