Devon County Show - Devon County Show award for modern farming at its best

A Devon farmer who is using state of the art technology to achieve the Holy Grail of modern farming – producing more, whilst impacting less – has won this year’s John Neason Award for Progressive Farming, presented by the Devon County Agricultural Association.

James Lee, of Lee Farm Services, based at Shobrooke near Crediton, specialises in using direct drilling to establish arable crops in one pass, so saving fuel and minimising the risk of damage to soil structure.  The technique is particularly useful for establishing winter wheat immediately after maize has been harvested in the autumn, when the risk of soil compaction and of run-off into watercourses is at its greatest, and nowhere more so than on the steeply sloping fields which are characteristic of Mid-Devon, where most of James’ customers farm.

“A farmer’s most important asset is his soil, and we are pleased that the system we use is not only benefiting our own farm, but also the many other farms we work on in Devon”, he says.

“Direct drilling is an example of what we call ‘conservation agriculture’, which is all about using science and technology to maximise yields, at the same time as minimising environmental impact and financial costs.”

The chairman of the judges for the award, Mark Neason, said:  “What we liked about James Lee’s approach was the way he is using the very latest techniques to produce outcomes that are good for farmers, good for food production and good for the environment.  To our minds, that is what ‘progressive farming’, which this award was set up to recognise, is all about.

"What particularly impressed the judges was the different way in which he had approached what is traditionally a very competitive business.  In order to maximise his chances of success James has created a comparatively niche product which is competitive on price and he is being particularly proactive in his marketing techniques"

He added: “It is also an excellent example of how younger people are bringing a new dynamism to farming in Devon.”

James is now researching how direct drilling techniques can be used to enhance the productivity of crops such as maize. He is working with a neighbouring farmer on trialling different cultivation techniques, and may even design and build his own cultivator to meet his needs.

“It is not a matter of just being more cost conscious”, he explains.  “We are looking to use machinery that will bring added benefits to enhance yield potential, soil productivity and health, and reduce farming’s impact on the wider environment.”

With his father Nick, and brother Jonathan, James farms beef, sheep and arable cropping at Uppincott Farm, Shobrooke.  Besides direct drilling, his contracting business offers a full range of cultivation and harvesting services, including silage harvesting using a forage wagon.

The runners-up for the award were husband and wife team James and Yta Batchelor, for the events venue which they have created in converted farm buildings and which is making an important contribution to the viability of their 90 acre mixed organic farm at Sutton Barton, Cullompton.

The award will be presented at the Devon County Show on Friday 20th May.

Picture caption: from left to right, Major Ranulf Rayner, 2011 Devon County Show President; Barbara Neason, who sponsors the John Neason Progressive Farming Award, congratulating Award winner James Lee and pictured with Mervyn Hosking, Chief Executive of Devon County Agricultural Association.

Picture courtesy of Alan Quick, Crediton Country Courier 

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Note to editors:   The John Neason Award for Progressive Farming was set up in memory of Devon County Land Agent John Neason, who was a partner in Colvilles and Honorary Land Agent to the Devon County Agricultural Association for many years.  It is supported by Mrs. Barbara Neason, the DCAA, Devon County Council Farms Estate and the Western Counties Agricultural Valuers Association.

Further information on Lee Farm Services can be obtained on www.leefarmservices.co.uk and on the Sutton Barton events venue from iybsutton@btinternet.com