The winners of the first ever DAFF 'Tomorrow’s Farmer' award, sponsored this year by Shoprite, was announced yesterday (Friday 7th August) at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show's Meet the Buyer Evening.

Mark Baines and Tracy Gelling of Gellings Eggs took the top honours for their freee range egg business, which is based near Onchan.

They received a cheque for ?200 and a magnificent glass trophy from John Speakman, Trading Manager of Shoprite.

Coming a very close second and winning ?100 were Robert and Catriona Morrey, who farm in Andreas, and the third prize of ?50 went to the Kneale family who farm at Lough Dhoo, Ballaugh.

An additional award – the Judges Special Award for a Young Farmer – was made by the judges and is also sponsored by Shoprite. 

It has been made to Darren Cleator who impressed the judges with his focussed and positive approach to farming and his belief in its future. 

The remaining nominees were presented with certificates and congratulated for making the short list of farmers considered for the award.

The nominees were Tim Allson, arable and beef farmer from St Judes, dairy farmers Andrew and Sue Sanders from Baldrine, Bryan Radcliffe, the 'Veg Man' from Regaby and sheep farmer Robbie Christian from Crosby.

The panel of judges was made up of David Cannan MHK, Barry Cowin, President of the Royal Manx Show, Howard Quayle, President of Manx NFU and Andrew Macdonald, SAC Agricultural Advisor.

Each judge nominated two candidates for the award and each farm was visited and assessed against criteria for farming efficiently and profitably, their focus on customers, their efforts to promote local food production, their plans to diversify their business and conservation activity on the farm.

David Cannan MHK said, "Judging was very challenging as we were impressed by all the nominees and in particular by their drive and enthusiasm for a positive future for farming in the Isle of Man. 

"I hope their stories will inspire and encourage other farmers to think creatively about their businesses and to believe in a bright future for Manx farming”.

Pictured (l-r): David Cannan MHK; Tracey Gelling and her young son Sam (Gelling's Eggs); Darren Cleator of Ballakeenan Beg, Jurby West; Robert and Catriona Morrey of Ballacorrey, Andreas; Mark and Figrid Kneale of Lough Dhoo, Ballaugh; and Andrew Macdonald, SAC Agricultural Adviser.