A LANCASHIRE farming family has been named the very first winners of the VetPartners Farm Health Champion Award, recognising their outstanding commitment to herd health and sustainability.
The Hull family, who run Gibstick Hall Farm in Winnmarleigh, near Preston, were nominated by their vet, Rebecca Riley from LLM Farm Vets, for their proactive approach to herd management and dedication to continuous improvement.
Running a herd of 200 pedigree Holsteins on the 400-acre farm, the Hull family has invested in innovative tools such as a Mastatest machine, DairyComp herd management software, and Alta BlueLink genetics software, allowing them to monitor herd performance, track health metrics, and make data-driven decisions.
The Farm Health Champion Award is one of four new VetPartners sustainability awards launched in 2025.
These awards highlight farmers who are working hand-in-hand with their vets to improve livestock health, embrace new technology and deliver long-term environmental and business benefits.
A winning veterinary partnership
For herd manager Tom Hull collaboration with their veterinary practice has been key to their success.
“The investments we’re making are aimed at improving herd health and promoting sustainability on the farm,” said Tom.
“Working with the vets means we can ensure our cows have long, healthy lives, which boosts our productivity as well.”
Nominating vet Rebecca Riley praised the farm’s dedication to ongoing improvement.
“This farm is dedicated to continuously improving its business by conducting regular health reviews with the entire team,” she said.
“They take proactive steps to enhance animal health and welfare, while also reducing their use of antibiotics.”
Congratulations to our runner-up
Runner-up for the Farm Health Champion Award was Auchentiber Farm in Renfrewshire, managed by Andrew Laird. The 1,050-acre farm is home to a 110-strong suckler cow herd, 300 Blackface sheep, and 200 North County Cheviots.
Andrew Doull from Abbey Vet Group nominated Auchentiber Farm for the award, praising in particular Mr Laird’s involvement in the practice’s vet-led beef and sheep group.
Working closely with his vet, Andrew Laird has successfully eradicated a Campylobacter outbreak over three years and continues to make improvements in disease prevention and livestock health.
VetPartners Farm Director, Ian Cure, commended both winners as prime examples of modern, health-conscious farming enterprises.
“It’s important to recognise the outstanding efforts of farmers across the country in improving their methods to boost farm health and strengthen the sustainability of their operations – these awards offer an excellent platform for us to do this,” he said.
- Find out more about VetPartners’ commitment to supporting sustainable farming practices, the awards series and other winners here: https://www.vetpartners.co.uk/news/
Pictured above are winners, left to right: Andrew Hull, Tom Hull, Rebecca Riley and Les Hull.