The ‘Grassland Farmer of the Year’ competition run by the British Grassland Society and sponsored by DLF and Yara has been launched this week (Thursday 10 March).
The hunt is on to find the grassland champion for 2016, and is open to entries from affiliated Local Grassland Societies and BGS members in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The prize-winning farmer will be someone who demonstrates overall excellence in grassland management and who runs profitable and sustainable farming practices.
Previous winners include many of the UK’s top dairy, sheep and beef farmers. They have all demonstrated excellence in their grazing, soil and nutrient management, reseeding policy, silage-making or alternative cropping, livestock production and environmental considerations, whilst still making a profit.
The judging panel this year will consist of head judge Glasnant Morgan, who is a former competition winner and beef and sheep farmer from Powys, John Read of seeds company DLF, John Moore of fertiliser manufacturer Yara, and last year’s winner Colin Boggs, a dairy farmer from Northern Ireland.
Over the coming months, Regional Council Members of the British Grassland Society will organise the judging of local society winners across their area, and inform BGS of the regional winner going through to the national stage of the competition.
The competition winner holds the title and glass trophy for a year, and also receives a cheque for £500.
Key dates for 2016
Friday 3 June – Local Grassland Societies to notify their Regional Council Member of their winner (excluding Wales where dates are set by the Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies).
Friday 15 July – Regional Council Members to notify BGS of their regional winner.
Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 August – National judging takes place to select the overall winner for 2016. Entrants must be available for the judges to visit the farm on one of these dates.
