Scottish beef and arable farmer Adrian Ivory has been crowned Farmers Weekly’s 2008 Farmer of the Year.

Mr Ivory, who took the coveted title during a glittering awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, runs Strathisla Farms in Perthshire – a business which has expanded and thrived under his leadership.

A keen businessman, Mr Ivory works hard to improve his business and does all he can to meet his ambitions.

His business is focused on being globally competitive so subsidies are factored out of the arable and beef production costs.

Diversification is limited to activities which do not require considerable time or investment and capitalise on the natural beauty of the Scottish landscape.

Surplus farm cottages have been converted and now generate 12% of the farm’s income.

Mr Ivory has forged strong links across the whole food chain, played a hand in organising the 2008 Beef Expo in Scotland, worked alongside processors ABP and is the youngest person to have sat on Sainsbury’s steering group.

He was also one of McDonald’s first Scout with a Clout farmers – giving him a unique insight into the whole burger chain from production to processing and into the restaurant.

Sir Don Curry, who was one of the five-man judging team, described him as “a rising star”.

“Adrian is a highly professional young businessman taking an impressive commercial approach to his enterprise,” he said.

2008 Farmers Weekly Awards Winners

• Farmers Weekly Farmer of the Year: Adrian Ivory
• Arable Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by GrowHow): Andrew Ward
• Arable Adviser of the Year (Sponsored by Crops): Bryce Rham
• Beef Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by McDonald’s): Philip Heard
• Contractor of the Year (Sponsored by Michelin Exelagri): R & C Targett
• Countryside Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Environment Agency): Ian Waller
• Dairy farmer of the Year (Sponsored by DairyCo): Charles Whittingham
• Diversification Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by James Miles-Hobbs): Mercer Farming
• Farm Manager of the Year (Sponsored by Claas): Matt Solley
• Livestock Adviser of the Year (Sponsored by Silotite): Mark Hawe
• Local Food Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Farmshop.uk.com): Douglas Wanstall
• Pig Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Waitrose): Andrew Freemantle
• Poultry Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by EB Equipment): David and Helen Brass
• Sheep Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Footvax): Crosby Cleland
• Young Farmer of the Year (Sponsored by Massey Ferguson): Adrian Ivory
• Farming Champion (Sponsored by the NFU): Jimmy Doherty