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In conversation with…Ryan McCormack, Farm Manager at Dennington Hall Farms and Farmer’s Weekly Farm Manager of the Year 2025
On 16 April the Suffolk Agricultural Association (SAA) hosted its School Farm and Country Fair, welcoming more than 4,300 school children to learn about food, farming and the rural economy.
Scrutton Bland were proud to support the initiative by helping to raise funds for transport to and from the event through the recent Suffolk Farming Conference, alongside Fram Farmers and the SAA.
Supported by local farmers and landowners – the Fair plays an important role in connecting younger generations with agriculture – something that’s increasingly vital for the future of the sector. And in what have been testing times for farming, it was encouraging to see so many children engaging with and learning about rural life.
That sense of optimism is one that’s reflected by Ryan McCormack, Farm Manager at Dennington Hall Farms (DHF) near Framlingham in Suffolk.
Jack Deal, Farming and Estates Partner at Scrutton Bland, caught up with Ryan at the Fair to discuss how that optimistic approach is creating new opportunities and shaping the future of farming.
Q: Ryan, tell me about Dennington Hall Farms?
A: “Dennington is a progressive, family-run farm with a strong focus on community and conservation. The Rous family has owned the land for around 700 years with Robert Rous’ father taking on active management in the 1950s.
As Farm Manager for the last four years, I’ve had the freedom to enact change to drive the business and the brand forward, with the full support and trust of the family. We work on the basis that if it feels right it probably is.
Today, the business has a clear strategy, vision and set of core values. Everything we do is aligned with a long-term direction of travel.”
Q: You were named as Farm Manager of the Year this year, how has that changed things for you?
A: “It’s been busy, but in a good way. I’ve been speaking at conferences, building new partnerships and getting Dennington involved in crop trials, particularly around genetics and plant breeding.
The award has definitely opened doors. I’ve been out and about much more, meeting people from across the sector, and even travelled to farms in France. It’s given me a unique opportunity to see what others are doing and bring those ideas back home.
All of this is strengthening our Dennington brand. In part of our business we sell direct to consumers, so capturing people’s attention really matters. Being visible in the community and social media both play a big part in this, so the award just helps bolster the brand further.
Interestingly, we’re also seeing a lot more job applications from young people because of our visibility. Young people want to come and work at Dennington because they see what we are doing and can align themselves with our values.
For me, the award was a personal goal, but it’s part of a much bigger picture. The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities come along so it becomes a cycle of trying, learning and sharing.”
Q: How are you seeing the current changes in UK agriculture playing out on the ground?
A: “It’s been a tough year, particularly from a cash flow perspective. And it’s forced a lot of businesses to think carefully about resilience.
For us, that means rethinking the arable system to create value, diversity and longevity. We’re trialling new approaches – like working with Wild Farm on a six-way blend across 40 hectares – and looking at how we can shorten supply chains.
Ultimately, we need greater traceability and fewer steps between farm and consumer to put more of the price of food back in our farmers’ pockets.”
Q: What do you think will define a successful farm business over the next 5–10 years?
A: “Focussing on value rather than cost. Looking at our produce and the value we add along in its lifecycle, rather than just trying to grow as cheaply as possible.
Changes to supply chains will be key. There’s growing demand for provenance, transparency and high standards across food production. This doesn’t come in massive supply chains with too many players.
We’re looking at vertical integrations to retain value at Dennington. Identifying parts of the supply chain that we can deliver in house rather than shifting this value to others.”
Q: How is the landscape for young people interested in careers in agriculture?
A: “I’m extremely optimistic about careers in agriculture.
Agriculture today is about far more than driving a tractor. There are massive opportunities in science, technology, data, nutrition, biodiversity and education.
Young people have access to so much information and are increasingly health conscious. If, as an industry, we can continue to educate around the link between health, our food, and where it comes from, then the opportunities for young people to come into the sector and make a difference are endless.
Q: Are you optimistic about the future of UK farming?
A: “Yes, very. But it requires adaptation.
We know the climate is becoming more extreme, with longer dry seasons and intense wet periods. The challenge – and the opportunity – is working out how to respond. But that’s the part I enjoy most!
You can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.
We’ll always need to think about soil health, air health and water health, and we need to be constantly asking “why are we growing these crops?” and “what’s the impact of doing so?”.
We need to use data more effectively, be bold with experimentation and constantly refine our approach.
At Dennington we’ve been thinking about building local resilience, so we’re looking at how we can provide food within a five-mile radius – for example by selling our meat boxes direct to consumers.
Again, we’re looking at how we can vertically integrate – thinking about storage, haulage, processing. If there’s margin in the chain, why give it away if you can retain it within the business”
Q: What keeps you motivated in such a challenging sector?
A: “The opportunity to improve and adapt. Farming is constantly evolving, and there’s always something new to learn or trial. That’s what keeps it interesting.”
Q: How important is having the right professional support around you?
A: “It’s critical. Farmers want help – and many need it – but it has to be the right kind of support.
Understanding the numbers is essential. You can’t run a modern farm business without that insight.
But it’s not just about producing figures, it’s about providing meaningful advice. Value is key. Farmers need support that genuinely helps them make better decisions and build resilience, not just data for the sake of it.”
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Ryan’s approach highlights a clear shift in modern farming – one that embraces change, focuses on adding value, and builds resilience for the future. While the challenges facing the sector remain significant, there are real opportunities for those willing to think differently and adapt.
For many farm businesses, that starts with having the right information, structure and support in place to make confident decisions.
If you would like to discuss how these themes apply to your business, please get in touch with Jack or one of the team by calling 0330 058 6559 or email hello@scruttonbland.co.uk
If you would like to read and download the latest edition of our Agriculture newsletter, please click here.
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