Buying Group Member Wins Top Award

Catherine Pickford who farms at Alford Fields Farm near Castle Cary has been awarded the coveted Farmers Weekly Dairy Farmer of the Year for 2022.

Catherine has grown, moved farms and adapted her farming practices to the business it is today, milking 400 spring calving cows and supplying local Cheesemaker Barbers with high quality milk produced predominantly from grazed grass. The secret to her success has been her openness to change and taking calculated budgeted risks including milking once a day for 5 years on her previous dairy farm and then moving to Alford Fields Farm, doubling the herd size and reverting back to twice a day milking since.

Catherine is an active member of her discussion group, Gillingham Grazers, which has been a source of confidence and learning of best practice from peers and is now inspiring and helping the next generation of members to achieve their goals. She is a role model and inspiration to the dairy industry, especially highlighting the importance of women in the dairy industry. Five years ago, another member of Gillingham Grazers, the Loder family won the same national prize.

Gerard Finnan commented “Catherine has always been willing to improve, focusing on clear goals to improving business profitability to secure her future. This is now giving the next generation of farmer the opportunity, with her herd manager Nathan Crocker buying into the business and sharing in its success.”

Catherine has been a consultancy client of the Farm Consultancy Group based at Sherborne for 24 years, initially with Gerard Finnan and currently for the last nine years with Phil Cooper. 

Catherine said, “Investing in the consultancy service with Phil, Gerard and their team has enabled us to take control of our business with monitored business planning which minimises risk in taking our big decisions. They have provided the skills that I lack in my team and have enabled us to grow our business faster with less risk.”

If you would like business advice or are interested in joining one of our discussion groups, or becoming a buying group member please contact Midwest Consulting Ltd on 01935 850093 or e-mail sherborne@fcgagric.com