Sean is Britain’s fittest farmer

An Evie man has been named as one of the two winners of a competition which set out to find Britain’s fittest farmers.

30-year-old Sean Cursiter, who farms sheep and cattle at Laga Farms, Evie, claimed victory at the live final of the competition, which was run by the magazine Farmers Weekly.

His application was selected from hundreds to compete in the final of the Britain’s Fittest Farmer 2019 competition, alongside 13 others. The final, which was held in Essex on Saturday, May 4, saw the finalists complete five tough physical challenges, as well as an interview with judges focusing on mental health.

The competition was launched to promote mental and physical health in agriculture in a fun and engaging way.

Mr Cursiter was announced as the men’s winner today, with 38-year-old Fiona Penfold, from the West Country, announced as the women’s winner.

Asked about the importance of fitness to both mental and physical health, Sean said: “Farmers are constantly being required to produce cheap food while input costs rise. In Orkney there are a lot of farmers on their own, with 80 cows, living a lonely existence — they might not see another person for weeks.”

He said that’s why he makes a conscious effort to socialise with others. Playing rugby for Orkney’s first team is a big part of this.

“If folks close themselves in and just farm, then that’s not a good state of mind to be in. It’s hard to come away from the farm and be social, but it does have its benefits, and sometimes the lack of time is over-used as an excuse.”

“There are 24 hours in the day, so you need to give one to yourself. It’s good to have a hobby, and I don’t find that my sport has a negative effect on the farm.”

For more on this story, see next week’s edition of The Orcadian.