This pink tractor campaign is more than a gimmick—it’s a community-powered engine for cancer awareness, and it’s rolling across the UK

It’s not every day you see a hot-pink tractor rolling through the Devon countryside. But for Andrew Venton, director and business development manager at Conagri, that’s exactly the point. Standing out, sparking conversation, and supporting life-saving causes—this is the heart of the Pink Tractor Campaign.

In a world of green and grey farm machinery, Andrew’s vivid magenta marvels are attracting more than just curious glances. They’re pulling in crowds, raising thousands, and uniting communities around a common cause: fighting cancer. Through raffling off these uniquely coloured tractors, Conagri is turning heads and touching hearts, all in the name of Prostate Cancer UK and the Pink Ribbon Foundation.

From Italy with Inspiration

Andrew, a North Tawton native with deep roots in agriculture and sales, first encountered the idea during a visit to the EIMA machinery exhibition in Italy. Amongst the rainbow of farm equipment on display, one machine stood out.

“Captain Tractors had a pink machine there,” Andrew recalls. “Out of all the colours they had (and there were a lot!), it very obviously commandeered the most attention.”

That spark of inspiration turned into something tangible back home. With a compact 263 HST model from Captain Tractors ordered in factory pink, the foundation of the campaign was laid. But this wasn’t about flashy paintwork—it was about purpose.

“We knew we could do something with that in the UK,” Andrew says, and indeed, they have.

Heartfelt Causes, Real Connections

Choosing which charities to support wasn’t random. The Pink Ribbon Foundation, celebrating its 25th year, resonated for its broad support across cancer types and its community-driven ethos. Add to that Julia Bradbury’s involvement—herself a breast cancer survivor and former Countryfile presenter—and the campaign found its perfect ambassador.

“Having Julia on board meant we could highlight both health awareness and farming,” Andrew explains. “There’s synergy there, and hopefully, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Julia’s personal connections to both charities added weight to her involvement.

“Her father is a prostate cancer survivor, so she’s even more poignant and aligned with this journey,” he adds.

With her PR team, including Devon-based Anna Reid, fully hands-on, the campaign quickly gained momentum.

On the Road, Attracting a Crowd

What’s been truly remarkable is the sheer public enthusiasm. At events like the Devon County Show, the tractor became a beacon.

“The public’s reaction has been overwhelming—from men as well as women,” says Andrew. “It’s been a real talking point.”

Visitors haven’t just stopped to take photos. They’ve bought hundreds of raffle tickets, shared personal stories, and sometimes, just quietly thanked the team for raising awareness. One particularly touching moment came when a woman recently widowed by prostate cancer was persuaded by her daughter to visit the stand.

“She was happy to buy a ticket,” Andrew remembers, clearly moved.

Tickets for the raffle can be bought both online at www.conagri.co.uk and in person at show stands. The campaign will visit the Royal Cornwall Show in early June, and others across the country, culminating in a grand prize draw on Friday 17 October at Conagri’s site in Bow, Devon. The winners will be celebrated at an open day on 31 October—with Julia Bradbury herself presenting the prizes and signing her new book.

“No tickets needed for the event,” Andrew notes, anticipating a strong turnout. “There’ll be food, a celebration, and hopefully a lot of smiling faces.”

Influencers in Boots and Bags

While the campaign’s heart is clearly in the countryside, its reach is anything but limited. The team has cleverly teamed up with partners of The Outdoor Guide—Julia’s co-founded platform—to amplify the message through influencers and branded products.

“The Original Muck Boot Company and The Healthy Back Bag Company got involved,” says Andrew. “Content creators across Devon are now enjoying pink and black waterproof boots on their social media channels while shouting about the campaign.”

Even reality TV star Faye Winter made an appearance at the Devon County Show, hopping into the tractor’s seat to test its comfort and walking away with a raffle ticket.

“She had a great time,” Andrew says.

Meanwhile, local support has remained a bedrock of the initiative.

“The community in Crediton and at Conagri have been very supportive,” he notes. “They’ve helped us at shows and spread the word.”

A Campaign with Momentum

So far, the initiative has raised £4,000—mostly through in-person sales, surprisingly.

“In this digital age, that’s been a pleasant surprise,” Andrew says.

The funds will be directed to the charities to use as they see fit, and the hope is that the final tally will be much higher come October.

Could this become a regular fixture?

“We’ve toyed with the idea of raffling a pink ATV next year,” Andrew says. “But we don’t want to become boring or take advantage of people’s good nature. We’ll see how this one goes.”

For now, the focus is on keeping the campaign engaging and meaningful. That means potentially working with Young Farmers groups to bring younger audiences into the fold, and accepting invitations from shows across the country—even if scheduling challenges mean turning a few down.

Running the campaign hasn’t been without its challenges. Balancing the representation of two charities, coordinating appearances, and rallying support has been a full-time job in itself. But Andrew’s quick to highlight the rewards.

“Seeing people’s faces when they visit our picture wall and spot themselves on the pink tractor—that’s been the best bit,” he says. “Some have even come back with more people to show them!”

When he’s not organising raffles or managing show appearances, Andrew’s day-to-day involves selling a broad range of agricultural and construction machinery. But for now, the pink tractor has become something of a mascot—equal parts machine and movement.

And for anyone still undecided about buying a ticket?

“What could be more worthwhile,” he asks, “than supporting a charity that must somehow be close to their heart—and getting the chance to win a unique pink or black tractor in return?”