IT’s not long now until we find out who are the region’s farming heroes in our Three Counties Awards.

We will be broadcasting the awards ceremony at 7pm on November 26 via our Facebook page and in the run-up we are taking a look at the finalists in each category.

Here are those in the final of the Contractor of the Year award, sponsored by Cupid Events

COLIN WARNE

HAVING been made redundant three years ago, Colin Warne is now in the running for an award after setting up his own farming services business.

Colin was made redundant from Countrywide Farmers after 31 years, but overnight set up his own ‘middle man’ business, Colin Warne Farming.

Colin’s business has gone from strength to strength – despite the uncertainty in the industry at present.

Based at Belmont, he sources and supplies all types of farming needs – feed, seed, fuel, animal health products, fertilisers.

His customers mainly come from Herefordshire but he also has people ringing him from Bridgenorth, the Welsh borders and, just recently, someone from Portsmouth who had been let down at the last minute and needed his help finding bean seed.

Colin says he offers ‘legwork, advice, guidance and a friendly voice at the end of the phone.’

And that friendly voice has become more important during the Covid crisis.

‘Everything has gone very quiet. There is a not a lot of confidence and things have been getting a bit hand to mouth.

“No-one knows what the markets and prices at going to be like. People are making decisions on the spur of the moment.

“These are strange times.. No-one has a crystal ball to look forward. I try to be an honest broker and try to look after everyone.”

RUSSELL PRICE FARM SERVICES

IT wasn’t just the team at Russell Price Farm Services who were rocked by the sudden death of the firm’s founder in March; it shook the local farming community.

Mr Price was extremely well known and well liked in the region, with his business having built up a reputation for good customer service and sound advice.

On top of Covid, son Tom, daughter Lucy and managers Kevin Fuller and Richard Young had to cope without their mentor.

That’s why, six months down the road, being shortlisted seems a great reward for how the team have pulled together at the Castle Frome business.

“And dad would have been delighted,” said Tom.

“He was very well regarded in the county. It was a big shock to everyone. It’s a testament to the team here that we got through the season unscathed.”

The company have 11 staff, which doubles at times when casual labour is required, and about 150 customers.

They are tenant farmers, but also contractors, offering a stubble to stubble service, and machinery dealers. They also employ an agronomist as part of their services.

For more on the awards go to https://www.herefordtimes.com/awards/tcf/