Methwold family shortlisted for British Farming Award

A Methwold family has been named as finalists in the 2018 British Farming Awards which recognises innovation and hard work across the industry.

The Wortley family farms 4,000 acres in South West Norfolk, and has been shortlisted for the Family Farming Business of the Year category, which is sponsored by Morrisons.

The business O.W. Wortley and Sons, based at Holmebrink Farm crops potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beet, parsnips, oilseed rape and maize.

Paul Wortley, whose grandfather Owen Wortley bought the farm in 1956, said the family were delighted to have been shortlisted for the awards. He said: "This is a reward which recognises all our hard work. We have never been nominated before. Everyone in the family has an area of responsibility and we all work together with the same objective.

"When my grandfather bought the farm it had 30 acres. Now over 60 years later it has progressed to 4,000 acres. Gradually during that time, more land has been added and investments made to assist the farm's development."

One of these is an extensive irrigation system which has helped to provide good yields this year in spite of the long, hot dry summer. In the 1960s a borehole was sunk which transformed productivity and today the farm has six reservoirs providing water whenever it's needed.

The farm's founder, Owen Wortley, had a daughter, who emigrated to Canada, and two sons, David and Andrew, who are the farm's directors.

Andrew, now retired, has three sons Christopher, Daniel and Samuel and David has two sons, Paul and Matthew. All are actively involved on the farm.

Now in its sixth year, The British Farming Awards recognises the hard work, innovation and determination throughout Britain’s farming industry,

The awards are organised by AgriBriefing, parent company of Farmers Guardian, Arable Farming and Dairy Farmer, and there are 60 finalists as part of this year’s event.

There are 15 categories recognising farming’s core sectors, including arable, beef, sheep, dairy and machinery, as well as acknowledging the vast array of farm diversifications emerging as farmers add value to their businesses.

The awards ceremony is taking place at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham, on Thursday, October 18.