Last updated at 15:02, Friday, 01 June 2012

A Cumbrian farmer voted Beef Stockman of the Future has spoken of his pride at being recognised after years of dedicated work with cattle and sheep.

Ian Bell

Ian Bell, from Hallbankgate, near Brampton, was named winner of the National Beef Association’s Beef Stockman of the Future 2012 at its Beef Expo last week. The award was organised with the Farmers Guardian.

The 39-year-old was one of three farmers selected by a panel of judges and a public vote to reach the final.

Mr Bell said: “I was very humbled, what you do every day doesn’t normally get that kind of recognition.

“I want to thank everyone who voted for me.”

Judges visited the farms before agreeing on a winner. Norfolk farmer Philip Dale was one of the judges. He said: “I was impressed with the quality and health status of Ian’s stock. He showed innovation in terms of what he had done with the buildings and the grassland.

“He should also be commended for his flexible approach to marketing on both the commercial and pedigree side of the business. He is looking to continually improve his system, demonstrated by a move toward a Salers-type suckler cow.”

The Bell family own two farms, Mosshill and Clement Leas, and are tenants at Hallbankgate. They run 120 pedigree Charolais and commercial Saler breeding cows and 700 texel-cross sheep on 550 acres at 800ft.

Mr Bell studied agriculture at Newton Rigg when he left school and then spent some time working at Borderway Mart in Carlisle.

He said: “It’s the best education you can have working with livestock at a mart, it’s amazing what you learn about livestock working in there.

“You get to see people buy cattle as stores then bring them back to sell. I can’t recommend it more for sons and daughters.”

David Benson from The British Charolais Cattle Society had urged Mr Bell to enter the competition but he was reluctant until wife Sophie filled out the entry form.

First published at 14:10, Friday, 01 June 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk