James Scott awarded the Ikin Trophy for the Young Farmers Development Award

This year’s Young Farmer Development Award was proudly presented to James Scott at the Royal Cheshire County Show.

James has been farming alongside his dad for over five years, originally working with beef and sheep. In recent years, he has moved into dairy farming and now manages both his own and his dad’s farm. As Farm Manager, he oversees the entire herd and is approaching his third year of selling milk. His hands-on experience, growing responsibilities, and clear commitment to the future of British farming earned him this year’s Young Farmer Development Award.

When asked what he would do with the £500 prize money, James explained that he plans to put it towards an AI (artificial insemination) course so he can serve his own cows. This, he says, would be a game-changer for the efficiency of his herd and would support getting cows back in calf within the autumn block system. Outside of farming, James enjoys creating and sharing videos of his day-to-day work on YouTube and social media, attending Young Farmers events, and keeping active with running and football.

Runners up 2025

• 2nd- Isla Gobbon (Stratton YFC)
• 3rd- Olivia Bowcock (Altrincham YFC)
• 4th – Siobhan Rutter (Malpass YFC)

A huge well done to all of our runners-up — you were truly outstanding and should be incredibly proud of yourselves. The judges were genuinely impressed and found the standard exceptionally high this year. Each of you brought passion, dedication, and real promise to the table, and it’s clear that the future of farming is in safe hands with individuals like you leading the way.

What’s the YFDA All About

In conjunction with Cheshire Young Farmers (CYF) the first YFDA was awarded in 2016, since which it has gone from strength to strength and is now a regular feature of the show with the award being presented at the end of the second day in the main ring prior to the CYF float competition and advisedly, before the water fight!

The idea behind the award is that the prize money supports the winner’s career/development, with previous award winners spending their money on initiatives such as enhancing existing fudge-making equipment on a small farm shop, upskilling themselves to attend a butchery course, a Sprayer tractor training course, and even a welding course.

All you will be asked to to do is if your application form is shortlisted, on the first day of the show, after 4pm you will be asked to attend a short informal chat (even by FaceTime, so if you cannot make it on the day you can still get involved) with the Judges lasting no more than 15 minutes to tell us what you would do with the prize money if you won.

CAS Ikin Trophy

An interesting fact about the Ikin Trophy – presented each year to the winner – is that it’s actually a family heirloom, generously donated by Richard to the Society through the Trophy Steward back in 2017.

Though its full history remains a mystery, the trophy has been in Richard’s family for many years. Intriguingly, it’s engraved with: “Freeman Hardy & Willis’ Prize Collie Bitch, 1894.” Freeman Hardy & Willis, once a major high street footwear retailer, now exists solely online – making the trophy a quirky piece of retail and rural history.

When Richard came across it at home while searching for a suitable trophy, he felt a certain sense of serendipity. With its unique story and deep family roots, it seemed the perfect piece to be repurposed – honouring new generations shaping the future of farming.

About Richard Ikin

In 2025, Richard was delighted, deeply honoured, and a little overwhelmed to humbly accept, from His Majesty The King, the honour of being appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), in recognition of his work as Founder of the Young Farmer Development Award – for services to Farming, Agriculture and Industry.

In accepting the award, Richard emphasised that this honour is not his alone. He dedicates it to the many volunteers whose tireless hard work makes the Show possible year after year.

He also views this recognition as one for all of us in the Cheshire Agricultural Society (CAS) and Cheshire Young Farmers (CYF) – a shared achievement that reflects the collective effort to encourage and support young people in every corner of farming.

Richard believes this award underlines the vital importance of continuing to back the next generation, ensuring farming is best placed to meet today’s challenges, securing a prosperous future, offering rewarding careers, and remaining the backbone of the UK’s food supply.