An article exploring the controversial issue of badgers and their role in the spread of bovine tuberculosis among cattle was one of the winning entries in the Guild's 2011 Yara Journalism Awards, presented at the annual harvest lunch by Benoit Lamaison, managing director of Yara UK. Use the highlighted links to read the winning articles.
Winners of the Guild's Yara Journalism Awards 2011: Peter Hall (second from left), Sarah Trickett and Mike Abram with Yara UK marketing manager Rosie Carne (far left) and managing director Benoit Lamaison (far right). Image: Mark Spikings, Breeze & Freeze.
Peter Hall, farming editor on The Western Morning News, covered the debate on whether a cull of badgers is justified in relation to the control of bovine tuberculosis. He also explored the broader and arguably more contentious issue of what to do about a fast-expanding badger population that is protected by law but has no predator control.
The judges for the Environment & Rural Affairs category said: “Peter Hall’s article put political correctness to one side and was a brave, honest assessment of the current situation, which made us all sit up and reassess our view of Mr Brock.”
It was a close result, however, requiring the judges to read the articles and listen to the broadcast recordings several times. In the end, just one point separated the top three entries, so special mention should be given to the runners-up.
Bruce Jobson wrote a thought-provoking piece for The Newcastle Journal on how the needs of modern food production, tourism and caring for the environment can be a difficult balance, while freelance Andrew Watts entered a from Farm Business that explored the financial viability of solar power to the energy market, and whether it offered a favourable annuity for the money as a standalone investment.
The Arable category award was won by Mike Abram, deputy arable editor, for an article published in Crops on original studies undertaken by Farmers Weekly, Savills and Rothamsted Research that throws new light on an important topic for many arable farmers – how to control blackgrass to combat its significant effect on crop yields when many populations are highly resistant to current herbicides.
“The article was very well written and highly relevant," said the judges. “It will provoke plenty of thought among the many farmers who consider cultural control options, like rotational ploughing, delayed drilling and increased spring cropping, too expensive or impractical, and who until now have had little financial information on which to base their judgement.”
Farmers Weekly livestock editor Sarah Trickett gave farmers detailed guidance on how to assess when forage maize is at the perfect stage for harvesting.
“It was a truly excellent article,” said the judges. “Easily readable and containing a series of useful images and tables, as well as an online video, the advice will help farmers exploit this crop’s significant potential to the full.”
Choosing an overall winner was another challenge for the category judges; there was not a weak entry amongst them, with the range of subjects covered – from cow sheds to pig arcs, maize cobs to clover swards - adding to the difficulty.
To tease out the strongest candidate, the judges focused on four key criteria – readability, value to the target audience, evidence of in-depth research and overall impact on the sector.
The judges made special mention of articles from Sarah Gregson (clover management), Claire Powell (sheep breeding) and Aly Balsom (key point indicators) as all three provided detailed, practical advice in an easy-to understand way.
The judges concluded: “Nancy's article is well constructed, articulate and colourful. Her use of case studies supports and illustrates her subject well with sympathetic yet unsentimental reporting.
The winning entry in the Arable category, written by freelance Robert Harris for Crops magazine, stood out for the clear and balanced way in which it guided readers through the political and technical issues relating to tests for mycotoxins in grain. “It was relevant, interesting and well written,” said the judges.
researched and written in a way that captivated and kept the reader’s attention, with a good balance of factual information and opinion.”
In the Arable Crops section, a diverse and competitive entry was topped by an article explaining the implications for the continued use of pesticides of the EU's Water Framework Directive. Written by Teresa Rush, arable editor on Farmers Guardian, the article was described by the judges as "a clear and concise piece that put the implications of this directive into an easily understandable format".
The winning Grassland/Livestock category article was a topical subject given the wet late spring/early summer weather, which described how tyre choice and inflation pressure management can mitigate the effects of having to run heavy agricultural vehicles on wet ground.
The article, by freelance Alison Lea, was described by the judges as compelling, highly original and thought-provoking.
In the Grassland & Livestock category, the judges were impressed by the runner-up article on Bluetongue by Farmers Weekly livestock editor Jonathan Long, which was described as giving practical advice and a clear appraisal of the wider picture.
An article by Tom Allen-Stevens in Farmers Weekly on how individual farmers had pioneered ways to overcome soil-related problems was picked by the judges as the runner-up entry for both the high standard of information provided and the clear way in which it was presented.
