Hutton expertise recognised with Royal Agricultural Society of England’s Technology Award

"Our 'magic margins' demonstrate that this is not necessarily the case and that there are opportunities for farmers across the UK to improve the long-run productivity of their land while simultaneously adding value to their Ecological Focus Areas"

Euan Caldwell, Head of Farm, Field and Glasshouses at the James Hutton Institute, has been recognised with the prestigious Royal Agricultural Society of England’s Technology Award at the Society’s 2017 award presentation for his and his team’s development of 'magic margins', a practical solution to soil erosion.

The Technology Award acknowledges the achievements of those who, working in a commercial environment, have applied scientific advance into technology through the development of a product or process which is likely to lead to cost-effective improvements for farmers in any aspect of practical agriculture. The award ceremony took place at the Goodward Estate in West Sussex, perhaps most famous for its racecourse. 

Upon receiving the award, Euan Caldwell said: “It was a real privilege to be recognised with this award. 

"The Goodwood Estate, receiving the RASE Bledisloe Gold Medal for Landowners, was also the venue for the award ceremony. For those attending, it was a great opportunity to have an extended tour of the Estate, which has diversified from a traditional sporting estate, now very much focusing on motorsport, horseracing and cricket.

"There was a last-minute, unexpected opportunity, for me to highlight the important contribution that the Institute farms make to the science undertaken at the James Hutton Institute. 

"I thoroughly enjoyed the day, met many industry people and new contacts and was delighted to be recognised and to accept such a prestigious award on behalf of the James Hutton Institute farm team. Fantastic and well done to everyone involved.”

Professor Deb Roberts, Director of Science at the Institute, commented: “Commercial farming and the protection of the environment are often presented as being mutually exclusive goals.

“Our 'magic margins' demonstrate that this is not necessarily the case and that there are opportunities for farmers across the UK to improve the long-run productivity of their land while simultaneously adding value to their Ecological Focus Areas. 

“I am therefore delighted that the role of Euan and his team in developing our 'magic margins' has been recognised by the Royal Agricultural Society England. It is very much deserved.”

The list of RASE champions also includes the following:

• Bledisloe Gold Medal for Landowners – Goodwood Estate, West Sussex
• National Agricultural Award – Rosie Carne, Yara
• Excellence in Practical Farming – Peter Bennett, Babraham Farms, Cambridge
• Research Medal – Cristobal Uauy, John Innes Centre
• Talbot-Ponsonby Prize for Agricultural Valuation – Charlotte Rogerson

Further information about the awards is available on the RASE website.