The Melplash Agricultural Society’s Farms & Crops competition recognises the hard work and dedication of our local farmers as they grow and produce the food we eat and look after our beautiful countryside.
The competition is open to all size farms and small holdings within a 12-mile radius of Melplash Village Church. There are four categories Small, Medium and Large farms. Each farm entered is visited by a team of judges who walk the farm to look at the husbandry of crops and the livestock, how well the environment is cared for, the maintenance of machinery and fixed asset, etc. They also talk to the farmer to find out how they manage their business, looking at profitability, use of resources and what their plans are for the future. The competition is sponsored by Woolley & Wallis , award winning estate agents, offering an extensive range of estate agent and professional services encompassing all areas of residential sales, lettings, farm and rural and commercial property.
There is a special award in each category for conservation and environmental practice, the winners receive the Kitson & Trotman Perpetual Challenge Trophy.
This year there were 23 entries across West Dorset and South Somerset. The judges reported that they were very impressed and felt very privileged to visit and tour the farms. They were extremely grateful for the time given to them and the willingness of all the farmers to share information with them. As a Society we are very proud of our farmers!
Small Farm – 199 Acres or Fewer
Judges: Mr David and Mrs Carolyn Gill
Stewards: Mr John Yeates and Mr Simon Wakely
1st & Winner of RM Gillingham Challenge Cup – RI Geddes & Partners, Colesmoor Farm Toller Porcorum
2nd Mr David and Mrs Ruth Wilkins, Rampisham Hill Farm, Hooke
3rd Mr Andrew Romans, Charity Farm, Litton Cheney
Winner of the Kitson & Trotman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Best Conservation Environmental Practice (Small) R I Geddes & Partners, Colesmoor Farm, Toller Porcorum
Medium Farm – 200 – 599 Acres
Judges: Mr Patrick Ruckert & Mr James Bartlett
Steward: Mr Bertie Newman
1st & Winner of The Burrough Perpetual Challenge Cup – Mr James Vickery, Chedington Court Estate.
2nd Mr Russell Coombes, Higher Wynford Farm, West Compton.
Joint 3rd Mr Edward and Mrs Joanna Goodfellow, Higher Silkhay Farm, Netherbury.
Joint 3rd Mr Andy Sprake, Zephen Farms Limited, Langton Herring.
Winner of the Kitson & Trotman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Best Conservation Environmental Practice (Medium) Mr James Vickery, Chedington Court Estate, Chedington.
Large Farm – Over 600 Acres
Judges: Mr Richard Stratton & Mr Mark Johnson
Steward: Mr Philip Hardwill
1st & Winner of The David Williams Bart Memorial Cup – Crutchley Farms at Mappercombe Manor
2nd Mr Gareth Beynon, Rampisham Manor Farms
3rd Mr & Mrs Nick and Claire Bragg, Frogmary Green Farm, South Petherton
Winner of the Kitson & Trotman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Best Conservation Environmental Practice (Large) – George, Amanda and Philippa Streatfeild & Ellen Kingston, Coppet Hill, Whitchurch Canonicorum.
Crop & Grassland Classes
Judge: Mr George Cornwall
Steward: Mr Robert Bowditch
Short-Term Cutting Ley
1st Crutchley Farms
2nd Higher Wynford Farm
3rd Childhay Organic Dairy
Long-Term Cutting Ley
1st Higher Wynford Farm
2nd Chedington Court Estate
3rd Zephen Farms Limited
Winter Wheat
1st Zephen Farms Limited
2nd Shatcombe Farm, Wynford Eagle
3rd Crutchley Farms
Spring Barley
1st Chedington Court Estate
2nd Zephen Farms Limited
3rd Childhay Organic Dairy
