Eurig Jenkins, a dairy farmer from Pentrefelin Farm near Lampeter, Ceredigion has won the BGS Grassland Farmer of the Year competition for 2016.
The announcement was made at an awards evening held in Belfast last week, jointly hosted by BGS and Ulster Grassland Society. The competition and evening were kindly sponsored by Yara and DLF.
Mr Jenkins’ 400-cow herd of New Zealand Friesian cows, managed under a spring-block calving and grazing system, took him to the top of the 2016 competition.
The judging criteria encompassed grassland and forage policy, grazing and forage management, livestock production and welfare, as well as how the farm approaches environmental issues.
When presenting the award, BGS President John Bax commented: ‘Whilst it is always a regret that there can only be one overall winner, I am delighted to reveal this year’s award goes to a grassland producer who truly demonstrates what can be acheived when there is a focus on grass and forage, in UK farming’.
Stiff competition
Mr Jenkins was joined at the Belfast celebration by the two other exceptional entrants, who had succeeded through the tough regional rounds to become finalists in the competition.
The achievements of Richard Fryer, a dairy farmer from Cheshire and William Ingram, a sheep farmer from Aberdeenshire, were recognised in their making the final three.
Head Judge, Glasnant Morgan summarised the difficult decision made by the judging team, saying that all three finalists had strong elements in their favour.
In the end however, it came down to picking the winner whose farm had closed all the gaps through which expenditure can leak.
They did this by focusing on utilising home-produced grass and forage in the most efficient way and ensuring the business could weather external pressures, an ethos that all farmers need to be aware of he said.
"Mr Jenkins’ farm in Mid-Wales demonstrates not only excellence in grazing-focused dairying, but also other aspects relevant to all livestock sectors, including adoption of new technology for nutrient management and energy saving.
"His farm is also a good example of how to sustain good working relationships on a family holding."
