RISEHOLME COLLEGE

The host farm this year was Great Tew Estate lieing eight miles north east of Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.  Thanks go to the Colin Woodward and his management team at Great Tew Estate for all their support in delivering a first class competion venue.

Riseholme College concluded that  Great Tew Estate is a diverse farming business that strives to adapt enterprises and improve assets to overcome present and future challenges.

Riseholme suggested that a partial or total loss of farm subsidy post-Brexit requires Great Tew Estate to reduce their overhead costs.

The Judging panel made up of the owner of Great Tew Estate, Nicholas Johnston; Colin Woodward, Farm Manager; Kate Henderson, Farm Secretary; Tim Brigstocke MBE, IAgrM Council; Richard Cooksley, IAgrM; Jack Yates, Farmers Weekly; Ben Hatton, Farmplan; Euryn Jones, HSBC; Emma Watson & Peter Bird of Glencore were particularly impressed by the recommendation by Riseholme to incorporate a diversification venture by adding 9ha of Lavender within the crop rotation. Risehome further recommended that the Lavender could be used to produce candles on site which would in conjunction necessitate the erection of four shepherd huts and renovation of the walled garden as a public attraction so providing an increase in turnover.IAgrM would be pleased to hear from any suitable farming enterprise who would like to be future hosts for this special competition.  Please email victoria@iagrm.com to discuss.