2026 Northern Farmer of the Year finalists revealed

TV presenter Jules Hudson will host the prestigious ceremony at Pavilions of Harrogate, the Great Yorkshire Showground.

Supported by a host of leading agricultural businesses and organisations, winners be revealed across 11 categories.

Northern Farmer of the Year, sponsored by McGarry & Co Solicitors/Smith Roddam Solicitors

The finalists for the 2026 Northern Farmer of the Year category have been revealed (Image: McGarry & Co)

The finalists for the 2026 Northern Farmer of the Year have been announced (Image: Smith & Roddam)

Peter Fall – The Barn That Rocks

North Yorkshire farmer and concert organiser Peter Fall has revealed the “astonishing” amount raised at this year’s Barn That Rocks concert, which is £26,397.14.

The sum brings the running total from the annual charity concerts staged by Peter and his family at their farm at Patrick Brompton, near Bedale, to £179,353.45.

“I am overwhelmed, it’s simply immense,” said Peter. “I must pinch myself when I think about it, and I can’t thank our supporters enough. It’s just amazing that we can raise this amount of money.”

The funds have been presented to the nominated charities;:Yorkshire Air Ambulance, £24,377; Prostate Cancer UK, £1,020.14; and Friends of Crakehall School, £1,000.

The concert featured bands The Replicants, Electric Sheep, Stax and Bang, Bang, Bang. For Peter it was a major boost this year when popular band Electric Sheep got back together to play the Barn That Rocks after announcing they were taking a break last year.

Peter combines organising the Barn That Rocks with helping to run the family farm. As soon as the concert is finished the barns are switched back to harvest use.

A dedicated 'rocker', Peter and his wife, Barbara, have travelled across the country attending concerts but refuse to stay away from home overnight and must return to the farm. On concert night, he is immediately recognisable, wearing a bright pink satin suit.

Finalists for the 2026 Northern Farmer of the Year award (Image: Newsquest)

Sally Conner

The fact that Sally Conner will be a familiar face to many readers is testament to how successful she was in her role as the regional manager for RABI (the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) in the North-East of England.

Sally Conner joined the RABI charity as North-East regional manager in 2007 and has seen many changes within the organisation over the years, with her time at the organisation coming to an end last autumn.

Mental health support is offered by RABI to people with direct links to farming, including family members and farm workers. Nevertheless, training is provided to allied industry representatives.

Sally said: “People, including vets, feed merchants, nutritionists and agronomists, for example, are a point of contact with farmers. They are offered mental health first aid training to help them to deal with any difficult conversations that might arise."

Sally and her husband, Mark have three children, as well as several grandchildren. They have a tenanted unit in East Yorkshire, where 11,000 pigs are reared each year on contract. Helped by their son, Sam, who works on the farm, they launched ‘Mayflower Meadow’ glamping pods on the site two years ago.

She said: “One of the biggest concerns in farming is future uncertainty within the industry. Inputs and the general cost of living have gone up, but there has been little or no improvement in farmgate returns.

"With this type of backdrop, it is not easy to manage the business to allow for investment in the farm enterprises and RABI is here to help.”

The 2026 Northern Farmer Awards take place on February 19 (Image: Newsquest)

Neil Fell

In 2016, Neil Fell reinvented sheep dipping by designing his own mobile cage-dipping unit. The steel cage lowers sheep into the dip while they stand on a solid floor, so they never thrash or flip. This innovation 'revolutionised operations', boosting efficiency dramatically.

The new system increased throughput from about 1,000 sheep per day to more than 4,500. This bespoke design ensures each animal gets an even dose of treatment and has enabled NR Fell Mobile Sheep Dipping to expand rapidly across Britain.

With four fully equipped units in operation, the business now dips over 500,000 sheep a year nationwide.

Neil’s design puts animal welfare front and center. Because sheep stay on their feet in the cage, they remain calm and never get fully submerged unevenly.

Operators guide the sheep easily into place, eliminating strenuous handling and chemical exposure for staff. At the same time, each unit carries its own fresh water and recovers all used dip on-board.

Neil's mother said: "Neil has worked tremendously hard setting up his own sheep dipping business over the last few years.

"Neil and his team go from North and South of the country to eradicate Scab and other problems with fly control on sheep.

"Neil lost his farther two years ago. He has not only had big boots to fill on our family farm but has made a fantastic successful business for himself."