The annual Melplash Agricultural Society’s Hedge laying & Ploughing Match held on Saturday at Bilshay Farm by kind permission of Symondsbury Estate and Mr James Green, saw more entries in all classes,  particularly in the Hedge Laying,  than have for many years.  The increased entrants into the Hedge laying classes were due in the main to the very successful free hedge laying session that the Society organised and ran the weekend before.   The session was very well received with over 20 people attending.   

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The Melplash Agricultural Society Flocks competition rewards local farmers for their shepherding skills and flock management.

The judge looks for good sheep husbandry and profitability.  He assesses, among other things, the management and handling of the flock, flock conformation, the quality and condition of the sheep, how they are performing and the number of lambs produced per head.  This year the judge was Mr Andy Elford, Warden Hill Farm, Dorchester, who was given the difficult task of judging 20 different flocks in the area.  In each class there were different breeds and different sheep management methods used.   The judging was over two days and the team travelled over 200 miles in the process!  

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There are 3 categories: small [farms with an area up to 300 acres], medium [farms with an area of over 301 acres and under 600 acres], large [farms with 601 and over acres]

The judges assess the management and cultivation of the farm, as well as management of the livestock.  They will look at the profitability of the farm, the farming system, crops, livestock, machinery, tidiness, etc.  All farms are also judged for their conservation and environmental practise and management.  A special award is given for the best ley in each category.

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