The annual Melplash Agricultural Society’s Farms competition gives farmers living within a 12 miles radius of Melplash village church, the opportunity to gain recognition for their business skills, good husbandry and dedication to looking after the countryside.  There are 4 categories – Small ( up to199 acres), Medium (200 – 599 acres) Large (over 600 acres) and Specialist Dairy.  Each category is judged by a team of judges who assess the overall management of the farm.  They look at the profitability, the farming system, the crops, the livestock, etc.   Special awards in each category are given for conservation and environmental practises and for the best ley.  The competition this year is sponsored by Woolley and Wallis, a leading regional firm of estate agents specialising in residential, commercial, lettings, farm and equestrian property.  The results of the best managed and cultivated farm, and best managed livestock for 2019 are:

SMALL FARMS (199 acres and below)  Judge:   Mr Rob White

1st – Mr & Mrs David & Ruth Wilkins, Rampisham Hill Farm, Hooke

2nd – Mrs Alexa de Ferranti, Lower Hewood Farm, Hewood

Best Temporary Ley – Not awarded

Best Environmental Practice – Mrs Alexa de Ferranti, Lower Hewood Farm, Hewood

MEDIUM FARMS (200-599 acres) Judges:  Mr Rob White

1st – Messrs. Goodfellow, Higher Silkhay Farm, Netherbury

2nd – Mr Andrew Romans, Charity Farm, Litton Cheney

3rd – Messrs. Walbridge, Bridge Farm, Hooke

Best Ley – Messrs. Walbridge, Bridge Farm, Hooke

Best Environmental Practice – Messrs. Goodfellow, Higher Silkhay Farm, Netherbury

LARGE FARMS (over 600 acres) Judges: Mr David Bright & Mr Rod Crossley

1st – Mr Nick Bragg, Frogmary Farm Ltd, South Petherton

2nd – Messrs. Crutchley, Mappercombe Farm, Nettlecombe

Joint 3rd – Mr Brian Huxter, Symondsbury Estate, Symondsbury  and Messrs. Maltby, Long Barrow Farm, Long Bredy

Best Ley – Messrs. Crutchley, Mappercombe Farm, Nettlecombe

Best Environmental Practice – Mr Nick Bragg, Frogmary Farm Ltd

SPECIALIST DAIRY FARM    Judges: Mr Mark Partridge & Mr Andrew Small      

1st – Mr Jim Loescher, Denhay Farms Ltd, Broadoak

2nd – Mr Allaster Dallas, Evershot Estate Ltd

3rd – Mr Stephen Raymond, Childhay Organic dairy

Best Environmental Practice – Mr Allaster Dallas, Evershot Estate Ltd

The winners of each category will receive their awards from the Society’s 2019 President Mr Tim Frost at the Melplash Show on Thursday 22nd  August.