Farmer wins award

A dairy farmer has scooped a top award for his holding near Ellesmere.

Andrew Gresty has won the New Holland Beautiful Farm Award for his farm in Overton, in a national campaign aimed at recognising and rewarding farmers for their care and stewardship of the countryside.

Winner of the dairy category, 29-year-old Andrew, has a 125-cow dairy herd and sells the milk yield to local producer Belton Cheese.

But it was his careful management of the flowers and rare animal species that won him the praise of the judges.

"I'm delighted to have won", he said. "Farmers obviously have a close relationship with the countryside but they are also businessmen and the awards show that farming can be successful and environmentally sensitive.

"We try to take pride in everything that we do on the farm, so careful management of the 13 ponds and the areas around them have made it a haven for wildlife.

"There are many bird species of course, but we also have orchids and primroses and the Botanical Society of the British Isles uses the farm as monitoring point as the farm neighbours a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

"The ponds are also home to very rare species such as the lesser silver water beetle and the great crested newt. Initially, we were concerned about the cattle damaging the pond environment and were going to fence it off, but were advised that the hoof marks capture water and are easily warmed, creating an ideal breeding ground."

Agricultural machinery manufacturer New Holland, which promotes biodiesel in agriculture, sponsored the awards. Its UK business director, Andrew Watson, said: "Many people enjoy the beauty of the countryside but perhaps don't appreciate the unsung work of farmers who combine a modern, productive business with the protection and enhancement of the rural environment."

Andrew received his award from MP James Paice, part of the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs team, at a lunch at the House of Commons.

By Antonia Merola