Hampshire farms & conservation competition 2010

This years prestigious annual event took place on the 21^st and 22^nd of June. The Judges were invited onto 30 Hampshire farms representing 57,500 acres of the county. The farms were judged in four Open Classes & a Championship Class. Farm sizes ranged from 440 acres to 5,000 acres.

The Patrons of the competition, The Hampshire Farmers Club, organised ten judges, invited from around the country and one from Oregon USA, to undertake the task. In gratitude for their hard work over two days, the judges were given 5 start accommodation in spectacular surroundings at Bereleigh House, near Petersfield.

First place in the 2010 Championship Class was awarded to Rees Farming. The judges were particularly impressed with the excellent standard of the overall business management on farm. They considered the numerous business enterprises to be exemplary and David and George one of the great father and son teams.

In all five Classes the judges were impressed by the range and number of diversifications undertaken by the farms and by the wonderful conservation projects they were shown. Crops, livestock and diversification enterprises are all inspected with emphasis given to the overall achievement of the farmer in relation to his available resources.

In addition to placing a winner & runner-up, an award for outstanding achievement was given in each class. These ranged from farm diversifications and individual enterprises to the sheer nerve and determination as well as attention to detail seen by the judges.

Chairman of the organising committee, James Hewetson-Brown said, This years competition has seen another large acreage entered. Judges, competitors and sponsors have really enjoyed the two days and I would encourage anyone farming in Hampshire to join in next year. We are immensely grateful to our numerous sponsors including our chief sponsors, NatWest Bank and Koch Fertilisers without whom the event could not have taken place.

The full results were: