After much deliberation over the fantastic nominations received this year, the finalists for our South West Farmer Awards 2019 have now been announced.

The awards team were very impressed with the high standard of competitors this year and, with a great group of final candidates, it's looking to be another great night of celebration ahead.

In the lead up to our yearly awards ceremony the judges will meet next week to begin their deliberations to decide who will win the coveted awards.

This year's event will be held on Thursday, November 7 at the Colin Atkinson Pavilion at Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton, Somerset. Our yearly celebration of everything great about farming in the south west region is open to everyone and aims to bring together members of our farming community for a well deserved night of recognition for all their hard efforts. The event is black tie and involves a champagne reception and a three course meal. Everyone is welcome to this glitzy, fun night out and tickets are £35 per head. Those shortlisted as finalists are given a pair of tickets and additional ones can be bought at a special rate.

To book your tickets call either Beverley Cox on 01823 365131, or email beverley.cox@nqsw.co.uk, or Roland Ebert on 10326 213322 and by email at rebert@nqsw.co.uk.

This year's finalists are as follows:

Farm Manager of the Year - sponsored by Farming Community Network

- Jake Freestone from Overbury Estate, Tewkesbury

- Duncan Forbes from South West Dairy Development Centre, Shepton Mallet

Sheep Farmer of the Year - sponsored by Rumenco

- Mr M Pearce from Village Farm, North Huish

- Mark Raymond from Neville Farm, Yeovil

Beef Farmer of the Year - sponsored by NSF

- Chris and Juliet Cleave from Kew Devon Cattle, Bodmin

- Mr A and Mr J Brewer from Reddivallen Farm, Boscastle

- Mark Thomas from Treguddick, Launceston

- N J Bennetts from Engelly Farm, Truro

Dairy Farmer of the Year - sponsored by Greenslade Taylor Hunt

- Phil Allin from Fernhill Farm, Holsworthy

- Roland and Gerald Ley from Thuborough Barton Farm, Holsworthy

Family-Run Farm of the Year - sponsored by Mole Valley

- The Smale family, South Hellescott Farm, Launceston

- The Chamings family, Pale Farm, Exeter

Outstanding Achievement, sponsored by Cornish Mutual

- Penny Connorton, The Veterans Farm-Able Foundation, Buckfastleigh

- Miss Sophie Olds, Mulfra Farm, Penzance

- David and Michelle Wootton, Chulmleigh

Young Farmer of the Year - sponsored by Coodes

- Layla Hill from Middleway Farm, Tiverton

- Lucy James from Higher Soldon, Holsworthy

Diversification of the Year - sponsored by Cornish Mutual

- Hugh and Celia Gay from Newton Farm Foods, Bath

- Mark Raymond from Neville Farm, Yeovil

- Lawrence Glanville from Surfing Cow Ice Cream, Plymouth

- Chris Lerwell and Kingsley Nicholas from The Abattoir, Ilfracombe

Congratulations to all - see you at the awards ceremony!