Cheshire family wins first VetPartners welfare award
Yarwoods recognized for cow comfort, health and sustainability
22 August 2025
2 minute read
By: A Cheshire dairy farming family has been named the winner of the first-ever VetPartners sustainable farming health and welfare award, according to a recent press release.
The award recognizes farmers who, in partnership with their vets, are implementing best practices — from disease prevention to responsible breeding — to improve livestock health and welfare.
It is one of four new awards launched by VetPartners in 2025 to highlight farmers who are making a difference to both animal health and the environmental impact of production.
The inaugural winners are the Yarwood family — Rob and his wife Jennifer, along with his parents Richard and Debra — who milk 220 Holstein Friesians at Handfield Farm near Congleton.
They were selected for their efforts to improve herd health through investments in new housing and a ruminal bolus-based health monitoring system, along with a robust vaccination program developed with their veterinary team.
Vet Isobel Johnston of Willows Farm Vets, who nominated the Yarwoods, said: “The new shed offers an incredibly light and airy environment, which improves cow comfort and welfare, while the boluses have enabled the farm to use fewer antibiotics and increase the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when managing sick cows.
“Overall, this farm is highly committed to excellent production levels, with cows averaging more than 45 litres a day — by ensuring superb animal health and welfare.”
Rob Yarwood said: “In the past few years we’ve improved the cows’ environment, and that’s increased their health, welfare and production.”
The runner-up for the award was Marsh Farm in Basildon, Essex, operated by brothers Alex and Ben Sell and Alex’s wife Gemma.
The 2,167-acre operation includes a 100-head herd of pedigree South Devons, a 100-head herd of South Devon cross Salers, a 150-ewe flock of predominantly Suffolk Mules, and 500 acres of arable cropping.
The Sells follow a “prevention is better than cure” approach to herd and flock management and hold regular preventative health planning meetings with their vet.
Olivia Casey of Westpoint Farm Vets, who nominated the Sells, praised the family’s high standards, noting they are seeing strong calving rates and producing reputable breeding stock.
VetPartners farm director Ian Cure described both farms as strong examples of how farmers and vets can work together to improve animal health and sustainability.
“These awards provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the impressive work done by farmers up and down the country to improve animal health and welfare while boosting the sustainability of their businesses,” he said.
