A farm worker has scooped a prestigious award as one of the UK’s top farm sprayer operators.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jonathan Cross from Woodbridge, centre, won the Regional Award in the Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year competition. He is pictured with Mark Hall of award sponsors, Syngenta (left) and Richard Allison, arable editor at Farmers Weekly.Jonathan Cross from Woodbridge, centre, won the Regional Award in the Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year competition. He is pictured with Mark Hall of award sponsors, Syngenta (left) and Richard Allison, arable editor at Farmers Weekly. (Image: Archant)

Jonathan Cross, of Wantisden Hall Farms, near Woodbridge, was crowned regional winner of the Syngenta Farm Sprayer Operator of the Year at the International Sprays and Sprayers event at Cereals 2013. He used best practice and was “a worthy winner”, said sponsors Syngenta’s Mike Welby.

Jonathan is a highly experienced sprayer operator, responsible for the crop protection application across the 1200 hectare Suffolk farm of J H Kemball & Son. He covers a diverse range of arable crops, including wheat, barley, beans and oilseed rape, along with vegetable cropping.

The judges were also particularly impressed by Jonathan’s skills in both practical application techniques and adoption of new technology. The farm’s handling of empty containers and recycling of waste was highly commended by the judging panel.

Skilled operator

Syngenta area business manager Mr Welby said: “The FSOOTY Awards judges all aspects of farm spraying to identify the very best operators across the UK, and to share their skills and expertise.

“Jonathan has consistently shown outstanding skills and works to very high standards, to achieve the best possible results.

“He has proved a worthy winner by demonstrating that best practice can deliver efficient, cost effective and, above all, safe crop spraying. Syngenta recognises that the skills of the sprayer operator are paramount in achieving the potential from all our crop protection products.”