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Farms in Pembrokeshire and Warwickshire have been announced as winners of the prestigious Farmcare FWAG Silver Lapwing Awards at a ceremony at the RAC Club in London's Pall Mall.



Knapps Farm, a family run dairy farm in Martletwy, near Narberth in Pembrokeshire, was awarded the overall Farmcare FWAG Silver Lapwing Trophy, and Manor Farm, in Priors Marston, near Southam in Warwickshire won the
First Steps Award.

The trophies were presented by Sir William Proby, Chairman of The National Trust and a farmer himself.

The Silver Lapwing Awards are the UK's most prestigious farm conservation competition, and are divided into two categories.

The main award winner must demonstrate a track record of environmental best practice, integrated into a commercially successful farming business over
at least three years. The First Steps winner is the farm that best demonstrates significant steps made towards care of the environment in the
last year.

This year's main award winner, Knapps Farm in Pembrokeshire, is a 105 hectare dairy farm producing 9,200 litres of milk a year. It is owned and
run by Terry and Mary Clarke, with their youngest son Tom. They have created a valuable network of habitats across the farm, including wetland, heathland and woodland areas.

Dr Tim Bines, Chairman of the Silver Lapwing judges, said: "We were impressed by the skilled retention, management and development of the
natural features of this farm within the farming regime. The farm has valuable wetland areas which support a large population of the rare Marsh
Fritillary butterfly, as well as areas of gorse, willow scrub, wet heathland and hedgerows. "

First Steps winner, Manor Farm in Priors Marston is owned by the J B Young Will Trust and managed by Rob Daykin. Dr Bines said: "The farm has been
imaginatively developed for arable production, wildlife and the visitor, with a well organised horse riding network in place across the farm. Rob
Daykin has managed to create a range of habitats whilst still delivering a very effective commercial production."

The Farmcare FWAG Silver Lapwing Awards are sponsored by Farmcare, the UK's leading farm management business. As part of the Co-operative Group,
Farmcare has a strong commitment to encouraging environmental best practice.

Christine Tacon, Farmcare's General Manager, said: "I am very impressed by the work our winners have put into conservation on their farms. The Clarke family has worked hard to retain and expand the wildlife within the framework of a working dairy farm and the great diversity of plants, insects and birds is a clear consequence of their efforts.

"Rob Daykin has successfully utilised areas on his farm which might be difficult for arable production to provide wildlife habitats, including wild bird cover and beetle banks. I am pleased to see that the farm is
still gaining good yields on its arable crops with minimal tillage."

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), which organises the judging and provides conservation advice, has worked with many past winners. Glenda Thomas, Director of FWAG Cymru, said of Knapps Farm: "We are delighted to have a Welsh winner of the Silver Lapwing Award, and congratulate the Clarke family on this tremendous achievement."

Michael Woodhouse, FWAG Director for England, praised First Steps winner Manor Farm. "Even at this early stage, the farm's conservation plans are yielding wildlife benefit, particularly noticeable through bird
indicators."

Other shortlisted finalists for the main Silver Lapwing Award were Holme Farm, near New Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway; Piercebridge Farm, near Darlington; and Ballyrickard House in Comber, County Down. Shortlisted for the First Steps Award were Cowbog Farm in Kelso, Borders; Hill Farm in
Mold, North Wales; and Brackagh Road Farm in Moneymore, County Londonderry.

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