The Melplash Agricultural Society’s Farms and Crops competition recognises the energy, commitment 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 sizes of farms and small holdings within a 12-mile radius of Melplash Village Church. Each farm entered is visited by a team of judges who walk the farm to look at the husbandry of crops and livestock, how well the environment is cared for and the maintenance of machinery and fixed assets. They also talk to the farmer to find out how they manage their farming business and their plans for the future.
The competition is sponsored by Estate Agents, Woolley & Wallis.
A special award is given in each category for conservation and environmental practice, each receive a Kitson & Trotman Perpetual Challenge Trophy.
The winners receive their cups at the Melplash Show on Thursday 22nd August.
Small Farm – 199 Acres or Fewer
Judges: Mr Paul Dyer and Miss Georgie Dyer
Steward: Mr John Yeates
1st & Winner of RM Gillingham Challenge Cup – Mr Tom Shepard, South Wraxall Farm, Cattistock
2nd Mr Ed Marsh, Powerstock Mill Farm, Powerstock, Bridport, Dorset
3rd R I Geddes & Partners, Colesmoor Farm, Toller Porcorum
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 James Elwood and Mrs Jane Elwood
Steward: Mr Robert Bowditch
1st & Winner of The Burrough Perpetual Challenge Cup – Messrs Tim and Bernard Newman, Larkham Farm
Joint 2nd Mr Edward and Mrs Joanna Goodfellow, Higher Silkhay Farm, Netherbury.
Joint 2nd Mr Andy Sprake, Zephen Farms Limited, Langton Herring.
Winner of the Kitson & Trotman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Best Conservation Environmental Practice (Medium) Tim and Bernard Newman, Larkham Farm, Evershot
Large Farm – Over 600 Acres
Judges: Messrs Ed and Josh Hiscock
Steward: Mr Dan Newman
1st & Winner of The David Williams Bart Memorial Cup – Mr Ed Bowditch, Cooper Dean Estate
2nd Mr Gareth Beynon, Rampisham Manor Farms
3rd Mr Stephen Raymond, Childhay Manor
4th Sir Philip Colfox, Symondsbury Estate
Winner of the Kitson & Trotman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for the Best Conservation Environmental Practice (Large) – Mr Gareth Beynon, Rampisham Manor Farms
Crop & Grassland Classes
Judges: Messrs David and Ben Chick
Stewards: Mr Dan Newman
Short-Term Cutting Ley Long-Term Cutting Ley
1st Cooper Dean Estate (Ed Bowditch) 1st Childhay Organic Dairy
2nd Childhay Organic Dairy (Steve Raymond) 2nd Zephen Farms Limited
Winter Wheat Spring Barley
1st Cooper Dean Estate 1st Zephen Farms Limited
2nd Evershot Farms 2nd Mr E & Mrs J Goodfellow
Winter Barley Arable Silage
1st Mr E & Mrs J Goodfellow 1st Childhay Organic Dairy
2nd Zephen Farms Ltd
