Matt Tilt picks up Guild’s IAgRE Award

arm Contractor and Large Scale Farmer editor Matt Tilt has won the 2026 Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) Award for the best article or broadcast highlighting the role of engineering in food and energy production.

The standard of writing and range of articles submitted for this year’s IAgrE Award was outstanding, IAgrE chief executive Charlie Nicklin noted, making judging decisions particularly difficult. 
Matt’s winning article ‘Herefordshire fabricator offers versatile drilling solution’ told the story of how Landwrx’s Tom Land developed a lightweight drill for cover crop establishment, overseeding grassland and undersowing maize.

The feature showcased innovation within the British manufacturing sector from a one-man operation looking to meet customer demand for minimal tillage crop establishment, Matt said when entering for the awards. 
The judging panel for the award commented: “This article offered a compelling and well-structured account of how an engineering innovation was developed to solve a practical problem, and how it was effectively integrated within a modern farming system.”

Runner up Toby Whatley, Farmers Guardian’s machinery editor, received £500 for his article about the first full size all-electric tractor, Fendt’s e107S to be launched in the UK.

The article ‘Fendt shows its first full-size all-electric tractor’ aimed to highlight the functional reality of the tractor, examining its limitations as well as the opportunities where it could excel and be an economically sensible investment, Toby explained.

Judges agreed saying: “Through clear insight and engaging storytelling, this article celebrates how transformative technology is being embraced within farming, marking a significant step forward for this sector.”

Charlie Nicklin, chief executive of IAgrE, said: “We are proud to continue supporting the Guild’s awards and to recognise the important role agricultural journalism plays in sharing engineering innovation across the industry. The quality of entries this year was exceptionally high, demonstrating the depth of technical understanding and storytelling within the sector.

“Both winning articles highlighted how engineering solutions are helping farmers improve productivity, sustainability and efficiency in practical ways. We’re always keen to strengthen links between agricultural engineering and journalism, and we actively encourage writers with an interest in machinery and innovation to engage with IAgrE and consider membership as part of their professional development.”