SOUTH WEST DAIRYING EXCELLENCE ON SHOW AS DAIRY FARMERS LINE UP FOR TOP AWARD

The winner of this year's prestigious South West Dairy Farmer of the Year Award has been announced at the Dairy Show. Taking the title this year is Bill Blake who milks 380 cows at his farm near Crediton, Devon; with the Runner-up being the farm of R & G Fowler of Braunton North Devon.

The Award organised by the Royal Bath & West of England Society and sponsored and supported by Milk Link, the South West's leading farmer owned co-operative, and Clydesdale Bank plc seeks to recognise excellence in dairy farming. The Award is open to all farm businesses across Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, whose income is mainly derived from milk production.

Short listed farms were visited by the Award judges, Paul Charlton (Milk Link), Graham Poulton (Clydesdale Bank) and Peter Clark (Retired Veterinary Surgeon). Allen Cotton, competition steward for the Royal Bath & West, also accompanied the judges for their visits to Devon. At each visit, the judges looked at all aspects of the farm, the stock, plans and policies, dairy costings and accounts. Having completed a very interesting two days of visits, they were impressed by two farms in particular and had difficulty in splitting them; therefore this year there will be two trophies awarded, one for the winner and one for the runner-up.

Paul Charlton, from Milk Link in Plymouth said "Once again judging the South West Dairy Farmer of the Year Award has been an extremely difficult but at the same time rewarding process. The standard of the dairy farms short listed this year was very high and demonstrates, if proof be needed, the excellence of dairy farming in the South West. Dairying continues to face a number of challenges, this competition aims to highlight those dairy farms and businesses in the South West which have best prepared to meet these challenges and can demonstrate an innovative and profitable way ahead."

Graham Poulton from Clydesdale Bank plc said "at a time when milk prices have been under pressure and the weather has done farmers few favours the sheer quality demonstrated by all of the farms shortlisted was a real credit to the industry. South West dairy farmers continue to set standards to which others aspire..."

Each entrant received free tickets to the Dairy Show and the overall winner of the competition received £1,000 in prize money plus an engraved glass bowl and framed photograph of the occasion.

The other farmers nominated were:

John Davis, West Bodden Farm, Somerset
Bryan Rich, Coldharbour Farm, Somerset
David Cotton, H E Cotton & Son, Somerset
W E & J M Jones, Dairy Field, Devon