Freelance journalist Louise Impey took a routine story about the new wheat varieties added to AHDB’s Recommended List to an award-winning standard by giving growers insight into why a potentially controversial decision had been taken.
In doing so, she picked up the £500 winner’s cheque courtesy of sponsor’s ABP for the 2026 BGAJ Award for Agricultural Journalism arable category.
Additions and removals to the Recommended List is an annual occurrence, the judges recognised, commenting it is all too easy to simply list those that been added and those that have gone.
In her story ‘Compromised’ wheat varieties join latest Recommended List in Farmers Weekly, Louise demonstrated her subject experience by homing in on exactly what growers wanted to know. It was her application of the ‘so what?’ test that took the story to a higher level to give growers an insight in to why decisions acknowledged to be controversial were in the best interests of the industry.
Runner up in the category was fellow freelancer Mike Abram. In selecting his article Arable Farm Management software: Options and prices, the judges applauded the considerable research demonstrated in assessing a complex and highly technical subject.
This led one judge to describe Mike’s article as what might be expected if Which? covered farm management software. Mike successfully navigated this subject to identify the features that distinguished one program from another before arriving at a solid conclusion that encouraged the reader to identify their needs and objectives before committing to any particular product.
Two other articles were highly commended by judges. Phil Clarke’s analysis of glyphosate’s upcoming review and Hayley Bouma’s broadcast story on STV about companion cropping were held up as examples of how complex matters can be communicated in clear language through the use of appropriate sources while also being balanced, informative and engaging.
In total 14 entries were received covering subjects as diverse as honeyberries, controlled traffic farming and the European corn borer.
The range of topics covered reflects both the varied nature of British agriculture and the journalistic talents needed to investigate, distil and explain often complex subjects all while telling an engaging and informative story.
In evaluating the submissions, the judges sought to consider more than just good writing. Evidence of thorough research, the use of contextual comments to develop the story before arriving at a sound conclusion were also important elements. But beyond this, the judges wanted to see evidence that the writer had applied the “so what?” test to ensure the reader was fully aware of what the story and its content meant for their business.
You can view a full gallery from the Guild Harvest Lunch where you can also purchase copies, thanks to Ruth Downing, Rural Pictures Photography.
Harvest Lunch 2027
Our annual harvest celebration is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, colleagues and network with other agricultural communicators.
Secure your early bird price today
