County Antrim couple win major M&S farming award at Balmoral Show

Family Farm Award winners James & Rachel Davison were presented with their award by Keith Halstead, Executive Director of the Royal Countryside Fund.

A farming couple from Glenarm have been recognised on one of Northern Ireland agriculture’s biggest stages after winning a prestigious national award at this year’s Balmoral Show.

James and Rachel Davison received the Royal Countryside Fund Family Farm Award at the 2026 M&S Select Farm Awards on Tuesday, May 13, in recognition of the business they have built in the hills of County Antrim and their wider contribution to the future of farming across Northern Ireland.

The award shines a spotlight on the scale, ambition and innovation emerging from local family farms, with the Davisons praised not only for exceptionally high animal welfare standards, but also for helping educate and support the next generation of farmers.

Built from the ground up

Based near Glenarm, the family rear around 2,500 calves each year for ABP and M&S while also managing a flock of easy-care ewes alongside beef finishing and broiler enterprises.

The business is operated by James and Rachel with support from one full-time employee as well as several part-time and casual staff members.

M&S Royal Countryside Fund Family Farm Award Winners - James & Rachel Davison, Glenarm

Although James comes from a fourth-generation farming background, the current enterprise was largely developed by the couple themselves after entering the industry through a shared farming agreement.

That journey — from shared farming opportunity to award-winning enterprise — was central to the recognition received at Balmoral Show.

James Davison said:

“It’s nice to be recognised and win the award. There’s a lot of hard work that goes on in farming behind the scenes that never gets seen, so it’s great to get recognition for the effort put in.

“We’re very proud of the welfare standards we have on the farm. Welfare underpins the success of the whole business because if we rear healthy calves with good welfare, they’ll thrive and perform well, and that makes it easier for us to achieve our other goals too.”

Animal welfare and innovation recognised

Judges highlighted the exceptionally high welfare standards maintained across the farm, particularly within the calf rearing enterprise where close management, calf health and detailed husbandry practices play a central role.

The Glenarm farm has also become a key demonstration site for ABP and M&S, regularly welcoming students, fellow farmers and industry groups to showcase best practice in calf rearing and livestock management.

The family are additionally involved in ongoing calf nutrition and health trials designed to improve welfare outcomes and animal performance.

The award also recognised the couple’s willingness to share knowledge openly within the wider agricultural community — something increasingly viewed as critical as the farming sector faces mounting economic, environmental and succession pressures.

Supporting the next generation of farming

Alongside running the business, James has become heavily involved in representing younger farmers through the Ulster Farmers’ Union.

He recently completed the UFU’s two-year Next Generation Committee programme and now sits on the UFU Hill Farming Committee, helping represent hill farmers while encouraging greater participation from younger people entering the industry.

The wider contribution made by the couple beyond their own farm formed a significant part of this year’s award recognition.

Peter Kennedy, Head of Agriculture and Fisheries at M&S, said:

“James and Rachel are a brilliant example of the passion, resilience and ambition that exists within farming in Northern Ireland.

“They’ve built a successful and progressive family business while also giving back to the wider industry through knowledge sharing, education and leadership. We’re delighted to recognise them with this year’s Family Farm Award.”

Áine Murray from ABP, who nominated the family for the award, added: “James and Rachel consistently go above and beyond in everything they do.

“Their calf welfare standards are exceptional, they are always open to trialling new ideas and sharing knowledge with others, and they are fantastic ambassadors for the wider industry. They fully deserve this recognition.”

Recognition for Northern Ireland farming at Balmoral Show

The Royal Countryside Fund Family Farm Award celebrates family-run farms demonstrating long-term commitment to British agriculture through innovation, sustainability and succession planning.

M&S has partnered with The Royal Countryside Fund for many years as part of efforts to support resilient farming businesses and strengthen rural communities across the UK.

For County Antrim, the recognition places another local farming success story firmly in the spotlight during Balmoral Show week — highlighting the role family farms continue to play in food production, rural employment and the wider agricultural economy across Northern Ireland.