William, 11, takes pride of place in farming awards
Despite having celebrated only his 11th birthday last month William Pearson has made such an impressive contribution to his family’s 100-acre suckler farm, while inspiring others with his enthusiasm for farming, that he has been crowned Junior Young Farm Worker of the Year at the Young British Farming Awards.
Ahead of an awards ceremony at Cannon Hall Farm, near Barnsley, judges concluded that William’s “confidence, kindness and willingness to learn make him a wonderful ambassador for the next generation of farmers”.
Growing up around the family’s 80 Limousin suckler cows at Oakenshaw, Bradford, William has become actively involved in day-to-day tasks, from feeding calves and checking stock to unwrapping silage bales and assisting with tagging, worming and dehorning.
Judges heard how William’s sharp eye for animal welfare was demonstrated when he spotted a poorly calf showing only subtle signs that something was wrong.
His mother, Helen Cussons, said: “William was feeding up with his dad, Joseph, one morning and as he dad was doing the calf creeps William noticed a poorly calf with a head tilt, so he brought the calf straight in with his mother.
"It had some sort of brain injury, we don’t know if it had been knocked, so it was down to William’s eye for detail that it received prompt veterinary attention.”
William, whose family run Ralph Pearson wholesale butchers to support their farming enterprise, also has his own herd of four home-bred British Blue Cross cattle.
Ms Cussons said: “He has the patience of a saint. He loves his animals, he’s so kind and caring. We’ve left him to bring up his own cattle and at the moment he’s just halter-breaking a heifer off his own heifer for a calf show, something he’s been eager to do for many years.
"He spends so much time with his cattle. When we’re doing the mundane jobs, tagging, worming, he’s there, running down our numbers for us, doing a bit of book-keeping for us. He’s only young, but he’s a real help!”
Judges said they were also impressed that William’s heifer Betty had secured second place in the Young Handlers Class at Thirsk Auction Mart, while one of his bulls later achieved £2,450 at the same market.
Away from the farm, the Year 7 Hipperholme Grammar School pupils has showcased his farming experiences in classes and demonstrated impressive auctioneering skills at local fundraising events.
Ms Cussons said: “At school they love to hear how he has got on and they show his videos of calving cows. He has done a bit of auctioneering as well, mainly at Pateley Bridge.
"I’m chuffed to bits that he has been recognised for a national award. The achievements of the finalists was outstanding. It reassures you that the future of farming is strong.”
Other winners included William Hunt, 15, of Derbyshire, who was named Young Farming Hero after demonstrating exceptional dedication to his family and the farm, following his grandad’s diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.