Convincing content, sparkling sentences and tantalising topics were among the considerations for the judging panel of this year’s Perkins Power on the Farm award.

The award, now in its 41st year, is run by Perkins in conjunction with the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists (BGAJ) and recognises the journalistic talents of the Guild’s members.

This year’s competition entries featured articles on a ‘power’ related theme, which were published between January 1 and December 31, 2012.

The judging panel of Perkins marketing director, Nigel Baseley; BGAJ membership secretary Liz Snaith and last year’s victorious scribe and BGAJ member, Olivia Cooper, were tasked with selecting the winner and runner-up from a strong entry field.

Oxfordshire based Tom Allen-Stevens, a first time entrant in the Power on the Farm awards, took the top prize for his thought provoking ‘Food for the concrete cow’ article for Crop Production Magazine that highlighted the food vs fuel debate.

The judges said of the piece: “A great case study to add to the food vs fuel debate portfolio. The article was well written and informative, quoting a good mix of experts and covering all the information the reader would want.”

The article examined how anaerobic digestion knits in with a purely arable venture, focussing on an Oxfordshire farm cropped entirely for the anaerobic digestion plant. The piece aimed to show an arable audience that anaerobic digestion is not just for livestock farmers.

The runner-up award went to Louise Impey for her piece on SDHI fungicides for Farmers Weekly.
 
According to the judges it was: “A hugely useful review of new generation product, of interest and relevance to all cereal growers – potential powerful product, and certainly power in the marketplace.”

The awards were presented at The Mayfair in London by Adrian Talbot, marketing communication services manager at Perkins.

“We’re very proud of the long-standing relationship we have with the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists and the work its members undertake to report on and raise the profile of all aspects of the agricultural sector,” said Adrian.

“I’d like to extend my congratulations to Tom and Louise on their winning entries and also to the Guild, as it prepares for a busy 2014 during which it will celebrate its 70th anniversary and host the IFAJ Congress; an event which will give us all an opportunity to showcase British agriculture and everything it has to offer, to more than 200 journalists from around the world.”

PICTURE: Adrian Talbot, marketing communication services manager at Perkins (right) presents the Power on the Farm 2013 award to Tom Allen-Stevens from Crop Production Magazine.