2006 Star Prize to English Journalist Andrew Blakes story “No crops is an SFP ‘no go’” won IFAJ Star Prize of Agricultural Journalism 2006. Blake is a member of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists (GAJ), the English agricultural journalists association. His story was published of February 18, 2005 , in Farmers Weekly. The judges commented: “He has written a story about the changes on a farm influenced by agricultural policy. The journalist has got a good story because he visited the farm twice. He also interviewed an advisor which gives more depth to the story. It is a fine article that gives a good overview. Good balance, good writing, fine style, and structure.” Andries Gouws of South Africa , won second place in the contest for his story “ Game farmer turns problems into profit”. That article was published in Landbouweekblad. Gouws is a member of South African Agricultural Writers Association. Andrew Blake received 750 euros and a crystal trophy for his winning entry. Andries Gouws received a trophy and 250 euros for second place. The winners were announced during the IFAJ World Congress in Norway, August 11-16, 2006. IFAJ Star Prize of Agricultural Journalism is sponsored by John Deere, and it is described as a world championship of agricultural journalism. Each IFAJ-member country is asked to select and enter the best story published in their country. Most of the members have writing contests in their country to make their selection. Seventeen IFAJ-member countries forwarded entries for the contest of 2006. The following stories were entered in the IFAJ Star Prize of Agricultural Journalism 2006: Albania “Resurrection” by Xhevdet Bashllari at Jeta e Fshatit. Australia “Family team a powerful force” by Neil Lyon at Land. Belgium “Health risks in the way” Kurt Becue at Melkveebedrijf. Canada “Producers say CFIA mismanaged bird flu outbreak” by David Schmidt at Country Life. Czech Republic “Opatrný, a farmer in saddle” by Jiri Krepelka at Nas Chov (Our breed). Denmark “She went for development” by Svend Vestergaard at Landbrugsavisen. Finland “A tale of two farms – and two ways of organizing work” by Raila Aaltonen at Lihatalous. Germany “Our birds are healthy” by Elisabeth Legge und Christiane Närmann-Bockholt at Landwirtschaftliche Zeitschriftt Reinland Ireland “Ten profit lessons from some of the top farmers in Ireland” by Jack Kennedy at Irish Farmers Journal. Madagascar “Le courage a raison des difficultes” by Rakotomandimby Hajasoanirina as “Mihaja” at Mita. Netherlands “Farmer finds husband” by Alice van Ginkel at BNDR. New Zealand “Ex-jockey now manager has a ride of a lifetime” by Terry Brosnahan at Country Wide. South Africa “Game farmer turns problems into profits” by Andries Gouws at Landbouweekblad. Sweden “Becoming a farmer is a big step for Ahmed” by Mats Karlsson at Land Lantbruk. Switzerland “Alpen farm in the county of Tessin” by Uueli Zweifel at Schweizer Landtechnik. United Kingdom Np crops is an SFP no go by Andrew Blake at Farmers Weekly. USA “Solo Star – Orchardgrass shines as a stand-alone hay crop” by Neil Tietz at HayandForage.com.
	Read the winning story here Read the second place story