Food NI member company Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil has won a silver medal in the British Farming Awards 2018 for innovation in farm diversification.

Based near Limavady in Co Derry, the farm based company has become a market leader in the development of cold-pressed rapeseed oils in a range of original flavours.

The Northern Ireland company, run by husband and wife team Richard and Leona Kane, achieved its award in the hotly contested Diversification Innovator category.

The British Farming Awards celebrate the creative thinking, innovation and dedication of the UK’s farmers. Broighter Gold, managed by Leona, was the only finalist from Northern Ireland.

The awards also showcase diversity and a willingness to adapt regardless of whether you are a farmer, farm worker, new entrant or a member of an established family business.

Broighter Gold is based on the Kane family farm at Broglasco at Myroe on the edge of Lough Foyle just above sea level on reclaimed land.  The arable farm covers 360 acres – 120 are used to grow rapeseed for oil processing.

The fertile ground grows high yielding crops of wheat, barley, oilseed and potatoes. Ireland’s greatest find of gold artefacts from the Iron Age of the 1st century BC was found on the farm and is now held by the national Museum of Ireland.

In addition to the development of infused rapeseed oils, the company has expanded into industrial tourism by developing an exhibition centre through the global Economusee network of working museums.

Formed in 2011, Broighter Gold has gained a string of top quality awards including UK Great Taste Awards.

The Kane family are fourth generation farmers. Their business started when Leona ran out of olive oil when cooking and her husband suggested the cold-pressed rapeseed oil he’d been using to make bio-diesel.

A large number of businesses now stock their ‘liquid gold’ and specially blended infusions, of which another four are in development.

The company now sells its oils throughout the UK and Ireland and has exported to France. It is a member of the global Economusee network of working museums.