The Silver Lapwing Awards 2025

An arable farm in Hertfordshire has been awarded the prestigious ‘Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group National Silver Lapwing Award’ from a shortlist of five exceptional finalists. Andrew Bott of Finches Farm was chosen by the team of three judges for his focus on soil health, habitat creation and passion for nature.  

The Silver Lapwing Award recognises farmers who go that extra mile to protect and enhance the countryside in which they farm, demonstrating how high-quality food production exists hand-in-hand with sound environmental management.

The award is generously sponsored by Frontier Agriculture, an industry leader in the provision of conservation, green cover and forage seed mixes, and Land App, a digital mapping platform empowering land managers to unlock the full potential of their land through tailored mapping technology, strategic partnerships, and collaborative solutions. The FWAG Association is very grateful to have the support of these organisations.

The celebration for the 46th Silver Lapwing Award took place on Wednesday 18th June 2025 at Ballagawne Farm on the Isle of Man, the home of the Cooil family, who received the award in 2024. Guests were welcomed to the event by Deputy Governor and First Deemster Andrew Corlett and Paul Fletcher, FWAG Isle of Man Chair. Paul explained how the philosophy and approach in the way the Cooil family farms subtly meets all the 6E’s of the Isle of Man Biosphere; Environment, Education, Enjoyment, Engagement, Economy & Energy. Special thanks to the Isle of Man Biosphere Team, Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and NFU Mutual for helping support the Award this year.

The 220 cow grass-based dairy farm at Ballagawne has focused on reducing chemicals; fertiliser use is down by 30% and they use faecal egg counting to only worm livestock when necessary. Cooil brothers Robert and David have been working with Sally-Ann Spence, a farmer and entomologist, who has researched and promoted the importance of dung beetles in livestock systems. Farm-scale trials of diverse swards and management of flower rich meadows were viewed on the farm walk that followed the award presentation.

Chris Butler, Chair of the FWAG Association and one of this year’s judges talked through the five finalists, highlighting the breadth of work being carried out across all the farms to support wildlife alongside their commercial farming activities. “We have the privilege of visiting each of these farms, all so unique with a huge range of farm sizes and enterprises. What struck us most was the passion they all share for protecting our landscapes for future generations” enthused Chris.

Andrew Bott, Winner of the Silver Lapwing Award 2025: “The judges decision must have been a difficult one, I feel honoured to have been chosen and I thank you for recognising the beauty, diversity and vitality of our farm”. Andrew went on to pay special thanks to FWAG East who’s exceptional expertise and advice have helped him shape his farming activities.

Finches Farm covers 360ha, largely cropped with 30ha of low input hay meadow and 40ha of woodland. For the last 16 years they have grown cover crops to improve soil health and build soil organic matter. They have recently planted a small cider orchard on the farm and Andrew is rightly proud of his restored ponds that attract Great Crested Newts.

Over 120 invited guests from all sectors of the British agriculture industry and wildlife conservation industry attended the celebrations. Manx produce was showcased for lunch and guests were treated to traditional Manx dancing by the Arbory School. The Isle of Man Creamery, which processes all the milk produced on the island, were there to talk to guests, offering cheese tasting and milkshake sampling.

The celebrations were fittingly concluded with a special award, presented to Nicholas Watts MBE, in recognition of a lifetime of dedication, support and encouragement for the work of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. Nicholas farms in Lincolnshire and was a founder member of FWAG in the county.

About the FWAG Silver Lapwing Award

To win this prestigious and longstanding award, a farm has to demonstrate a real commitment to species and habitat conservation and be able to show how they integrate their environmental management in their overall farm business. Understanding and conserving historic aspects of the farm is also important. In addition, consideration is given to the farm’s approach to conserving natural resources; this includes good soil management, the protection of water quality and efficient use of water and energy. These are all areas that the judges consider on their tour of the competition finalists.

About the Silver Lapwing Competition Judges

Chris Butler has a 1500 acre family arable farm, near Halstead, North Essex. Chris is keen on regenerative farming, minimum cultivation (less than 50mm) for over 8 years and third of the farm is direct drilled. Part of a stewardship schemes for 30 years, currently in mid-tier which includes AB8, AB9, AB15, AB12, SW1, SW3, SW4, hedge coppicing and hedge management. Started diversifying in 2007 with the conversion of a thatch 17th century barn into Café/Restaurant, Post Office, and Farm Shop. The farm yard now also includes a pre school nursery, forestry school, hair dresser, dog groomer, animal feed retail outlet, beautician, ceramic and pottery studio and small events barn. The majority of which are heated by a 200kw biomass burner supplied by the farm’s hedges and woodland. Chris has been involved with FWAG since the early 80s, has been Essex Chairman, and a natural trustee and is currently National Chairman of the FWAG Association. The farm was the Essex LEAF demonstration farm from 1997 to 2012. Chris is married to Tania and has three children, 2 daughters and a son and 2 grandchildren. His son David, is now back on the farm and pushing to get Dad into an old people’s home! Chris is a keen tennis player and game shot.

Jim Egan works for Frontier Agriculture as a Sustainable Farming Consultant. For over 20 years, Jim has worked closely with Defra on the development and delivery of agri-environment schemes in England. Prior to this, Jim worked as a Technical Adviser at Kings, and before that with the Game and Wildlife Trust’s Allerton Project as head of training and development, where he also helped to establish the Big Farmland Bird Count. Earlier in his career Jim worked as technical director for the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.

Rebecca Inman is a Farm Environment Adviser for FWAG East with 27 yrs experience giving on-farm advice. She previously worked on a range of farm enterprises including sheep, dairy, beef and arable farms. She has extensive experience preparing agri-environment scheme applications, managing agreements, habitat and species management plans, catchment management projects, assurance scheme plans, UK Hab and BNG audits and plans. She has a degree in Ecology.

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