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For fourteen years, the British Farming Awards has shone a light on the best in British Farming. During this annual event, Britain's farming industry comes together to celebrate the achievements of its contemporaries.ÌýÌý

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The 2026 Grassland Farmer of the Year finalists have been selected because of their outstanding farming techniques. Each finalist is pushing the boundaries of grassland management, with their knowledge and application of such resulting in leading yields and quality nutritional values, alongside sustainable practices.

While this award is open to all sectors, the finalists selected have developed innovative grazing systems, maximising grass growth and nutritional potential, whether that be through reseeding, mowing, achieving good soil health and regular monitoring.Ìý ÌýÌý

Finalists for the Grassland Farmer of the Year Award – Sponsored by GerminalÌýÌý

BB Haylage – Manby Grange, LincolnshireÌý

For the Billings family, farming at Manby Grange has been a way of life for more than a century. Today, however, the 100ha family farm is embracing change, with 24-year-old Billy Billings helping to drive a new direction focused on grassland, diversification and haylage production.Ìý

Working alongside his parents, Emma and Mark, Billy recognised that traditional cereal production was becoming increasingly challenging, particularly amid low cereal prices. With every acre needing to contribute to the viability of the family business, the introduction of haylage provides an important new income stream while complementing the farm's pedigree Limousin herd.Ìý

The business places a strong emphasis on producing high-quality forage, recognising the importance of excellent silage and haylage to livestock performance. Grassland also plays a valuable role within the wider rotation, helping the farm tackle blackgrass while integrating cattle and cereal production.

Investment in machinery has been central to the strategy, enabling the family to manage grassland effectively and produce a high-quality product for customers. The approach also reflects the importance of diversification on a small family farm, particularly as cereal margins remain under pressure.Ìý

Looking ahead, weather and an increasingly unpredictable climate remain key challenges. The family plans to build greater resilience by producing more grass, maintaining healthy soils and ensuring the right machinery is available when needed.

Sustainability is also central to the farm's future, with cattle manure recycled back onto the land, careful consideration of nitrate use and exploration of compost to support soil health. For BB Haylage, innovation is helping ensure Manby Grange remains a productive and sustainable family farm for generations to come.Ìý

SEE ALSO: Grassland farmers urged to be mindful of 'shrink' this silage season

Graham Parks – G Parks, CheshireÌý

For Graham Parks, proactive grassland management has been at the heart of a successful beef enterprise for more than two decades. Farming 117.6ha, including 16.6ha owned and 101ha tenanted, Graham buys around 250 calves from a single spring-calving Arla dairy herd, predominantly Aberdeen Angus and Hereford, before developing them into grass-fed beef cattle.Ìý

Graham has rotationally grazed cattle for 23 years, a system inspired by a dairy farm where he saw the potential of producing milk from forage. Today, around 95% of his cattle's diet comes from grass and forage, helping reduce concentrate costs while improving performance.Ìý

Strict rotational grazing has also transformed the farm's land. When Graham took on his current tenancy 10 years ago, around 100 acres were heavily affected by ragwort and a further 40 acres by creeping thistle. Through grazing management and topping, without using sprays, weed levels have fallen by more than 99%.

Since 2020, Graham has introduced herbal leys to improve soil health, drought resilience and reduce fertiliser requirements, while weekly grass-growth recording through Agrinet has strengthened decision-making. These measures have helped reduce finishing age from 32 to 27 months, while profitability has tripled in five years.Ìý

Environmental stewardship is equally important. Streams have been fenced, hedgerows planted, fertiliser use reduced and 25 acres entered into GS4. Graham also uses annual carbon audits to track progress. With beef prices currently providing an opportunity to reinvest, Graham is focused on securing the business's future while continuing to demonstrate how productive beef farming and environmental improvement can work hand in hand.Ìý

SEE ALSO: Grassland and genetics at heart of a Welsh family farm

William Roobottom – Cowley Hill Farm, StaffordshireÌý

For William Roobottom, grass is the foundation of a progressive sheep enterprise built around efficiency, low input costs and strong flock performance. Farming 200ha at Cowley Hill Farm, William runs a predominantly Lleyn flock, with 350 breeding ewes and 185 ewe hoggs, producing both pedigree breeding females and quality prime lambs.Ìý

Since introducing sheep to the family business in 2015, William has continually refined the system, with a major shift in the past two years from intensive indoor lambing to outdoor lambing. By selecting sheep for maternal ability, easy lambing and strong milking traits, the move has reduced labour, bedding and feed costs while allowing the flock to expand without major infrastructure investment.Ìý

Grass management is central to the system, with rotational grazing and careful utilisation of hay meadows and Italian ryegrass aftermaths. Neither ewes nor lambs receive concentrates, while improved genetics and forage management have lifted lamb daily liveweight gains from around 180g to consistently 300–330g.Ìý

The changes have delivered a £40 increase in profit margin per lamb over the past two years, while flock numbers have more than doubled. Proactive flock health management, including faecal egg counts, vaccination and MV accreditation, further supports performance and reduces unnecessary medicine use.Ìý

William is now embarking on an exciting new chapter after securing a council farm tenancy, providing scope for further growth. He is also exploring shedding genetics to reduce shearing and labour requirements. Alongside farming, William uses YouTube and social media to share an honest insight into modern sheep farming, helping improve public understanding while creating additional year-round income.Ìý

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Tickets are to celebrate with the finalists at The British Farming Awards on October 15 at VOX in Birmingham.Ìý Ìý