Two Dorset farm owners have triumphed after being named dairy farmer of the year in a national competition. 

Neville and Suzanne Loder, from the Dairy Farm in Oborne near Sherborne, were crowned winners of Farmer’s Weekly’s Dairy Farmer of the Year award. 

The thirteenth annual awards ceremony took place on October 5 at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Fifteen awards for different categories were presented to top farmers across the country. 

Neville and Suzanne were handed the award after being praised for running a “small, yet exceptionally profitable and sustainable” business.”

It was also noted that they achieved exceptional fertility, overcame adversity and sported positive can-do attitudes towards their farm.

A spokesman for Famers Weekly said: “Neville and Suzanne Loder from the Dairy Farm are inspirational new entrants who have built up a profitable dairy business from a relatively small herd of 147 crossbred cows, and are now helping other young people to follow in their footsteps.

“This formidable couple have triumphed over adversity and are a shining example of a small, yet exceptionally profitable and sustainable dairy business. Neville is also doing a great deal to help young and new starters get a foot on the farming ladder.”

Neville is helping young starters by sitting on the liaison panel for Dorset County Council and is also a local NFU tenant representative.

Writer, broadcaster, and former Conservative MP Gyles Brandreth presented the awards in front of more than 1000 guests at the Grosvenor House Hotel. The award was sponsored by Safety Revolution.

The Farmers Weekly awards night has become a top event in the farming calendar. It recognises and rewards farmers for innovation, commitment to the industry and simply for their hard work, and showcase the best farmers in the country by telling their stories. 

Sponsored by some of the biggest names in the industry from suppliers to retailers, the awards hope to inspire others and influence the public about the role that the farmers play in today’s society.