A WINCHESTER farmer has been shortlisted for this year's Dairy Farmer of the Year award.

Oliver Neagle, of Attwood Drove Farm in Compton, runs Hiltonbury Jerseys which is home to 280 cows. 

The Jersey breed has been a passion for Oliver for more than 20 years. At the age of 31, he sold his drum kit to release the funds he needed to purchase his first two cows. Calving all year round and using sexed semen has helped build his herd, with beef genetics being introduced minimally to supply the farm shop. 

In 2016 Oliver broke the mold by investing in a milk vending machine, one of the first farms to take the risk. Due to milk prices fluctuating, the ability to sell milk straight to the customer through his wife’s farm shop was key to the farm's success. Oliver said: "Without these changes being made they would no longer be in the dairy industry."

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In 2019 Oliver moved to his current farm and invested heavily in its infrastructure, installing a new Dairy Master milking parlour and a pasteurisation room. Not only did this seriously reduce milking time, but it saved time, money and increased the farm shop offering through the pasteurisation process. 

Alongside raw and traditional milk, the farm shop sells homemade traditional Jersey ice cream, Jersey fudge, Jersey beef, free range eggs and has expanded into county wear and equine goods this year. Diversification is key to the farm's success, with events such as food and craft festivals, pumpkin parties and small open days helping to encourage the public to learn about the farm, which is all shared through their Instagram page. 

Environmentally, Oliver has planted new hedge rows around the farm to support the wildlife. The loose yard produces more organic farmyard manure to spread on the farm and reduce the use of fertilisers. In addition, he has planted herbal leys and introduced red clovers to limit the need for brought in proteins. 

For 12 years, the British Farming Awards has shone a light on the best in British Farming. During this annual event Britain’s farming industry comes together to celebrate the achievements of its contemporaries.

The 2024 Dairy Farmer of the Year finalists have been chosen because they are excelling in their field. The judges look for the entrants to be exploring new ideas and opportunities, shaping their businesses to become more robust, sustainable and adaptable in an ever changing sector. Whether they are small scale dairy units or family-run farms, they are all using progressive technologies to improve efficiencies or developing their systems into a niche with challenging conventional thinking. 

Taking place on October 17 at The VOX in Birmingham, the event will welcome industry professionals from across the country to celebrate British agriculture and the successes it has had this year. 

For more details, visit britishfarmingawards.co.uk.