Vet recognised for “tireless” work for UK farming 

David Black has been named Farming Champion at the Cumbria Farmer Awards – after the judge said he had worked “tirelessly for UK farming”.

The event, which took place on 16^th August, is considered the county’s rural Oscars. 

Host Caz Graham, the Cumbrian born broadcaster known for her work on Radio 4’s Farming Today, paid tribute to David’s far-reaching influence as an ambassador for farmers.

“This is such a nice award to receive because it covers all the different aspects of what I have tried to do,” said David, who is MD and founder of Paragon Veterinary Group.

“The Cumbria Farmer Awards evening is an impressive celebration of Cumbrian farming and there were incredible people receiving awards, amazing farmers, as well as people in the support industries and I was very humbled to be a small part of that.”

“Farmers are the champions of sustainability”

David is widely recognised for his role pioneering cattle IVF in the UK and for his leadership locally and nationally, in responding to the foot and mouth disease crisis in 2001.

He was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and, with his team, is now helping lead new developments in animal welfare, health and breeding more efficient sustainable livestock. 

“The farmers are the champions of the drive towards sustainability,” said David. 

“They are often accused of being the bad guys when it comes to methane, and I challenge that. Farmers are part of the solution. 

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“I have tried to get the science across and stand up for them and point out that they have been doing this for generations, it just wasn’t called sustainability in the past.

“We are also trying to get vets involved globally with the supply chain and global agriculture. I’m trying to get livestock vets to work together for the betterment of farming.”

He added: “The only reason I can do what I do is because of the two teams behind me, Paragon and Sue and the family. They have allowed me to do these extra things.”

Unexpected honour

David has been a judge for the Cumbria Farmer Awards since it launched four years ago but was excluded from the judging of Farming Champion.

“They kept me completely in the dark, and I had no idea that I had won until it was announced on stage. I really didn’t expect it,” he said. 

Paragon Veterinary Group was also a finalist in the Service Provider of the Year category. 

“We were delighted to be a finalist in that. We were beaten by Kendamil, a very worthy winner,” said David. 

More than 200 guests attended the ceremony at the Greenhill Hotel near Wigton. 

Paragon Veterinary Group has centres in Dalston, Newbiggin near Penrith and Wetheral and has Small Animal, Equine, Large Animal and Advanced Breeding divisions. 

It also incorporates Tarn Farm Vets in Shap. 

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